When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G18, which is pricier, and the Gigabyte A5, consider that the ASUS likely offers superior performance and build quality, suitable for demanding tasks like 3D work, machine learning, and gaming. However, due to its specs, it may be less portable and have a shorter battery life. The Gigabyte A5, on the other hand, should be more affordable and potentially offer better battery life and portability, though with less power for intensive tasks, making it a better fit for general use and less demanding engineering work. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Gigabyte A5
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 typically offers a more powerful CPU and more RAM, which leads to faster and smoother performance in demanding tasks, and a high-quality screen, making it excellent for general use and multitasking; however, its larger size and shorter battery life might make it less convenient for users who prioritize portability and long-lasting power. On the other hand, the Gigabyte A5 also supports general use adequately but may trade-off some performance and a lesser screen for better portability and battery life, potentially suiting users who are on the move frequently.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a top-tier GPU and a high refresh rate display, which are crucial for smooth, high-performance gaming and 3D rendering, while the Gigabyte A5, with a slightly less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate screen, still offers good gaming experiences but with less visual fluidity and detail. Both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, but the ASUS prioritizes peak gaming performance, and the Gigabyte balances cost with solid gaming capabilities.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
7.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU, enhancing its capability to handle resource-intensive engineering applications and offering a crisper, more vibrant display for detailed design work, while the Gigabyte A5, although capable, offers slightly less power and screen quality. However, the ASUS is heavier and less portable, with a noisier fan under load, compared to the more travel-friendly Gigabyte A5, which also has a decent keyboard and speakers for everyday use.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.5/10
7.0/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
7.2/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Gigabyte A5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 likely offers superior screen resolution, brightness, and panel quality which enhance the viewing experience for general use and detail precision for engineering and design; these displays also typically cover wider color gamuts essential for accurate color rendering in professional design tasks. However, its lower refresh rate diminishes its appeal for 3D applications and gaming where smoother motion representation is crucial. In contrast, the Gigabyte A5 provides adequate resolution and color fidelity for general computing and design work but also falls short for gaming and 3D use due to a similarly lower refresh rate.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte A5 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Poor
Good
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Gigabyte A5 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and Gigabyte A5 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,203
$830
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the Gigabyte A5 costs $830.
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"Ignoring price, the Gigabyte A5 has a hard time against the similarly fast competition. Besides the loud noise in 3D mode (performance mode), the high temperature development of the components should be mentioned on the downside. Despite the relatively thick case, the laptop gets very warm and loud under load, which does not exactly speak for the cooling system. The plastic surfaces look rather cheap and also tend to rattle. In most other disciplines - be it the input devices, the screen, the connectivity or the battery runtime - the Gigabyte laptop does not stand out from the crowd, neither positively nor negatively. However, those who primarily pay attention to the price-performance ratio will get a pretty good offer with the Gigabyte A5."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the Gigabyte A5
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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