Dell has been in the game for quite some time for the business professional, so when I got word of their newest 18-inch flagship, I knew I’d have to get my hands on it. Most of the high-powered laptops that get the flashy marketing are focused on video and photos.
But there is an entirely different type of power needed for coders, developers, engineers, QA teams, and those who have to be able to bounce in and out of all of this as a hands-on PM to make sure everything that needs to get done gets done. Not everyone lives in a wonderful world where they can have dedicated machines for everything they need to manage; some only get a single machine.
Still, there are others who prefer the single machine that can do it all method, myself included, as then anything I need to do at any given time is accessible with a few keystrokes.
That’s where the best mobile workstations like the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus come into play. One machine with remarkable power that can dive into whatever, whenever, wherever. It’s designed very clearly for business professionals working in the engineering and development space, but could be used by people with similar needs. Just know that this is not the laptop for everyone, but it is the perfect laptop for those that need sort of desktop performance in a portable frame.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
As with most computers, the pricing varies drastically between base or entry model laptops and higher configurations. The base model of the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus starts at around $3500, and jumps up to over triple that. It's available from Dell US and Dell UK.
My model specifically is priced at $9,245, boasting an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor, 128GB of RAM, a NVIDIA RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell with 24GB, 2TB of Storage, the 18-inch QHD+ 2560x1600 Display, and Wi-Fi 7, all with 96Whr battery life. It’s a tank.
If desired, you can upgrade even beyond what I have, with options to expand storage up to 16TB and 5G. I have pretty much every other feature in this setup, though.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions
No matter how you slice it, 18 inches in a laptop is not a small machine. With most portable laptops measuring around 13 inches and the standard “large laptop” at 16 inches, this machine feels massive even next to my fleet of other workstations I have in for review.
The laptop, aside from its monstrous proportions, has a comfortable keyboard, a full-size numpad, a fingerprint reader, a robust port selection, and a full and helpful function row. The touchpad is responsive and easy to use, and the screen is sharp enough for all of the work I do.
The port layout is great as well. The Thunderbolt 5 ports are on the left, along with the RJ45, the HDMI, the Smart Card, and the SD Card slot. On the right, there is a Kensington Lock (not shocking with how valuable this laptop can be, not only in retail price but value of content being created and managed on the device), both USB-A’s, the other Thunderbolt Port and the Headphone Jack.
Personally, I really like how Dell doesn’t put any of their ports on the back of their machines, even their workstations. Making it easy to grab and go whenever needed.
The last thing I’ll mention is that it’s nice to see a physical camera shutter, which is always a mark of the best business laptops. In a world where I am getting increasingly paranoid, it’s nice to have a physical way to block that eye staring at me at all times.
All in all, the aesthetic is clean, professional, and business first. It’s a powerhouse but it looks like any other laptop at a quick glance. No RGB, no flashy or gaudy badging, no loud branding. Just a sleek machine that means business, and one you won’t be ashamed to bring to the board meeting.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The 18-inch display is the first thing that needs to be discussed with the Pro Max 18 Plus. It’s 18 inches for crying out loud. That’s not just a version number, that’s how big this thing is. It’s so big that it barely fits in my Nomatic Backpack. Meaning, that you’ll have to keep things like that in mind, most bags are designed to fit 16-inch laptops, not 18-inches.
However, with that added screen real estate, the odds of needing a portable monitor to bring with you probably drops, depending on what you do of course. Granted, you may still have a docking station at your main workstation with a monitor, but working on the go gets a lot easier with a screen like this always with you.
While this screen is good, even really good, it’s not great for photo editing or video editing. But, it’s not supposed to be. So, instead of Dell wasting engineering dollars and materials on making a nice screen for something this machine will most likely not be used for, they used those funds for making a more powerful, efficient, and power-hungry machine.
Perhaps that’s where they got the audacity to add not just one but two Thunderbolt 5 ports. And for that, I thank Dell. This display is more than enough for coding, project management, writing, database management, development, and related tasks. It’s spectacular for multitasking, and it’s snappy, really snappy.
The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is not a laptop you casually use. It’s not one you “toss” in your bag or gingerly bring with you around the house. You can, but just as people are complaining that the 12.9-inch iPad, one of the thinnest technological advances in our computing history, is too large, cumbersome, and not portable enough, there is no way this computer will be considered ultra-portable. Portable, yes. But ultra portable or pleasant to carry around all day? Absolutely not. This is the kind of machine you bring to a place, and park it.
In real-world use, running large repos on GitHub, pulling up records in DBeaver, running projects in VS Code, working in Notion, responding to Slack, having an embarrassing amount of Chrome Tabs, PM’ing in Jira, Asana, Basecamp, and Trello, and taking virtual meetings all in sequence have not even made the fans spin up.
This machine is a beast. An absolute powerhouse. It’s got enough headroom that I don’t even think or wait for things to load anymore.
In my day-to-day, I wear many hats at the same time. In a given hour, I am working alongside four companies at a high level. I could be in a virtual meeting for one company, managing their data, responding to messages from a second, and physically talking to a third. All while loading data or a project for a fourth.
The Dell Pro 18 Plus is the kind of machine that can not only take on a massive project but also several at a time if needed. Again, I wouldn’t pick this as my laptop to carry around one-handed while walking between in-person meetings, but having a machine this powerful that could be brought out if needed is still mind-boggling to me sometimes.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
If you are the kind of person who needs a machine that can handle whatever codebase you’re working in, and you want it to be semi-portable, this is your machine. If you want a laptop that can tackle whatever project you throw at it, no matter how many projects at a time, this is your laptop.
If you are a graphics person, a video editor, a photo editor, or a 3D modeler, this machine could do it, but there are probably better options. If you are a commuter, I can say right now this machine is perhaps not one you want to tote around more than necessary, for many reasons.
But if you want high-powered desktop-level power in a laptop, then step right up and swipe that card.
HP has a longstanding history of making powerful portable workstations packed with superb performance, solid battery life, and robust port offerings.
The ZBook X G1i is not only a continuation of that tradition, but it's also touted as the most mobile ZBook ever, still with high performance and a great battery.
It's a bold claim, and HP has successfully pulled it off. As an all-rounder, it's one of the best mobile workstations I've tested, performing very well in my tests and well-suited to business professionals, creators, and power-users.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
HP ZBook X G1i: Unboxing and First Impressions
Given how powerful this machine is, I'm still shocked by how lightweight it is. Granted, it is a 16-inch unit, so it's not something you'd want to toss into a daypack or a shoulder sling, but it's still pretty portable for a workstation. As I always do, I left the charger in the box and will use my UGREEN or Anker power bricks, or one of the several docking stations I have set up across my different workspaces.
The next thing I do is log in to my Windows account and allow my sync to run, along with logging in to my proper accounts. I like using Windows Hello with both fingerprint and face recognition for easier, more secure sign-in. Once I got that taken care of, I made the proper updates and minimized my desktop to fewer apps, creating a clean workspace.
The HP ZBook X G1i is a very sleek and professional-looking laptop. It fits right into the business-tier design language, without being boring. It's got an elegant silver finish, it's easy to toss in a backpack, and it's got enough ports to power you through your day. This laptop is portable yet packs a full-size HDMI port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, a USB-A port, and an optional Nano SIM Card and/or a Smart Card Reader.
All of that in a portable workstation is wild. To add to the insanity, there is a full-size numpad as well. While this isn't unbelievable to see on 16-inch laptops, it's definitely not so standard that it's not worth mentioning. For those who spend all day entering numbers, a number pad can absolutely cut down on that time and make it faster and easier.
Speaking of the keyboard, the standard QWERTY side is comfortable to type on; it has good key travel and resistance without feeling like I am working too hard. It's a keyboard you can type on all day without discomfort or the urge to swap it out, unless you are a keyboard fanatic or mechanical keyboard lover.
HP ZBook X G1i: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The overall design of the ZBook X G1i is clean. It's business professional. It fits the look you're going for as a business pro with a laptop that can hold its own. You're not looking for something that flashes RGB, but you also need a machine powerful enough to handle your hefty workload. I get it.
The HP ZBook X G1i gets it too. With powerful components under the hood, this laptop still looks unassuming enough that you can take it into a conference room or a coffee shop without looking like a gamer while getting serious work done.
Another big thing that I look at for workstation laptops is port selection. A computer can be wildly powerful, but if you always need to plug into a dongle, that's worth noting, especially for a computer that claims to be a workstation. A workstation is not just another term for a laptop, but a tier, or class of laptop in its own right.
The workstation passes that test with flying colors. Offering not only a good number of ports but also a good spread and distribution, helping enhance working with them rather than just slapping ports wherever they fit.
For day-to-day work on this machine, I have found zero problems or qualms. It's excellent at basic productivity tasks, administrative tasks, and pulling up information in DBeaver or other database tools. It's fantastic with VSCode or other coding applications.
I haven't had any issues with 3D printing software or with elementary video and photo editing. It may not be the very best video editing laptop for creative professionals, but I would rank it as one of the best laptops for photo editing and general content creation.
I used this computer as my primary machine for a full day of work, and then used it on and off for a few weeks as my secondary. In that time, I barely felt the ZBook X G1i even take a deep breath. It's an excellent machine for AI work, front-end and back-end development, and even full-stack development and coding.
It's great for project managers who need to QA software features and pull everything up for testing before pushing to production, and it's also great for 3D modeling, CAD, and related work. All while being in a portable 16-inch laptop shell with one of the most beautifully sleek logos on the market.
The HP ZBook X G1i is an excellent choice for this kind of work. Plus, to add a little extra to a great package, HP offers a 5G antenna along with Wi-Fi 7. Meaning that you can get the best connection available while it's around and you're in buildings that have Wi-Fi.
When you are out and about or don't want to trust the sketchy Wi-Fi at an airport, you can hop on a Cellular 5G connection rather than having to pop out a travel router or jump on a VPN to keep your information secure. Or perhaps you're someone who isn't worried about sketchy Wi-Fi, but rather about the lack of a connection while working remotely. That's where the 5G option comes into its own, letting you hop on whenever you need to, even if that's poolside, between laps, or at a resort.
HP ZBook X G1i: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The HP ZBook X G1i continues a great legacy of ZBook machines from HP. It's a powerful mix between a portable powerhouse and a lean mean computing machine, all while retaining that professional style.
It's ideal for, quite honestly, people like me. Project managers, side hustlers, system architects, hybrid professionals, the kind of people who have their hands in everything and anything at all times.
It's not the machine I'd choose to run my powerful app servers on, but if you need a machine that has workstation power in a form factor you're not dreading to take with you, then the HP ZBook X G1i is an option worth considering.
Doogee’s V Max series includes some monstrous phones, all powered by the same MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC and a huge 20500 mAh battery.
The V Max LR is the cheapest option and delivers an almost identical design to the Play model, but with the omission of the projector.
Instead, the LR has a measuring sensor, which is slightly less niche and might be useful to anyone in the construction industry who doesn’t already have a gizmo for that.
Using an integrated app, this can measure lengths and areas easily and can be activated via the custom button.
In my V Max Play review, I covered some of the silly mistakes that Doogee made with that phone, like the included bumper that covers over the camping lights, among others. And, the LR model fixes none of these issues and repeats them all verbatim.
However, this choice has the significant advantage of being cheaper than the Play, a phone I felt was way too expensive. Direct from Doogee, the LR is $110 less than the Play, which gives us a good idea of what adding a projector adds to the cost.
That doesn’t make the LR cheap; it's just not the high cost of the Play.
If you want an impressively large phone with enough battery life to last a week of general use, that enhances the owner's biceps, and doubles as a tape measure, then the LR meets all those criteria.
