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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G offers more muscular performance, suitable for intensive gaming, engineering, and 3D or machine learning tasks, thanks to its high-end processor and superior graphics card, but it's less portable due to its size and weight. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is significantly more portable, making it a better fit for on-the-go usage or general office work, with the added benefit of a longer battery life and a touchscreen, but it won't handle demanding tasks as well. If portability and price are your priority, Surface Laptop Go 3 is the better choice; for high-performance computing needs, the Aorus 17G stands out despite its higher price and reduced portability. 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 Aorus 17G
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.1
7.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G is better equipped for gaming and 3D applications due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics and a higher screen refresh rate of up to 300 Hz, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a less capable integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, limiting its performance in those areas.
Engineering and Design
7.8
6.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
7.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G is better suited for engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, which are very important for such tasks, as well as its superior screen quality with higher Adobe RGB coverage, providing more color accuracy for detailed designs. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while more portable for on-the-go use, has a less potent CPU and integrated graphics, less RAM, and a screen with lower Adobe RGB coverage, which makes it fair but less optimal for demanding engineering and design applications.
Screen Quality
8.0
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
282.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Gigabyte Aorus 17G and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offer displays with resolution and brightness that make text, images, and video clear and enjoyable. When it comes to engineering and design, their screens cover a range of colors that professionals need for accurate design work. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications as they lack the high refresh rates required for smooth motion and split-second reactions.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G has 6 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
Fair
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17G has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,329
$791
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G has a price of $2,329 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $791.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
282.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G is rated good for general use because it has a powerful CPU and GPU, plenty of RAM, and a high-quality screen, but it is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight, and has shorter battery life. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is considered fair for general use as it has a less powerful CPU and lower RAM, coupled with a smaller, though high-resolution touchscreen and better portability due to its lighter weight and longer battery life.
Content Creation
7.5
7.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both 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
7.2
7.1
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17G and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Gigabyte Aorus 17G both have 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 Aorus 17G and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 17G | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,329 | $791 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.9'' x 10.8'' x 1'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.95 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.9" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.8" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11800H | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 300Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 282 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Gigabyte Aorus 17G
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | June 2021
"The Aorus 17G isn't among the top RTX 3080 laptops due to its relatively low TGP of 105 watts. The device's gaming performance is average for an RTX 3080. For maximum performance, competitors like the Lenovo Legion 7 or the Alienware m17 R4 are recommended With the Aorus 17G, Gigabyte delivers a well-rounded gaming laptop. However, the device generates a high noise level. Throttling is not an issue. The CPU and GPU can develop their performance uniformly. Nevertheless, the device produces a lot of noise under load - more than many competitors."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte Aorus 17G or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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