XMG EVO 14 and 15: Powerful ultrabooks with AMD or Intel CPUs

With the XMG EVO series, XMG is broadening its portfolio. The 14.0-inch and 15.3-inch EVO 14 and EVO 15 ultrabooks are the first XMG models to rely exclusively on an efficient, integrated graphics unit. For the CPU, users can choose between Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H and AMD's Ryzen 7 8845HS. XMG bridges the gap to its existing product range with numerous premium features, including 80 Wh and 99.8 Wh batteries, removable rather than soldered SSDs and RAM modules, extensive connectivity options, and a dual-fan cooling system.

The XMG EVO comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor.

XMG offers its latest ultrabooks based on two different CPU platforms; otherwise, the specifications are identical except for a few details. The understated design language is based on the recently introduced FUSION 15 and CORE 15 models, with the EVO 14 using a gray chassis and the EVO 15 a black chassis (only the configuration with the optional ANSI keyboard is also gray).

The AMD version uses a Ryzen 7 8845HS, while the Intel version features a Core Ultra 7 155H. Both the EVO 14 (311 x 220 x 17 mm, 1.4 kg) and the EVO 15 (342 x 240 x 19.9 mm, 1.7 kg) are designed to maintain their CPU performance over extended periods. This is achieved through a dual-fan cooling system, phase-changing Honeywell PTM7958 thermal pads, and chassis constructed entirely of aluminum (except for the display bezel). The cooling system includes two 47 mm diameter, 7 mm high fans with 80 blades each, as well as two air outlets with a total of 68 copper cooling fins in front of them.

After a boost phase of up to one minute at 80 or 65 watts (Intel / AMD), the processors continue to operate at 70 or 60 watts under continuous full load. Accordingly, the results in Cinebench R23 in the highest performance profile, "Overboost," are as follows:

If full CPU performance is not required, different performance profiles are available to enable quiet operation of the ultrabook in everyday use and to achieve a balanced ratio of performance and operating noise. In the "Balanced" profile, the power limit when the laptop is plugged in is 35 watts (Intel) or 25 watts (AMD), and the operating noise of the Intel-based configuration reaches a maximum of 38 dB(A) under continuous full load, measured with a calibrated measuring device at a distance of 15 cm from the laptop.

Broader brand positioning: The first XMG laptops with an iGPU focus

XMG's gaming and content creation laptops have previously featured a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card, but the Leipzig-based company will be broadening its product range in the future. This decision is also based on the increasing demand from its own customers for portable laptops without a dedicated GPU that still offer CPU performance and connectivity without the typical compromises of ultrabooks.

The first expression of this expanded brand strategy is the EVO series, which broadens the scope of the XMG ("Extreme Multimedia & Gaming") brand name: Depending on the processor, the ultrabooks feature either an integrated AMD Radeon 780M or Intel Arc graphics chip. Both are not only strong in multimedia applications but also deliver enough performance for entry-level gaming.

Bright, high-resolution displays in 16:10 format

The XMG EVO 15 uses a 15.3-inch IPS display in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Its specifications are 2560 x 1600 pixels, 240 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and 100 percent sRGB color gamut coverage. The EVO 14's 14.0-inch LTPS IPS display offers the same color gamut coverage but a slightly higher resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels, 400 nits brightness, and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Both panels allow users to download a color-calibrated profile via the XMG Control Center, can be opened 180 degrees, and integrate a Windows Hello-compatible Full HD webcam and a mechanical privacy shutter above the screen.

Depending on the CPU platform, the displays support AMD FreeSync or Intel Adaptive Sync and reduce energy consumption during static image display using Panel Self Refresh (PSR). The Intel-based models are also able to reduce the display's power consumption during media playback and adjust the refresh rate to the video's frame rate, for example, 30 or 60 FPS.

Large batteries and charging via USB-C

While the XMG EVO 15 uses a 99.8 Wh battery, the smaller EVO 14 offers an 80 Wh model. Charging is exclusively via USB-C and is possible using both the left and rear Type-C ports on the laptop. Those who already own a sufficiently powerful power adapter can deselect the standard 100-watt adapter at bestware.com and save €25.

Installed SSDs and RAM, many external ports

Despite its ultrabook focus, the XMG EVO series remains modular: In addition to up to 96 GB of DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM, two M.2 SSDs with PCI Express 4.0 connectivity are possible and can be upgraded later if needed. The M.2 slots come equipped with thermal pads to utilize the aluminum chassis as an additional passive heatsink. With up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, the maximum clock speed is 5600 MHz. When using the largest 48 GB modules for a total of 96 GB of DDR5 RAM, XMG specifies a clock speed of 4800 MHz for both the AMD and Intel models due to the higher heat generation.

External ports are plentiful: Both the EVO 14 and the EVO 15 feature two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, one USB-A 2.0 port, one USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port (with DisplayPort 1.4a and Power Delivery), one HDMI 2.0b port (HDMI 2.1 with 18 Gbps), Gigabit LAN, and a 2-in-1 audio jack for headphones and a microphone. The AMD version also includes a Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB4 port that supports DisplayPort 1.4a and Power Delivery, while the Intel version features a certified Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and also Power Delivery. For wireless networking, the EVO series uses Wi-Fi 6E. Both ultrabooks are equipped with a fast card reader for full-size memory cards, achieving read and write speeds of up to 900 and 500 MB/s (SD Express) and 270 and 230 MB/s (SDXC UHS-II).

ANSI or ISO layout, large edge-to-edge keyboard for the XMG EVO 15

The keyboard of the larger XMG EVO 15 boasts a particularly rich set of features. As with the FUSION 15 and CORE 15, it's an edge-to-edge keyboard with a four-row numeric keypad, full-size, separate arrow keys, dedicated navigation keys, and an Fn Lock function. In contrast, the keyboard of the significantly more compact EVO 14 is smaller. Following a customer survey, XMG has omitted a dedicated Copilot key. Both ultrabooks feature multi-level adjustable white backlighting, offer a choice between ANSI and ISO keyboard layouts, and are equipped with a Windows Precision-compatible, 123 x 77.5 mm glass touchpad.

Configure and buy the XMG EVO freely

The basic equipment of the freely configurable [product/service] on bestware.com  and the  The (M24) configuration includes AMD's Ryzen 7 8845HS or Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H, 16 GB (2x8 GB) of DDR5-4800 RAM, a 500 GB SSD, and either an 1880p (EVO 14) or 1600p (EVO 15) display. The starting price for the XMG EVO 14, including 19% VAT, is €949 (AMD) or €1,099 (Intel). XMG is asking €1,049 (AMD) or €1,199 (Intel) for the respective base configuration of the EVO 15.