If you don’t care that it's so unwieldy and not inexpensive, it might provide good service, but this isn't a combination that calls to our best rugged phones collection.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Doogee V Max LR: price and availability
How much does it cost? $580/£465
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in most regions directly from Doogee or from many online retailers.
Doogee sells its phones directly and through online retailers like Amazon and AliExpress.
In the USA, the V Max LR sells for $579.99 directly, or you can get it on Amazon.com for $769.99, but at time of review, it's discounted to $639.99.
A better deal can be had on AliExpress, where the V Max LR sells for $545.51, though I’m unsure whether that price includes tariffs on Chinese imports into the USA.
For UK customers, it's available from Amazon.co.uk for £630. It's also on AliExpress, where the latest price is only £463.23. And, across Europe, AliExpress charges €524.32 for the global version of this phone.
Other phones that offer a rangefinder include the Blackview BV9300 and the Unihertz 8849 Tank 3. The Blackview has been replaced with the BV9300Pro model, but the old one with the same measuring technology as the LR costs around $480 on AliExpress. That seems cheap, but the BV9300 only has 75% of the battery capacity of the LR, and half the storage.
Equally, the original Unihertz 8849 Tank 3 has been superseded, you can still get it, but only the models without the rangefinder.
Given that most phone makers who previously included a rangefinder have removed it from their devices, it hints that it wasn’t a feature that sold many devices.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Value score: 3.5/5
Doogee V Max LR: Specs
Item
Spec
CPU:
MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy
GPU:
Arm Mali-G615 MC2
NPU:
MediaTek APU 655
RAM:
16GB
Storage:
512GB
Screen:
6.78 inchFHD+IPS Screen
Resolution:
1080 x 2460FHD+,120Hz
SIM:
2x Nano SIM + TF (all three can be used)
Weight:
686 grams alone, 771g with bumper
Dimensions:
183.5 x 85.4 x 30.5 mm
Rugged Spec:
IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H Certification
Rear cameras:
200MP AI Main Camera + 20 MP Night Vision Camera + 8MP Ultra Wide Angle & Macro Camera
Front camera:
32MP Samsung
Networking:
WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio:
130dB loudspeaker with Smart PA
OS:
Android 15
Battery:
20500 mAh (Max 45W wired, 10W reverse)
Colours:
Black
Doogee V Max LR: design
Heavy and thick
Annoying bumper
I’ve already covered the ergonomics of this phone in my Doogee V Max Play review that you can read here, so let's keep this brief.
At 771g, this is an excessively heavy and bulky device that doesn’t fit easily in your pocket and would be a nightmare for anyone who has wrist strength issues or a child.
To make it marginally easier to carry, Doogee created a hard-plastic bumper with an integrated rubber handle.
It’s obvious to anyone using the phone for the first time that the person who designed the bumper never saw a physical phone, and just created it using a CAD model.
I say that because the carrying handle sits over the user-customisable button, and gripping the phone triggers that button every time. So, where on the Play you open the phone to always find the projector controls on the screen, here you always meet the measuring app.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Another clue to the lack of joined-up thinking is that the LR, like the Play, has two large LED arrays that act as a camping light, but the bumper obscures these entirely behind solid plastic. Therefore, to use them, the bumper must first be removed, which isn’t easy in either light or dark.
I do wonder about the number of people involved in the design and production of the LR and the Play who either didn’t notice or chose to ignore the obvious faults in this aspect of the design as it moved from concept to production. But, they did one or the other.
As a phone and a bumper, neither of these things is Doogee’s finest hour.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Design score: 3/5
Doogee V Max LR: hardware
Same SoC as Play model
Confuses IR and Lasers
The underlying Android 15 platform on the LR is unchanged from the Play, and therefore, you can read my review of that phone for a greater insight into what the Dimensity 7300 Energy offers, and if it's something you might want in your mobile devices.
To paraphrase my previous views, it’s a decent SoC with more than enough power for the majority of use cases, even if it’s not ideal for the hardcore gamer.
Its strengths are supreme power efficiency, which, given the phone's battery capacity, results in exceptional running time.
The one feature that Doogee removed from the Play to create the LR was the projector, but its omission left physical space within the design, and the engineers decided to fill that with something more practical and less niche.
You may be wondering what the LR stands for in this phone, and it's the Laser Rangefinder. But this is where we head down a rabbit hole, because I’m not sure whether this phone has a laser rangefinder.
What makes me unsure? Well, in the app, when you activate the measuring system, it says “Turn on infrared”, not “Activate Laser”. But when you do that, you can see a visible laser spot where the phone is pointed. If this were infrared, it wouldn’t be visible, since humans can’t see the frequencies of light that are generally classed as infrared.
In an attempt to resolve these apparent contradictions, I checked the documentation that came with the phone and found no reference to laser light or any safety warning regarding that or IR. Admittedly, the two-page manual was a generic one, and not specific to the LR, but surely if you have a product with a laser in it, of whatever power, that needs a specific kite-mark or something?
What I do know is that, alongside the area on the phone where the ‘laser’ comes out, there's an IR sender/receiver. Doogee mentions it has this in its promotional materials, calling it an “Infrared Remote Control”, although there are no apps included to use it.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
My guess, and take this with a huge pinch of salt, is that the laser is a marker so you can see where it is measuring to, and the actual measurement is performed using Infrared, because that’s much cheaper than the electronics to calculate the return of a laser beam.
That would explain why the device's maximum range is 40M and its measurement accuracy is rated at ±3-15 mm. Eventually, I found a reference that said 630-670nm visible infrared, which confused me even more, because that’s in the visible light range, and strictly not in the true infrared range.
I could be wrong, and I’ll be happy to accept it if I am, but whatever the LR has isn’t a ‘Laser Rangefinder’, as is typically defined.
Can it measure distances? Yes, although not that accurately. As they say, measure twice, cut once.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Hardware score: 4/5
Doogee V Max LR: cameras
Rear camera: 200MP Samsung S5KHP2 primary camera, 20 MP Sony IMX350 Night Vision Camera, 8MP Ultra Wide Angle & Macro Camera
Front camera: 32MP Samsung S5GD1
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Again, I’ll spare you my repeated thoughts on the camera system of the LR, since it's identical to the same arrangement in the V Max Play. I covered that subject in my review of that phone, so I’ll give a general overview of my thoughts here.
The phone's sensor is good, and the HP2 primary camera in particular is an excellent choice for those wanting crisp, well-saturated images, even in low-light conditions.
It’s combined with the workman-like 20MP Sony sensor that is good for night vision and a workable 8MP sensor for ultra-wide-angle and macro scenarios.
For the sake of thoroughness, I’ve taken another series of example photos using the LR, but there isn’t any practical difference between these and the ones I took using the Play.
One thing I failed to mention on the Play, but I’ll include here, is that neither of these phones has Widevine L1 support, with only L3 encryption. That means that the majority of streaming services will limit the quality of a streamed movie or TV show to only 480P, irrespective of the screen resolution. Many Chinese phone makers don’t care about Westerners watching Netflix, and Doogee is one of those, it transpires.
In short, the cameras are good, but avoid the encouragement of the underwater mode, since given the weight of this phone, if you let it slip from your hand, it will be heading rapidly to the deep six.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Doogee V Max LR Camera samples
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Camera score: 4.5/5
Doogee V Max LR: performance
Decent SoC
GPU is game-friendly
Big battery
Phone
Doogee V Max LR
Doogee V Max Play
SoC
Mediatek Dimensity 7300
Mediatek Dimensity 7300
GPU
Mali-G615 MC2
Mali-G615 MC2
Mem
MediaTek NPU 655
MediaTek NPU 655
NPU
16GB/512GB
16GB/512GB
Weight
686g
686g
Battery
20500
20500
Geekbench
Single
1019
1009
Multi
3247
3176
OpenCL
2500
2478
Vulkan
2521
2501
GFX
Aztec Open Normal
40
40
Aztec Vulkan Norm.
42
42
Car Chase
36
36
Manhattan 3.1
61
60
PCMark
3.0 Score
13932
11709
Battery
43h 21m
43h 28m
Charge 30
%
12
11
Passmark
Score
13772
13901
CPU
6816
6973
3DMark
Slingshot OGL
7124
6977
Slingshot Ex. OGL
5378
5275
Slingshot Ex. Vulkan
4976
4862
Wildlife
3300
3269
Nomad Lite
364
360
I put this data in the review to underline that the LR and the Play versions of the Doogee V Max are the same phone inside.
Yes, there are different results, but the difference is no more than what you get by repeatedly running the tests. The only oddity is why the Play has a lower PCMark score, and I can only conclude that a firmware update that happened between my testing made a change that upgraded the LR on that one test.
If the LR is compared with other rugged phones, the performance is decent but not spectacular. As a good example, the Oukitel WP210 that uses the Dimensity 8200 scores 6023 on the 3Dmark Wildlife test. Therefore, faster phones are available, but the platform on the LR outclasses many designs, like the Blackview BV7300 or Oukitel WP300.
Performance score: 4/5
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Doogee V Max LR: Final verdict
As I iterated with the V Max Play, the phone's physical size is a deal-breaker for many, since it limits who can carry it and how far.
On the other hand, if the phone will typically be in a vehicle, then it might not matter.
The idea of removing the projector and putting in the measuring system and its price reduction seems, on paper at least, a good idea.
Though the V Max LR still isn’t an inexpensive phone, especially if you buy it through Amazon.
There are good things about this phone, like the cameras and the SoC, but they’re balanced by the price and a few dire aspects, such as the poorly designed bumper.
That bumper wasn’t good on the Play, and now it's appeared on the LR. I just hope Doogee redesign it for any subsequent V Max models.
Should I buy a Doogee V Max LR?
Doogee V Max LR Score Card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
Maker price is too high, but online its more affordable
3.5/5
Design
Terrible bumper and a massive device
3/5
Hardware
Decent SoC and a 20500 mAH battery, and a 'Laser Rangefinder'
3.5/5
Camera
200MP Samsung sensor takes great pictures and video
4.5/5
Performance
Decent performance and enhanced battery life
4/5
Overall
Not the most practical phone for daily use, but rugged
4/5
Buy it if...
You need a phone for outdoors The water- and dust-resistant Doogee V Max LR is suitable for working in the rain and can withstand being dropped. But it is exceptionally heavy and unsuitable for small hands.
You need battery capacity One of the redeeming features of this design is the battery capacity and how this translates into running time. If all you want is a long-running time, then this is a design that offers that feature, but it also makes it heavy.
Don't buy it if...
You are travelling light At over 771g with bumper, this is a heavy phone, and it's too big to fit in a trouser pocket. Maybe for a long trek, this isn't the best choice, even if the camera is perfect for scenic shots and measuring planks.
Also Consider
Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro Another practical, rugged design with an inbuilt camping light, night vision camera and about 60% of the battery capacity than the WP60. It’s cheap, but conversely, the cameras aren’t as good, and the SoC isn’t as powerful. For those needing a cheap, tough phone, the Ulefone Armour Mini 20 Pro might be a good choice as it's easily pocketable.
ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola The ThinkPhone 25 offers a powerful SoC, robust package, practical form factor, high-quality camera sensors and decent battery life at a mid-range price point. But, it’s not available in the USA, sadly.
Now, I love my trusty M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro. It helps me run all of what I do for my business, all my clients, and beyond. But, when I got word of a laptop with a rolling display from Lenovo, I knew it was going to be something uniquely incredible.
