T
he XMG Fusion 15 is a highly
configurable laptop from German
brand Schenker. This particular unit
has a couple of familiar components: an RTX
2070 Max-Q GPU and a Core i7-9750H
processor. The RTX 2070 Max-Q is a cut-
back, more efficient version of one of Nvidia’s
key GPUs. It has the 2,304 stream processors
and 8GB memory of the standard mobile RTX
2070, but its clock speeds have been reduced
to 885MHz and 1185MHz.
As for the Core i7-9750H, it’s a 6-core CPU
with base and boost speeds of 2.6GHz and
4.5GHz. It’s used in virtually every high-end
gaming laptop now. It has enough single-
threaded power to avoid bottlenecks, and its
cores mean there’s ample bandwidth for
photo editing and multi-tasking.
Elsewhere, there’s 16GB of 2666MHz
memory and a 1TB SSD alongside
futureproofed 802.11ax Wi-Fi. The memory
could be faster, and machines with an SSD
and hard disk tend to offer more overall
storage space, but they’re minor complaints.
In last month’s laptop Labs, there were four
machines with the RTX 2070 Max-Q or the
full-fat version. Three of them used theXMG F
/ £1,
GAMING LA
i7-9750H CPU and their prices ranged between £1,699 and
£1,999 – this is a popular price point.
The Fusion looks smart but unassuming. It’s made from
black magnesium alloy, and it has no extravagance – the only
logo is a dark black shape on the lid. It’s one of the sleekest
gaming laptops around and looks a little like a stealth bomber.
Build quality is good too. The base is solid with only minor
movement when prodded, and the screen is reasonably
sturdy. The whole machine is 20mm thick and it only weighs
1.9kg, so it’s lighter than every RTX 2070-based machine from
the Labs.
It has three USB 3.1 ports and a Type-C connection that
supports Thunderbolt – a good selection. This laptop also has
a card reader, which is becoming rarer.
The keyboard uses opto-mechanical switches – hardware
with the moving parts of a mechanical switch, but with a beam
of light for actuation. In theory, this means you get the added
weight and satisfaction of a mechanical keyboard but with
improved response times. The keyboard also has per-key
RGB LED backlighting and n-key rollover, but no numberpad.
In practice, the opto-mechanical hardware is mixed. The
buttons have more travel than conventional ones, and they
actuate quickly – keen gamers will appreciate the speed
gain. However, the buttons are light and wobble a little too
much. It doesn’t inspire confidence when compared to laptops
with normal mechanical keyboards, which are heavier and
more consistent.Reviews
REVIEWS / GAMING LAPTOP
SUPPLIER bestwaSPEC
CPU
2.6GHz Intel Core i7-9750H
Memory
16GB 2,666MHz DDR
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
8GB
Sound
On-board
Screen size
15.6in 1,920 x 1,080 IPS 144Hz
Storage
1TB Samsung 970 EVO M.2 SSD
Weight
1.9kg
Ports
3 x USB 3.1, 1 x Thunderbolt 3/USB
3.1 Type-C, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x audio
jack, 1 x SDXCs
Dimensions (mm)
356 x 234 x 20 (W x D xH)
Extras
Windows 10 Home 64-bit, Dual-
band 802.11ax WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0,
Gigabit Ethernet
Warranty
Two years collect and return
3 incVAT
PTOP
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