For high-performance tasks like gaming or engineering software, the Gigabyte Aorus 17H will handle these demands better thanks to a more powerful processor and graphics card, but it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. On the other hand, if portability and longer battery usage are your top priorities and you're engaged in general use like web browsing or office work, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is lighter, offers a touchscreen, and lasts longer on a charge, but isn't suited for intensive tasks. The Surface is also more budget-friendly compared to the premium-priced Gigabyte. 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 17H
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
351.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
5.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use, though the Gigabyte Aorus 17H is somewhat better.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H is well-suited for general use thanks to its higher RAM, more powerful CPU, and advanced GPU, providing strong performance but with reduced portability due to its larger form and shorter battery life. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers greater portability with its light weight and longer battery life, but its lower RAM and less powerful CPU make it less suitable for demanding tasks, though it's adequate for basic general use.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
6.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H delivers an exceptional gaming and 3D experience due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card and a high refresh rate screen that enhances smooth gameplay, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 with its Intel Iris Xe graphics and standard refresh rate screen provides a more basic performance suitable for casual gaming and lighter 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
6.8/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
9.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H excels in engineering and design use due to its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, high-end dedicated GPU, and larger, quality display, all crucial for software-heavy tasks and detailed visuals; though, it sacrifices portability and is heavier.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.3/10
9.0/10
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 17H is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
6.8/10
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
351.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H likely has accurate colors and high resolution, appealing for general use and engineering tasks but falls short for gaming due to a lower refresh rate. The Surface Laptop Go 3, with its good resolution and brightness, offers a satisfying experience for browsing and light design, but lacks the high refresh rate needed for smooth 3D visuals. Both models, though suitable for everyday activities and professional work, might not satisfy gamers or 3D designers who need fluid motion and fast screen responses.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H 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
Poor
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17H has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,000
$791
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H has a price of $2,000 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $791.
The Gigabyte Aorus 17H 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
7.4/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Gigabyte Aorus 17H both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte Aorus 17H and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
"Overall though, it’s *lots of swearing* fast, seriously. For work, rendering, gaming, it doesn’t matter, this is a true weapon of performance that’s going to run rings around most high-end desktop systems. If you absolutely have to game at ultra-high refresh rates on the go (but within thinking distance of a plug socket), this is the ticket. I can’t see such an extreme being that appealing to everyone, but if you take your gaming seriously, or even professionally, there’s nothing else out there that comes close that you can still fit in your backpack and travel with."
"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 17H 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.
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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