I've tested some of the best business laptops around. Some that have incredible performance, some with incredible screens, some with more power than some entire companies can produce, and some with features that are sweet and enhance productivity in cool ways. But a rolling laptop with an extendable display at the touch of a button is something that I never expected. After all, as Lenovo is keen to remind us, this is the world's first rollable laptop for working on the go.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable's extending display isn't even a gimmick; it works, and it works well. It's genuinely helpful, and it's something that I have learned to love and cannot wait to see what version 2 looks like.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is a first-generation device. No other laptop has done this before, so I don't expect this to be a budget laptop. On top of that, this computer packs an Intel Core Ultra 7, Windows 11 Pro with Copilot, 32 GB of soldered memory and a terabyte of storage. This would be a capable business machine even without the rollable screen, that's just the icing on the cake.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Unboxing and First Impressions
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable Laptop is the first time that I haven't left the charger in the box in a long time. Usually, I jump to using an Anker or UGREEN charging brick and cables due to being more compact and powerful than most laptop bricks (except for the monster workstations I test), or I know I'm going to be hopping from docking station to docking station and only need to maybe top off on the go. But, with Lenovo's GaN charger in the box, I may actually keep this one in my bag for a while as my USB-C Charger on the go, or at least I don't feel the need to change it up right away.
Beyond that, the computer comes with docs, and the laptop itself. pretty straightforward. Right away, after I started the computer, of course the first thing I had to do was open the rollup screen. That first time even to now, after using this computer in my personal rotation for 99 days at the time of writing this, I am still blown away at the display. It feels magical every time.
It's taken a little bit to get the settings dialed in the way I want, mostly with choosing to finally disable the smart widgets when I extend the display. For some, I could see this being super helpful, but for me, when I extend the screen it's because I want to control what is down there, not have Lenovo throw a calendar and some other widgets at me, but then again, maybe that's showing my control issues a bit too much.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The rolling mechanism still shocks me. I've opened and closed this display countless times, and still, I'm blown away. The motor-driven display is smooth, easy, and surprisingly fast.
Beyond the display, the keyboard is comfortable, even for all-day typing, and I appreciate the full-function row on the top. The touchpad is good, nothing amazing, but nothing negative so far, and the built-in fingerprint reader is a nice touch.
Lenovo made the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable MIL-STD 810H-certified, with a still 50% recycled aluminum bottom cover.
Like I mentioned above, I've had this computer in my rotation for almost 100 days at the time of writing this. It's been one of the most fun laptops to carry around because everyone around stops and stares and asks questions, regardless of if I am working from an office I frequent, a coffee shop, a co working space, on a train or even in my own home, my three kids are shocked every time they see it, even my one-year-old daughter gasps "whoaoww" every time I extend the display.
When you first use the extended screen, Lenovo suggests using their smart workspace feature that allows for pinning apps or widgets for quick access. Personally, I didn't find anything worth putting there, but that could be due to my particularity.
What I do like to do, though, is when I want more screen, I will simply wait for it to fully extend while working on whatever I am working on, then I will use a quick command or the trackpad to pull the window down to the bottom third or half. That section is also great for messaging apps such as Slack or Project management tools like Notion. However, Lenovo has made this display so seamless and excellent that you don't even need to think of that extended display as an extension, but rather a continuation of the main display.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Final verdict
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop changes what I think of when I think of a laptop. It also changes what is possible when it comes to working remotely or on the go.
Granted, adding two inches of screen real estate is not the same as bringing along the Sotsu Portable monitor or whipping out a tablet for extra productivity, but it also isn't trying to be. This is a whole new way of thinking about laptop size and functionality.
Much like how when the Cybertruck hit the market and shook up the truck world by being a truck but not a truck, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop is a laptop, but its more.
Should you buy a Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable?
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Value
First-Gen rollable laptop, yet reasonably priced for what it is
4 / 5
Design
Sleek design with smooth OLED rollable display
4.5 / 5
Hardware
Fast chip, fast ram, fast wireless, and a fancy display
4.5 / 5
Performance
Great for productivity, which is what it's designed for
4.5 / 5
Overall
This laptop is clearly for the individual that is productivity-focused, this is a really unique and powerful option
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You like new technology Rolling displays are still on the forefront, so if you want to hop on the bandwagon of new technology, check this out.
You always want more screen If you're the kind of person always wishing they had a bit more screen real estate, look no furtherView Deal
Don't buy it if...
You're needing the most powerful laptop experience This laptop is a productivity machine, but not the most powerful of workstations. It's a business laptop first and foremost.
You need a lot of ports Sadly, this laptop only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. If you need more, this just does not have it, sadly
Powered by an RTX 5080 and featuring a large 16-inch, 165 Hz display, the A16 Pro delivers excellent gaming performance while doubling as a capable workstation. At the time of writing, there are two A16 Pro variants for sale – both equipped with the Intel Core 7 240H CPU, 32GB of (soldered) 5600MHz LPDDR5x RAM, a 1TB SSD and either an RTX 5070 Ti or, as tested, the RTX 5080.
The large screen folds back through 180 degrees to lie flat, has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a 3 ms response time, a decent 400 nits of brightness and displays an excellent 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Ports include HDMI 2.1, a 5 Gbps USB-C port with power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB-A 5 Gbps (plus a USB-A 2.0 port), Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack.
For the Gaming A16 Pro, Gigabyte includes a MUX switch but caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The laptop RTX 5080 can run at up to 150W, so a 115W limit means raw performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti.
While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. At 36 x 26 x 2.3 cm, and weighing 2.3 kg, it’s also slimmer and lighter, making it a better choice for those who want to carry it every day. In fact, most thin and light laptops that feature powerful GPUs limit the TGP to keep heat under control.
For demanding games at the screen's native resolution, you will need to scale back the quality settings to maintain over 60 fps, while older ones will happily run at over 100 fps. To push towards the 165 Hz the screen is capable of, you will need to drop back to 1080p or use frame generation.
It depends on your game (or app) of choice, but in less demanding titles the 115W TGP 5080 is about 25% slower than one at 150W, and up to 22% faster than a 5070. In more intensive games, I saw the CPU create a bottleneck, bringing frame rates closer to that of the 5070. At full tilt, the Gaming A16 Pro emits a fairly loud roar from the cooling fans, but despite this, for sustained loads, performance is limited by the cooling capacity.
The A16 Pro is also a very capable workstation and we measured up to 90W charging via USB-C, so it can provide decent productivity performance without having to lug the larger power brick around. We wish it had a larger battery than the 76Wh models used, as while the 10 hours, 37 minutes of video playback is a decent result, we were disappointed by under five hours of light-duty work.
The keyboard and trackpad are both excellent, and the customizable RGB lighting modes are fun but also easily toned down to white if you want to blend in at the office. The 1080p webcam is nothing special in terms of image quality, but it does facial recognition for fast logins.
While the A16 Pro is an excellent machine overall despite a few foibles, the purchase decision comes back to price. If you can buy it for 30% less than a comparable full TGP 5080 machine (or on par or less than a full TGP 5070 Ti laptop) then it’s a solid buy, but otherwise wait for a sale.
The A16 Pro display can fold through 180° to lie flat (Image credit: Future)
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Price & availability
How much does it cost? Starting from $1,899 / £1,699 / AU$3,299
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK and Australia
At the full list price, the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro doesn’t offer standout value, but third-party retailer prices can be considerably lower, making it a good buy.
Gigabyte does not list a recommended retail price for the A16 Pro in every market, but below is a table of typical non-discounted pricing for the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti variants at the time of writing.
When on sale, we have seen it at up to 25% less than these prices.
RTX 5080
RTX 5070 Ti
US List Price
$2,199
$1,899
UK List Price
£2,099
£1,799
AU List Price
AU$4,299
AU$3,299
Value score: 4 / 5
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Specs
Availability is the same in the US, UK and Australia, with the main difference being the inclusion of an RTX 5070 Ti GPU or the RTX 5080 card. If comparing models, be aware there is a non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16 available as well that has lower spec and TGP.
Below is the specs list for the A16 Pro models available.
358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm (14.11 x 10.33 x 0.77 - 0.91 inches)
358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm (14.11 x 10.33 x 0.77 - 0.91 inches)
Weight
2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
Specs score: 4 / 5
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Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro open on desk showing left hand side ports (Image credit: Future)
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Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Design
Conservative power ratings
Customizable lighting
Facial recognition webcam
The A16 Pro is a large 16-inch laptop, but the display has fairly slim bezels and overall it fits into a footprint small enough that I think it’s reasonable to carry it on the go every day. This is helped by Gigabyte’s inclusion of 100W USB-C PD charging, so you can leave the big power brick at home if you’re not going to be gaming.
The laptop measures in at 358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm, but this is at the most optimistic points. At the front, I get about 20 mm, and 25 mm at the rear, and 28 mm if you include the feet. On the scale, it weighs 2.36 kg (not far off the 2.3 kg from Gigabyte) and the power brick is another 0.54 kg.
The A16 Pro stands out with a display that can fold through 180 degrees to lie flat. I love this design for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means you can toggle the display upside down and share it with someone sitting across from you. Secondly, it makes it easy to use the laptop in your own unique way.
For example, with the A16 Pro plugged into a second screen or dock, and using a keyboard and mouse, I liked to open the screen fully, and place the laptop in a vertical stand. That way the laptop screen is raised to the right level to be placed next to a second screen, plus it leaves the vents unobstructed and takes up very little desk space.
The A16 Pro includes a MUX switch for Advanced Optimus graphics switching. This means the laptop can optimize graphics performance and power use automatically based on need, such as shutting down the discrete GPU, without needing to restart when switching modes.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro rear vents (Image credit: Future)
The A16 Pro opts for plastic on the main chassis and display to save weight. While I like the strength of metal, the stiff plastic used is still pretty good and the laptop feels capable of handling any bumps or drops. The laptop is equipped with a large keyboard with 1.7 mm key travel, but there’s no numpad. Still, it’s pleasant enough to type on despite a little bounce. The keyboard has customizable RGB 1-zone backlighting that can be used to add some bling, or toned down to muted colors (or white) if trying to blend in at the office or university.
Port selection is reasonable but not outstanding, with a single USB-C that includes DisplayPort output and USB-C charging. At 5 Gbps, the data rate is lower than I would like and I’d ideally want to see at least one 40 Gbps USB4 port for a laptop in this class, and at the very minimum 20 Gbps USB-C. You also get two 5Gbps USB-A ports, plus a standard USB 2.0 port.
It also has HDMI 2.1, plus Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack – though no card reader. The ports are well located on the sides of the laptop, with plenty of spacing between them ensuring easy access.
The choice to include Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2) means the A16 Pro doesn’t have the absolute fastest networking, but is still relatively future-proof in terms of high-speed connectivity. The A16 Pro doesn’t include a privacy e-shutter on the webcam, but on the plus side it’s capable of facial recognition for fast Windows login.
The 76Wh battery is decently sized but I’d have much preferred to have seen a larger 99Wh battery – as is featured in some competitors – to help eke out a little extra time unplugged.
Design score: 4 / 5
The A16 Pro keyboard has 1-zone RGB (plus white) LED lighting (Image credit: Future)
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Performance
Solid gaming results
Somewhat noisy under load
Decent CPU performance for workstation use
I’ve tested a range of similarly priced laptops that use the RTX 5080 GPU and, generally speaking, for the same GPU thermal design power (TGP) and similar CPU / RAM spec, gaming results don’t vary a huge amount if the cooling is up to the task. But subtle differences in how manufacturers configure their CPU and GPU power profiles, as well as other design choices, can lead to consistent differences overall.
For the A16 Pro, Gigabyte caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The 5080 can run at up to 150W (plus dynamic boost), so the 115W limit in the A16 Pro means performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti. While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. Gigabyte does not confirm the TGP of the RTX 5070 Ti, though it can likely run at the full 115W the GPU is rated for, but without higher dynamic boost power levels.
