If you prioritize customizability and repairability with a premium build and don't mind the higher price, the Framework Laptop is a solid choice, but if you're looking for value with good gaming performance and are willing to sacrifice build quality, the Gigabyte Aorus 7 could be a more cost-effective option. The Framework offers a sustainable design with easily replaceable parts, whereas the Aorus 7 focuses on delivering robust gaming capabilities. Consider the Framework if longevity and ethical considerations are important to you, and choose the Aorus 7 for budget-friendly gaming power. 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
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 7
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.8/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.1/10
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 7 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 offers a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D performance, while the Framework Laptop 16, despite its decent screen quality and CPU, falls short in the graphics department and offers a lower refresh rate, making it less ideal for these tasks.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
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 7 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
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 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
8.3/10
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 7 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 16's screen offers a high resolution and brightness, which along with its panel type, provides crisp and vivid visuals that are beneficial for general tasks and engineering applications where details and color accuracy are crucial. However, for gaming and 3D tasks, its lower refresh rate may not deliver as smooth of an experience as gamers typically prefer. On the other hand, the Gigabyte Aorus 7, while also having a high-quality display for general use, has slightly less comprehensive color coverage for professional design work, and similar to the Framework Laptop, has a refresh rate that isn't tailored for the high demands of gaming and 3D rendering.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aorus 7 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
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 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 7 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$1,190
$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 7 costs $1,190.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers a balance of strong CPU performance, high-quality display, and substantial RAM for smooth multitasking, making it highly suitable for daily tasks, while also being lightweight and having long battery life for portability. On the other side, the Gigabyte Aorus 7, although bulkier and with a shorter battery life, still provides solid CPU and ample RAM, but stands out for users who need a larger screen and might prioritize better heat management and gaming or intensive application performance.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16, while suitable for engineering and design due to its decent CPU, RAM, and screen quality, may fall short for more demanding tasks as its GPU may not be as robust as that of the Gigabyte Aorus 7, which boasts higher-end components providing better performance for complex engineering software that requires intense graphical processing. Despite the Aorus 7’s superiority in performance, its heavier build and potentially louder operating noise make the Framework Laptop 16 the better option for those who prioritize a quieter and more portable device for everyday work and moderate design tasks.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Gigabyte Aorus 7 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 7 is a gaming laptop that is pitched at perhaps the hardest market to get right: the mid-range. So, unlike high-end gaming laptops that can throw the latest and greatest components together in a bid to attract gamers with plenty of money to spend, or budget gaming laptops that can make wise cuts that are justified as long as the price is low enough, mid-rangers like the Gigabyte Aorus 7 have to balance the two."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Gigabyte Aorus 7
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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