Tag: XMG FOCUS 17

Key Takeaways

1. Users are disappointed with the RTX 5000 graphics cards, especially the RTX 5070 Laptop, due to limited performance improvements and only 8 GB of VRAM.
2. The RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU has received positive reviews for its speed and 12 GB of VRAM, making it better suited for future games.
3. The XMG Focus 17 (M25) is the most affordable gaming laptop featuring the RTX 5070 Ti, priced at 1849 Euros, but lacks an operating system.
4. The Focus 17 has a strong performance with a TGP of 140 Watts, although its older Intel Core i9-13900HX processor may limit its gaming experience.
5. The laptop features a 240 Hz refresh rate IPS panel, providing good gaming performance, but it falls short in brightness compared to competitors.

Nvidia’s latest mobile RTX 5000 graphics cards have left some users feeling let down, primarily due to the performance improvements often falling short of expectations. In particular, the new RTX 5070 Laptop has faced backlash for being limited to just 8 GB of VRAM, which can lead to issues like frame drops in QHD resolution depending on the game. On a brighter note, the RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU has received positive feedback in our evaluations, as it is faster and provides more room for upcoming games with its 12 GB VRAM. However, the cost remains a concern, with the least expensive option so far being the MSI Vector 16 HX, though its default RAM of 16 GB might require an upgrade to 32 GB.

Introducing the XMG Focus 17

This brings us to the new XMG Focus 17 (M25), priced at 1849 Euros. It comes equipped with the RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Unfortunately, there is no operating system included in this package, and if you choose to add Windows 11 Home, the price will go up by an additional 99 Euros. Upgrading to 32 GB RAM will cost another 40 Euros. Despite these extras, the Focus 17 remains the most budget-friendly gaming laptop featuring the new RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU at this moment.

Performance Insights

This model is the fastest variant of the RTX 5070 Ti Laptop, boasting a TGP of 140 Watts, resulting in impressive graphics performance. However, the gaming experience is slightly hindered by the older Intel Core i9-13900HX processor, while an upgrade to the Core i9-14900HX is available for an extra 100 Euros. Although the performance difference isn’t massive, systems powered by the Core Ultra 9 275HX tend to be a bit quicker, albeit at a higher price point. Nonetheless, the gaming performance of the Focus 17 remains commendable, perfectly catering to the native QHD resolution. It also features a 240 Hz refresh rate IPS panel with quick response times, making it a solid choice for gaming, although it does lag behind competitors in terms of brightness.

Key Takeaways

1. Processor Choices: The XMG FOCUS 17 uses Intel Core i9-13900HX and i9-14900HX processors, opting for older Raptor Lake chips to keep costs in the upper-mid-range while still delivering strong gaming performance.

2. GPU Performance: It features the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU, known for its excellent price-performance ratio, equipped with 12 GB of GDDR7 RAM and a maximum TGP of 140 W.

3. Display Specifications: The laptop boasts a 17.3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, a 240 Hz refresh rate, 300 nits brightness, and full coverage of sRGB and extended DCI-P3 color spaces.

4. Storage and Memory Expandability: The FOCUS 17 includes two M.2 SSD slots supporting PCIe 4.0, and can be expanded up to 96 GB DDR5-5200 or 64 GB DDR5-5600 RAM.

5. Pricing and Configuration: The starting price for the base model with Core i9-13900HX and RTX 5070 Ti is €1,849, with an option to upgrade to the i9-14900HX for an additional €100.

XMG / Schenker is bringing back the FOCUS series with a gaming laptop that is quite unique for 2025. After being absent for two years, the FOCUS lineup returns with a strong sub-€2000 model that merges affordable components with cutting-edge technology.

Unusual Processor Choices

What catches the eye about this model is its choice of processors. Instead of using the latest Arrow Lake chips, XMG has opted for the Core i9-13900HX and its updated version, the Core i9-14900HX, to maintain pricing in the upper-mid-range category. Both of these Raptor Lake CPUs still provide great gaming performance and are currently more cost-effective compared to the Core Ultra 9 275HX.

Impressive GPU Performance

When it comes to graphics, the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU in the FOCUS 17 offers the best price-performance ratio within all RTX 5000 models. With 12 GB of GDDR7 RAM and a maximum TGP of 140 W, it manages to reach frame rates close to the maximum refresh rate of the display using DLSS4 and MFG.

The 17.3-Inch Screen

A striking feature of this year’s Focus laptops is the 17.3-inch size. “Big laptops with a 16:9 display are becoming less common in 2025, especially those with RTX 50 series GPUs. However, we decided to launch the XMG FOCUS 17 (M25) with a 17.3-inch display after receiving numerous requests from customers during the RTX 50 launch,” said Robert Schenker, CEO of Schenker Technologies.

Quality Display Features

Regarding the 17.3-inch 16:9 display, XMG includes a top-notch IPS panel featuring a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and a standard brightness of 300 nits. It covers 100% of both sRGB and extended DCI-P3 color spaces and comes with a MUX switch as well as an FHD webcam with a physical privacy shutter.

Storage and Memory Options

In terms of storage, there are two M.2 SSD slots that support PCIe 4.0 X4 speeds. The RAM can be expanded to a maximum of 96 GB DDR5-5200 or 64 GB DDR5-5600 through two SO-DIMM slots. XMG also provides thermal pads for both the SSDs and RAM.

Connectivity and Ports

The port selection includes an HDMI 2.1 full bandwidth video output, a GbE jack, a USB-C 3.2 Gen port with DP2.1 (DP 80), and a power connector at the back. The sides are equipped with a USB-A 3.2 Gen2, a USB-A 3.2 Gen1, a 2-in-1 audio jack, and another USB-C 3.2 Gen2 with DP2.1 (DP 80) and PD 100 W support. For wireless connectivity, there’s Wi-Fi 6E or an optional Wi-Fi 7 card.

Design and Build Quality

With the new FOCUS 17’s dimensions of 397 x 265.1 x 24.9 mm, there are no design flaws in the keyboard. It comes with a full numeric keypad, full-size arrow keys, a Fn lock function, and customizable multi-color backlighting. The touchpad measures 150 x 90 mm and has a smooth mylar surface. The maximum height of the chassis is 28.6 mm, and the weight is 2.79 kg, including the 73 Wh battery.

Base Configuration and Pricing

The base version of the XMG FOCUS 17 (M25) includes an Intel Core i9-13900HX, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 16 GB (2x 8) DDR5-5600 RAM, and a 500 GB SSD. The starting price for this configuration is €1,849, which includes 19% VAT. An upgrade to the Intel Core i9-14900HX is available for an additional €100. The Core i9-14900HX will be offered long-term, but the availability of the lower-cost Core i9-13900HX will depend on demand.

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