Tag: XMG CORE 16

  • XMG Core 16 M25 AMD: Best All-Rounder for Gaming and Work

    XMG Core 16 M25 AMD: Best All-Rounder for Gaming and Work

    Key Takeaways

    1. The XMG Core 16 (M25) is a versatile laptop designed for both gaming and professional tasks, featuring a sleek aluminum design.
    2. It offers a large display with a 300 Hz refresh rate and an accurate sRGB profile, making it ideal for gaming and photo/video editing.
    3. Users can customize performance components, including options for various AMD Zen 5 processors and mobile RTX graphics cards.
    4. The laptop provides ample storage and memory expansion, with the capability to support up to 16 TB of storage and 128 GB of RAM.
    5. While there are minor issues, such as heating under heavy usage and lack of Wi-Fi 7 support, the starting price is competitive at €1549.

    Are you in the market for a versatile laptop that can manage various tasks? The new XMG Core 16 (M25) could be just what you need. Although it’s fundamentally a gaming laptop, its sleek black aluminum design allows it to blend in seamlessly in any setting. The large display supports gaming with a refresh rate of 300 Hz and quick response times, yet it also provides excellent image quality for professional work due to its matte finish and absence of PWM flickering. For those involved in photo or video editing, the accurate sRGB profile is a bonus. Plus, you can access our calibrated profile for free in the review article if you seek the utmost accuracy. The keyboard and touchpad are user-friendly, and it features a dedicated number pad. Weighing about 2.1 kg, this 16-inch laptop remains quite portable.

    Customizable Performance

    You can customize both the performance components and memory according to your requirements. If you’re aiming for top-notch gaming performance, the mobile RTX 5070 is the way to go, but the RTX 5060 found in the base model already delivers solid performance. For the processor, you can choose from various AMD Zen 5 chips that meet all the needs for Windows’ AI capabilities. The base model features the Ryzen AI 7 350 (8 cores), but there’s also the option for the Ryzen AI 9 365 (10 cores) or the quicker Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores). Our review unit had the HX 370, and the performance was impressive. XMG provides several power profiles, allowing for a wide range of performance levels and fan noise. The Core 16 includes two slots each for SSDs and memory modules, enabling storage of up to 16 TB and 128 GB of RAM.

    Minor Issues Found

    During our review of the XMG Core 16 M25, we did not encounter any significant issues. However, the bottom panel tends to heat up under heavy usage, and it lacks Advanced Optimus GPU switching. This isn’t a major drawback since it includes a MUX switch. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 isn’t supported, but this shouldn’t pose a problem for most users. The Core 16 M25 is priced starting at €1549, which includes the smaller Zen 5 processor, the mobile RTX 5060, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD.

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  • Best RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop Under €2200: XMG Core 16 vs Asus TUF

    Best RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop Under €2200: XMG Core 16 vs Asus TUF

    Key Takeaways

    1. Both XMG Core 16 (M25) and Asus TUF Gaming A16 are portable gaming laptops, weighing about 2.2 kg and measuring around 2.5 cm thick.

    2. Both laptops feature the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, but the limited 8 GB VRAM may limit performance at higher resolutions.

    3. The Asus model includes Advanced Optimus and G-Sync, while XMG has standard Optimus with a MUX switch and FreeSync.

    4. XMG uses modern Zen 5 processors, while Asus has older Zen 4 models, raising questions about value given their similar pricing.

    5. The XMG Core 16 offers better value with double the memory and SSD storage at a similar price point compared to Asus.

    We have recently examined the XMG Core 16 (M25) and Asus TUF Gaming A16, both aimed at the same audience. Weighing approximately 2.2 kg and measuring around 2.5 cm in thickness, these models remain quite portable. Their designs are quite understated, making it hard to tell that they’re gaming laptops. If you need a sizeable all-around device, both of these are excellent choices.

    Performance Overview

    Both laptops come equipped with the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, providing satisfactory performance, especially at 1080p resolutions. However, the limited 8 GB VRAM may pose challenges with some more intensive games, particularly if you’re looking to play at native WQHD resolution. Asus includes a comprehensive feature set with Advanced Optimus and G-Sync, whereas XMG settles for standard Optimus GPU switching along with a MUX switch and FreeSync. You can disable the integrated GPU, but it requires a reboot.

    Display and Processor Differences

    The matte IPS displays of both models show slight variations (XMG covers the P3 color gamut and has a higher refresh rate), yet both are well-optimized for gaming and can deliver precise colors for photo editing. The most notable disparity lies in the processors used. XMG employs modern Zen 5 chips from AMD, while Asus opts for an older Zen 4 model. Although this doesn’t heavily impact gaming performance, it raises questions given the pricing.

