The Gigabyte Aorus 5 comes in three different configurations, the one presented here is the SB. Perhaps the true glory of this model is the top-end 10th generation Intel Core i7 chip, which when paired with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (still a very important mobile GPU) makes for a pretty decent machine for the money.

This is especially true for those waiting for the hype of Nvidia's new RTX 3080 cards and AMD's RX 6800 cards to settle down a bit before moving on to the ray tracing trend The Aorus 5 is a desktop alternative for just such people It is designed and, while priced at about $1,400 (£1,399), it manages to deliver on the important bits, but it also has some drawbacks, as we will discuss.

First impressions are that it is still a very fine machine, although some may be put off by the plastic chassis, which is not machined from solid metal. In fact, its edgy beauty even looks a bit dangerous. Yet the design remains elegant, unlike some of the more rugged machines in the Aorus lineup. The Aorus 17X, for example, looks like some sort of sci-fi weapon of mass destruction, while the Aorus 5's sharp edges and bold graduated lines blend nicely with a style that complements its small size.

It is also much thinner and lighter than these "muscle class" models, making it ideal for carrying around. And while it may not be as impressively light as the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, it will still sit quite comfortably on your lap and not cramp your legs. You also won't suffer from sweaty knees, as the Windforce cooling system keeps components at a surprisingly stable temperature.

Things can get a bit noisy as speeds increase, but that means the Windforce cooling system is doing its job: CPU temperatures are kept at a maximum of 91°C (196°F) and GPU temperatures at about 76°C (155°F). So while it is not the coldest machine to run, it does not overheat quickly. Warm air is also pushed out through the left and right exhaust vents, as opposed to the backward-facing exhaust, so if you're using a mouse (as you should be on a gaming laptop), your hands may sweat instead of your knees.

That said, I have poor circulation, so it is quite comfortable, especially in the winter, but it may not be to everyone's taste.

But what you're really wondering is why you need such a commanding cooling system in the first place: the combination of Aorus 5's GTX 1660 Ti and Intel Core i7-10750H, at 1080p (the panel's native resolution) and with many average 58 FPS at the Ultra setting in graphics-intensive games. At the Mid-High setting, it can reach the high 70s to low 80s, which is more than acceptable.

Single-core performance is where this machine shines, not only matching some cheaper machines with low-end RTX GPUs, but also running at higher clocks and lower temperatures. It beats the more expensive Razer Blade Stealth GTX in many aspects.

No, it's not the best performer, but the screen puts out an above-average 144Hz refresh rate and keeps the frame running smoothly, without the slightest hint of a screen tear. The panel's screen bezel is not the thinnest, but that leaves room for a camera at the top edge (where it should be).

And unlike some of Gigabyte's "Extreme" models, it does not have a mechanical keyboard, but the full-size RGB LED-lit chiclet keyboard is beautifully spaced and a dream to type on. This fact contributes to the fact that it can be comfortably carried in one hand, and along with its other excellent features, it has more space for all its components.

Gigabyte's Nahimic 3 sound system is also quite good, and the comprehensive software even includes a novel sound tracking system. Compatible with many games, it displays a radar on the screen, allowing the user to visually utilize surround sound to pinpoint the enemy.

There is also room to expand storage, with three storage slots, including a spare M.2 slot and another HDD/SSD slot. It also supports up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM (2,933 MHz). So, given the machine's excellent expandability, one would think that the battery would be large enough to handle an intense gaming session.

Unfortunately, battery life is really short; the Aorus 5 can only sustain performance for about 55 minutes during gaming, so don't leave home without a charger.

Overall, this configuration is a beautiful combo, except for the poor battery life, a common complaint of even top-of-the-line gaming laptops, and the somewhat fragile plastic casing. It is loaded with great features, including a high refresh rate 1080p screen that works perfectly with the mid-range GTX graphics card. Especially if you realize that better FPS will always trump excruciatingly high graphics settings. And for less than $1,400 (£1,399), you could do a lot worse in terms of components and style.