Now, it’s important to mention that a capped 115W RTX 5080 still has major benefits over a full power 5070 Ti or 5070. You get 16GB of VRAM instead of 12GB or 8GB, which means you can run higher quality textures at 2560 x 1600 and keep ray tracing on in games like Cyberpunk 2077. The 5080 also has a wider 256-bit memory bus, so busy scenes with path-traced lighting or dense city areas will drop the frame rate less than with the 128-bit 5070 or 192-bit 5070 Ti.
The 5080 has more ray-tracing and Tensor hardware too, so DLSS 4 can run at a higher preset without impacting playability. Plus, it’s more powerful for creator work. The GPU will stay relevant longer too, as more new titles call for loads of VRAM, so the 16GB 5080 will handle them better than a 12GB 5070 Ti or an 8GB 5070.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro underside cooling vents (Image credit: Future)
Overall, the A16 Pro manages decent gaming performance but does run at the limits of its cooling. In most scenarios, we found that the CPU hit its thermal throttling point before the GPU, limiting performance. Older or less intense games still tended to have the CPU thermally throttled, but the GPU could still run flat out. On more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, the performance was bottlenecked by the CPU and the 5080 was often running up to 20% or so behind its full potential.
The Core 7 240H isn’t a bad CPU, but as a refreshed Raptor Lake-H part launched in late 2024, it’s not the most efficient option. This isn’t a problem normally, but with the limited thermal ability of the laptop, heavy load on the CPU and GPU push heat levels to the point the CPU has to throttle itself.
This can be helped somewhat by scaling back settings that put more load on the CPU, like reducing crowd depth, but ultimately the 5080 is still often limited by the CPU. This meant that for games like Cyberpunk 2077, we struggled to push frame rates to the 165 Hz the display is capable of (with frame generation), even when dropping detail or resolution back.
(Image credit: Future)
To give some context, I have compared the A16 Pro benchmark results to the Alienware 16X Aurora with a 5070 and the Alienware 16 Area-51 with a 150W TGP 5080. In synthetic benchmarks (which don’t get CPU bottlenecked), the A16 Pro sits right between the two, as expected. But for gaming benchmarks, the A16 Pro has a smaller lead over the 5070.
Now, this is not necessarily a problem, as, for example, the A16 Pro is significantly cheaper than the RTX 5070 equipped Alienware 16X Aurora, making it a much better bang for buck machine. While we wish Gigabyte had used a more efficient CPU, ultimately the design trade-offs here are fine overall.
Still, it does mean you need to be slightly more careful when comparing pricing, and make sure the A16 Pro is on par with or slightly less than a 5070 Ti-based machine with a more powerful cooling system, and significantly less than a full TGP 5080 laptop.
One potential wildcard is the performance of the A16 Pro with 5070 Ti. While the 5070 Ti will likely experience the same CPU bottleneck as the 5080, the overall performance difference may be small. We will update this review once we can test the 5070 Ti variant or confirm third-party benchmark results.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro benchmark results
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro
Alienware 16X Aurora
Alienware 16 Area-51
CPU
Intel Core 7 240H
Intel Ultra 9 275HX
Intel Ultra 9 275HX
GPU
RTX 5080 (115W TGP)
RTX 5070 (115W TGP)
RTX 5080 (150W TGP)
RAM
32GB
32GB
32GB
Battery
76 Wh
96 Wh
96 Wh
General performance
PCMark 10 - Overall (score)
7,523
8,437
8,639
Geekbench 6 - Multi-core
13,503
19,615
20,244
Geekbench 6 - Single-core
2,744
3,068
3,149
Geekbench 6 - GPU
177,521
136,686
213,178
Cinebench R24 - CPU Single Core
117
133
133
Cinebench R24 - CPU Multi Core
832
1,964
2,106
Battery
PCMark 10 - Battery Work (HH:MM)
3:19
6:01
3:09
TechRadar video test (HH:MM)
10:37
6:16
4:27
Graphics performance
3DMark SpeedWay
4,247
3,664
5,610
3DMark Port Royal
10,744
9,031
11,999
Steel Nomad
3,967
2,846
5,109
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS)
84
76
114
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS off)
52
50
79
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS)
55
54
72
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS off)
25
16
37
Black Myth: Wukong - 1600p Cinematic (DLSS)
77
76
104
Shadow of the Tomb Raider - 1600p (DLSS off)
137
131
175
Storage
CrystalDiskMark Read/Write (MB/s)
6,982 / 6,481
6,939 / 6,740
6,575 / 5,890
Overall, even at 115W the RTX 5080 is a solid choice for 2560 x 1600 gaming, and can run most games at very playable frame rates without dropping back the details. For especially demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 set to ultra ray tracing and high texture detail, the A16 Pro manages 55 fps, or 84 fps if the ray tracing is on low. Turn on frame generation, and you can be gaming at the display's 165 Hz limit with no problems at all.
While the fan profiles keep the A16 Pro quiet in non-gaming use, at full tilt they are quite loud and if gaming, we highly recommend using a headset. Heat is directed out of both the sides and rear of the laptop, and after an intense gaming session, the trackpad reached a low 24.6°C / 76.3°F, the keyboard hit a toasty 41.3°C / 106.3°F and the underside was the hottest part at 42.4°C / 108.3°F. The keyboard temp here is significantly hotter than many competing gaming laptops, though not at the point it is uncomfortable to use.
The A16 Pro uses the GiMate control software and includes five modes – Balanced, Game, Creator, Power Saving and Online meeting – which vary the performance levels, as well as the amount of noise and heat created. For each mode, you can also adjust the individual settings, like fan control profile, display brightness and more. Stability is also good and I had no glitches or strange behavior from the Gigabyte software, or problems running any games, benchmarks or applications.
The trackpad stays cool, but the keyboard gets a little toasty under load (Image credit: Future)
The A16 Pro cooling system may struggle with the GPU, but is good enough to let the grunty Intel Core 7 240H CPU use up to 85W in our testing. It’s not as powerful as the Core Ultra series CPUs, or the new AMD Ryzen AI processors, but still makes for a competent workstation when not gaming, and it will happily handle heavy workloads such as video editing.
If you leave the software in charge of profile selection, performance on battery takes a hit compared to being plugged in, and is about 60% slower in CPU workloads.
The A16 Pro can also be run on or charged from USB-C using PD spec 100W (20V/5A) and we saw a max of 90W in use. Unlike the questionable USB-C power profiles on the otherwise excellent Gigabyte 16X, the A16 Pro gives solid performance on USB-C, and is about 50% faster than on battery for CPU workloads and about 35% behind full performance. Gaming on USB-C is about half the performance compared to using the main PSU.
In other words, workstation use feels snappy when running on USB-C (such as when plugged into a dock) or if charging from a power bank, but don’t expect to do much more than casual gaming without the larger PSU.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Battery life and Charging
4 hours and 49 minutes of regular use when unplugged
10 hours and 37 minutes of video playback
58 minutes of gaming
(Image credit: Future)
The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro uses a 76Wh battery, which is decent size but not quite as good as the 99Wh featured in some competing models.
Still, five hours or so of work unplugged (and around an hour longer if just browsing the internet or watching YouTube videos) is enough to be useful, but still not a great result overall. In contrast, other gaming laptops I've tested with similar spec hardware (including more powerful CPUs) use a 96Wh battery and can last up to 7 hours unplugged. The A16 Pro doesn’t handle medium level loads too well on battery (like video editing), and I saw run times at under three hours. On the plus side, the A16 Pro offers relatively quick charging and it gets back to full charge in under an hour.
The PSU is medium sized (and not as chunky as many gaming laptops) and weighs 537 grams (including the cable), so it has a measurable impact if carried around all day. Fortunately USB-C charging is decent and it could top up in just over an hour. The A16 Pro also charges well from a power bank and a large, but flight safe, 27,000mAh (99Wh) model will just give the laptop a full charge.
Battery life and charging score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro?
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
Expensive at list price, but great value when discounted
4 / 5
Specs
Reasonable but not standout
3.5 / 5
Design
Decent features but some compromises like noisy fans
4 / 5
Performance
Solid gaming and workstation performance
4 / 5
Battery
Short battery life for work but decent video playback
3.5 / 5
Overall
A gaming laptop that is also very well equipped for workstation or creator use – but don’t pay full list price
4 / 5
Buy it if…
You want decent gaming performance in a relatively portable package The A16 Pro isn’t exactly tiny, but considering the large 16-inch screen and full performance GPU, it’s still pretty good for carrying every day.
You want CPU performance The Intel Core 7 240H CPU is grunty enough for demanding Uni students, or workstation and creator use.
You want to use it for more than just gaming Options like the fold-flat screen mean the Gigabyte is also a great option for plugging in alongside a second monitor.
Don’t buy it if...
You want a very portable gaming option The A16 Pro isn’t too heavy or thick, but if portability is a prime concern, then consider a slimmer model, or a 14-inch gaming machine.
You want a more powerful GPU The A16 Pro caps the 5080 to 115W, and you will need to look at models like the Aorus Master 16 or 18 for better gaming frame rates.
You want a very affordable laptop The A16 Pro is a great-value machine (when discounted), but it’s still a pricey laptop. If you crave affordable RTX 5050 and 5060 focused gaming, check out the non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Also consider
If my Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro review has you considering other options, here are some more gaming laptops to consider:
Razer Blade 14 (2025) Smaller and lighter than the 16-inch Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro, the Razer Blade 14 offers pretty good performance in a small package.
Alienware 16 Area-51 A powerful 16-inch gaming laptop that’s sold with an RTX 5060, 5080 or 5090, this is a chunky machine that’s all about performance.
I tested the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro for two weeks
I used it both on a desk and carried it in a backpack for travel
I used it for gaming, as well as office productivity work and video editing
I ran the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, as well as using it for actual day-to-day work at a desk and on the go. I used the TechRadar movie test for assessing battery life during video playback, and a range of productivity battery benchmarks to further gauge battery life. I also logged power use in a variety of scenarios, including when charging from USB-C, and tested the laptop with a variety of USB-C chargers and power banks.
Powered by an RTX 5080 and featuring a large 16-inch, 165 Hz display, the A16 Pro delivers excellent gaming performance while doubling as a capable workstation. At the time of writing, there are two A16 Pro variants for sale – both equipped with the Intel Core 7 240H CPU, 32GB of (soldered) 5600MHz LPDDR5x RAM, a 1TB SSD and either an RTX 5070 Ti or, as tested, the RTX 5080.
The large screen folds back through 180 degrees to lie flat, has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a 3 ms response time, a decent 400 nits of brightness and displays an excellent 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Ports include HDMI 2.1, a 5 Gbps USB-C port with power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB-A 5 Gbps (plus a USB-A 2.0 port), Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack.
For the Gaming A16 Pro, Gigabyte includes a MUX switch but caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The laptop RTX 5080 can run at up to 150W, so a 115W limit means raw performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti.
While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. At 36 x 26 x 2.3 cm, and weighing 2.3 kg, it’s also slimmer and lighter, making it a better choice for those who want to carry it every day. In fact, most thin and light laptops that feature powerful GPUs limit the TGP to keep heat under control.
For demanding games at the screen's native resolution, you will need to scale back the quality settings to maintain over 60 fps, while older ones will happily run at over 100 fps. To push towards the 165 Hz the screen is capable of, you will need to drop back to 1080p or use frame generation.
It depends on your game (or app) of choice, but in less demanding titles the 115W TGP 5080 is about 25% slower than one at 150W, and up to 22% faster than a 5070. In more intensive games, I saw the CPU create a bottleneck, bringing frame rates closer to that of the 5070. At full tilt, the Gaming A16 Pro emits a fairly loud roar from the cooling fans, but despite this, for sustained loads, performance is limited by the cooling capacity.
