GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED review
The GIGABYTE GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED ranks as the #88 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 80. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #31-ranked display among 275 laptops. Consider the Dell XPS 13 9350 or Asus ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED is a powerful laptop for creators and gamers on-the-go. While its aluminum chassis exudes quality, the laptop's value lies in its hardware. The 3K OLED display is a highlight, but calibration issues may be frustrating. Battery life is underwhelming, with around 5-6 hours of moderate use. However, the 130W USB-C charger offers flexibility. Soldered RAM limits upgradability. Despite these quirks, this laptop delivers solid performance and a sturdy build. Ultimately, its worth depends on your priorities: if you value portability and performance, it's a good choice; but if battery life is crucial, look elsewhere.
Build
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED boasts a sturdy aluminum chassis with a sleek design. The build quality is impressive, with a solid feel to the laptop. The lid opens smoothly and stays put, displaying the stunning 3K OLED screen. The weight of the laptop is evenly distributed, making it comfortable to carry around. The keyboard and touchpad are also well-constructed, providing a premium typing experience. Overall, the build quality of the GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED is excellent, reflecting its status as a high-end gaming and creative laptop. If you’re after a better build, Fujitsu Stylistic Q7311 could be the ideal option.
Display
The display on the GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED is a 3K OLED panel that shines with excellent color accuracy and vibrant hues. However, its calibration can be somewhat wonky at times, requiring manual tweaking to achieve optimal results. Despite this, it's still one of the best displays in its class, offering crisp text rendering and impressive brightness. While some may find the need for manual calibration a drawback, most users will find it more than satisfactory. Overall, the display is a highlight of the AERO 14 OLED, making it an excellent choice for creative professionals who demand top-notch visuals. Asus ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X 3D OLED might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded display.
Performance
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED delivers solid performance for creators and occasional gamers on-the-go. The Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D modeling with ease. However, battery life is a concern, with Gigabyte's own estimate of just 7.5 hours of video playback time. In reality, expect closer to 5-6 hours of moderate use. The laptop's power-saving features kick in when unplugged, throttling performance to conserve juice. While this may not be ideal for heavy users, the AERO 14 OLED still offers a great balance of performance and portability, making it suitable for those who need a reliable machine for everyday tasks. For an improved performance, Acer Nitro 14 is worth considering.
Battery and Charging
The battery life is a letdown, with a 63 Wh battery that's barely enough for moderate use. Gigabyte claims up to 7.5 hours of video playback, but in reality, you're looking at around 5-6 hours with normal usage. To make matters worse, the laptop throttles when unplugged to conserve battery power. However, charging is a breeze thanks to the 130W USB-C charger, which is impressively compact and universal enough to charge devices beyond just the laptop itself.
Connectivity
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED boasts robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The inclusion of a Windows Hello IR camera is also a welcome feature. Ports include USB-A, USB-C with Power Delivery, an HDMI output, and an SD card reader, making it easy to connect peripherals and transfer files. Take a look at Dell Precision 17 5770 - its improved connectivity sets a new standard.
Features
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED boasts a sleek aluminum chassis, a 3K OLED display, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. It features a potent CPU and GPU combo, along with 16GB of soldered DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The laptop's design is clean and minimalist, making it perfect for creators who want a powerful machine that won't weigh them down. If you're after top-notch features, consider Fujitsu LifeBook U9310X.
Support and Maintenance
The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED's support is mediocre, with some users experiencing software issues through the Control Center. While these problems are rare, they can be frustrating. Upgrades to the laptop's internal components, like RAM, are also not possible due to soldered-on RAM, which may limit its lifespan.
Pros
1. The GIGABYTE AERO 14 OLED has a nice aluminum chassis that looks clean and fine.
2. The hardware is pretty darn good, with no major issues or problems.
3. The 3K OLED display is power-efficient, but the battery life could be better (7-8 hours of video playback).
4. The laptop's design is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
5. The Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 are standard features, providing a stable and fast connection.
6. The Windows Hello IR camera is a great feature for biometric authentication.
7. The 1080p webcam is okay, but not the best quality.
8. The laptop has a nice balance of performance and portability, making it ideal for creators and gamers on-the-go.
Cons
1. The battery life could be better, with only 7-8 hours of video playback (compared to Gigabyte's claim of 7.5 hours).
2. The Ram is soldered on the motherboard, meaning it cannot be upgraded later.
3. There's no option for a higher storage capacity (only 1TB SSD).
4. The laptop can get hot during intense gaming sessions or video editing work.
5. The surface temperatures of the laptop can be a bit warm when using it for gaming.
6. The battery life is compromised when running demanding applications like Premiere Pro or Blender.
7. The 63Wh battery is relatively small, which affects overall battery life.
8. The Gigabyte Control Center software has some quirks and bugs, which need to be ironed out.
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