Review: Schenker XMG P503 PRO

Conclusion

Schenker is targetting a specific market with the XMG P503 PRO. With a fourth-generation quad-core Intel processor and dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 770M graphics, this is a machine ideally suited to enthusiast gamers seeking high-performance thrills from what's essentially a powerful desktop replacement.

2D and 3D performance is among the best we've ever seen in a 15.6in laptop, and there's enough speed on offer here to put most modern-day desktops to shame. Though, as expected, such power does come with a compromise or two. A rather large chassis is required to house such mighty components, and as a consequence the XMG P503 PRO is big, bulky and not quite ultra-portable.

There are trade-offs in various areas, as well. The laptop's overall thickness is offset by excellent performance; the average keyboard and trackpad are compensated by an enjoyable full-HD matte display; and though the speakers aren't great there's a well-rounded choice of I/O ports. Our biggest gripe is that fan noise can be bothersome during everyday use, but even that's unlikely to perturb gaming sessions where you're seeing the latest DX11 titles run very smoothly.

We'll need to wait until the likes of Asus and Alienware get their hands on the latest CPUs and GPUs to see this level of performance in a sleeker and more aesthetically-pleasing package. However, if you're happy to trade finesse in favour of maximum performance, Schenker's XMG P503 PRO has it where it counts and can be configured to go like the clappers.

The Good

Excellent HD gaming performance
Enjoyable 1080p display
Good range of connectivity
Ample configuration options
User upgradeable

The Bad

Bothersome fan noise
Average keyboard and trackpad
Big, bulky chassis

HEXUS Awards

XMG P503 PRO

HEXUS Where2Buy

The XMG P503 PRO gaming laptop is available to purchase from Schenker Notebooks.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

[17/06/2013] Neil Richards, Managing Director, Schenker Technologies UK, issued the following right2reply:

As mentioned in the review, this was a pre-production sample supplied before the Haswell launch - so unfortunately there were some missing features which are to be integrated in the full production version. These include the XMG logo on the lid and the XMG touchpad design.

We have also been working on an updated fan table for the system, following internal pre-release testing, by smoothing out the fan response and concentrating on the lower and upper third of the curve. This will have the primary advantages of stopping the intermittent fan spin ups from idle, reducing the idle/light system usage fan speeds and to bring the maximum level down a little whilst gaming. As the review states, the cooling system itself performs very well, however improvements can be made which is why we have been testing different solutions for several weeks before releasing the final update very shortly. This revised fan table will be included in every new P503 order, as well as being supplied to all our existing P503 owners with a full update video tutorial and written instructions to follow. Like the XMG touchpad, this improved fan response will be exclusive to XMG laptops and Schenker Technologies customers.

It would only be fair for HEXUS to review the system as presented to them and we completely agree with this and the comments in the review; we hope that the optimised fan performance will help to solve one of the very few negative points raised in the article.