The A16 Pro is also a very capable workstation and we measured up to 90W charging via USB-C, so it can provide decent productivity performance without having to lug the larger power brick around. We wish it had a larger battery than the 76Wh models used, as while the 10 hours, 37 minutes of video playback is a decent result, we were disappointed by under five hours of light-duty work.
The keyboard and trackpad are both excellent, and the customizable RGB lighting modes are fun but also easily toned down to white if you want to blend in at the office. The 1080p webcam is nothing special in terms of image quality, but it does facial recognition for fast logins.
While the A16 Pro is an excellent machine overall despite a few foibles, the purchase decision comes back to price. If you can buy it for 30% less than a comparable full TGP 5080 machine (or on par or less than a full TGP 5070 Ti laptop) then it’s a solid buy, but otherwise wait for a sale.
The A16 Pro display can fold through 180° to lie flat (Image credit: Future)
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Price & availability
How much does it cost? Starting from $1,899 / £1,699 / AU$3,299
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK and Australia
At the full list price, the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro doesn’t offer standout value, but third-party retailer prices can be considerably lower, making it a good buy.
Gigabyte does not list a recommended retail price for the A16 Pro in every market, but below is a table of typical non-discounted pricing for the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti variants at the time of writing.
When on sale, we have seen it at up to 25% less than these prices.
RTX 5080
RTX 5070 Ti
US List Price
$2,199
$1,899
UK List Price
£2,099
£1,799
AU List Price
AU$4,299
AU$3,299
Value score: 4 / 5
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Specs
Availability is the same in the US, UK and Australia, with the main difference being the inclusion of an RTX 5070 Ti GPU or the RTX 5080 card. If comparing models, be aware there is a non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16 available as well that has lower spec and TGP.
Below is the specs list for the A16 Pro models available.
358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm (14.11 x 10.33 x 0.77 - 0.91 inches)
358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm (14.11 x 10.33 x 0.77 - 0.91 inches)
Weight
2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
Specs score: 4 / 5
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Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro open on desk showing left hand side ports (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Design
Conservative power ratings
Customizable lighting
Facial recognition webcam
The A16 Pro is a large 16-inch laptop, but the display has fairly slim bezels and overall it fits into a footprint small enough that I think it’s reasonable to carry it on the go every day. This is helped by Gigabyte’s inclusion of 100W USB-C PD charging, so you can leave the big power brick at home if you’re not going to be gaming.
The laptop measures in at 358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm, but this is at the most optimistic points. At the front, I get about 20 mm, and 25 mm at the rear, and 28 mm if you include the feet. On the scale, it weighs 2.36 kg (not far off the 2.3 kg from Gigabyte) and the power brick is another 0.54 kg.
The A16 Pro stands out with a display that can fold through 180 degrees to lie flat. I love this design for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means you can toggle the display upside down and share it with someone sitting across from you. Secondly, it makes it easy to use the laptop in your own unique way.
For example, with the A16 Pro plugged into a second screen or dock, and using a keyboard and mouse, I liked to open the screen fully, and place the laptop in a vertical stand. That way the laptop screen is raised to the right level to be placed next to a second screen, plus it leaves the vents unobstructed and takes up very little desk space.
The A16 Pro includes a MUX switch for Advanced Optimus graphics switching. This means the laptop can optimize graphics performance and power use automatically based on need, such as shutting down the discrete GPU, without needing to restart when switching modes.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro rear vents (Image credit: Future)
The A16 Pro opts for plastic on the main chassis and display to save weight. While I like the strength of metal, the stiff plastic used is still pretty good and the laptop feels capable of handling any bumps or drops. The laptop is equipped with a large keyboard with 1.7 mm key travel, but there’s no numpad. Still, it’s pleasant enough to type on despite a little bounce. The keyboard has customizable RGB 1-zone backlighting that can be used to add some bling, or toned down to muted colors (or white) if trying to blend in at the office or university.
Port selection is reasonable but not outstanding, with a single USB-C that includes DisplayPort output and USB-C charging. At 5 Gbps, the data rate is lower than I would like and I’d ideally want to see at least one 40 Gbps USB4 port for a laptop in this class, and at the very minimum 20 Gbps USB-C. You also get two 5Gbps USB-A ports, plus a standard USB 2.0 port.
It also has HDMI 2.1, plus Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack – though no card reader. The ports are well located on the sides of the laptop, with plenty of spacing between them ensuring easy access.
The choice to include Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2) means the A16 Pro doesn’t have the absolute fastest networking, but is still relatively future-proof in terms of high-speed connectivity. The A16 Pro doesn’t include a privacy e-shutter on the webcam, but on the plus side it’s capable of facial recognition for fast Windows login.
The 76Wh battery is decently sized but I’d have much preferred to have seen a larger 99Wh battery – as is featured in some competitors – to help eke out a little extra time unplugged.
Design score: 4 / 5
The A16 Pro keyboard has 1-zone RGB (plus white) LED lighting (Image credit: Future)
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Performance
Solid gaming results
Somewhat noisy under load
Decent CPU performance for workstation use
I’ve tested a range of similarly priced laptops that use the RTX 5080 GPU and, generally speaking, for the same GPU thermal design power (TGP) and similar CPU / RAM spec, gaming results don’t vary a huge amount if the cooling is up to the task. But subtle differences in how manufacturers configure their CPU and GPU power profiles, as well as other design choices, can lead to consistent differences overall.
For the A16 Pro, Gigabyte caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The 5080 can run at up to 150W (plus dynamic boost), so the 115W limit in the A16 Pro means performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti. While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. Gigabyte does not confirm the TGP of the RTX 5070 Ti, though it can likely run at the full 115W the GPU is rated for, but without higher dynamic boost power levels.
Now, it’s important to mention that a capped 115W RTX 5080 still has major benefits over a full power 5070 Ti or 5070. You get 16GB of VRAM instead of 12GB or 8GB, which means you can run higher quality textures at 2560 x 1600 and keep ray tracing on in games like Cyberpunk 2077. The 5080 also has a wider 256-bit memory bus, so busy scenes with path-traced lighting or dense city areas will drop the frame rate less than with the 128-bit 5070 or 192-bit 5070 Ti.
The 5080 has more ray-tracing and Tensor hardware too, so DLSS 4 can run at a higher preset without impacting playability. Plus, it’s more powerful for creator work. The GPU will stay relevant longer too, as more new titles call for loads of VRAM, so the 16GB 5080 will handle them better than a 12GB 5070 Ti or an 8GB 5070.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro underside cooling vents (Image credit: Future)
Overall, the A16 Pro manages decent gaming performance but does run at the limits of its cooling. In most scenarios, we found that the CPU hit its thermal throttling point before the GPU, limiting performance. Older or less intense games still tended to have the CPU thermally throttled, but the GPU could still run flat out. On more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, the performance was bottlenecked by the CPU and the 5080 was often running up to 20% or so behind its full potential.
The Core 7 240H isn’t a bad CPU, but as a refreshed Raptor Lake-H part launched in late 2024, it’s not the most efficient option. This isn’t a problem normally, but with the limited thermal ability of the laptop, heavy load on the CPU and GPU push heat levels to the point the CPU has to throttle itself.
This can be helped somewhat by scaling back settings that put more load on the CPU, like reducing crowd depth, but ultimately the 5080 is still often limited by the CPU. This meant that for games like Cyberpunk 2077, we struggled to push frame rates to the 165 Hz the display is capable of (with frame generation), even when dropping detail or resolution back.
(Image credit: Future)
To give some context, I have compared the A16 Pro benchmark results to the Alienware 16X Aurora with a 5070 and the Alienware 16 Area-51 with a 150W TGP 5080. In synthetic benchmarks (which don’t get CPU bottlenecked), the A16 Pro sits right between the two, as expected. But for gaming benchmarks, the A16 Pro has a smaller lead over the 5070.
Now, this is not necessarily a problem, as, for example, the A16 Pro is significantly cheaper than the RTX 5070 equipped Alienware 16X Aurora, making it a much better bang for buck machine. While we wish Gigabyte had used a more efficient CPU, ultimately the design trade-offs here are fine overall.
Still, it does mean you need to be slightly more careful when comparing pricing, and make sure the A16 Pro is on par with or slightly less than a 5070 Ti-based machine with a more powerful cooling system, and significantly less than a full TGP 5080 laptop.
One potential wildcard is the performance of the A16 Pro with 5070 Ti. While the 5070 Ti will likely experience the same CPU bottleneck as the 5080, the overall performance difference may be small. We will update this review once we can test the 5070 Ti variant or confirm third-party benchmark results.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro benchmark results
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro
Alienware 16X Aurora
Alienware 16 Area-51
CPU
Intel Core 7 240H
Intel Ultra 9 275HX
Intel Ultra 9 275HX
GPU
RTX 5080 (115W TGP)
RTX 5070 (115W TGP)
RTX 5080 (150W TGP)
RAM
32GB
32GB
32GB
Battery
76 Wh
96 Wh
96 Wh
General performance
PCMark 10 - Overall (score)
7,523
8,437
8,639
Geekbench 6 - Multi-core
13,503
19,615
20,244
Geekbench 6 - Single-core
2,744
3,068
3,149
Geekbench 6 - GPU
177,521
136,686
213,178
Cinebench R24 - CPU Single Core
117
133
133
Cinebench R24 - CPU Multi Core
832
1,964
2,106
Battery
PCMark 10 - Battery Work (HH:MM)
3:19
6:01
3:09
TechRadar video test (HH:MM)
10:37
6:16
4:27
Graphics performance
3DMark SpeedWay
4,247
3,664
5,610
3DMark Port Royal
10,744
9,031
11,999
Steel Nomad
3,967
2,846
5,109
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS)
84
76
114
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS off)
52
50
79
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS)
55
54
72
Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS off)
25
16
37
Black Myth: Wukong - 1600p Cinematic (DLSS)
77
76
104
Shadow of the Tomb Raider - 1600p (DLSS off)
137
131
175
Storage
CrystalDiskMark Read/Write (MB/s)
6,982 / 6,481
6,939 / 6,740
6,575 / 5,890
Overall, even at 115W the RTX 5080 is a solid choice for 2560 x 1600 gaming, and can run most games at very playable frame rates without dropping back the details. For especially demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 set to ultra ray tracing and high texture detail, the A16 Pro manages 55 fps, or 84 fps if the ray tracing is on low. Turn on frame generation, and you can be gaming at the display's 165 Hz limit with no problems at all.
While the fan profiles keep the A16 Pro quiet in non-gaming use, at full tilt they are quite loud and if gaming, we highly recommend using a headset. Heat is directed out of both the sides and rear of the laptop, and after an intense gaming session, the trackpad reached a low 24.6°C / 76.3°F, the keyboard hit a toasty 41.3°C / 106.3°F and the underside was the hottest part at 42.4°C / 108.3°F. The keyboard temp here is significantly hotter than many competing gaming laptops, though not at the point it is uncomfortable to use.
The A16 Pro uses the GiMate control software and includes five modes – Balanced, Game, Creator, Power Saving and Online meeting – which vary the performance levels, as well as the amount of noise and heat created. For each mode, you can also adjust the individual settings, like fan control profile, display brightness and more. Stability is also good and I had no glitches or strange behavior from the Gigabyte software, or problems running any games, benchmarks or applications.
The trackpad stays cool, but the keyboard gets a little toasty under load (Image credit: Future)
The A16 Pro cooling system may struggle with the GPU, but is good enough to let the grunty Intel Core 7 240H CPU use up to 85W in our testing. It’s not as powerful as the Core Ultra series CPUs, or the new AMD Ryzen AI processors, but still makes for a competent workstation when not gaming, and it will happily handle heavy workloads such as video editing.