    Pricing Insights

    When it comes to pricing, the XMG Core 16 holds a significant edge. Both configurations we tested are similarly priced, but the XMG Core 16 doubles the memory and SSD storage along with the stronger processor. If you choose the smaller Zen 5 chip with comparable memory and storage specifications, the price gap is nearly 300 Euros. For further details, please refer to our two reviews!

    Best RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop Under €2200: XMG Core 16 vs Asus TUFBest RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop Under €2200: XMG Core 16 vs Asus TUF

     

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  • XMG Updates CORE 15/16 Gaming Laptops with Ryzen AI and RTX 5000

    Key Takeaways

    1. Premium Build Quality: XMG’s CORE series features a sleek aluminum chassis, with the 15-inch model at 21.9 mm thick and 1.95 kg, and the 16-inch model at 23 mm thick and 2.1 kg, offering a portable design for gamers.

    2. Processor and Graphics Options: The laptops come with three AMD Ryzen AI processors (up to 12-core) and two Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs, providing flexibility for different budgets and performance needs.

    3. Memory and Storage: Maximum RAM capacity is 128 GB DDR5-5600, with two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots supporting up to 16 TB of storage, catering to high-performance gaming and multitasking.

    4. Display Features: Both models have 2,560 × 1,600 resolution IPS displays with a 300 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness, ensuring vibrant visuals and smooth gaming experiences.

    5. Pricing and Configuration: Starting prices are €1,549 for the CORE 15 and €1,579 for the CORE 16, with options to upgrade components for additional costs, making them affordable for gamers on a budget.

    The CORE series of compact gaming laptops by XMG is being updated, featuring three AMD Ryzen AI processor choices and two Nvidia RTX 5000 mobile GPU selections. The starting price is €1,549, making these newer models attractive for gamers on a budget.

    Premium Build Quality

    XMG is targeting the premium compact segment with this year’s CORE (M25) models. The 15-inch laptop has an aluminum chassis that’s relatively sleek for a gaming device, measuring just 21.9 mm thick and weighing 1.95 kg. The slightly larger 16-inch variant is a bit bulkier at 23 mm thick and weighs 2.1 kg. The overall weight includes a 99.8 Wh battery for both models, which can last around 8 hours while watching YouTube at 150 nits brightness.

    Processor and Graphics Options

    At the top of the processor list is the 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, though more budget-friendly options include the 10-core Ryzen AI 9 365 and the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350. All processors can be paired with either a GeForce RTX 5070 or RTX 5060, each capable of delivering up to 115 watts of graphics power, plus an additional 15 watts from Dynamic Boost.

    Memory and Storage

    The maximum RAM capacity is 128 GB DDR5-5600 using two SO-DIMM slots. Storage is available through two PCIe 4.0 X4 M.2 slots, supporting a maximum of 16 TB.

    The updated cooling system on the new CORE 16 models enables the CPU to operate at up to 100 W sustained, while the GPU can sustain 115 W. Together, they can run at a maximum of 160 W. The CORE 15 model has slightly lower specs, with a sustained 90 W for the CPU and 150 W for the combined CPU + GPU.

    Display Features

    Both the 15.3-inch and 16-inch IPS displays feature a native resolution of 2,560 × 1,600, a fast 300 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 500 nits. In terms of color coverage, the CORE 15 achieves 100% of the sRGB color space, while the CORE 16 offers complete coverage of both sRGB and DCI-P3, making it compatible with HDR.

    Gaming Features and Connectivity

    As expected from a gaming laptop, the new CORE models include a per-key RGB keyboard and a glass-like mylar touchpad. They also feature an FHD webcam with a privacy shutter.

    Connectivity is quite extensive, particularly on the CORE 15, which includes two HDMI 2.1 outputs. The CORE 16 has only one HDMI port but both models feature a DP80-compatible Mini DisplayPort 2.1, a Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 port that supports DP40-capable DisplayPort 2.1 with 140 watts Power Delivery (20 V, 7 A), as well as USB-C 3.2 Gen2 with DisplayPort 1.4 and 100 watts of Power Delivery, three USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, Gigabit LAN, a 2-in-1 audio jack for headsets and microphones, and a speedy full-size SD Express card reader. For internet connectivity, XMG provides options for either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 6 cards.

    Pricing and Configuration

    The base models of the XMG CORE 15 (M25) and XMG CORE 16 (M25) come equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16 GB DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1 TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD, and a 1600p display. Starting prices are €1,549 for the CORE 15 and €1,579 for the CORE 16. Users can upgrade the specs for an additional fee: RTX 5070 (€195), AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (€125), or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (€290). Both laptops are currently in stock and ready to ship. Initially, bestware.com is offering a limited-time 5% discount.

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