If performance is paramount, especially for 3D design, machine learning, or high-end gaming, and budget is less of a concern, the MSI Raider GE78 with its superior graphics and processor stands out. However, for those who prioritize a vibrant and color-accurate display for design work or video editing, the Gigabyte Aero 17 is notable, albeit with slightly lower general and engineering performance. Both laptops have similar battery capacities and large screens but differ in portability; the MSI Raider is heavier and might not be as easy to move around as the Gigabyte Aero. Keep in mind, the Gigabyte Aero tends to be less expensive and could provide better value for those who need a capable machine for less intensive tasks. Both are well-equipped for advanced uses, but the final decision rests on whether you lean more towards top-tier performance or a balance between cost and high display quality. 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 17
Excellent overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE78
Excellent for engineering and design
Best in class for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
8.7/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
368.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and Gigabyte Aero 17 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Raider GE78 is somewhat better.
The MSI Raider GE78 outshines the Gigabyte Aero 17 in general use with a more powerful CPU and double the RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and demanding applications handling, while the Gigabyte Aero's high-resolution Mini LED screen offers superior visual quality, which may appeal more to creators. However, both are similarly challenged in terms of portability due to their larger screen size and weight, and while the battery capacities are close, the more resource-intensive components of the MSI may impact its battery life somewhat more.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
9.5/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte Aero 17 is good.
The MSI Raider GE78 stands out for gaming and 3D applications with its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4090, offering better visual performance than the Gigabyte Aero 17's Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, and its higher screen refresh rate further enhances this experience. While both laptops have quality displays and capable CPUs, the Raider GE78 benefits from a refresh rate that is twice as fast, which is particularly important for fast-paced gaming and smooth motion graphics rendering.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
9.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE78 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte Aero 17 is very good.
The Gigabyte Aero 17's high-resolution Mini LED screen and RTX 3070 Ti GPU make it very suitable for design, but the MSI Raider GE78 surpasses it with an even more powerful i9 processor, RTX 4090 GPU, and twice the RAM, making it excellent for demanding engineering tasks, albeit with a slight tradeoff in screen resolution. While both are heavy and not highly portable, the MSI Raider GE78's superior raw power is a significant advantage for users requiring top-end performance, although the Gigabyte Aero 17's display might be favored by those prioritizing screen quality for detailed visual work.
Software Development
7.9/10
8.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aero 17 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.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
8.6/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has a better screen than the MSI Raider GE78 for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Raider GE78 has a better screen for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Gigabyte Aero 17's screen stands out due to its sharp resolution and impressive brightness, making it suitable for a variety of tasks from web browsing to video streaming. For engineering and design work, the Aero 17's ability to display a wide range of colors accurately makes it a superior choice for professionals needing precision in color-critical applications. However, for gaming and 3D where fluid motion is key, the MSI Raider GE78, while not the best, would likely provide a smoother experience due to a higher refresh rate, despite both having less than ideal refresh rates for this particular use case.
Portability
Fair
Poor
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has only fair portability, while the MSI Raider GE78 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,071
$4,386
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has a price of $2,071 and the MSI Raider GE78 costs $4,386.
The MSI Raider GE78 and Gigabyte Aero 17 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.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE78 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.
Build Quality
8.0/10
8.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and Gigabyte Aero 17 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Gigabyte Aero 17 and the MSI Raider GE78 compare to other laptops
"Not only is the Aero 17 a very good laptop for gamers but also for content creators. With the upgrade to the Intel Core i9-11980HK, Gigabyte particularly improved the system performance. In addition, the hardware package is rounded by the extremely fast SSD and 32 GB of working memory in dual-channel mode. Compared to the predecessor, the battery life is reduced only moderately, and the 4K display also basically keeps its good qualities."
"Performance-wise, the GE78 offers a significant boost over the GE77 for just slightly higher power consumption. You'll have to get the RTX 4080 or 4090 configurations to see the performance advantages, however, as the RTX 4070 is closer in performance to the older RTX 3080 Ti. In terms of design, some users might prefer the 16:9 minimalistic look of the older GE77 over the 16:10 retro-inspired GE78 and vice versa. We wouldn't call one better than the other in terms of aesthetics, but we'll give the edge to the GE78 for its stronger hinges and larger keys and clickpad."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte Aero 17 or the MSI Raider GE78
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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