XMG NEO 16 (A25) - GameStar

XMG NEO 16

High-end revolution with outstanding performance: The fully redesigned XMG NEO 16 is the perfect incarnation of a compact, modern 16-inch laptop equipped with remarkable features and the most powerful components. Through significant refinements, the new NEO 16 resides in a premium, sophisticated all-aluminium chassis, presenting itself as the ultimate all-encompassing solution for mobile computing excellence. It boasts a vibrant 500 nits G-SYNC display in a 16:10 format, featuring 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and high colour accuracy. The larger keyboard, with an optimised layout, enhances productivity and convenience. Further elevating the user experience, the revamped high-end cooling system, a core feature of the series, not only sets new standards but also enhances support for the XMG OASIS.

All-aluminium chassis

Premium quality, elegant, sturdy

Aligning with its high-end concept, the XMG NEO 16 boasts a precisely crafted, enduring all-aluminium chassis that seamlessly integrates premium materials and an exclusive, elegant design. The 16-inch laptop, more compact than its predecessor due to thin display bezels all around, exudes a sophisticated aesthetic. Adding a touch of RGB gaming flair, a newly designed light strip on the front not only offers customisable lighting effects, but of course also a decent FPS boost.

Intel Core i9-14900HX

Intel’s Core i9-14900HX stands as the undisputed champion of maximum mobile performance. This impressive laptop CPU with desktop DNA unleashes the boundless power of 24 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 36 MB Intel Smart Cache in the NEO 16. Powered by the modern Raptor Lake Refresh architecture, this exceptional processor excels in both single and multi-threaded applications. Boasting a boost clock of up to 5.8 GHz, it delivers outstanding performance across every conceivable application.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40

Perfect for gaming, content creation and extreme 3D acceleration: the XMG NEO 16 sets the stage for NVIDIA's high-performance graphics cards to realise their full potential. The flagship model is driven by the groundbreaking GeForce RTX 4090, featuring 16 GB of GDDR6 memory - the choice for those craving high-resolution graphic details and demanding ray tracing simultaneously. Leveraging AI-based technologies like DLSS 3.5, it provides a crucial boost, ensuring unparalleled high FPS rates.

Optimised high-end cooling system

Powerful & cool

The XMG NEO 16 establishes a new benchmark in the 16-inch segment, boasting an air-cooling system optimised in various aspects. With larger fans featuring more blades, heat sinks crafted entirely from copper, and a clever additional air intake via the keyboard, the system ensures optimal temperatures, maximum performance, and quiet, unobtrusive, low-frequency operation. While the top-of-the-range versions of the laptop (RTX 4090, 4080) incorporate liquid metal for CPU and GPU cooling, the other models (RTX 4070, 4060) employ phase-changing Honeywell PTM7958 pads.

Maximum power limits, no compromises

Unleashed performance

The XMG NEO 16's air-cooling system effortlessly extracts the maximum specified 175 watts from NVIDIA's flagship GPU, the GeForce RTX 4090, even during stress tests (Furmark). Intel's Core i9-14900HX boosts to 200 watts and consistently sustains 125 watts under continuous load. With both the CPU and GPU fully engaged, the system can call up a total power of 225 watts. The optional XMG OASIS enhances your system's capabilities even further: In stress test scenarios, the sustained performance of the Core i9-14900HX increases to 160 watts, maintaining the boost performance of 200 watts for an extended period. The combined system power can consistently operate at 275 watts.

XMG OASIS Ready

Whisper-quiet gaming

With the XMG OASIS, you can elevate the capabilities of the two premier configurations of the XMG NEO 16 (with RTX 4090 or 4080) by adding an optional external laptop liquid cooling system that brings about two major enhancements: a fully integrated water channel within the laptop's cooling system, featuring optimised routing to replace the previously soldered-on water pipe. This modification increases the contact surface, significantly improving heat dissipation. Additionally, the magnetic, self-sealing tube connector now includes an additional securing mechanism for stronger hold. The result is maximised performance, lower CPU and GPU temperatures, and an unmatched level of quiet operation.

G-SYNC display with 500 nits

Razor-sharp and bright

Thanks to its extended WQXGA resolution (2,560 x 1,600 pixels), the 16-inch, non-glare IPS panel displays all content with razor-sharp clarity. A notable enhancement lies in its significantly elevated brightness — 500 nits ensure outstanding readability even in bright environments or outdoors. The laptop display also impresses with its intense, brilliant colours and can be opened up to 180 degrees with one hand.

Fast gaming at 240 Hz

Seeking an exceptionally smooth gaming experience? The XMG NEO 16's display, featuring a fast refresh rate of 240 Hz, has just the right features. The G-SYNC panel adeptly synchronises the graphics card's image output with on-screen playback, eradicating any screen tearing or stuttering.

Calibrated colour accuracy in 16:10

Sporting a colour-calibrated display (download of the calibration profile via the Control Center) in a smart 16:10 format, the XMG NEO 16 impeccably caters to the needs of creatives. The sRGB coverage is over 95 percent and with the additional vertical screen area, for example in your photo or video editing software, you gain a significant increase in usability.

XMG Control Center & BIOS tuning

All settings under control

The powerful XMG Control Center offers complete control over your laptop's performance settings – from pre-defined, customised profiles that allow you to select the ideal balance of performance, noise, and temperatures at the touch of a button, to the creation of individual profiles and manual tuning options. This allows you to fully exploit the high-end components of your laptop, maximise the power limits right up to the limit or activate advanced settings in the BIOS. These include RAM tuning or CPU undervolting to get the most out of your system and your individual configuration.

Compact full-size keyboard

Precision with professional layout

Precise and now more spacious, the XMG NEO 16's keyboard incorporates all essential features that gamers crave: N-key rollover, anti-ghosting, a well-defined actuation point, and freely customisable per-key RGB lighting. Being a true high-performance all-rounder, this laptop integrates the practical layout of a productivity workstation. This includes dedicated navigation keys, a complete four-row numeric keypad, full-size offset arrow keys, and a convenient Fn lock function. Elevating user experience, the Windows Precision-compliant glass touchpad boasts a smooth surface, now extended to a comfortable 123 x 77.5 mm.

Long-lasting 99.8 Wh battery

Impressive runtimes

With its 99.8 Wh battery, the XMG NEO 16 integrates a true capacity giant with the maximum allowable for unrestricted mobile laptop use. Smart efficiency features such as NVIDIA Advanced Optimus further extend runtimes. When the dedicated graphics card isn't in demand, the display connection seamlessly switches to the efficent integrated Intel graphics unit without necessitating a reboot. Three adjustable charging profiles can be used to determine charging speed and maximum charging capacity to minimise natural battery wear.

First-class connectivity

All the ports you need

The XMG NEO 16 not only presents an extensive range of external connectivity but also strategically organises it. Placing ports for larger plugs at the back, including the power supply connection, HDMI 2.1, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and the Thunderbolt 4 port (enabling optional charging via a USB-C travel power supply with 100 watts), ensures a streamlined design. On the sides of the chassis, you will find a second USB-C and three USB-A ports, a full-size SD card reader, and a 2-in-1 audio jack for headsets. The enhanced webcam features a privacy shutter and an infrared sensor facilitates logins via Windows Hello, among other applications.