If you require a laptop for intensive engineering tasks, 3D rendering, or machine learning, then the Gigabyte Aero 16 with its high-performance processor and powerful graphics card is an excellent choice, though it has a higher price point. Its OLED screen also offers superior color range and resolution, beneficial for tasks that require precise color representation and clear visuals, such as video editing or graphic design. On the other hand, the Gateway 15.6" offers fundamental performance for general use, like web browsing, office work, or streaming, at a significantly lower cost. Its portability is slightly better due to its lighter weight, but it has a less impressive screen and may not perform as well in more demanding applications. The Gateway is also more suitable for budget-conscious users who do not require high-end features for complex tasks. 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 15.6"
The Gateway 15.6" has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte Aero 16.
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
7.0/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
368.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for general use, while the Gateway 15.6" is good.
The Gateway 15.6" offers a balance suitable for everyday activities, emphasizing portability and battery life, ensuring that users can work on the go without frequent charging, while the Gigabyte Aero 16, with a stronger CPU and more RAM, provides smoother performance for more demanding applications and superior screen quality, albeit with a potential compromise on battery life and portability due to its high-performance components. Although both laptops have adequate storage, the Aero's likely better keyboard and speakers, along with more effective heat management, make it more comfortable for extended use, but it may operate louder under load compared to the quieter Gateway.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
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 15.6" is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 outperforms the Gateway 15.6" in gaming and 3D tasks primarily due to its highly capable Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card compared to the Gateway's integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, and although both offer a 60Hz screen refresh rate, the Gigabyte has a superior OLED display with higher resolution and better color reproduction, which enhances visual fidelity in gaming and 3D applications. The Gateway, on the other hand, may be limited by its less powerful CPU and GPU for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
8.6/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Gateway 15.6" laptop, with its Intel i5 processor, integrated graphics, and standard screen resolution, provides basic performance that is suitable for lighter engineering and design uses. In contrast, the Gigabyte Aero 16 boasts a more powerful Intel i7 processor, a high-end Nvidia graphics card, and a superior OLED display, making it well-suited for more demanding engineering and design tasks that require greater processing power and detailed visual representation.
Content Creation
7.0/10
8.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 15.6" 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
6.7/10
7.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
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 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1/10
8.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
368.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 15.6" likely has a basic screen with adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks but lacks the advanced color gamuts necessary for precise engineering and design work. The Gigabyte Aero 16 offers a higher-resolution display and wider color gamuts, ensuring accuracy and detail for professional design tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops may fall short due to lower refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and a responsive experience in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Gateway 15.6" 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.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.8/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$380
$1,260
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gateway 15.6" has a price of $380 and the Gigabyte Aero 16 costs $1,260.
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
"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 15.6" 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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