If you leave the software in charge of profile selection, performance on battery takes a hit compared to being plugged in, and is about 60% slower in CPU workloads.
The A16 Pro can also be run on or charged from USB-C using PD spec 100W (20V/5A) and we saw a max of 90W in use. Unlike the questionable USB-C power profiles on the otherwise excellent Gigabyte 16X, the A16 Pro gives solid performance on USB-C, and is about 50% faster than on battery for CPU workloads and about 35% behind full performance. Gaming on USB-C is about half the performance compared to using the main PSU.
In other words, workstation use feels snappy when running on USB-C (such as when plugged into a dock) or if charging from a power bank, but don’t expect to do much more than casual gaming without the larger PSU.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Battery life and Charging
4 hours and 49 minutes of regular use when unplugged
10 hours and 37 minutes of video playback
58 minutes of gaming
(Image credit: Future)
The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro uses a 76Wh battery, which is decent size but not quite as good as the 99Wh featured in some competing models.
Still, five hours or so of work unplugged (and around an hour longer if just browsing the internet or watching YouTube videos) is enough to be useful, but still not a great result overall. In contrast, other gaming laptops I've tested with similar spec hardware (including more powerful CPUs) use a 96Wh battery and can last up to 7 hours unplugged. The A16 Pro doesn’t handle medium level loads too well on battery (like video editing), and I saw run times at under three hours. On the plus side, the A16 Pro offers relatively quick charging and it gets back to full charge in under an hour.
The PSU is medium sized (and not as chunky as many gaming laptops) and weighs 537 grams (including the cable), so it has a measurable impact if carried around all day. Fortunately USB-C charging is decent and it could top up in just over an hour. The A16 Pro also charges well from a power bank and a large, but flight safe, 27,000mAh (99Wh) model will just give the laptop a full charge.
Battery life and charging score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro?
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
Expensive at list price, but great value when discounted
4 / 5
Specs
Reasonable but not standout
3.5 / 5
Design
Decent features but some compromises like noisy fans
4 / 5
Performance
Solid gaming and workstation performance
4 / 5
Battery
Short battery life for work but decent video playback
3.5 / 5
Overall
A gaming laptop that is also very well equipped for workstation or creator use – but don’t pay full list price
4 / 5
Buy it if…
You want decent gaming performance in a relatively portable package The A16 Pro isn’t exactly tiny, but considering the large 16-inch screen and full performance GPU, it’s still pretty good for carrying every day.
You want CPU performance The Intel Core 7 240H CPU is grunty enough for demanding Uni students, or workstation and creator use.
You want to use it for more than just gaming Options like the fold-flat screen mean the Gigabyte is also a great option for plugging in alongside a second monitor.
Don’t buy it if...
You want a very portable gaming option The A16 Pro isn’t too heavy or thick, but if portability is a prime concern, then consider a slimmer model, or a 14-inch gaming machine.
You want a more powerful GPU The A16 Pro caps the 5080 to 115W, and you will need to look at models like the Aorus Master 16 or 18 for better gaming frame rates.
You want a very affordable laptop The A16 Pro is a great-value machine (when discounted), but it’s still a pricey laptop. If you crave affordable RTX 5050 and 5060 focused gaming, check out the non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16.
Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Also consider
If my Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro review has you considering other options, here are some more gaming laptops to consider:
Razer Blade 14 (2025) Smaller and lighter than the 16-inch Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro, the Razer Blade 14 offers pretty good performance in a small package.
Alienware 16 Area-51 A powerful 16-inch gaming laptop that’s sold with an RTX 5060, 5080 or 5090, this is a chunky machine that’s all about performance.
I tested the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro for two weeks
I used it both on a desk and carried it in a backpack for travel
I used it for gaming, as well as office productivity work and video editing
I ran the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, as well as using it for actual day-to-day work at a desk and on the go. I used the TechRadar movie test for assessing battery life during video playback, and a range of productivity battery benchmarks to further gauge battery life. I also logged power use in a variety of scenarios, including when charging from USB-C, and tested the laptop with a variety of USB-C chargers and power banks.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is an affordable Windows laptop with a spec that should prove capable enough for everyday use.
Considering its 15.6-inch form, it has a sleek and slender body. It’s also quite thin and light, which makes it easier to carry around than expected. The light silver finish and minimal aesthetic also imbue the Aspire Go 15 with some style, although there are a few unsightly angles that mar its appearance somewhat.
It isn’t built to the same high standards as the best laptops, much less many of the best Ultrabooks, either. The materials aren’t premium, and its construction isn’t as reassuringly solid as I would’ve liked. The lid isn’t the most stable, either, and its downward protrusion means it lifts up the rear of the unit when opened beyond 90 degrees, which is a design choice I’m not particularly fond of due to its impractical nature.
On a more positive note, there’s a decent selection of ports, including three for USB-A, one for HDMI cables, and one for Ethernet connections. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader.
(Image credit: Future)
The everyday performance of the Aspire Go 15 is very good, handling light productivity and entertainment workloads with speed. However, more intensive tasks such as gaming fare worse, given that it lacks a dedicated GPU. Light gaming is still possible, though, and both fan noise and temperatures are kept to a minimum.
One of the most disappointing aspects of the Aspire Go 15 is its display. Its grainy finish can be distracting, while colors can look a little washed out in some cases. Worse still is the restrictive viewing angle, with images and scenes becoming totally obscured when the display is set even slightly beyond optimal bounds.
The battery life of the Aspire Go 15 is quite good, though, lasting close to 12 hours during our movie playback test. However, there are quite a few rivals that can outlast it, such as the Dell 14 Plus.
Considering its price, the Aspire Go 15 represents a very good value, offering a more affordable alternative to the best Windows laptops that cost a good bit more. There are also better-performing Chromebooks for less money, such as the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which also has a better display, but if you can live with its display, the Aspire Go 15 is one of the best budget laptops going and well worth adding to your shortlist.
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Price & Availability
Starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450)
Base models have weak specs
Review model is still well-priced, though
The Aspire Go 15 starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450) and is available now. A range of Intel and AMD CPUs are available to choose from, while RAM and storage capacities range from 8GB to 32GB and 128GB to 1TB, respectively.
This is a good starting price for a Windows laptop, but for this outlay, you’ll have to settle for a weak spec. My review model was considerably more powerful than the base model, and priced closer to some strong rivals.
However, it still undercuts other affordable Windows machines, such as the Dell 14 Plus. We found this laptop to be an excellent value, though, thanks to its fast performance and enduring battery life, while its light design even makes it a worthy alternative to some of the best MacBooks.
If you’re willing to look beyond Windows machines, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is another enticing proposition. This is cheaper than the Aspire Go 15, but has a stronger performance and a superior display that doesn’t suffer from the same issues. No wonder we think it’s one of the best Chromebooks around right now.
2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
Battery
53Wh
53Whr
53Whr | 53Whr
Dimensions
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
Weight
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
A wide selection of spec configurations are available, with both Intel and AMD processors. There is a mix of PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 SSDs depending on the spec, so some drives will run slower than others, and that's not always immediately apparent when looking at retailer specs sheets.
It also doesn't include the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standard, but Wi-Fi 6 is fast enough for most people's needs, while the inclusion of an Ethernet port is welcome.
Overall, for their various price points, these are about the specs one should expect.
Specs: 3.5 / 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonably light and thin
Lacking solidity
Odd lid design
The Aspire Go 15 is a basic but smart looking laptop, with extraneous details kept to a minimum. The light silver finish of my review unit helped to impart some elegance, too, although a few unsightly juts and angles spoil its otherwise smooth contours. While the Aspire Go 15 is quite wide, it’s relatively light and pleasingly thin, which makes it easier to carry around than you might imagine for a 15.6-inch laptop.
Build quality isn’t exactly the greatest, though, with cheap looking – and feeling – plastics that flex to an inauspicious degree. Thankfully, the keys feel more premium: they’re solidly fitted and have a prominent texture that’s satisfying to touch.
(Image credit: Future)
The lid is also better made than the rest of the unit, featuring a solid yet smooth hinge mechanism. I welcomed how thin it was, too, although I was less keen on its bottom protrusion. This causes the rear of the Aspire Go 15 to lift off ground when opened to angles beyond 90 degrees – a deliberate design choice but one that feels unintuitive and can result in loose fabrics and other materials underneath the chassis getting caught, which isn’t ideal.
There was a reasonable selection of ports on my Aspire Go 15 review unit. I welcomed the three USB-A ports, spread across both sides for added convenience. There was also an HDMI port and an ethernet port: increasingly rare sights on modern laptops, and again ones I was glad to see. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader, both of which are mild shames.
Design: 3.5/ 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Great general computing performance
Some light gaming is possible
Relatively cool and quiet
Acer Aspire Go 15 benchmarks:
3DMark Fire Strike: 3,646; Steel Nomad: 205; Wild Life Extreme: 2,229; Wild Life Extreme Unlimited: 2,200; GeekBench 6.5 Single-core: 2,000; Multi-core: 6,605 CrossMark Overall: 1,109; Productivity: 1,149; Creativity: 1,125; Responsiveness: 954; HandBrake - 4K to 1080p average FPS: 43.24
For everyday tasks, the Aspire Go 15 is very capable. It can handle light productivity, from word processing to spreadsheet creation, without much if any slowdowns. It also had no problem streaming 4K content. I didn’t experience any midway buffering pauses or stuttering, for example.
However, the viewing experience is marred by the quality of the display. It has a noticeably grainy finish, which can be distracting at times. Colors can also look washed out.
What’s more, the display darkens considerably if the angle isn’t set just right, to the point of near-total blackness sometimes. Thankfully, once you’ve found the optimum position, there are next to no reflections visible on screen.
Since there’s no dedicated GPU installed in the Aspire Go 15, it isn’t particularly great for creative and gaming workloads. Cyberpunk 2077 is playable on the lowest preset, but naturally, you’ll have to make do with some rough visuals and uninspiring frame rates.
(Image credit: Future)
The game is even passable on Medium settings and upscaling, but you’ll have to contend with even lower frame rates and more input lag, rendering the experience less than enjoyable.
Mercifully, though, I experienced little fan noise from the Aspire Go 15 during such intensive workloads, never elevating above a faint whir. It also stayed commendably cool, with certain portions of the body reaching lukewarm temperatures only.
Another highlight of the Aspire Go 15 is its keyboard. The aforementioned keycap texture helps them feel more tactile, as does the surprising amount of dampening of the switches, despite their short travel and very low profile.
What’s more, they’re snappy and responsive, which only improves their typing prowess. And despite featuring a number pad, the layout doesn’t feel cramped. Those number pad keys are relatively small, though, but they’re still eminently usable. So overall, if you’re looking for one of the best laptops for writing, the Aspire Go 15 could well be a contender for you.
The touchpad is less pleasant to use, though. While it’s smooth enough for easy gestures and swiping, it’s not as large as those in other 15-inch laptops, which compromises its navigation abilities. Also, clicks and taps lack feedback and even rattle at points, which further hampers their functionality.
Performance: 4 / 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonable longevity
Rivals can far outlast it, though
The battery life of the is quite impressive. It managed to last close to 12 hours when playing a movie on a continuous loop. It’s also quick to charge, taking about two hours to fully top up.
The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch achieved a similar score. However, others in this sector can outlast it by quite some distance, including the Dell 14 Plus, which lasted over 13 hours when we ran a similar test.
Battery Life: 3.5 / 5
Should I buy the Acer Aspire Go 15?
Acer Aspire Go 15 Scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Aspire Go 15 ranges in price from incredibly cheap to reasonably-priced for a Windows machine exhibiting this kind of performance.
