GIGABYTE AERO 16 review
The GIGABYTE GIGABYTE AERO 16 ranks as the #172 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 78. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #40-ranked performance among 283 laptops. Consider the Dell Precision 17 7770 or Dell Precision 17 5770, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The GIGABYTE Aero 16 has improved significantly from its previous model. With the addition of ports, a new keyboard, and a gorgeous OLED display, this laptop is now more pleasing to use. The RTX 4070 GPU provides faster performance in gaming and certain creative applications. However, it still falls short with a 60Hz refresh rate, mediocre touchpad, and relatively small battery life. Despite these drawbacks, the Aero 16 is a solid choice for creators who value performance over luxury features.
Build
The GIGABYTE AERO 16's build has undergone notable improvements over its predecessor. The laptop's weight is still manageable at 4.63 pounds, and the Twilight silver model's aluminum alloy finish gives it a premium feel despite feeling slightly plasticky to the touch. The lip that once housed the camera has been removed, and the port lineup has been significantly upgraded with multiple USB ports, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an HDMI 2.1 Port. Overall, the build feels more polished and modern, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor. A better alternative might be GIGABYTE G6X, featuring a next-level build.
Display
The GIGABYTE AERO 16's OLED display is a standout feature, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and impeccable contrast ratios. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample vertical space, making it ideal for content creators who want to multitask. The webcam is 1080P and features Windows Hello facial recognition for quick login. However, the lack of high refresh rates (60Hz only) may be a disappointment for some users who crave smoother visuals. Additionally, those sensitive to PWM flicker should keep brightness above 50% to avoid any issues. Overall, the display is impressive, but its limitations are worth noting in the context of this laptop's overall performance and features. You may find GIGABYTE G6 a better fit, thanks to its superior display.
Performance
The GIGABYTE AERO 16 boasts impressive performance with its new Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and RTX 4070 GPU. While the CPU upgrade may be minimal for developers, the GPU pairing offers significant improvements in gaming performance compared to the previous model's RTX 3080 TI. The laptop runs cool, but loud fans can kick in when using turbo mode. With a 64GB DDR5 RAM capacity and two M.2 slots, upgradability is also a plus. Overall, the AERO 16 delivers improved performance, making it a great choice for content creators and gamers. If you’re after a better performance, GIGABYTE AERO 16 OLED could be the ideal option.
Battery and Charging
The GIGABYTE AERO 16 boasts an 88Wh battery, providing around 7 hours and 15 minutes of general productivity. However, hardcore workloads may yield battery life as low as three to four hours. Notably, the laptop features a swappable Wi-Fi 6E card and two DDR5 4800MHz RAM slots with a total capacity of 64GB. While not perfect, the AERO 16's battery life is adequate for casual use, but may be insufficient for heavy-duty work or gaming sessions.
Connectivity
The GIGABYTE AERO 16 boasts an impressive port lineup, featuring a Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, micro SD card slot, combo audio jack, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, and HDMI 2.1 port. The addition of ports to the back provides better cable management, with the DC in kept away from the user. Overall, the connectivity options are comprehensive and cater to various user needs. For an improved connectivity, GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED is worth considering.
Features
The GIGABYTE AERO 16 boasts an OLED display with deep blacks, impressive contrast ratios, and a 1080P webcam. It features a revamped port lineup, including a Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an HDMI 2.1 Port. The keyboard has also been improved. You might want to check out GIGABYTE G6X, featuring an upgraded features for a superior experience.
Support and Maintenance
The GIGABYTE AERO 16 has improved significantly from last year's model. Gigabyte has shown dedication to support and maintenance with their own software allowing users to tweak settings for an optimal user experience. Additionally, the laptop's cooling system is efficient, and the battery life is respectable despite some limitations.
Pros
1. The new OLED model utilizing NVIDIA's RTX 40 series is a much better product than its predecessor, with a more pleasing design, improved port lineup, and enhanced performance.
2. The keyboard feels great to type on, with switches that are 1.5-1.7 millimeters but have enough force for comfortable typing.
3. The display is gorgeous, with deep blacks, perfect colors, and impeccable contrast ratios.
4. The laptop runs very cool, thanks to its improved heat management, which keeps the system temperature under control even during intense workloads.
Cons
1. The battery life may be around 3-4 hours for true hardcore work, which might not be sufficient for some users.
2. The webcam is 1080P, but there's no high refresh rate option available, which could be a letdown for some creators who also game on the side.
3. The speakers are not great, being very flat and tinny, making it necessary to use headphones with this laptop.
4. The touchpad click is very audible and feels cheap, although it's glass and easy to use.
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