The XPG Xenia 15 could not look “new” to you if you happen to’ve been conditioned to think about “old hardware” out of date the day the brand new fashions come out. But it’s truly proof that prior-generation components might be completely related, and at the same time as quick as the newest era of {hardware}.
The Xenia XPG 15’s fundamental specs include the Intel Ninth-gen Core i7-9750H and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q. Both CPU and GPU are technically eclipsed by the newer 10th-gen Intel CPUs and Nvidia’s new Super line of RTX GPUs, but when you consider the facility and thermal limitations of laptops, the image will get extra advanced.
The Xenia 15 was primarily designed by Intel and even has its emblem on the underside.
Intel designed it
Another uncommon facet of this laptop computer is its branding. Flip the laptop computer over and also you’ll see an Intel emblem the place you may count on to see XPG’s. XPG is a gaming subsidiary of reminiscence and storage maker Adata), however on this case Intel did a lot of the design work of the laptop computer after which tasked Chinese white-label PC maker TongFang with producing it.
Intel has lengthy developed laptop computer and different PC {hardware}, which it shares with numerous firms, which in flip add their very own ending touches. This offers smaller gamers a possibility although they might by no means pay for the event prices themselves. As a outcome, you will note different laptops that look so much just like the XPG Xenia 15.
What’s particular concerning the XPG Xenia 15
Because XPG’s guardian firm is Adata, naturally the corporate slips its personal SSD into the Xenia 15, a 1TB XPG SX8200 Pro. OEM variations of SSDs usually provide much less efficiency than their retail counterparts through the use of higher-density, however slower QLC NAND drives. Not on this case: The SX8200 Pro is a 3D TLC drive with an SLC cache and DDR3 reminiscence. The guarantee on the SSD is 5 years, which is longer than a typical OEM SSD.
The different half XPG provides is a pair of 16GB Adata DDR4/2667 modules. Yes, we all know, 32GB appears extreme for a gaming laptop computer. XPG mentioned it opted for at least 32GB for “future-proofing.” XPG tries to sweeten the deal by saying the reminiscence within the laptops use “hand-picked” Samsung dies, that are all rated with a CAS latency of 19. While it’s true only a few laptop computer distributors ever state the latency of the RAM they use, we must always level out that CL19-rated SO-DIMMS are straightforward to purchase on the open market.
Xenia 15 Specs
When you take a look at the entire spec listing, you’ll be able to see that if you happen to put aside any bias towards last-gen components, there’s nothing “wrong” with this configuration:
- CPU: Ninth gen Intel six-core Core i7-9750H
- GPU: nVidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
- RAM: 32GB ADATA DDR4/2666 CL19 in dual-channel mode
- Storage: 1GB ADATA SX8200 Pro NVMe SSD
- Display: 1920×1080 144Hz AHVA
- Networking: Realtek Gigabit ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6
- Battery: 94 Watt-hour battery
- Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 0.8 inches
- Weight: 4.1 kilos, add 1.7 kilos for the facility brick.
Xenia 15 Ports
For ports, we’ll let the images do the speaking, however the principle takeaway is you get nearly every little thing you need. The first image exhibits the spectacular Dell XPS 15 9500 subsequent to the Xenia 15 for a dimension comparability. The proper facet of the Xenia 15 offers you two correctly marked USB-A 5Gbps ports and an SD card reader. We have an extended story deliberate on SD card efficiency, however we’ll say velocity of the Realtek card reader within the Xenia 15 is underwhelming. The unit is plumbed to the laptop computer’s PCIe, but it surely’s solely USB 3.0, so we noticed learn speeds of about 91MBps and write speeds of 64MBps in Crystal Disk Mark 7, utilizing a Sandisk Extreme Pro UHS-II SD card rated for 300MBps reads and 260MBps writes. The identical card within the Dell XPS 15 9500 will attain 275MBps reads and 217MBps writes. So sure, if you happen to’re copying a 40GB video to the Xenia, go seize a cup ‘o joe while it’s copying over.
Gordon Mah UngThe proper facet of the Xenia 15 options two USB-A 5Gbps ports and an SD reader.
The left facet of the Xenia 15 includes a third USB-A 10Gbps port and a seperate mic and headset jack. If you’re questioning why the Xenia 15 doesn’t use a single combo jack like the common laptop computer, we suspect it’s the gaming roots of the laptop computer. Gamers usually need separate audio gadgets for streaming.
Gordon Mah UngThe left facet of the Xenia 15 options 10Gbps USB-A, mic and headset jack plus a Okay-Lock port.
But wait, there’s extra. To jam extra ports into the laptop computer, on the again panel XPG offers you Gigabit ethernet, full-size HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 3 and a devoted charging port.
