Schenker’s Key laptop series showcases the company’s top performance, and this year’s Key 17 Pro M24 model takes it up a notch for mobile workstations. It boasts the fastest laptop-grade processor from Intel along with a rich selection of ports. The 2024 version upgrades from the E23 model’s i9-13900HX to an i9-14900HX and introduces support for two ultra-fast Thunderbolt 5 connectors. This makes it one of the first Windows-based workstations to offer such extensive connectivity options. While the dedicated GPU remains the same high-end Nvidia RTX 4090 from the E23 model, Schenker has also enhanced the wireless capabilities by including the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.
Display and Memory Features
Other specs, such as the display, RAM, and storage, have not changed from the 2023 model. Our review unit featured a stunning 4K 17.3-inch IPS screen from BOE that refreshes at a maximum of 144 Hz, but you can also choose a 1440p variant with a 240 Hz refresh rate. The laptop comes with 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM from SK Hynix, supplied by Kingston, and it has a 1 TB 990 Pro NVMe SSD from Samsung for storage.
Thunderbolt 5 Advantages
The standout feature of this model undoubtedly is the dual Thunderbolt 5 connectors. We assess the performance of these ports using two pre-production external SSDs from OWC in a different article.
Drawbacks Noted
No laptop is without its flaws, and the Key 17 Pro M24 has two significant downsides: a noisy cooling system and a low battery life. Additionally, the screen suffers from a somewhat disappointing contrast ratio, which is a minor drawback.
In summary, the Key 17 Pro is not the most portable option, but it serves as a reliable desktop replacement suitable for hybrid work environments.
