The XMG Apex 15 (Overdue 23) – a mid-range gaming computer – is in line with AMD and Nvidia: Pheonix and Ada Lovelace persistent the software. We already noticed this mix in its not too long ago reviewed 17.3-inch sister type, the Apex 17 (Overdue 23). The Apex 15 is in line with a barebone (GM5XG5E) made by means of TongFang and you’ll be able to get the prevailing type for round US$1,540. Competition come with the Lenovo Legion Professional 5 16ARX8, Acer Nitro 16 AN16-41, MSI Katana 15 B12VEK and the Asus TUF A15 FA507.
Its graceful case with matte, clean surfaces would not draw any consideration to the software in skilled atmosphere. It does not characteristic any extroverted design components equivalent to LED strips. Top of the range case fabrics have not been used: The computer is predicated only on plastic portions. Its battery (screwed in, no longer glued in) in addition to the standard {hardware} may also be accessed as soon as the ground a part of the case has been got rid of.
We did not notice any construct flaws or gaps. The bottom unit may also be twisted ever so somewhat – however not anything too dangerous. The lid appears to be extra versatile: Twisting it ends up in slight image adjustments. We’d’ve favored to peer a bit of extra balance right here. The somewhat bouncy hinge holds the lid firmly in position. Its most opening perspective is 130 levels. It’s conceivable to open the software with one hand.
Inside the comparability box, the XMG computer is the lightest and maximum compact software. With a weight of about 2.2 kg, it’s most often one of the crucial lighter laptops of this sort.
The Apex options 3 USB-A ports (1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1) and one USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2). The USB-C port helps neither DisplayPort nor Energy Supply. It additionally has two video outputs (HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4a), two audio jacks and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
The video outputs, persistent connection and LAN port are all at the again of the software. This implies the entire cables run out the again and can most likely no longer get to your manner.
Its SD card reader (reference card: AV PRO microSD 128 GB V60) with switch charges of 35 MB/s (moving 250 jpg pictures, 5 MB every) and 36 MB/s (copying huge knowledge blocks) is among the slower fashions.
Underneath optimal stipulations (no WLAN gadgets in shut neighborhood, brief distance between computer and server PC), the computer accomplished excellent to superb WiFi knowledge charges. It makes use of a WiFi 6E chip (Intel AX200). Stressed out connections are sorted by means of a Controller (RTL8168/8111; 1 GBit/s) from Realtek.
The webcam (0.9 MP, max. 1,280 x 720 pixels) does not have a mechanical duvet. When it comes to its high quality, it cannot set itself excluding the contest. Nonetheless: it seems to have a colour deviation price of round 7 (goal: DeltaE < 3).
Except the standard paperwork, the computer comes with a USB stick (driving force, tool), a keyring together with a bottle opener, and a large mousepad.
After disassembling the ground plate, you’ll be able to get right of entry to either one of the reminiscence banks (each occupied), the SSD (PCIe 4, M.2-2280), the second one SSD slot (PCIe 4, M.2-2280), the WLAN module, the BIOS battery, the enthusiasts and the battery. So as to take action, you want to unscrew the entire screws at the backside of the software. Therefore, you’ll be able to take away the ground plate with the assistance of a spatula or a plectrum.
The bottom guaranty runs for 2 years – together with a pickup provider and six months of immediate maintenance (maintenance inside 48 hours). A 36-month guaranty may also be bought for US$85 to US$130 – relying at the decided on immediate restore time.
The Apex has a backlit chiclet keyboard (RGB) together with a numerical keypad. Its keys are clean with a medium elevate and a transparent drive level. The important thing resistance is okay. When typing, the fitting aspect of the keyboard rocks slightly bit, however this did not end up to be irritating. All in all, this is a keyboard have compatibility for on a regular basis use.
A clickpad (about 11.5 x 7.4 cm) acts in its place for a mouse and it has a brief elevate and a transparent drive level. It may be simply switched off and on by means of double-clicking the highest left nook. An LED displays its present standing.
