The Gigabyte Aero 16 is less expensive and comes with more storage but half the RAM of the MSI Raider GE66. Both feature the same high-performance processor and GPU, suitable for demanding tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning. The Aero has a higher resolution OLED screen, which is great for color-sensitive work like video and photo editing. In contrast, the Raider has a higher refresh rate IPS screen better suited for fast-paced gaming. The Raider offers more RAM, which is beneficial for memory-intensive tasks like running multiple virtual machines. The Aero is slightly lighter and thinner, enhancing portability. Each has its own design distinctions, so the choice may also come down to personal preference in terms of aesthetics and build. 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
Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE66
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.8/10
8.5/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Raider GE66 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte Aero 16 is good.
The Gigabyte Aero 16, with its OLED screen, offers exceptional screen quality but has a lower refresh rate for gaming and 3D applications, making the MSI Raider GE66 more suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming due to its much higher screen refresh rate, despite both laptops having the same high-performing GPU.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a better screen than the MSI Raider GE66 for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Raider GE66 has a better screen for gaming and AI, and content creation.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 boasts a broad color gamut and high resolution, which alongside its brightness, makes it an excellent choice for engineers and designers who need color accuracy for detailed work. However, its lower refresh rate isn't ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key. On the other hand, the MSI Raider GE66, while still offering a high resolution and vibrant display for general use and professional design tasks, falls short for gaming and 3D due to a similar refresh rate limitation.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The MSI Raider GE66 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
$2,499
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has a price of $1,260 and the MSI Raider GE66 costs $2,499.
The MSI Raider GE66 and Gigabyte Aero 16 are both very good for general use.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 offers a superior OLED screen with high resolution and color accuracy, and more built-in storage for general use, however it's less portable due to a slightly heavier design and has a shorter battery life compared to the MSI Raider GE66, which provides more RAM, a more responsive keyboard, and better heat management, making it a robust choice for multitasking and sustained usability.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
8.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE66 and Gigabyte Aero 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Gigabyte Aero 16 offers exceptional screen quality with its OLED display, which is beneficial for design precision, supported by a strong CPU, GPU, and ample storage, though it has less RAM than the MSI Raider GE66, which offers more memory for complex engineering tasks, alongside excellent build and thermal management, making it a robust option for heavy workloads.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE66 and Gigabyte Aero 16 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE66 to be very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aero 16 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.
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aero 16 has 7 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE66 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
15.6in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte Aero 16 to have good portability, while the MSI Raider GE66 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte Aero 16 and the MSI Raider GE66 compare to other laptops
"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 MSI Raider GE66 12UHS notebook passes with flying colors. The GE66 is a high-end notebook with strong performance. The keyboard and trackpad are still very good and score well with precise inputs as well as high build quality. Thanks to a new liquid metal cooling solution, the Intel Core i9 12900HK brings a performance increase of around 50 percent over the predecessor's Intel Core i9 10980HK. The installed graphics card in our device delivers up to 30 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 2070 Super in the MSI GE66 10SFS."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte Aero 16 or the MSI Raider GE66
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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