he Leipzig-based manufacturer XMG is expanding its portfolio with the new APEX 16 MAX, a high-performance gaming and workstation laptop. The model is based on the latest AMD CPUs with up to 16 cores, a powerful GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and an optional bright mini LED display. This clearly positions the 16-inch model in the upper performance segment without breaking the price barrier of €2,000 for the basic configuration.
- From 1,979 euros with Ryzen 9 8940HX and RTX 5070 Ti
- Optional mini LED panel with up to 1,000 nits and 300 Hz
- Up to 96 GB DDR5 RAM and 16 TB SSD storage
- Powerful cooling, extensive connections and robust workmanship
Performance with a focus on price and efficiency
Inside the XMG APEX 16 MAX are either the AMD CPUs Ryzen 9 8940HX or Ryzen 9 9955HX, both with 16 cores and 32 threads. Thanks to high power limits of up to 135 watts, the processors also deliver their full performance in longer workloads. XMG relies on the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU with 12 GB GDDR7 memory, which is operated with a permanent TGP of 140 watts including Dynamic Boost. The laptop therefore offers an attractive overall package for smooth gaming in 1600p resolution and high performance in creative applications.
The necessary cooling is provided by a sophisticated system of heat pipes, two 80 mm fans, 150 copper fins and PTM7958 thermal pads from Honeywell. Air is drawn in both from the underside of the housing and via the keyboard, which reduces thermal load and ensures constant performance.
Display options with IPS or mini LED
The 16-inch panel of the APEX 16 MAX is available in two versions: as an IPS display with 500 nits brightness or as a mini LED version with up to 1,000 nits in HDR mode. Both offer a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, a refresh rate of 300 Hz and full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. This makes the notebook attractive not only for gamers, but also for content creators.
The option to switch between different refresh rates (60 Hz, 240 Hz, 300 Hz) offers particular flexibility. While the IPS panel scores points at a lower price, the mini LED option impresses with more intense brightness and high-contrast colors – ideal for HDR content or use in daylight.
Memory, connections and upgrades
The XMG APEX 16 MAX offers plenty of expansion options: Two M.2 slots allow up to 16 TB of SSD storage, and up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM is also available depending on the CPU. Faster DDR5-5600 modules are possible with Ryzen 9 9955HX, while the 8940HX variant is currently limited to DDR5-5200 and 64 GB.
The laptop also leaves little to be desired in terms of connectivity: HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 2.1, two USB-C ports with DisplayPort support and Power Delivery, three USB-A ports and an SD Express-compatible card reader are available. In total, the system can output to up to four external monitors in parallel. Wi-Fi 6E is installed wirelessly, while a fast 2.5 gigabit wired LAN port is available.
Design, input and mobility
The casing measures 356.7 x 253.8 x 26 mm, weighs between 2.45 and 2.6 kilograms depending on the display option and houses a 99.8 Wh battery of almost maximum capacity. The keyboard offers RGB single-key illumination, N-key rollover and improved scissor switches. A large Mylar trackpad and an integrated Full HD webcam with privacy shutter round off the equipment package.
Conclusion
With the APEX 16 MAX, XMG delivers a powerful yet attractively priced 16-inch laptop that offers plenty of performance for gamers and professionals alike. The combination of RTX 5070 Ti, 16-core CPU and optional mini LED panel makes the device a flexible choice. In the basic configuration, the notebook starts at 1,979 euros, with the more powerful CPU or the mini LED display available for a moderate surcharge. Pre-orders are already possible via bestware.com, with a 5% early-bird discount until September 22.
