Memory Express: Gigabyte AERO X16 16in Laptop - $2,300 - AMD/32GB RAM/1TB SSD/RTX 5070 - WARM

I've been trying to find a good deal on a college/university gaming laptop when I came across this.

My criteria was as follows:

-It has to be light enough to carry around campus without breaking your back

-It needs 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD so that it will last 4 years

-It needs to last 8+ hours on battery

-It needs to have an RTX 5000 series graphics card (for MATLAB, AutoDesk, SolidWorks and gaming)

Specs:

Gigabyte Aero X16 (2025)

Model: AERO X16 2WHA3USC64AH

CPU: Zen 5 Architecture: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor 5.1 GHz

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR7 (max of 85W TGP)

Memory: DDR5 5600 16GB*2 (32GB) (upgradable in 2028 when prices come down)

Storage: 1TB Storage (Gen4 M.2 SSD) (expandable with a second 1-sided 4x2 M.2 2280 slot)

Display: 16" IPS WQGXA 2560x1600 165Hz Display, 100% sRGB, 400 nits

OS: Windows 11 Home

Radio: Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth V5.2

Audio: Dolby Atmos Technology, Built-in Microphone, 2x 2W Speakers

Ports IO: 1x DC in, 1x RJ-45, 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen1), 1x Type-A (USB 2.0), 1x Type-C USB4 (support DisplayPort 1.4/Power Delivery 3.0), 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack

The Aero X16 not as powerful as some of the Intel 275HX laptops out there, but it gets 8h of battery life, has a decent screen, lots of RAM and a good size SSD, and it's only about 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg). The 275HX laptops tend to only last 5h.

The only other competitor was the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025). It is similarly spec'd, has a much better screen, much better build and speakers, but it goes for $2,699.99. If I needed something for photo or