4.5 / 5
Specs
While the Aspire Go 15 isn't loaded with the very latest specs, for the price, they're pretty decent.
3.5 / 5
Design
It’s surprisingly thin and light for such a large laptop, but the construction isn’t exactly the most premium.
3.5 / 5
Performance
The Aspire Go 15 is great for everyday tasks and brilliant for typing on, but the poor display and lack of graphical power are drawbacks.
4 / 5
Battery Life
Battery life is quite good, but others can outlast it by a long way, too.
3.5 / 5
Total
The Aspire Go 15 is a very competent laptop for the price. But there are better all-rounders in the Chromebook market, if you really don’t need Windows.
3.8 / 5
Buy the Acer Aspire Go 15 if...
You want basic tasks done fast Light productivity and 4K streaming are both dispatched with surprising ease.
You’ll be doing a lot of typing The keyboard is a dream to use: it’s super responsive and provides plenty of feedback. The full-size layout doesn’t feel cramped, either.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best display The grainy finish, lack of brightness, washed-out tones, and exacting viewing angles all add up to a less-than-stellar visual experience.
You'll be conducting intensive workloads Since it lacks a dedicated GPU, the Aspire Go 15 isn’t the machine for creative pros or heavy gamers.
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Also Consider
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus Although it’s more expensive, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus still sits in the affordable Windows laptop bracket. It boasts a Snapdragon X Plus chip (so beware, this is an ARM machine), which can handle everyday tasks with aplomb. The display isn’t as big as the Go’s, but it’s significantly sharper and less fussy, not to mention it features touchscreen functionality.
HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch Stepping outside of the Windows ecosystem, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is one of the best Chromebooks around, thanks to its excellent performance and display. What’s more, it’s cheaper than my Aspire Go 15 review unit. It’s also one of the best student Chromebooks.
I tested the Acer Aspire Go 15 for several days, using it for working, entertainment, gaming, and general browsing.
I also connected various peripherals to it, and ran our series of benchmark tests to assess its overall performance. I also tested its battery life by playing a movie on a continuous loop until it expired.
I have plenty of experience testing all kinds of laptops, from everyday workhorses to high-end specialist machines. I’ve also reviewed Chromebooks and other computing devices, such as tablets.
Lighter, cheaper, and more portable than the OG Lenovo Legion Go, the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) has a lot going for it.
First is its starting $649.99 / £699 / $1,329 price tag, which makes it much cheaper than most of the best budget gaming laptops on the market. And weighing just under two pounds, the Legion Go S is substantially lighter, too.
The result is a compact beauty that can play most of the games in your Steam library, although you might have to adjust a few settings.
The not-so-secret sauce in the Go S is the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, or AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme if you're willing to pay a bit more for better performance. In my case, the Z2 Go brings solid performance to a remarkably compact system.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Can you play some of the more demanding games out there, like Cyberpunk 2077? Not really, unless you're willing to make some serious compromises on graphics quality and resolution, but there are plenty of AAA titles that will run beautifully on a device that fits nicely in the palms of your hands.
There are some caveats to consider. The Go S suffers from a short battery life, just like the best gaming laptops, and it has a slightly smaller display with a lower resolution than the original Lenovo Legion Go. And unlike its chunkier brethren, the joysticks on the Legion Go S aren't detachable.
But the biggest concession on the SteamOS version of the handheld is the platform. While there is a version of the Legion Go S with Windows 11 installed, almost everyone using the SteamOS version is going to use Valve's Steam storefront exclusively.
Sure, you could find a way to dual-boot another OS or jury rig a way to get GOG or the Epic Games Store installed on SteamOS, but it's going to be a bit of a hassle, especially for more casual users. For the hard-core Steam fans like me, though, it's not just a non-issue; it's part of the Lenovo Legion Go S's appeal.
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS): Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? Starting at $649.99 / £699 / $1,329
When is it available? It is available now
Where can you get it? It is available in the US, UK, and Australia
The base model of the Legion Go S is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $649.99 / £699 / $1,329. It comes with the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Go SoC, 16GB RAM, a 512TB SSD, and an 8-inch, 120Hz IPS touchscreen.
There is also the more powerful Z1 Extreme configuration that sells for $829.99 / £699 / AU$1,599. It has more RAM and storage, and it sports the more powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC that powered the original Legion Go.
This is a good bit more expensive than the base Steam Deck, but the slightly more powerful Z2 Go processor in the Legion Go S will get you 50% more RDNA 2 compute units to help with performance.
Excellent hand feel with ergonomic grips; sturdy build
Hall-effect sticks, responsive triggers, handy top/bottom port layout
Louder fans than I’d like during long, heavy sessions
Personally, I’m a big fan of the original Legion Go, bulky as it is. But the Legion Go S (SteamOS) has its own unique appeal, starting with the color.
The midnight blue chassis is a nice change from the black and white we’ve been getting lately from PC gaming handhelds.
The hard plastic casing fits comfortably in my hands with textured hand grips as a bonus. It’s not fingerprint proof, but it is resistant, holding off most smudging until I get my hands in a batch of freshly popped popcorn with truffle oil. Then all bets were off.
(Image credit: Future)
Similar to the Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S, the controllers don’t detach, and there's no kickstand like on the Legion Go. It’s a shame, but the Go S is noticeably lighter than the Legion Go, weighing in at only 1.63 pounds compared to the latter’s 1.88 pounds, with controllers, so it's not that much of an issue.
The asymmetrical analog anti-drift joysticks are sturdy and provide accurate input, and I especially appreciate that they don’t detach as easily as the Go’s joysticks.
The D-Pad is fine, but it’s a little too stiff to deliver the precision needed to input quarter or half-circle inputs for fighting games. However, the buttons, shoulder, and rear bumpers deliver firm feedback with a nice, gentle click. A tiny square under the right joystick acts as one of the tiniest touchpads I’ve ever seen.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Despite not being OLED, the 8-inch 2560 x 1600p WUXGA display on the Legion Go S is absolutely stunning.
The near technicolor vibrance of Hades II was a feast for the eyes as I threw out barrages of attacks against seemingly endless waves of enemies.
Cuphead and its 1930s-style animations also looked lovely when I wasn’t cursing the screen out after yet another defeat. In both cases, the display’s 120Hz refresh rate ensured smooth rendering without any noticeable latency, which in games like these can make all the difference.
(Image credit: Future)
In addition to the Steam button that summons a sidebar with your usual tabs (Home, Library, Store, etc), you also have a Quick Access button, which gives you a sidebar where you can toggle performance profiles and settings such as brightness, audio, and Wi-fi. It’s a seamless way to quickly interact with key features without having to completely exit your game.
Design: 4 / 5
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS): Performance
(Image credit: Future)
The Z2 Go is more than enough for casual or less-demanding AAA games, but visually robust titles struggle
Surprisingly good audio quality
Controls are responsive and comfortable for long sessions
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) benchmarks
Here is how the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
It’s one thing to play Cuphead or Hades II on a PC handheld, but it’s quite another to play the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, God of War, or Baldur’s Gate III.
And yet, there I was, dying for the umpteenth time as I worked my way through Black Myth: Wukong. Thanks to the handheld’sZ2 Go processor, the game played smoothly on lower settings, consistently reaching frame rates approaching 40 fps at 720p.
I also tried playing the game on Cinematic, and that didn't work nearly as well. At the highest performance setting at 720p, the game really chugged along at an unplayable 17 fps.
Games such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Hades II, and Hollow Knight, however,ran smoothly with maxed-out settings, letting me quickly immerse myself in the gameplay.
While not as captivating as the original Go’s QHD panel, the display's colors are vibrant, and details are crisp. This is especially true on Hades II, a technicolor beauty of mythic proportions.
(Image credit: Future)
One thing the Legion Go S has in common with its bigger brother is the audio. After weeks of playing this thing, I’m still surprised at how loud the Go S actually gets.
And while it can’t compete with the best gaming headsets, more often than not, I found myself vibing to the soundtrack of whatever game I was playing. In-game dialogue is crisp, while sound effects like explosions have some weight behind them. And on instrumentals, particularly string instruments like violins, there wasn’t any distortion.
I don’t know if it’s just because the Legion Go S is lighter, but the controls felt much better than on the original Legion Go, with my thumbs nestled comfortably into the concave seat of the analog sticks.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The bumpers and triggers depressed with a firm click, as did the buttons, and using the D-Pad during Black Myth: Wukong to switch stances was a comfortable, fluid experience.
In order to keep the Go S from overheating, Lenovo outfitted the device with several preset Thermal Modes. These set an appropriate fan speed for a corresponding performance level, and while fan noise is negligible on the Quiet or Balanced settings, Performance is a whole other story. There’s also a separate option to optimize fan speeds to make things simpler.
As for thermals, when I wasn't pushing the Legion Go S too hard, the high-contact touch points like the D-Pad, X, Y, A, B buttons, underside, display, etc., never got especially hot, though things got noticeably warmer during more intense sessions. It never felt uncomfortable, though, even during extended play.
Performance: 3 / 5
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS): Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
Since the Legion Go S is basically a handheld gaming laptop, don’t expect it to last as long as a Nintendo Switch 2.
During my gameplay testing, the Legion would typically last about 2 hours and 30 minutes on Balanced settings before it shut down, though if you do utilize the Legion Go S's SteamOS desktop for non-gaming tasks, I was able to stretch this out to about 8 hours and 30 minutes, but no one is going to use the Legion Go S for that kind of thing regularly enough to matter.
Overall, then, the Legion Go S is more than good enough for a work commute, but if you’ve got a long flight or train ride, you’ll definitely want to keep a charger nearby.
Battery life: 2 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)?
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) scorecard
Category
Rating
Value
The Legion Go is one of the more affordable PC gaming handhelds on the market. And outside of a slightly smaller display and a less powerful processor, you're not losing too much on this SteamOS device.
4 / 5
Specs
With options for both the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and Z2 Go, as well as up to 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, this is a well-specced handheld, especially for the price.
4 / 5
Design
While it's not the lightest PC handheld on the market, it's definitely lighter than the original Legion Go. It makes holding the Legion Go S much more comfortable over longer gaming sessions, so while some might miss the kickstand and detachable joysticks, most gamers will call it a fair trade.
4 / 5
Performance
Can you play every GPU-taxing opus on the Legion Go S’s AMD Z2 Go chip? No, but you can play most of what you have in your Steam library at solid frame rates with a few resolution adjustments. Honestly, you'd be surprised at just how many games are handheld compatible these days.
3 / 5
Battery Life
The Legion Go S shares one fatal flaw with its gaming laptop brethren: its blink-and-you-miss-it battery life. At about two and a hald hours while gaming, it's fine for a work commute, but any longer and you'll need to pack a charger.
2 / 5
Final score
The Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) is a good choice for SteamOS diehards. However, if you want something with more oomph, make sure you spend a bit more to get the Z1 Extreme configuration, or look at more powerful gaming PCs, handheld or otherwise.
3.4 / 5
Buy the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) if...
You value portability The Legion Go S (SteamOS) is a lightweight, portable option to play AAA titles on the go or in your bed.
You have a huge Steam library Particularly for those Steam Sale binges, the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is an elegant way to finally play all those indie darlings you’ve been meaning to play.
You want a large screen with big audio Although not as big as the original Go’s screen, the Legion Go’s 1600p touchpanel is lovely and one of the larger screens available on a handheld. Plus, it’s packing stellar audio.
Don't buy it if...
You want longer battery life If you don’t want to carry a portable charger with you all the time, you might be better off investing in a more traditional gaming laptop.
You want a lighter system While the Legion Go S is lighter than the Legion Go, the Asus ROG Ally is the lighter handheld overall.
You want easy access to all your games While you can technically get non-Steam games on the Legion Go S, it's not an easy or straightforward process.
