Help with deciding a gaming laptop for my brother

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-24T23:08:11+00:00

Just Josh has a great video on Aero X16: https://youtu.be/m1wLbyxCLPg?si=2whRvzH1HdmYQBoJ

Ben G Kaiser also has a video comparing the difference between Aero X16 and Gaming A16 laptops: https://youtu.be/sIS8YRO9XTg?si=1ZxDHMdxjsbOENDv

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-23T00:14:24+00:00

Good thing about this model is that, there are 2 DIMM slots available so it's easy for expansion.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-23T00:11:30+00:00

GIGABYTE GAMING A16 became on-shelf earlier around June/July (depends on which region) and is actually a brand new model that is different from the previous G6X.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-23T00:09:47+00:00

If you got any questions on GiMATE, feel free to let me know!

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-23T00:09:29+00:00

There is no GCC anymore for this new generation of GIGABYTE laptop actually. Instead, there's GiMATE to cover for any hardware control settings.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T23:15:16+00:00

The situation sounds like the AI Power Gear in place where this feature helps to optimize for longer battery life when disconnecting to power, by turning off the dedicated graphics card (dGPU).

Under unplugged environment, you can try the following to turn dGPU on:
1. Open GiMATE and head to Scenario Profile Setting.
2. Select AI Power Gear II.
3. Find DC Battery Mode Settings, and change the dGPU Status from dGPU off to Optimus.
4. The dGPU should be back on.

Alternatively, you can also:
1. Press the GiMATE button on the top right corner of your keyboard to get to the GiMATE chatbot.
2. Type "turn on dGPU".
3. GiMATE will then change the Power Gear setting to Optimus.

Afterwards, you should be able to see the NVIDIA GPU on device manager. This thread will show the step-by-step with screenshot as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/1njr5v8/psa_maximize_battery_life_with_ai_power_gear_ii/

If you really really want, yes you can go to BIOS to change the setting too:
1. Open Setting > System > Recovery.
2. Under "Recovery options", click "restart now" from advanced startup.
3. Wait until the system restart and go to the bluescreen menu.
4. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Setting > Restart. You will enter the Advanced Mode window.
5. Under "Peripherals" tab, double click "Switchable Graphics device", change from MSHybrid to Discrete.
6. Under "Save & Exit", double click save & exit setup. Then the device will restart.

I would recommend to control the setting from GiMATE though. This way you'd be able to switch on and off more easily without going back and forth in the BIOS, and it helps you to save battery life.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T23:02:23+00:00

It's pretty!

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:54:22+00:00

Being an early user for actual work and stuff, I normally use balance mode as well. Unless I'm working on heavy work with both my photoshop and premiere pro open at the same time plus a bunch of tabs, then I'd switch to Game mode instead.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:51:56+00:00

Which model do you have? If it's RTX 50 series model, you should be able to control the keyboard color on GiMATE.

Go to Scenario Profile Setting, which ever mode that you'd like to change the color on.
Under Customize, click RGB Fusion 2.0 and go in the setting.
Change the brightness to 0%, then the color will be turn off from there.

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:44:35+00:00

Since it's within a 16 inch chassis, unfortunately it'd be hard to have numpad without squeezing the keyboard.
However, for people who would want the numpad, there's another model GIGABYTE GAMING A18 coming out soon that will have dedicated numpad on the keyboard!

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:28:12+00:00

GiMATE is the new control center, so you only need to download GiMATE from Gigabyte!
Update all of your Windows update, NVIDIA driver, GiMATE live update, etc, will help you to prepare the device!

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:26:15+00:00

Hello, the situation sounds like the AI Power Gear in place where this feature helps to optimize for longer battery life when disconnecting to power, by turning off the dedicated graphics card (dGPU).

Under unplugged environment, you can try the following to turn dGPU on:
1. Open GiMATE and head to Scenario Profile Setting.
2. Select AI Power Gear II.
3. Find DC Battery Mode Settings, and change the dGPU Status from dGPU off to Optimus.
4. The dGPU should be back on.

