The Gigabyte Aero 14 is a potent creative workstation with an impressive laptop screen. However, it comes with notable drawbacks.
Pros:
- Bright OLED screen
- Competitive pricing in the US
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Limited battery life (under 5 hours)
- Higher cost in the US and Australia
- Disappointing speaker performance
In summary, the Gigabyte Aero 14 offers a vibrant OLED screen and competitive US pricing, making it a portable and appealing option for creative work. However, its subpar battery life and comparatively higher prices in the US and Australia, along with underwhelming speakers, are important factors to consider.
Gigabyte Aero 14: A Quick Overview
Overview:
The Gigabyte Aero 14, a work-focused offering from Taiwanese PC component and gaming laptop maker Gigabyte, boasts a sleek design and robust performance.
Display:
Featuring a 14-inch 3K OLED display, the Aero 14 stands out with its remarkable brightness and contrast. It excels in handling creative tasks with precision, thanks to its professional video color gamut.
Performance:
With a 14-core Intel 13th-generation CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, this laptop“>laptop delivers ample power for demanding creative workflows. However, note that the 16GB DDR5 RAM is non-upgradable.
Design and Software:
The laptop’s CNC unibody chassis and port selection showcase meticulous design. Gigabyte’s Control Center software, including a driver update center, enhances user convenience.
Drawbacks:
Unfortunately, the CPU falls about 20% behind Apple’s M2 Pro/Max processors, and the 90W power draw drains the 63Wh battery in 4-5 hours, limiting its portability.
Price and Availability:
- Price: $1599 (US), £2,384 (UK), AU$2,999 (Australia)
- Availability: Now in the US and Australia, limited availability in the UK
Price Disparity:
The Aero 14’s pricing varies significantly by region, with a substantial tax burden in the UK and Australia. Scores reflect the US market, with adjustments for other regions.
- US: $1599 (Score: 3.5/5)
- UK: £2,384 (Adjusted Score: 3/5)
- Australia: AU$2,999 (Adjusted Score: 3/5)
- Limited availability in the UK (Score: 1/5)
In summary, the Gigabyte Aero 14 excels in display and performance but falls short in battery life. Its pricing discrepancies across regions are worth considering before purchase.
Gigabyte Aero 14: Specs
The 2023 Gigabyte Aero 14 OLED has a single global variant, distinguishable by its 13th gen Intel Core processor. Here are the specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13700H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C), 1x USB 3.2 (Type-A), 1x HDMI, MicroSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
- Screen: 14-inch OLED (2880 x 1800), 90Hz, 100% DCI-P3, Display HDR 600 True Black; Delta E 1
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Camera: FHD 1080p
- Weight: 3.28 lbs (1.49 kg)
- Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.67 inches (311 x 220.8 x 1.7mm)
Gigabyte Aero 14: Design
- Exceptional OLED display
- Sturdy aluminum chassis
- Well-chosen ports
The Gigabyte Aero series has evolved into a refined silver workhorse, shedding its distinctive orange and green accents for a more office-friendly appearance.
Notably, Gigabyte’s commitment to unique laptop design is evident in subtle details. The rear HDMI port resembles a sports car exhaust, and the laptop boasts an array of sleek thermal vents.
Encased in a CNC-milled aluminum chassis, the laptop strikes a balance between durability and portability. While the platinum finish might be a tad flashy, it exudes elegance.
However, the star of the show is undoubtedly on the screen. The Aero 14 boasts an OLED panel with Vesa HDR 600 True Black certification, setting it apart as one of the brightest displays available. While the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M1) reaches 1000nit peak brightness and the new M2-powered Pros hit an impressive 1600nit peak brightness, they lack OLED technology, making direct comparisons challenging.
Nonetheless, the Aero 14 OLED’s silky-smooth 90Hz display boasts a crisp 2880 x 1800 pixel resolution and a full DCI-P3 color gamut, a staple in professional video production. These attributes combine to create an exceptionally vibrant screen ideal for creative tasks.
While the laptop may appear to embrace solely ‘modern’ ports, with its trio of Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, microSD card reader, and headphone jack on the sides, it cleverly includes a legacy USB-A port at the rear alongside the HDMI—a practical addition.
In summary, the Gigabyte Aero 14 combines a striking OLED display with a sturdy aluminum build and a thoughtful port selection, catering to both creative professionals and everyday users.
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Gigabyte Aero 14 Performance
- Decent CPU and GPU performance
- Competes with MacBook Pro 14
Benchmark Results
Here’s how the Gigabyte Aero 14 performed in our benchmark tests:
| Test | Score/Frame Rate |
|---|---|
| 3DMark: Port Royal | 3,579 |
| 3DMark: Time Spy Extreme | 3,054 |
| 3DMark: Time Spy | 6,696 |
| 3DMark: Port Royal (4K) | 4,834 |
| GeekBench 5 (Single-core) | 1,669 |
| GeekBench 5 (Multi-core) | 12,375 |
| Cinebench R23 (Multi-core) | 12,239 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra) | 70.92 fps |
| RDR2 (1080p, Ultra) | 66.35 fps |
| Crystal DiskMark 8 (Read/Write) | 6,965/5005 MB/s |
| PCMark 10 (Home Test) | 6,696 points |
| Battery Life (movie test) | 4 hours, 45 minutes |
In terms of performance, the Gigabyte Aero 14 OLED excels with a robust CPU and GPU combination, ideal for demanding creative tasks.
Comparatively, in Australia, it closely rivals the MacBook Pro 14 in terms of pricing. The Intel Core i7-3700H lags about 20 percent behind Apple’s M2 Pro or Max processors in CPU tasks. However, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 competently matches the graphical performance of the top MacBook Pro processor.
For gaming enthusiasts, expect smooth gameplay with frame rates exceeding 60 frames per second at 1080p Ultra settings. You can even make use of the higher 90Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals in less demanding titles.
Gigabyte Aero 14: Battery Life
- 3 hours and 38 minutes for work tasks
- 4 hours and 45 minutes for movie playback
While Gigabyte couldn’t match the Apple MacBook Pro’s battery life, opting for a different processor like the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS wouldn’t have significantly improved it without sacrificing performance. It could have added extra battery capacity to extend the duration.
The laptop’s battery life equates to just 4 hours and 45 minutes of movie playback, sufficient for casual use and gaming laptops, but considerably less than Apple’s silicon.
Should You Buy the Gigabyte Aero 14 OLED?
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Great in the US, fair in AU, expensive in UK | 3.5/5 |
| Specs | Single configuration, non-upgradable RAM | 4/5 |
| Design | Impressive OLED screen, lightweight | 4/5 |
| Performance | Decent CPU and strong GPU performance | 4/5 |
| Battery | Poor battery life for a work laptop | 2.5/5 |
| Average Total | A strong gaming laptop with minor flaws | 3.5/5 |
Buy It If:
- You need a powerful Windows laptop for demanding tasks.
- You want the best 14-inch screen with exceptional brightness and color accuracy, plus a 90Hz refresh rate.
Don’t Buy It If:
- You require extended battery life for remote work.
- You need more than 16GB of RAM for intensive workloads.