XMG brings the latest GeForce 900 series GPUs to its gaming laptops
Gaming laptops are generally something of a compromise, because if they weren’t, then there wouldn’t be a market for desktop PCs.
It all comes down to how much making them easily transportable undermines their gaming capability. In respect of the XMG P705, that’s remarkably little.
Schenker, the company behind the XMG brand cherry picks good mobile PC technology and repackages them. The P705 was therefore a Clevo P670SA, though it exhibits some subtle changes from that core design.
The P705 review model had an Intel i7-420HQ 2.6-3.6GHz quad-core CPU, 8GB of SO-DIMM DDR3, a 256GB Samsung SSD and 1TB HGST Travelstar drive.
But there are two other features that put all that in the shade, one being the GPU and the other being a very sharp 17.3” screen.
Often, gaming laptops need the resolution and details declawed for the best titles, but the P705 negates that smartly by utilising the GeForce GTX 970M.
I tested this GPU using the latest Futuremark 3DMark tool, and it’s very striking when compared to what most laptop users get for graphics. The Firestrike performance benchmark score was P6614, a number that’s close to what I’d expect from discrete Nvidia GTX 770 or AMD HD 7970 on a good desktop rig. That’s enough pixel juice for high settings at 1080p, thought the fan does kick in the moment the computer enters 3D rendering mode.
What’s beyond doubt is how much better it is than the Kepler-based GTX 870M, in both raw performance and by having a lower power consumption. This is a timely warning to those who might be tempted to buy an older design using the 860M and miss out on something far superior.
Presenting that GPU, unless you use the DisplayPort output, is the Chi Mei N173HGE panel, similar to the ones that MSI uses in its 17.3” gaming systems. For gaming this is a good screen, having almost no bleed on black and exceptionally good contrast. Graphics professionals would probably laugh at its colour representation, but that’s not an issue when gaming.
While this large display does make the 3.3kg P705 slightly less lap friendly, the extra space it provides in the chassis is well utilised. The keyboard is spacious as mobile computers go, isn’t cramped to the edge and is even backlit.
But where it really shows is when you remove the access panel underneath and see the wonderful splendour of upgrade possibilities. To do that requires you remove no less than 20 screws. Past that tactical hurdle you can get to the four memory slots, a potentially replaceable battery, and numerous M.2 and SATA storage options.
In terms of external ports, this is undoubtedly a strong point of the P705. There are no less than four USB 3.0 ports (one of which is doubles as eSATA), an SD card slot, a fullsized LAN socket, dual mini-DisplayPort and HDMI.
Sound is also, somewhat unexpectedly good. The P705 has its own subwoofer, and combined with Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3 software technology, this machine can make enough noise to fill a good-sized room.
Anyone expecting long battery life with this sort of specification is kidding themselves, because this system isn’t really made to operate that way. A realistic prospect would be 90 minutes on battery in 3D mode, but it will last closer to four hours if you’re not gaming.
This is a solid piece of equipment that plays games rather nicely. So what’s the catch? There is only one substantial one, and that’s the price.
As Schenker's product web page proclaims, you can get this machine from £1,039, although that hardware will have only 4GB of RAM, no SSD or hard drives or OS, and the GTX 965 GPU. To get a fully configured system, you’re looking at least £1,250, and for the full effect nearly £1,500, and you can go bonkers with a GTX 980M variant, dual SSDs and 32GB of RAM and blow through £2,000 or more.
While £1,500 might seem somewhat steep, this system is well made, specified and at least £200 cheaper than the equivalent MSI GS70 253UK.
So the XMG P705 represents good value for money, even at this price. Mark Pickavance
A mobile gaming powerhouse for those who can afford it
Features:
• High performance GeForce GTX 970M GPU.
• Intel Core i7-4720HQ processor (22nm, 2.60GHz, DDR3L-1600MHz, 6MB L3 cache, TDP: 47W).
• 8GB of RAM, upgradable to 32GB.
• Intel dual-band wireless-AC 7265, 2x2 AC +BT M.2 2230.
• one 2.5” 7mm HDD/SSD and one 7mm/9.5mm HDD/SSD.
• 2x NGFF(M.2 2280) SATA SSD or one PCIe x2/x4 SSD.
• Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3.
• 17.3” 1080p display.
• 4x USB 3.0 ports.
• 2x mini-DisplayPort and HDMI.
• Onkyo speakers with subwoofer.
• Backlit keyboard with coloured WADS gaming keys.
• Large touchpad with fingerprint sensor.
• 3D sound technology on headphone output.
• Powered USB port can charge your device without boot up system (AC/DC).