Gigabyte Gaming A16 (2025)

Configs to buy / avoid: Buy the RTX 5060 config with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and the 1920x1200 screen because the lower resolution is a better match for its lower-powered GPU. Avoid paying more for the 2560x1600 screen, unless it's either on a great sale, or a better looking screen is higher priority over the best gaming experience. Testing notes: The A16 delivered more than 8 hours of YouTube playback and over 2 hours of gaming on battery, cool internal temperatures, decent speakers, excellent Linux support, and playable 1080p gaming, but its 80 to 85W RTX 5060 trailed other laptops with the same GPU inside, but with higher power levels. Trade-offs: The main compromises were the screen's poor color gamut and slow 21ms response time, lower gaming performance than full-powered RTX 5060 laptops, plastic build with flex, awkward BIOS-only MUX switch, front-heavy port placement, and a limited spare M.2 slot. Alternatives: If the Gigabyte Aero X16 is within $50 to $100 of the A16, buy that instead because it's thinner, lighter, faster, better built, has longer battery life, and has a much nicer screen. Otherwise, if within budget, try and get Lenovo's LOQ 15, which is a much better overall budget gaming laptop based on our testing.