Ahead of the launch of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50-series laptop GPUs, I spent some time with Gigabyte’s new slate of systems packing these upcoming graphics chips, headlined by the Aero X16, a slim model for gamers and content creators.
Gigabyte visited PC Labs in New York with its new fleet of gaming systems before the on-sale date of RTX 50-bearing laptops. Apart from the Aero X16, the company showed off the heftier Aorus Master 16 and 18, the Aorus Elite 16, and the Gigabyte Gaming A16. I spent some hands-on time with each laptop to give you the rundown in the video above.
Each laptop targets a different kind of user, from entry-level gamers to enthusiasts. I was particularly interested in the Aero X16 because I’m a fan of the laptop’s sweet spot of design, portability, and performance. After watching the video above, read on for more about my time with this laptop, and the specs for the rest of the lineup.
The Slim-and-Sleek Aero X16 Is for Creators and Gamers
We’ve much liked Aero laptops of the recent past, like the Aero 16 OLED, so it was exciting to see a new-and-improved model. Gigabyte seeks out the intersection of gamers and content creators with this laptop family’s design, feature set, and components, and that remains true with the Aero X16.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
This system is slim and well-built, which I noticed when I first laid my hands on it. Gigabyte’s special sandblasting process on the lid creates the sleek, bare-metal look, which comes in white (it looks more silver or light gray in person) and gray colors. The laptop feels pleasantly premium, thanks in no small part to this metal lid design. Gigabyte’s special attention paid to the shell texture pays off.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The laptop is super slim, measuring just 0.66 inch thick. Thin screen bezels on all four sides of the panel maximize visual real estate versus the laptop’s body size. The 16:10 display features a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel (1600p) native resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate. Considering the laptop’s size, metal lid, and comfortable, responsive keyboard (so I could tell, from my short time tapping away on it), this laptop is satisfying and easy to pick up and grab, and I enjoyed handling it.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
What’s better, Gigabyte aims to launch this system somewhere between entry-level and midrange pricing, even with the laptop’s superior build quality and other features. We can’t share the exact price before launch day, and it’s not wholly surprising that it’s not a super-expensive system with the GPU ceiling (more on that next), but it’s exciting to see this feature set in this price range.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Component Check: Nvidia’s New Hotness, Paired With Potent Ryzen AI
The components will naturally dictate those prices: The Aero X16 can pack up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics chip. A better value for some shoppers may be one of the configurations with the “Krackan Point” Ryzen 7 processors that are also available, as gaming and content creation limit the upside to the more potent alternative. Thanks to its listed features and the qualifying components, this is a Copilot+ PC.
Despite how slim this laptop is, it still packs a lot of connections into its chassis, with three USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, an HDMI output, and even an Ethernet jack for those gamers who insist on staying wired.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Hybrid gaming/content-creation systems like this one have become more popular over the last few years, and the Aero X16 blends style and substance better than most. I like the look and feel of the new system, and while the slim chassis and maximum GeForce RTX 5070 GPU may keep the most demanding creators and gamers from considering it, it’s a welcome combination for many mainstream and prosumer users. Competing machines like the 16-inch Asus ROG Zephyrus exist in this market category, but those models trend toward the upper midrange or the high-end side of it. The Aero X16 looks like a realistic competitor that won’t pull as much from your wallet.
I look forward to testing the Aero X16 when units become available soon. (The first GeForce RTX 50-series laptops launch at the end of this month.) However, that’s not all for Gigabyte’s new lineup…
Gigabyte’s New Hard-Core Gaming Laptop Lineup
Gigabyte also brought along its new marquee gaming laptops, ranging from top-end power to budget-friendly options.
Starting at the high end, the Aorus Master comes in 16-inch and 18-inch flavors, with the feature set primarily maintained across both sizes. This laptop is a powerhouse system, topping out with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU and an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU. The screens are advanced, too: Both sizes are 1600p panels with a 240Hz refresh rate. The 18-inch is mini LED, and the 16-inch is an OLED.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
On the outside, the laptop’s lid design is subtle but distinct. Gigabyte deployed a 12-layer, nano-imprint lithography lamination on this lid, giving it a wavy, reflective look, particularly when the light catches it correctly. Inside, redesigned fans (the new versions feature 158 blades in a very tight formation) and Gigabyte’s “Windforce Infinity” cooling system help this system run efficiently (up to 270 watts). The interior thermal routing includes a cooler zone around the WASD keys, so they’re more comfortable to the touch. (Most gamers’ fingers will spend a lot of time there.)
Gigabyte also announced an Aorus Elite 16 model, though this machine wasn’t prioritized during our briefing. This laptop is a more midrange solution and a successor to the Aorus 16X; it will include Intel “Arrow Lake” HX chips and up to a GeForce RTX 5070 GPU.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Moving down to the entry-level option, I also checked out the Gigabyte Gaming A16, which, notably, doesn’t include the (more premium) Aorus name. This least expensive option may appeal to the largest number of shoppers; however, it’s aimed at younger users and students looking for a more affordable price.
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The A16 will run up to an Intel Core i7-13620H processor and an RTX 5070 at 80 watts TGP, with AMD processor options to come later. Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs are not its newest platform, but this still reasonably recent chip family should deliver a satisfactory mix of performance and price savings.
Gigabyte’s lowest-cost A16 models will start with an RTX 4050 to stay as close as possible to the tantalizing $1,000 price point, with other graphics options available from that point.
Meet Gigabyte’s AI Assistant, GiMate
Finally, beyond hardware, Gigabyte showed off its new AI-based GiMate software. You can see this in action better in the video, but this application will replace the company’s existing included software for monitoring components, setting performance modes, and similar tasks. It also has an interesting side hustle it can do.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Gigabyte developed a proprietary large-language AI model (LLM) in-house for GiMate, which can field text prompts and image generation requests. Crucially, these requests run entirely locally on the hardware rather than calling to the cloud or running off a ChatGPT server.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
On the text input side, this is not a conversational, ChatGPT-style AI. Instead, GiMate provides a text window to inquire about (and effect change to) system settings, modes, and other features to save you from trudging through menus.
A separate image generation feature can take your text prompts, and some filters and sliders, to create AI-generated images right on the device, without calling out to a cloud-based model. What you’ll do with these images is up to you, and it did take a few minutes to generate solid images from our prompts, but it’s a neat enough built-in feature. And the fact that images are generated on-device can assuage concerns about privacy. The sample that we had it generate, a galleon sailing into a skyscraper, leveraged the onboard silicon and put out a credible image on the first try.
That’s the rundown on Gigabyte’s latest announcements. I look forward to holding the Aero X16 for longer and testing each of these systems when units become available starting this month.
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About Matthew Buzzi
Lead Analyst, Hardware
