XMG APEX 15 and APEX 17: XMG is showcasing mid-range gaming laptops featuring AMD processors and a redesigned chassis at Computex
Taipei / Leipzig, 1 June 2023 – XMG’s APEX series is getting a complete overhaul in time for Computex. The APEX 15 and APEX 17 not only feature chassis designed from the ground up, but are also XMG’s first gaming laptops to feature AMD’s latest Ryzen 7 7735HS. NVIDIA laptop graphics cards up to the GeForce RTX 4060 deliver high-end mid-range performance. Despite a good range of connectivity options, including two native monitor ports, XMG is positioning the APEX series as the most attractive option in its own portfolio in terms of value for money.
Ryzen 7 7735HS, GeForce RTX 4060 or 4050 and Full HD display with 144 Hz
XMG’s APEX series will henceforth form the entry-level offering in its gaming laptop portfolio, following the recent significant alignment of the former entry-level XMG FOCUS series with the PRO series in terms of features and performance. This is also reflected in the pricing: there are currently no cheaper XMG laptops available. However, ‘entry-level’ in this case also means that, in terms of performance, the devices are more likely to be classified as mid-range or upper mid-range.
Both the XMG APEX 15 and the APEX 17 (M23 model generation) combine AMD’s latest Ryzen 7 7735HS with 8 cores and 16 threads with either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or an RTX 4050. Their maximum GPU power is 140 watts each (115 watts plus 25 watts Dynamic Boost). To complement these graphics cards well in terms of resolution, XMG has fitted a 144 Hz Full HD IPS display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels).
The cooling system has been significantly upgraded: whilst previous model generations still had separate cooling units for the CPU and GPU, the interior of the current XMG APEX laptops is more reminiscent of the CORE series. Here, there is a more powerful integrated cooling system, whose heat pipe layout covers both the processor and the graphics card, a new four-way rather than three-way air outlet, and finally, improved fans. The XMG APEX 15 and APEX 17 also share, for the first time, the significantly more comprehensive version of the Control Centre with manual tuning options with the NEO and CORE series: In addition to the three predefined performance profiles (Balanced, Enthusiast, Overboost), there is a special Custom profile that allows, for example, individual adjustment of the CPU’s power limits or temperature targets.
Freely configurable RAM and SSDs
The laptops feature two SO-DIMM slots for up to 64 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM, as well as two M.2 SSD slots with PCI Express 4.0 connectivity. As is customary with XMG, the devices can be customised with RAM and storage drives to suit your needs via the partner shop bestware.com. The M.2 slots are already fitted with a thermal pad at the factory, even if the laptop is delivered with only one SSD.
Connectivity options include three USB-A ports (2x 3.2 Gen 1, 1x 2.0) and one USB-C port (3.2 Gen 2x1), an SD card reader for full-size SD cards, Gigabit Ethernet, and separate audio jacks for headphones (compatible with combo-jack headsets) and a microphone. In addition, both laptops offer two native graphics interfaces – HDMI 2.1 and a Mini DisplayPort 1.4, each connected directly to the NVIDIA dGPU.
Completely new chassis design makes the APEX laptops lighter
Measuring 360.2 x 243.5 x 26.7 mm and weighing 2.2 kg (APEX 15), as well as 392.9 x 260 x 24.9 mm and 2.47 kg (XMG APEX 17), the M23 model generation is significantly lighter than its predecessors. The chassis, designed from the ground up, house a 62 Wh battery and are made from precision-moulded plastic. On the 17.3-inch model, which stands out with its striking gaming aesthetic by XMG’s otherwise rather understated standards, the display lid is made of aluminium, providing additional stability.
The keyboards each feature customisable single-zone RGB lighting, a dedicated numeric keypad and large arrow keys. Whilst the APEX 15 uses a conventional, 114.5 x 70 mm Microsoft Precision touchpad, the APEX 17 also offers a Microsoft Precision-compliant model; however, at 154 x 100 mm, it is very generously sized, features a glass touchpad and also integrates a function for automatic palm detection as well as the ability to deactivate the right-hand half or the entire touchpad.
Update to AMD Phoenix is already in the pipeline
Meanwhile, a direct successor to the devices unveiled at Computex, based on the same platform, is already on the horizon: later this year, XMG plans to make the switch to a Zen 4-based processor. Along with this, the APEX series will also gain a WQHD display as an additional configuration option. However, the switch to the Zen 4 platform is expected to be accompanied by a corresponding price increase.
Prices and availability
The base configuration of the model, which can be freely customised on bestware.com, includes AMD’s Ryzen 7 7735HS, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16 (2x8) GB DDR5-4800 RAM, a 500 GB Samsung 980 SSD and a Full HD IPS display with 144 Hz. The starting price, including 19 per cent VAT, is €1,299. An upgrade to the faster GeForce RTX 4060 costs €158. In contrast, the model with otherwise identical specifications but featuring a GeForce RTX 4060 starts at €1,399 on bestware.com. The lower-spec variant with an RTX 4050 will be available exclusively as fixed configurations via notebooksbilliger.de during June. The configurations available on bestware.com are now open for pre-order, with delivery scheduled from mid-June.
