April 26, 2025

Byte Class Technology

Byte Class Technology & Sports Update

Gigabyte G5 MD Review: Feature-Rich Budget Gaming

Gigabyte G5 MD Review: Feature-Rich Budget Gaming

The best budget gaming laptops under $1,000 are all about the art of compromise. Some lean more toward performance than features, while some have more niceties than power. Gigabyte’s G5 MD straddles the line nicely, its main concession being a drab design that won’t catch the eye.

If you can get past its humdrum look, this 15.6-inch laptop is an impressive budget pick. Its gaming performance isn’t any better or worse than that of other GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptops that we’ve reviewed, but few match its port selection and upgradeability, and especially its top-notch screen. We also like that it runs relatively cool and that its fans aren’t loud. Overall, the G5 MD is a solid alternative to the Acer Nitro 5, our under-$1,000 favorite. It routinely sells for less than its $999 MSRP.

Design of the Gigabyte G5 MD

The Gigabyte G5 MD isn’t going to win any creative design awards. This laptop is an all-black plastic slab, with straight lines and no excitement in sight. Gigabyte’s brand lettering and curvy cooling vents attempt an ill-fated rescue from monotony.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)