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Updated January 10, 2024·
For higher performance in tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, the Gigabyte Aero 16, with its more powerful GPU, would be advantageous. However, it’s heavier and has a larger form factor, which might not be ideal for frequent travel. Conversely, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers greater portability with a lighter and thinner design alongside a touchscreen, making it better for general use and those who prefer a 2-in-1 form factor. Despite its smaller storage capacity, it delivers ample performance for everyday tasks and even light creative work. Both are similarly priced, so your choice depends on whether you prioritize high performance or portability and versatility. 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
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0
7.4
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
368.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 offers a high-quality OLED screen with superior color coverage which is ideal for content creators, along with more storage and a more powerful GPU, but it's heavier and has shorter battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which features a high refresh rate, versatile touchscreen display and longer battery life, making it highly portable for everyday tasks and presentations. While both have similar RAM and CPUs, making general use smooth, the Aero's emphasis on screen quality and storage makes it suitable for media-intensive applications, whereas the Surface's form factor and battery are advantages for users on the go who also benefit from its unique drawing tablet mode.
Gaming and AI
7.8
6.6
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 typically boasts a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D performance. While the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers versatility and a high-quality screen, its GPU and refresh rate might not match up to the Aero 16's, leading to less optimal gaming and 3D experiences.
Engineering and Design
8.6
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 stands out for engineering and design due to its superior GPU (RTX 3070 Ti), which is critical for demanding tasks like 3D rendering and computational simulations, coupled with an OLED screen providing excellent color accuracy and contrast for detailed design work. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, while good for such tasks with its capable GPU (RTX 3050 Ti) and high-contrast IPS display, also offers a touchscreen with a flexible hinge, beneficial for design tasks, although it doesn't match the Aero's peak performance and screen quality.
Content Creation
8.2
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Gigabyte Aero 16 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Gigabyte Aero 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.0
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, screen quality encompasses vivid colors and clear images, where resolution and panel type provide crisp visuals and brightness ensures readability in various lighting conditions; both the Gigabyte Aero 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offer these qualities. In engineering and design, accurate color representation is key, and both laptops fare well with their wide color gamuts, making them suitable for professional creative work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion, and both laptops may fall short for avid gamers or professionals in fields that require high frame rate visuals.
Battery
7.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has 7 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 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
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Gigabyte Aero 16 both have good portability, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte Aero 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,260
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a price of $1,260 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
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How the Gigabyte Aero 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gigabyte Aero 16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,260 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | September 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.88'' | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.07 lbs | 4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.78" | 8.98" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i7-11370H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 2048 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 368 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Gigabyte Aero 16
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Isaac Rouse | May 2022
"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."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte Aero 16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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 Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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