When choosing between the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Gigabyte Aorus 5, consider that the Framework is designed for easy upgrades and repairs, which could save you money in the long run, and it’s lighter, making it more portable. However, the Aorus 5 typically offers stronger gaming performance due to its higher-end graphics, but at the expense of battery life and increased weight. If gaming or graphics-intensive tasks are a priority and you don’t mind the extra weight, the Aorus 5 may be the better option despite being pricier. For everyday tasks with the option to upgrade components, the Framework is a cost-effective and versatile choice. 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 for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 5
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.9/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 5 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 5 stands out with a stronger GPU and higher screen refresh rate, delivering smoother visuals and better gaming performance, which are crucial for an immersive gaming and 3D experience. The Framework Laptop 16, while offering decent screen quality and capable CPU for general use, doesn't quite match up in terms of graphic prowess or display fluidity for demanding gaming or 3D tasks.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 5 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
8.0/10
7.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 5 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
8.4/10
8.0/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Gigabyte Aorus 5 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering a laptop for general use, the Framework Laptop 16’s higher resolution and brighter display offer crisp and vivid visuals, possibly making it superior for activities like browsing and watching videos. Engineers and designers would find the wide color gamuts of the Framework Laptop 16 beneficial as it would display colors more accurately and consistently, crucial for tasks like photo editing or CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the refresh rate dictates how smoothly motion is rendered, and since neither the Framework Laptop 16 nor the Gigabyte Aorus 5 excel in this area, they may not provide the most fluid experience for fast-paced games or intensive 3D modeling.
Battery
9.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aorus 5 has 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
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Gigabyte Aorus 5 has only fair 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 5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$2,359
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the Gigabyte Aorus 5 costs $2,359.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Gigabyte Aorus 5 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers a balance of high-quality screen, CPU performance, and RAM, which is excellent for multitasking and everyday tasks, with the added benefit of being lightweight and having a longer battery life for portability. In contrast, the Gigabyte Aorus 5, while still providing sufficient power for general use, trades some portability and battery life for a more budget-friendly price, though it may not match the Framework's screen quality and overall performance.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aorus 5 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Gigabyte Aorus 5, with its more robust CPU, GPU, and RAM, offers superior performance for demanding engineering applications and design work, handling complex tasks more efficiently than the Framework Laptop 16. While the Framework Laptop has a high-quality screen and is more portable and user-serviceable, it does not match the sheer power and performance of the Aorus 5, which makes it better suited for highly intensive tasks despite being less convenient to carry around and having a slightly lower keyboard, speaker, and operating noise quality.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Gigabyte Aorus 5 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."
"The Gigabyte Aorus 5 SE4 is a capable mainstream gaming notebook that will run the latest PC games with aplomb. However, it's not your stereotypical flashy gaming PC. Gigabyte has added some interesting tweaks. For example, the webcam placement and its Microsoft Azure AI tool — to automatically switch between power modes — are unusual for this genre. But more importantly, the pricing is fairly competitive and reasonable."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Gigabyte Aorus 5
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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