If you prioritize repairability, customization, and sustainability, the Framework Laptop is a solid choice as it is designed to be easily upgraded and components can be replaced by the user. In contrast, the Gigabyte Aorus 17H leans towards users seeking high performance for gaming or demanding tasks, offering a robust graphics capability and a larger display, but this may come at the expense of heavier weight and potentially shorter battery life compared to more balanced systems. Consider what you'll primarily use your laptop for and whether the advantage of easy upgrades or gaming performance aligns more closely with your needs. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 17H
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
8.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H is very good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H, with a higher-end GPU and a screen with a faster refresh rate, excels in gaming and 3D tasks, providing smoother visuals and better performance for fast-paced games. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16, while capable, has a less powerful GPU and a lower refresh rate screen, making it less suited for high-end gaming but still adequate for moderate gaming and 3D applications.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
351.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Gigabyte Aorus 17H for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 16 boasts a high-resolution display with excellent brightness, making it crisp and vivid for tasks like browsing and video streaming, which is ideal for general use. Its impressive color accuracy and wide color gamuts render it well-suited for professionals in engineering and design, who require precise color representation for their work. However, its lower refresh rate may not be as suitable for gaming or 3D rendering where smoother motion and quicker screen updates are crucial for an optimal experience.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aorus 17H has 6 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
Good
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.4/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the Gigabyte Aorus 17H costs $2,000.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers excellent screen quality, portability, and a balance of CPU and RAM that make it suitable for a variety of tasks, complemented by a user-friendly keyboard and decent storage options, making it versatile for everyday use. On the other hand, the Gigabyte Aorus 17H, while also having a robust CPU and ample RAM, leans more towards users looking for a more stationary experience due to its larger size and typically shorter battery life, but it excels in areas such as gaming or engineering software, thanks to better heat management and performance.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers modular components which may be attractive for users who prioritize customization and repairability, but the Gigabyte Aorus 17H delivers more powerful graphics and processing capabilities better suited for demanding engineering tasks, despite being less travel-friendly. While both laptops have high-quality screens and substantial RAM for multitasking, the Aorus 17H generally outperforms the Framework in terms of raw power, albeit with a tradeoff in bulk and potential fan noise during heavy use.
Content Creation
8.1/10
8.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Gigabyte Aorus 17H are both very good for content creation.
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
8.0/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H 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.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Gigabyte Aorus 17H compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"Overall though, it’s *lots of swearing* fast, seriously. For work, rendering, gaming, it doesn’t matter, this is a true weapon of performance that’s going to run rings around most high-end desktop systems. If you absolutely have to game at ultra-high refresh rates on the go (but within thinking distance of a plug socket), this is the ticket. I can’t see such an extreme being that appealing to everyone, but if you take your gaming seriously, or even professionally, there’s nothing else out there that comes close that you can still fit in your backpack and travel with."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Gigabyte Aorus 17H
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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