Gigabyte Aorus 15 impressions: A great gaming laptop computer with some compromises
Be aware: This function was first revealed on 2 October 2023.
With regards to gaming laptops, there is a sure expectation of ostentation. Assume glowing RGB logos, audacious cooling grills, and a design aesthetic that screams ‘take a look at me.’ Nonetheless, the Gigabyte Aorus 15 defies these cliches in a refreshing method. The second you see its lid closed, its unassuming design may simply go for knowledgeable laptop computer – an secret agent on this planet of gaming machines, if you’ll.
Powering this sleeper of a machine is a Thirteenth-Gen Intel Core i7 13700H and NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 Laptop computer GPU. The latter isn’t just for taking part in high-definition video games but additionally brings NVIDIA’s newest DLSS 3.5 know-howto the desk. Due to Deep Studying Tremendous Sampling (DLSS), this GPU can add about 20 further frames per second to your video games, as per my benchmarks. That is not simply spectacular; it is fairly a gamer-changer for cellular gaming.
| Key specs | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Thirteenth Gen Intel Core i7-13700H Processor |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop computer GPU 8GB GDDR6 |
| Show | 15.6-inch 16:9 Skinny Bezel QHD 2560×1440, 165Hz, as much as 100% DCI-P3, TÜV Rheinland-certified |
| Reminiscence | 2x DDR5 slots (DDR5-4800, Max 64 GB) |
| Storage | 1TB (helps 2x NVMe PCIe Gen 4) |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Kind-A), 1 x Audio combo Jack, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Kind-A), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Kind-C), 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (Kind-C, assist Energy supply), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Mini DP 1.4, 1 x RJ45, 1 x DC in |
| Battery | Li Polymer 99WHr |
| Dimensions | 36.0(W) x 27.2(D) x 2.09(H) cm/ 14.2(W) x 10.7(D) x 0.82(H) inch |
| Weight | 2.39kg |
A beginning price ticket of $3,299 is fairly affordable deal for a 15-inch gaming pocket book with the identical specs as our take a look at unit. Nonetheless, this laptop computer is not with out its share of compromises, significantly should you’re planning on utilizing it for extra than simply gaming.
Design and efficiency evaluation
Firstly, let’s speak design. Whereas the Aorus 15 means that you can select between completely different RGB lighting patterns by way of Gigabyte’s Management Heart software program, the aesthetic, when dialled down, is so minimalist that it borders on uninspired. The design is angular and blocky, weighing in at 2.39kg and measuring near 36cm huge and 2.1cm excessive – moveable, however not precisely light-weight. Constructed with a steel prime show and a plastic base, each of which really feel rugged, the Aorus 15 looks like it could actually take some tough dealing with with out a lot fuss.
The 15.6-inch 2560×1440 show that this laptop computer sports activities is high-quality however paradoxically, what Gigabyte calls a Skinny Bezel design would not fairly stay as much as its identify, for my part. It has a broad chin and a prime bezel that accommodates a quite underwhelming webcam. The Home windows Hey-compatible digicam typically delivers darker photographs except the lighting is ideal. Boosting the brightness would not assist a lot, making the digicam’s efficiency some extent of competition.
Internally, our Aorus 15 is full of two sticks of 8GB DDR5 4800MHz reminiscence in twin channel (for a complete of 16GB), which is configurable as much as 64GB, and a 1TB of NVMe storage, expandable as much as 8TB. To handle the warmth from these high-performance elements, the laptop computer options exhaust vents – most notably on the rear, including about an inch of overhang to the chassis.
In a noticeable design shift from its predecessors, the Aorus 15 opts for port placement on the rear, together with a HDMI 2.1 port, DisplayPort 1.4, Thunderbolt with energy assistand DC Energy. This rearrangement helps in decreasing desk muddle, significantly when the laptop computer is plugged into a number of peripherals.
Talking of efficiency, the Aorus 15 left little to be desired in gaming checks. It achieved on common between 70-80fps on Extremely settings and at 2560×1440 in our common take a look at video games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy and Horizon Zero Daybreak. These aren’t useful resource intensive video games although, and after I tried the identical settings on more moderen video games like Cyberpunk 2077 (with Replace 2.0 put in), the Aorus 15 requires DLSS to be toggled on to make these supported video games run easily.
So far as the show is anxious, I discovered the Quad HD show present stark distinction and vibrant colors, and esports avid gamers can be pleased to know that the gaming laptop computer additionally helps a 165Hz refresh price.
Nonetheless, all is not rosy on the subject of the Aorus 15’s acoustics. Throughout common use, the laptop computer maintains a low profile with minimal fan noise. However the second you boot up a recreation, it is a cacophony. The audio system, which lack the depth and quantity to drown out the fan noise, make the state of affairs worse. When you can customise fan speeds utilizing Gigabyte’s Management Heart, there isn’t any escaping the sound ranges throughout intensive gaming. The excellent news, nevertheless, is that the aggressive cooling works exceedingly properly in retaining the laptop computer comparatively cool.
Battery life is one other combined bag. Outfitted with a 99WHr battery, the laptop computer lasted nearly 4 hours in our MobileMark 25 take a look at. And should you’re considering of taking this laptop computer out for some gaming classes at your native cafe, you’ll want to take its energy brick with it – operating the laptop computer on battery throughout gaming drains it at an alarming price, lasting simply barely 50 minutes.
The enter gadgets on the Aorus 15 do not make life any simpler both. The touchpad, though massive and glassy, is frustratingly inconsistent, requiring a deep press to register a click on. The keyboard, too, lacks tactile suggestions and feels mushy, with uneven key response throughout its format.
My two cents
To sum it up, the Gigabyte Aorus 15 is an enigma. On the one hand, it’s a gaming powerhouse with the Core i7 13700H and RTX 4070 Laptop computer GPU mixture. However however, its compromised webcam, lacklustre audio system, uneven keyboard, and a finicky touchpad make it a troublesome suggestion for on a regular basis use. It performs exceedingly properly within the particular realm it is designed for however stumbles when requested to be a jack-of-all-trades. So, should you’re in search of a pure gaming machine, the Aorus 15 is a worthy consideration (at $3,299). However should you’re in search of a flexible every day driver, you would possibly wish to maintain trying.