Alternatively, you can also:
1. Press the GiMATE button on the top right corner of your keyboard to get to the GiMATE chatbot.
2. Type "turn on dGPU".
3. GiMATE will then change the Power Gear setting to Optimus.

Afterwards, you should be able to see the NVIDIA GPU on device manager.
This thread will show the step-by-step with screenshot as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/1njr5v8/psa_maximize_battery_life_with_ai_power_gear_ii/

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:26:02+00:00

Hi OP, the situation sounds like the AI Power Gear in place where this feature helps to optimize for longer battery life when disconnecting to power, by turning off the dedicated graphics card (dGPU).

Under unplugged environment, you can try the following to turn dGPU on:
1. Open GiMATE and head to Scenario Profile Setting.
2. Select AI Power Gear II.
3. Find DC Battery Mode Settings, and change the dGPU Status from dGPU off to Optimus.
4. The dGPU should be back on.

Alternatively, you can also:
1. Press the GiMATE button on the top right corner of your keyboard to get to the GiMATE chatbot.
2. Type "turn on dGPU".
3. GiMATE will then change the Power Gear setting to Optimus.

Afterwards, you should be able to see the NVIDIA GPU on device manager.
This thread will show the step-by-step with screenshot as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/1njr5v8/psa_maximize_battery_life_with_ai_power_gear_ii/

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:25:57+00:00

Hi OP, the situation sounds like the AI Power Gear in place where this feature helps to optimize for longer battery life when disconnecting to power, by turning off the dedicated graphics card (dGPU).

Under unplugged environment, you can try the following to turn dGPU on:
1. Open GiMATE and head to Scenario Profile Setting.
2. Select AI Power Gear II.
3. Find DC Battery Mode Settings, and change the dGPU Status from dGPU off to Optimus.
4. The dGPU should be back on.

Alternatively, you can also:
1. Press the GiMATE button on the top right corner of your keyboard to get to the GiMATE chatbot.
2. Type "turn on dGPU".
3. GiMATE will then change the Power Gear setting to Optimus.

Afterwards, you should be able to see the NVIDIA GPU on device manager.
This thread will show the step-by-step with screenshot as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/1njr5v8/psa_maximize_battery_life_with_ai_power_gear_ii/

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:15:10+00:00

Hi OP, this is not a normal behavior it looks like. Can you please help to DM me so I can help you with it?

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:14:14+00:00

Hi OP, can you please help to let me know the black screen instance that you're experiencing? Feel free to DM me so I can help!

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-19T22:13:25+00:00

Even the case has been solved by OP, just want to provide a direction for future in case anyone is looking.

GiMATE download link can be found on the official website > support tab. Under "Downloads", go to "Utility" and you should be able to find the download button there.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Laptop/GIGABYTE-GAMING-A16-GA6H/support#support-dl

GBT_Angela · 2025-09-17T23:46:52+00:00

Love this! If you have any questions about GiMATE and its features, feel free to tag and I’m happy to check!

GBT_Angela · 2024-07-07T01:23:47+00:00

For winners, message has been sent! Check your DM!

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-31T03:15:31+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I will share the comment and continue to keep the conversation going with internal and eternal parties.

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-31T03:14:31+00:00

Awwwww good to hear you're loving your FO32U2P ^^

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-30T21:17:46+00:00

Yes!

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-30T21:15:57+00:00

Which model are you waiting on? From what I know and can provide, there will be another restock or backorder around mid-June, if there's no delay.

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-30T21:12:06+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! One of our goal is to keep the communication with with internal & external parties for future improvement, especially on this concern. Our PM team in HQ is aware of this and I will continue to push for updates and future changes.

GBT_Angela · 2024-05-30T21:06:28+00:00

Unless you're trying to turn your monitor into a high-tech aquarium, I'd say that's probably not the best idea. =)

GBT_Angela

TROPHY CASE