The Gateway 11.6" is a budget-friendly, highly portable option with basic performance suitable for simple tasks like web browsing and document editing, but its lower storage and memory might be limiting for demanding applications. On the other hand, the Gigabyte Aero 16 offers much higher performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and intense engineering tasks with higher storage capacity and memory, but this comes with a higher price tag and reduced portability due to its larger size and weight. The Aero 16 also excels in screen quality with its high resolution OLED display, which is superior for color-sensitive work, though its battery life is shorter than some other laptops. 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 Gateway 11.6"
Excellent portability
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aero 16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
8.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
368.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" offers limited performance due to its basic CPU and low RAM, and the low-resolution screen may not satisfy users looking for clear visuals, but it excels in portability with its lightweight design and small size. On the other hand, the Gigabyte Aero 16 presents a robust CPU and ample RAM for demanding tasks, an exceptional screen with a higher resolution for superior image quality, and while it doesn't match the Gateway's portability due to its weight and size, it does provide a longer battery life suitable for extensive use.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.8/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" is not suited for gaming or 3D applications due to its basic Intel UHD Graphics 600, an entry-level GPU, and a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz, whereas the Gigabyte Aero 16 excels with its powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and an OLED display, even though it shares the same refresh rate. Additionally, the Aero 16 outperforms the Gateway in both CPU performance and screen quality, offering a high-resolution display which is important for visual clarity in gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
8.6/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" is less suited for engineering and design tasks due to its basic Intel Celeron CPU, minimal RAM, and lower-end integrated GPU, which compromise performance for demanding software, along with a smaller, lower-resolution screen that reduces workspace clarity.
Content Creation
5.7/10
8.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.9/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
8.4/10
11.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
368.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a crisp and vibrant display for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, the Gigabyte Aero 16 will excel with its higher resolution and luminosity compared to the Gateway 11.6". For professionals engaged in engineering and design who require accurate color representation, the Aero 16's wide color gamut coverage ensures that the hues you see on screen are precise and true to life. However, if you're a gaming enthusiast looking for fluid motion and rapid responses, the Gateway 11.6", despite its shortcomings in crispness and vibrancy, will provide a smoother experience due to a faster refresh rate than the Aero's display.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aero 16 has 7 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
Excellent
Good
11.6in
SIZE
16.0in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the Gigabyte Aero 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.8/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$1,260
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the Gigabyte Aero 16 costs $1,260.
"The Gigabyte Aero 16 is a workstation laptop for light gaming. It's design is still muted, with a silver chassis alongside a black keyboard and trackpad that provides some contrast. The Gigabyte Aero’s full-size chiclet-style keyboard is enjoyable to type on thanks to its snappy feel and responsiveness. The 4K+ AMOLED display is good, but it could be better. It doesn’t handle true black very well and suffers from strong reflections and glare. The Gigabyte Aero excels at productivity performance and can keep up with other gaming laptops in 1080p. But it has very few ports and its refresh rate leaves a bit to be desired."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 11.6" or the Gigabyte Aero 16
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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