The Apex comes with a fast-reacting 165 Hz panel with a side ratio of 16:9. At no brightness point did it display any indicators of PWM flickering. Choice shows don’t seem to be to be had. Whilst the QHD panel’s brightness has hit its goal (> 300 cd/m²), its distinction is a bit of missing (> 1.000:1). The Lenovo Legion Professional 5 provides a far brighter panel (> 500 cd/m²) than the remainder of the contest.
Ex works, the display displays reasonably a excellent colour depiction: With a deviation of about 2, its goal was once hit (DeltaE < 3). Calibrating the show lowers the deviation to at least one.3 and results in extra balanced grey tones. The panel can nearly totally duvet the sRGB colour house – however no longer AdobeRGB or DCI P3. Its competition’ shows paint a an identical image.
The viewing-angle solid IPS panel stays legible from each perspective. Outdoor, you’ll be able to learn from the show so long as the solar is not shining too brightly.
Schenker’s Apex 15 (Overdue 23) is a mid-range gaming computer. A GeForce RTX 4050 or RTX 4060 can be utilized along the put in Phoenix APU – our take a look at software has an RTX 4050 on board. The prevailing configuration may also be discovered for round US$1,540. Costs start from round US$1,170. The computer may also be in my view put in combination and acquired at the site Bestware.com.
The Apex options 3 manufacturer-specific persistent modes (see desk), which may also be switched between by the use of a separate button (subsequent to the ability button). A standing LED finds the energetic mode. The modes “Fanatic” (benchmarks) and “Balanced” (battery exams) have been used. Optimus was once energetic.
The pre-installed Keep an eye on Middle permits you to create person profiles: The CPU’s persistent limits, the GPU’s TGP and/or the fan keep an eye on (amongst different issues) may also be adjusted.
The Ryzen 7 7840HS APU’s (Phoenix, Zen 4) 8 CPU cores be offering a complete of 16 threads at a most clock price of five.1 GHz (single-core). Steady multi-thread load (CB15 Loop) is treated by means of the processor with a constantly excessive clock price – irrespective of the chosen efficiency mode.
The computer’s benchmark effects when attached to the mains have been about reasonable for this CPU. In battery mode, its extra related single-thread efficiency (217 issues) sank not up to its multi-thread efficiency (1,603 issues).
Please notice: You’ll in finding extra detailed data on Zen 4 structure in our research article.
The graceful and fluid device delivers sufficient persistent for hard programs in spaces equivalent to rendering and gaming. The RAM knowledge charges ranged on a standard point for DDR5-5600 RAM.
The standardized latency observe take a look at (internet browsing, 4k video playback, Prime95 high-load) printed no abnormalities. The device appears to be appropriate for real-time video and audio modifying. Long run tool updates may just result in enhancements and even degradations.
The Apex can accommodate a complete of 2 PCIe 4 SSDs with the structure M.2-2280. RAID-0/1 is supported. Our take a look at pattern’s Samsung SSD (1 TB, PCIe 4, M.2-2280) delivered nice switch charges. Certain: We did not notice any thermal throttling.
The computer makes use of Nvidia’s present entry-level gaming GPU, the GeForce RTX 4050. The graphics core has 2,560 shaders, a 96-bit vast bus and immediate GDDR6 garage (6,144 MB). In line with the Witcher 3 take a look at, it did not employ its most TGP of 140 watts (115 Watt + 25 Watt Dynamic Spice up).
Its benchmark effects ranged above the former RTX 4050 reasonable. The dGPU mode did not result in any efficiency build up. Switching between dGPU and Optimus calls for a restart – Complicated Optimus is not supported.
The Apex’s {hardware} is meant for FHD gaming at excessive to most settings. Nonetheless, the QHD display’s complete solution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) may well be taken benefit of – from time to time, with decreased settings. It accomplished body charges simply above the RTX 4050 reasonable. The dGPU mode most often does not result in any efficiency build up.
With the intention to take a look at whether or not body charges stay solid over an extended time period, we ran the sport The Witcher 3 for round 60 mins in Complete HD solution and with most settings. We did not transfer the nature. We did not notice any drops in body price over the process this take a look at.
