XMG EVO 14 and 15: Power ultrabooks with AMD or Intel CPU

XMG EVO 14 and 15: Power ultrabooks with AMD or Intel CPU

XMG is expanding its portfolio with the XMG EVO series. The 14.0 and 15.3-inch EVO 14 and EVO 15 ultrabooks are the company’s first models to rely exclusively on an efficient graphics unit integrated into the processor. On the CPU side, there is a choice 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 or 99.8 Wh batteries, replaceable SSDs and RAM modules, an extensive range of connectivity options, and a dual-fan cooling system.

XMG EVO: Featuring AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or Intel Core Ultra 7 155H

XMG presents its latest ultrabooks, available with two distinct CPU platforms, while the remaining features are largely identical except for a few details. The understated design language is inspired by the recently introduced FUSION 15 and CORE 15 models, with the EVO 14 sporting a grey chassis and the EVO 15 a black chassis (only the equipment variant with optional and ANSI keyboard is also gray).

The AMD version is powered by a Ryzen 7 8845HS, while the Intel version utilises 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 deliver consistently high CPU performance. This is achieved through a dual-fan cooling system, phase-changing Honeywell PTM7958 thermal pads, and an all-aluminium chassis, excluding the display frame. The cooling system features two fans, each with a diameter of 47 mm, a height of 7 mm, and 80 fan blades. Additionally, there are two air outlets, positioned in front of a total of 68 copper cooling fins.

Following a boost phase of up to one minute at 80 or 65 watts (Intel / AMD), the processors maintain operation at 70 or 60 watts under continuous full load. Consequently, the Cinebench R23 results in the highest performance profile, ‘Overboost,’ are high:

If maximum CPU performance is not required, various performance profiles are available to ensure quiet everyday operation and a balanced ratio of performance and operating noise. In the ‘Balanced’ profile, the power limit during AC operation is set to 35 watts for the Intel version and 25 watts for the AMD version. The operating noise of the Intel-based version reaches a maximum of 38 dB(A) under continuous full load, measured from 15 cm away using a calibrated measuring device.

Broader Brand Orientation: The First XMG Laptops with an iGPU Focus

Previously, all XMG gaming and content creation laptops featured dedicated NVIDIA graphics cards. However, the Leipzig-based company is now broadening its product range. This decision responds to increasing customer demand for portable laptops without a dGPU, while still avoiding typical ultrabook compromises in CPU performance and connectivity.

The first expression of this expanded brand strategy is the EVO series, which extends the XMG brand name (‘Extreme Multimedia & Gaming’). Depending on the processor, these ultrabooks come with either an integrated AMD Radeon 780M or Intel Arc graphics chip. Both options not only excel in multimedia applications but also provide sufficient performance for entry-level gaming.

Bright, High-Resolution Displays in a 16:10 Format

The XMG EVO 15 features a 15.3-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Key technical specifications include a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, a refresh rate of 240 Hz, 500 nits brightness, and 100 per cent coverage of the sRGB colour space. The 14.0-inch LTPS IPS display on the EVO 14 offers the same colour space coverage but with a slightly higher resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels, a brightness of 400 nits, and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Both panels allow the download of a colour-calibrated profile via the XMG Control Center, can be opened 180 degrees, and integrate a Windows Hello-compatible Full HD webcam positioned above the display with a mechanical privacy shutter.

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

Large Batteries and USB-C Charging

The XMG EVO 15 is equipped with a 99.8 Wh battery, while the smaller EVO 14 features an 80 Wh unit. Charging is exclusively via USB-C and is supported by both the left and rear Type-C port on the laptop. If a sufficiently powerful power supply unit is already available, the 100 Wh power supply unit included as standard can be deselected on bestware.com, saving €25 on the purchase.

Plugged-in SSDs and RAM, Extensive External Connectivity

Despite its ultrabook design, the XMG EVO series remains modular. It supports up to 96 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM and two M.2 SSDs with PCI Express 4.0 connection, which can be upgraded later if desired. The M.2 slots are equipped with thermal pads from the factory, enabling the aluminium chassis to act as an additional passive heat sink. With up to 64 GB DDR5, the maximum clock frequency is 5600 MHz. If the largest 48 GB modules are installed for a total of 96 GB DDR5 RAM, XMG specifies 4800 MHz for both the AMD and Intel models due to the increased heat generation.

Both the EVO 14 and EVO 15 offer extensive external connectivity options: two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, USB-A 2.0, USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (with DisplayPort 1.4a and Power Delivery), HDMI 2.0b (HDMI 2.1 with 18 Gbps), Gigabit LAN, and a 2-in-1 audio port for headphones and microphone. Additionally, there is a Thunderbolt 4-capable USB4 port in the AMD version, which supports DisplayPort 1.4a and Power Delivery, and is implemented as certified Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery in the Intel version. The EVO series supports Wi-Fi 6E for wireless networking. Both ultrabooks are equipped with a fast card reader for full-size memory cards, offering 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 on the XMG EVO 15

The keyboard on the larger XMG EVO 15 offers extensive functionality. Like the FUSION 15 and CORE 15, it features an edge-to-edge design with a four-row numeric keypad, full-size offset arrow keys, dedicated navigation keys, and an Fn-Lock function. In contrast, the keyboard on the more compact EVO 14 is smaller. Based on a customer survey, XMG has opted to omit a dedicated co-pilot key. Both ultrabooks come with multi-level adjustable white backlighting, offer a choice between ANSI and ISO keyboard layouts, and feature a Windows Precision-compatible 123 x 77.5 mm glass touchpad.

Freely Configure and Buy XMG EVO

The base configuration of the XMG EVO 14 and XMG EVO 15 (M24), which can be freely configured on bestware.com, includes AMD’s Ryzen 7 8845HS or Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H, 16 GB (2×8 GB) DDR5-4800 RAM, a 500 GB SSD, and a 1880p (EVO 14) or 1600p (EVO 15) display. The starting price for the EVO 14, including 19% VAT, is €949 (AMD) or €1,099 (Intel). For the base configuration of the EVO 15, XMG charges €1,049 (AMD) or €1,199 (Intel).