Gordon Mah UngThe again of the XPG 15 offers you Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, Gigabit ethernet and charging port.
There is a bit of little bit of a missed alternative with the charging system on the Xenia 15. The laptop computer includes a 230-watt energy brick, which is pretty normal for laptops with GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q degree of graphics. It appears unusually thick, nevertheless, as you’ll be able to see under in comparison with the identical wattage brick that Gigabyte and MSI use with their GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q laptops. The excellent news is that regardless of its bulk, it’s truly a bit of lighter at 1.7 kilos for the XPG brick, in comparison with 1.9 kilos for the MSI and Gigabyte packs.
One function we might have appreciated to see with the Xenia 15 is help for USB-C charging. Asus does it on its ROG Zephyrus Duo, so you’ll be able to depart that cumbersome brick at house and carry a tiny GAN USB-C charger. You wouldn’t wish to play video games or do something strenuous for lengthy on a 65-watt or 100-watt USB-C charger, however for regular use it’d be nice.
A lighter charger could be particularly welcome with the Xenia 15 as a result of it’s, itself, spectacularly mild for its class at 4.1 kilos. A typical 15.6-inch gaming laptop computer with GeForce RTX 2060 or greater graphics will push 4.5 kilos. Heck, even Dell’s XPS 15 9500, with a a lot much less highly effective GTX 1650 Ti, is 4.4 kilos. So sure, on this age, the Xenia 15 is awesomely mild.
Gordon Mah UngThe XPG Xenia 15’s 230-watt energy brick (left) is bulkier than the Gigabyte 230-watt energy brick (proper), however truly about two ounces lighter.
Webcam
The 720 webcam for the XPG Xenia 15 is mounted on the highest bezel and provides ample high quality. You may say it tends to reveal a bit of chilly to purple, however for a Zoom name does it actually matter?
What is uncommon—and welcome—is the help for Windows Hello biometric login utilizing the infrared digital camera. Some gaming laptops have began to combine fingerprint readers, but it surely’s even nicer to have the comfort of Microsoft’s facial recognition.
Gordon UngWhich webcam seems to be the perfect to you? The Dell XPS 15 9500 (high left), the MSI GS66 Stealth (high proper), the XPG Xenia 15 (backside left) or the low-bezel mount Gigabyte Aero 17 (backside proper)? Like any 720p mannequin (which represents the overwhelming majority of these constructed into laptops), the picture high quality is ok for a Zoom name.
Keyboard and trackpad
XPG makes use of an optical mechanical switches within the Xenia 15, and it’s a reasonably good implementation right here. The format contains full-size inverted-T cursor keys and no questionable button placements.
XPG mentioned the keys approximate what a “brown”-class key appears like and provide 2mm of journey. There are additionally n-key rollover and per-key RGB lighting (after all). You get that very passable crisp mechanical click on really feel, too, that makes our hearts sing.
Low-profile flat mechanical keys can typically be horrible to kind on. Cooler Master’s SK621 was so unhealthy that the corporate has provided to give out updated key caps to individuals who purchased the keyboard. We had no such points with the Xenia 15’s keyboard. The keys could be a bit wobbly, however we expect it would simply be value it to have that click on sound.
Gordon Mah UngThe optical mechanical keys within the Xenia 15 provide you with 2mm of journey and that click on you need.
Speakers
The XPG Xenia 15 options two bottom-firing audio system that sound, nicely, like what we’ve come to count on of most skinny gaming laptops the place each cubic inch counts. It’s clear XPG and Intel threw the audio system overboard and dragged them alongside the ocean flooring for a couple of nautical miles. Are they as unhealthy because the audio system on MSI’s GS66 Stealth? No, however they’re not a lot better. The audio sounds flat and lifeless, good for a “you’ve-got-mail” alert however that’s about it. After listening to the audio within the Dell XPS 15 9500, we all know what’s attainable in a skinny platform if a laptop computer maker makes it a precedence.
Upgrade Options
We didn’t have time to snap a shot of the insides of the Xenia 15, however the design options two SO-DIMM reminiscence slots, two M.2 slots, and Wi-Fi card, all accessible by eradicating the underside lid.
Build high quality
The XPG Xenia 15’s construct high quality displays its generic origins. Who does straight-cut vents on laptops anymore? They work nice, however they appear dated. More to the purpose, it makes use of a magnesium shell that could be a bit of too skinny and light-weight. Squeeze it arduous, and the chassis will flex. I gained’t say it feels flimsy, but it surely positively doesn’t have that strong really feel of an XPS 15 9500 or Razer Blade 15. At least it has RGB LEDs on entrance—that counts for one thing.
Gordon Mah UngThe entrance of the Xenia 15 options an RGB strip that pulsates whereas the laptop computer is sleeping.
Keep studying for efficiency and battery life.