Closer Examination

I have always gone with 17" laptops because of the dedicated numpad, which meant using large, bulky laptops from the get-go, so taking out the XMG NEO 15 was pleasant not only because it weighs ~2.2 kg, but also as it comes in at ~360 x 244 x 27 mm. I appreciated the matte gray "predominantly aluminium" chassis to keep things feeling premium and solid throughout, too. By default, the XMG NEO 15 (E22) comes with the XMG logo embossed on the display lid, but there is a €29 option to remove the logo for a laptop without any branding. I do wish the chassis were less prone to fingerprints instead since it does seem to catch smudges relatively easily. Suddenly, the cleaning kit in the box makes a lot of sense!


Having resisted the temptation to open the lid right away, I first examined the I/O options on this TongFang platform-based system. The left side has a Kensington lock slot, vents aiding with cooling and airflow, full-size superspeed USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (10 Gbps) port, and separate 3.5 mm TRS headphone out and microphone in. Having had them before and losing the separate ports in favor of a single combo port on my current laptop, this is the way to go for a lot of different applications. Note the gentle curves in the bottom and the sides with the display lid and plenty of leeway for movement along the bottom case panel. The right side continues the pleasantness by offering a full-size SD card reader supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC in addition to microSD cards with an adapter, which helps the traveling photographer who no longer has to rely on an external card reader or microSD cards with an SD card adapter on laptops that are going the smaller card reader route. Rounding off this section are two USB 3.2 Gen1 (USB 3.0, 5 Gbps) Type-A ports, and another of the same vent cutouts for side airflow exhaust no doubt.


More I/O is on the back to hide connected cables from view when the laptop is used, as are more vents matching those on the sides and the expected power plug for the power supply, low-profile RJ45 Ethernet port with 2.5 Gbps throughput, full-size HDMI 2.1 port with 48 Gbps transmission capable of providing 8K/120 Hz signals while being compatible with HDCP 2.3, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and full 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 chroma subsampling—it's also the video output you will use for G-SYNC displays since the HDMI port is powered directly from the on-board dGPU. This is contrary to the Thunderbolt 4-based USB Type-C port alongside, which is run through the iGPU. So while this means you won't have a powerful signal for VR headsets relying on the Type-C connection, you do get DisplayPort 1.4a specifications including FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility from the Type-C port, and may use a TB 4.0 dock for expansion. Hiding behind a silicone cover are two special connectors that make the XMG NEO 15 (E22) compatible with the OASIS external watercooling solution. These inlet/output ports connect to a watercooling loop, which we will discuss more in due course of time. The cover minimizes any leaks and contaminants entering the ports, so I recommend keeping it on when not used.


Ah, time to lift the lid, and note that the XMG NEO 15 (E22) easily passes the one-finger lift test—the base does not move up with the display lid whatsoever. A small notch helps, and notice the stealthily placed LED light bar right below—it lights up when the system is powered on. XMG placed a second microfiber cloth between the display and keyboard to keep everything clean and avoid keycap smudges on the screen. Take it off and marvel at the space-efficient design, including the excellent Microsoft Precision glass touchpad with a plastic cover on top and all of 114.5 x 70 mm. There are the expected two integrated tactile buttons at the top, and this is one of the best touchpads in the business with everything working beautifully. While here, remember to remove the plastic covers on either side of the touchpad to reveal another matte palm rest, which will smudge, but isn't glossy or tacky. The display lid opens a fair degree for good viewability across different opening angles, but we will talk more about the screen later on in the review.


Small bezels on the top and sides of the screen make integrating this 15.6" display into a laptop footprint with 13.3/14" screens not that long ago possible, and I am happy to see a Windows Hello-compatible web cam up top, which is where it should be—no nostril close-ups here! There is a microphone port alongside, placed far enough from the camera cutout for security-concerned users to install an aftermarket webcam shutter, and it's a full HD camera with alright picture and video quality, comparable to some 720p standalone webcams. Still, it's a good bit better than the cheaper HD (720p) integrated webcams found in even far more expensive laptops. Windows Hello adds security and login options too, and it worked flawlessly during my weeks of testing.

I described my preference for 17" laptops for a reason, and the XMG NEO 15 is quickly making me re-consider my options going forward as it provides what is effectively a 90% keyboard with most of the dedicated numpad, too. As the company is EU-based, no ANSI layouts are available, so I chose a US ISO keyboard layout. It comes with the fat L enter key I still maintain is a massive waste of space, but my eyes were drawn to the numpad using a novel key layout to provide the numbers, mathematical functions, and enter key alongside once you get used to the minus and plus keys above their usual spots. Notice the dedicated Delete key and cleverly assigned secondary functions for the missing functions of a full-size keyboard; this is not that different from all the 96% keyboards I have used in the past! Placed in the top-right corner, next to holes for speakers to let sound and a tiny bit more internal airflow through, are low-profile buttons for both power on/off and profile switching—two tiny power/activity and battery status indicator lights complete this section.