How I tested the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
Tested the device for several weeks
Played several graphically taxing games at the highest settings
Used in-game benchmark tools where possible
I played several popular and GPU-taxing games on the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) over the course of six weeks, including Black Myth Wukong, Baldur's Gate 3, Forza Horizon 5, Hades II, Hollow Knight, and Hitman 3.
In addition to anecdotal play time, I also ran several in-game benchmarks at different settings and resolutions with graphical upscaling enabled and disabled.
I've been a life-long gamer on both PCs and consoles, and have covered tech and PC gaming devices for several publications, so I know what to look for in a PC gaming device of any kind and how to accurately and quantitatively measure their performance against its competitors.
When the rebooted Alienware Aurora R16 launched some years ago, we praised it as a capable pre-built gaming desktop that balanced a unique design with capable performance.
This time around, the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250) brings the same distinctive and compact design that feels more office-friendly, yet still has that Alienware flair, thanks to its sleek aesthetic.
Starting at $1,399.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,798.40, the Aurora delivers solid performance across the configuration stack, though higher-spec configurations will obviously see the best performance. It also features some really clever ventilation alongside easy access to its internals, though the interior is rather uninspiring.
For many, the proprietary motherboard and limited upgradability, once configured, are also slightly problematic.
All that said, one thing that just might make this the best gaming PC around is the wide variety of configurations on offer, split between RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti, RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5080 GPUs, and Intel Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 CPUs, with lots of options for storage and memory.
My $2,049.99 / £2,148.98 / AU$3,699.30 review build came packed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF, Nvidia RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD. That’s just enough for 1440p gaming at respectable frame rates, though our benchmarks showed that there hasn’t been much of a framerate gain in many games over the Aurora R16 from 2023.
(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)
However, the latest models can play more recently released games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Black Myth: Wukong at good frame rates if settings expectations are managed.
On the other hand, a game like Cyberpunk 2077, which was already fairly old back in 2023, doesn’t gain significant FPS with the 50-series GPU either, unless you use multi-frame generation, which can sometimes introduce a distracting input latency under heavy load.
That said, the new RTX GPUs do feature better AI upscaling through DLSS 4, and the Alienware Command Center app does help a bit when attempting to fine-tune performance.
Other customization options, such as the various RGB lighting settings for the power button, light ring, and other lights, can be managed through the app, too.
Right now, the Aurora R16 remains a striking desktop that blends futuristic design with solid performance, but its limited, post-purchase upgradability and plain interior may disappoint enthusiasts. And while the new 50-series GPUs bring improved AI upscaling and reliable 1440p gameplay, raw framerate gains over the previous generation are modest.
However, for gamers who prioritize style, customization, and dependable out-of-the-box performance, the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250) still stands as one of the best pre-built options on the market.
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) gaming PC is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $1,399.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,798.40.
My review configuration costs $2,099.99 / £2,198.98 / AU$3,749.30, and is built for solid 1440p performance, though there are cheaper and more expensive builds available that target 1080p and 4K gaming.
The cheapest option for US buyers is a rig featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for some quality 1080p gaming, while those looking for a more maxed-out gaming desktop can get an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, Nvidia RTX 5080, 64GB, and up to 8TB (2x4TB) SSD storage.
My review configuration is actually cheaper than the 2023 Aurora gaming desktop that featured the mid-tiered 40-series of Nvidia’s GPU by around $100, so the price of the Aurora desktop hasn't really gone up.
Despite the new CPU and GPU, though, benchmarks aren’t necessarily better, which means users could find a mid-tier 40-series version of the gaming desktop somewhere for cheaper and get roughly the same native performance, so the biggest draw here is the multi-frame generation.
With a wide array of configuration options on offer with the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series and Intel Core Ultra 200-series chips, you won't have any trouble configuring a system to your specific performance needs.
The lack of easy upgradability once you have the system in hand, though, does take away from the overall package, but for a prebuilt system, it's hard to beat.
Specs: 4 / 5
Alienware Aurora (ACT1250): Design
(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)
No major design changes from last year's model
Plenty of ventilation and easy access to internals
Rather boring internals make the glass panel less appealing
The 2025 refresh of the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop carries forward the Alienware Aurora R16’s familiar strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for its enhanced cooling and port design.
This includes the extensive cooling and ventilation system, which combines a side hexagonal array, top exhaust, and front stadium intake. According to Alienware, this makes the desktop around 20 percent quieter and about seven percent cooler than the Alienware Aurora R15.
Beyond the looks is a rig that also offers plenty of ports in both the front and rear, which should serve users of all kinds, from content curators to the most serious gaming enthusiasts.
The front ports include a global 3.5mm headset jack, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) with PowerShare technology. In the rear, there’s a line-in and line-out port, optical audio port, two USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, and a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port. Unfortunately, there’s no six-channel 3.5mm audio connection for those who want surround sound set-ups.
It doesn’t help that the cramped space inside will make it difficult for anyone who wants to add something like a sound card into the mix. That extends to how hard it’ll be to upgrade to bigger GPUs in the future as well. At least access to the inside is made easy through one simple screw and latch.
All together, the latest Aurora gaming desktop keeps the sleek, futuristic look of its predecessor while delivering improved cooling, quieter operation, and a wide range of ports. However, limited internal space and upgrade challenges remain its biggest drawbacks, making it best suited for gamers who prioritize style and ready-made performance over long-term expandability.
Design: 4.5 / 5
Alienware Aurora (ACT1250): Performance
(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)
1440p performance doesn’t significantly improve over the 40-series edition
Alienware Command Center can help fine-tune performance
Higher-spec or base-spec configurations provide a better value
When looking at the performance of the latest iteration of the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop, the 1440p performance of my review unit looks and feels very impressive, but if you look back to the 2023 benchmarks on this system's predecessor, the refreshed CPU and GPU pairing doesn’t translate into a dramatic leap in raw power.
CPU benchmarks
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
Geekbench 6 (Single)
3,071
3,081
2,594
Geekbench 6 (Multi)
20,010
18,984
13,554
Cinebench R23 (Single)
2,257
2,263
1,693
Cinebench R23 (Multi)
35,446
35,226
17,376
Cinebench R24 (Single)
136
137
104
Cinebench R24 (Multi)
1,979
1,923
934
Crossmark Overall
2,301
2,298
1,846
Crossmark Productivity
2,152
2,159
1,734
Crossmark Creativity
2,548
2,495
2,127
Crossmark Responsiveness
2,069
2,166
1,454
For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, which remains one of the most demanding titles despite its 2020 release, manages only about 16fps at native 4K on the older build, and with the new Core Ultra 7 and RTX 5070 combo, performance nudges only slightly higher to 17fps. That makes DLSS upscaling essential, though even then, don’t expect substantial gains in titles from the past couple of years.
In more recent tests, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II averaged below 30fps at 1440p max settings (rising to roughly 40-50fps with DLSS), while Doom: The Dark Ages delivered 40-50fps with path tracing enabled.
Meanwhile, Forza Motorsport (2023) held a steady 60fps at 1440p with ray tracing on, maintaining the same level with DLSS active. One great thing about the 50-series is that DLSS 4 does a much better job at preventing (or at least greatly reducing) the ghosting effect that has plagued upscaling tech since the beginning.
GPU benchmarks
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
3DMark Fire Strike
44,913
45,049
43,845
3DMark Steel Nomad
5,224
4,967
5,495
3DMark Speed Way
5,741
5,855
5,960
3DMark Port Royal
14,062
14,139
14,302
One factor that can boost CPU performance is the option to choose between air or liquid cooling, which not only supports higher frame rates but also helps extend the overall lifespan of the components.
Another way to boost frame rates is through the Alienware Command Center app that comes pre-installed. Here, users can customize settings for games, change performance settings, and customize the RGB lighting too.
Gaming benchmarks (Average FPS)
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra preset)
69
70
72
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest)
202
201
207
F1 2024 (1080p, Very High, DLSS Quality)
104
97
119
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p, Ultra)
181
182
172
Outside of gaming, the Aurora R16 handles creative tasks with ease. It smoothly manages Adobe Photoshop projects with multiple high-resolution layers with no slowdown, while 10-minute 1080p videos in Premiere Pro render and export in seconds, and 4K projects finish within just a few minutes.
This makes it a reliable option not only for gamers but also for content creators who need a system that balances performance across both worlds.
Though the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 may not deliver a massive performance leap over past generations, it refines the experience with smarter cooling, better DLSS support, and versatile software controls.
For gamers and creators alike, it remains a sleek, capable desktop that balances style with reliable all-around performance.
The Alienware Aurora ACT1250 balances style and power across a wide range of price points. For gamers who value design and performance over long-term upgrades, it’s an easy recommendation.
4.5 / 5
Specs
With a lot of configuration options available and the most up-to-date hardware, you have a wide range of specs available with this PC. The proprietary motherboard and limited expandability isn't great though.
4 / 5
Design
Though there haven’t been any tweaks to the Aurora Desktop over the past couple of years, it still stands out as something futuristic despite issues with the proprietary motherboard, which limits upgradability in areas.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Don’t expect max settings at 1440p resolution without using DLSS upscaling, as native performance is good but not great compared to other mid-tier offerings. Those who want 1080p and 4K performance will be satisfied on that end of the spectrum for sure.
4.5 / 5
Final Score
The refreshed Alienware Aurora ACT1250 gaming desktopremains a futuristic-looking gaming desktop that delivers solid 1080p and 4K performance across price points, even if its mid-tier value and limited upgradability hold it back.
4.38 / 5
Buy the Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) if…
You want a gaming desktop with a stunning design The sleek compact design blending an all-black colorway with smart RGB lighting feels so above what’s out there with other gaming desktops, and it’s backed by smart ventilation.
You need specific spec options for 1080p, 1440p and 4K gaming Regardless of what potential buyers are looking for, there are a wide variety of performance options split between CPU, GPU, RAM and storage. Despite utilizing the Nvidia’s new 50-series of graphic cards, the prices remain respectable.
Don’t buy it if…
You want a desktop with a bit more space The more compact gaming desktop may look fantastic, but while finding space for upgrades is possible, it’s limited.
You want the best 1440p performance My benchmarks show that 1440p performance was only marginally better than the previous Aurora R16 with 40-series GPU, despite the upgrade to the newer RTX 5070.
Also Consider
If my Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) review has you considering other options, here are two gaming desktops to consider...
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) With very similar specs to the Aurora ACT1250, the NZXT Player PC is a little cheaper than the Aurora PC I tested, but it has nowhere near the configurability of the Aurora either.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 (2025) The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 also features comparable specs to the Aurora ACT1250, as well as a similar starting price and a good degree of configurability, but its smaller chassis likewise makes expandability a challenge.
How I tested the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250)
I tested it using games like Doom: The Dark Ages, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport (2023), and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
I ran TechRadar's standard suite of PC benchmarks
I used creative software like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro for long stretches
built-inOutside of the standard PC benchmarks I run for my reviews, including builkt-in gaming benchmarks in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, I also tested modern games including Doom: The Dark Ages, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport (2023), and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II for its real-world gaming performance.
For day-to-day tasks, I used it as my day-to-day work PC for about two weeks, including extensive creative work through Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
Qualcomm took the wraps off its latest midrange chipset – the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4. It brings a few upgrades over the 6s Gen 3, like improved CPU and GPU performance alongside support for FHD+ 144Hz displays, mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (SM6435-AA) is fabbed on TSMC’s 4nm process with claims of 36% improved CPU and 59% faster GPU performance. The Kryo CPU features 4x performance cores at up to 2.4 GHz and 4x efficiency cores at 1.8GHz.
The GPU comes with HDR gaming support and OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, and Vulkan 1.1 support. It also...
