If performance is your top priority, especially for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering applications, the Gigabyte Aero 16 is the better option, equipped with a powerful processor and high-end graphics. It has a high-quality OLED display with a higher resolution, but this also makes it more expensive and slightly less portable due to its weight. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" offers a larger screen and is more budget-friendly, with sufficient capability for general use and a lighter build for better portability. It has a longer battery life but doesn't match the Aero's performance for demanding 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 Gigabyte Aero 16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte Aero 16.
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.3/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
368.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
307.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 offers a high-quality OLED screen, substantial RAM, and a powerful CPU, ideal for varied and demanding tasks, but with less portability due to its weight and smaller battery. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a larger display suitable for general use, it's lighter, facilitating portability, and it boasts a longer battery life, though it has a less powerful CPU and lower screen quality.
Gaming and AI
7.8/10
6.1/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is equipped with a higher-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and an OLED screen, offering better gaming and 3D performance with richer colors and contrast, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has an integrated AMD Vega 7 GPU and an IPS display, which provides decent performance, but its gaming and 3D capabilities are less robust in comparison.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
6.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 outshines the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" for engineering and design tasks thanks to its superior Intel i7 CPU, double the RAM, and a more powerful Nvidia RTX GPU, which is crucial for demanding software often used in these fields. Moreover, the Aero's OLED screen displays a wider range of colors and greater detail, making it better suited for design work, though it is heavier and potentially less portable than the relatively lighter IdeaPad with its satisfactory IPS display and adequate performance for less intensive tasks.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" 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
7.9/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" are both good for software development, though the Gigabyte Aero 16 is somewhat better.
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
6.7/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
307.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 boasts a high-resolution display and vibrant color accuracy which makes it ideal for engineering and design tasks, but its lower refresh rate is less optimal for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is key. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a good balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and engineering work but lacks the high color fidelity and rapid refresh rates demanded by gamers and 3D professionals. General users will find both screens more than adequate, but those involved in precision color work or fast-paced gaming will notice the shortcomings in color range on the IdeaPad and in refresh rate on the Aero.
Battery
7.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has 7 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has 9 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
7.8/10
6.5/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,260
$784
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a price of $1,260 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" costs $784.
"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."
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" defies expectations. Indeed, it is just a minor upgrade over last year. However, this doesn’t make the laptop any less terrific. It’s got a great performance, courtesy of the Ryzen 5x25U processors. In addition, you get a pretty good battery life. Perhaps, the 2-hour decrease in video playback, compared to last year is not great, but still, 10 hours of Web browsing and 7 hours of video playback is okay for 17-inch notebooks."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte Aero 16 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,595
Recommendations made
21,363
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.