Sections
- Page 1 Gigabyte P57X v7-CF1 Review
- Page 2 Performance, Screen and Sound Review
- Page 3 Keyboard, Trackpad, Battery and Verdict Review
Gigabyte P57X v7-CF1 – Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard here has full-sized keys and a number pad, but unlike the Aorus X7 v6, there are no macro buttons – perhaps because that laptop is a more pure-bred gaming machine.
Gigabyte produces comfortable keyboards, and that continues here. The P57X’s buttons are consistent, with reasonable travel and a quiet, fast action.
That speed sounds good for gaming, but the keys here are soft. There’s little difference in feel between the buttons and the base, which means there’s hardly any feedback when you actually hit the keys; in fast-paced games, that’s disappointing. As usual, this chiclet device is better for typing than gaming.
The trackpad has its issues, too. The buttons are reasonably quick, but they push down too far. I prefer the rapid, shallow snap of a proper gaming mouse – something that the Aorus mimicked with more aplomb.
Related: Best Gaming Keyboards
Gigabyte P57X v7-CF1 – Battery Life
The P57X’s 76Wh battery is smaller than the 94Wh unit in the Aorus, but the two machines offer similar longevity.
In the standard benchmark, which loops a light-work test with the screen at 40% brightness, the Gigabyte lasted for 2 hours 57mins, just four minutes longer than the Aorus.
That’s hardly a surprise: the P57X has a smaller battery, but it doesn’t have the power-hungry overclocked processor of the Aorus.
It also means that there were no surprises in the gaming test, with the P57X lasting just over an hour, which is completely standard for a gaming laptop.
Should I Buy the Gigabyte P57X v7-CF1?
The 17.3-inch gaming laptop may look a little archaic in a market that seems obsessed with slimming down, but there’s still plenty to like about these larger machines.
The GTX 1070 and Kaby Lake processor inside this machine deliver huge performance, while proving cooler and quieter than the competition. The 4K screen’s resolution is, perhaps, a little unnecessary – but quality outstrips rivals in most tests. The rest of the components are good, as is the machine overall – from the sturdy, smart design to the reasonable speakers – but the keyboard is underwhelming, although it’s no disaster.
The rival Aorus machine might look slicker and have G-Sync, but it has problems. The P57X is as good or better in several critical areas – and it’s cheaper. Gigabyte’s latest is one of the best big gaming laptops on the market.
Related: The Greatest Gaming Laptops
Verdict
The P57X isn’t as extravagant as some rivals, but it offers huge power and bolsters its performance with a solid 4K screen and solid build quality. The keyboard and battery life are a little underwhelming, but this is a laptop with no major problems. That, and the reasonable price, makes it one of the best big gaming laptops on the market.
How we test laptops
Unlike other sites, we test every laptop we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Performance 9
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Keyboard 5
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Design 7
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Screen Quality 8
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Build Quality 8
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Value 7
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Touchpad 7
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Heat & Noise 8
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Battery Life 6
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.