The enthusiasts essentially emit a sonorous noise. Demanding background noise isn’t audible. Like its 17.3-inch sister type, the Apex 15 does no longer produce a lot noise general – a minimum of in on a regular basis use and within the medium load vary: The enthusiasts ceaselessly spin slowly or are totally nonetheless. They’re most effective challenged below excessive load: It reached sound drive ranges of 48 dB(A) (“Fanatic”) as much as 52 dB(A) (“Overboost”). The “Balanced” profile is a bit more mild at the ears: Then again, noise emissions of 32 dB(A) come at the price of efficiency losses.
Prime load (pressure take a look at, Witcher 3 take a look at) results in the computer’s temperatures emerging noticeably. Then again, they by no means achieve any important ranges. In on a regular basis use (administrative center, web), the case temperatures all the time stay within the inexperienced zone.
The strain take a look at (Prime95 and Furmark in steady use) simulates an excessive state of affairs with the intention to take a look at the device’s balance below complete load. The CPU ran the take a look at with clock charges of three.8 to three.9 GHz, whilst the graphics core clocked at 2.2 to two.3 GHz.
The stereo audio system produce a tight sound, however there may be infrequently any bass. Headphones or exterior audio system are advisable for a greater sound revel in.
The XMG computer advantages from relatively low persistent intake. Its pageant most commonly cannot stay up on this box. The strain take a look at and Witcher 3 take a look at have been finished with constant intake values. The ability provide (230 watts) is enough in measurement.
The 15.6-inch software accomplished runtimes of 7:05 h and eight:16 h in our WLAN take a look at (calling up web pages the usage of a script) and video take a look at (brief movie Large Greenback Bunny (H.264 encoding) in a loop) respectively. In the course of the take a look at, we deactivated the computer’s power-saving purposes and the show brightness was once set at round 150 cd/m². To accomplish the video take a look at, the radio modules have been additionally switched off.
In spite of its relatively low battery capability, the Apex 15 accomplished superb runtimes. Then again, it could not reasonably compete with the Asus TUF A15 and the Acer Nitro 16. Except extra frugal AMD APUs, additionally they have a lot larger battery capacities.
Rendering, streaming, video modifying and naturally gaming are the principle makes use of of the Apex 15. Its Ryzen 7 7840HS and GeForce RTX 4050 ship the important efficiency. Each chips run at constantly excessive clock charges. If you want extra graphics persistent, then you’ll be able to additionally make a selection an RTX 4060 as an alternative of an RTX 4050. The APU is ready.
Quiet (all through easy duties), tough and with excellent stamina – The XMG Apex 15 (Overdue 23) is spectacular in some ways.
In on a regular basis use, the computer does not get too loud and in relation to gaming, there exists a profile with a excellent compromise between efficiency and noise emissions. You additionally mustn’t disregard its somewhat low persistent intake in comparison to its competition. A wonder: In spite of its relatively smaller battery capability, the computer achieves sensible runtimes of seven to eight hours – superb values. A disgrace: You’ll’t provide the software with persistent by the use of its USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2).
The computer can accommodate two PCIe 4 SSDs (M.2-2280). RAID-0/1 is supported. XMG permits you to in my view make a selection a number of SSDs by the use of its personal on-line store. Our take a look at software is fitted with an overly rapid PCIe 4 type (1 TB). Its put in QHD display (15.6 inches, 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, sRGB, IPS, 165 Hz) most often left a excellent affect on us. Its distinction can be a bit higher.
A viable choice may well be the Asus TUF A15 FA507: Even if it has similar CPU efficiency, its CPU efficiency is not as excellent. Benefits of the A15: Significantly longer runtimes and a USB-4 port. It’s also the cheap choice: An access type with no Home windows working device can these days be discovered for round US$900.
We not too long ago reviewed its 17.3-inch sister type, the XMG Apex 17 (Overdue 23), with a Ryzen 7 7840HS and a GeForce RTX 4060.
The XMG Apex 15 (Overdue 23) may also be in my view configured and ordered from Schenker’s on-line store. Our take a look at software may also be discovered for approximately US$1,540. Costs start from round US$1,170.
Allow 48h for review and removal.