Maingear eX-L 15-Inch Notebook Packs Resolution and Power

By Geoff Duncan April 20, 2010

Boutique computer maker Maingear realizes that notebook users want to be able to play high-end gaming titles just like everyone else, but don’t necessarily want the pain of carting around a full-blown desktop-replacement notebook with a 17-inch or larger display. Enter the new Maingear eX-L 15, which the company touts as the more powerful 15-inch HD gaming notebook on the planet. And the have some reason to make that claim: the system can pack an Intel Core i7 processor running at up to 2.66 GHz, an touts ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics with 1 GB of video memory and DirectX 11 support, pushing a 15-inch display with as many as 1,920 by 1,080 pixels of resolution.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The eX-L was designed for maximum performance in a portable package,” said Maingear CEO and founder Wallace Santos, in a statement. “With the DirectX 11 performance of the Radeon HD 5870, we’re not only able to provide that performance, but do it with exceptional visual quality for today’s and tomorrow’s hottest titles.”

Recommended Videos

As with any custom gaming rig,the configuration options on the eX-L 15 are variable: the base unit starts out with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, 8× DVD dual layer burner, and a 1,600 by 900-pixel display. Configurable options include SSDs, more capacious hard drives, faster Core i5 and i7 processors, up to 8 GB of RAM, Blu-ray/DVD combo players, and a choice of 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate. All the eX-L systems sport a two megapixel webcam, 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth wireless networking, gigabit Ethernet, and an integrated flash card reader.

Pricing for the eX-L 15 starts at $1,599, and prices can easily climb over $4,000 with enough bells and whistles.

Topics

Gaming

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Alienware x15 R2 debuts 12th-gen Intel on laptops today

Intel announces Intel Arc dGPU for Alienware x17 laptop.

Alienware's x15 R2 and x17 R2 laptops are available to purchase today, January 25. Announced at CES 2022, both machines are a showcase for Intel's 12th-gen Alder Lake mobile platform, pairing the new processors with DDR5 memory and RTX 30-series graphics cards. After just a few weeks of waiting, you can finally pick them up.

The Alienware x15 R2 and x17 R2 are larger versions of the x14 R2 we had a chance to demo during CES 2022. X-series laptops are built for portable high-performance gaming, with the 15.6-inch x15 R2 measuring only 0.64 inches thick. The 17.3-inch x17 R2 clocks in at 0.84 inches.

Computing

HP Envy x360 15 vs. HP Spectre x360 15

HP Spectre x360 15 front view.

HP has not just one but two 15-inch convertibles, the Envy x360 15 and the Spectre x360 15, and while they share the same format, they're very different laptops. HP has been aiming the Envy line at creators and the Spectre at discerning productivity users, and so choosing between them can be a challenge. We've taken the time to break down the differences to help you decide which is best for you.

Both of these 15-inch, 360-degree, convertible 2-in-1s are interesting laptops. They work perfectly well as a traditional clamshell, are awesome in media mode for bingeing Netflix, and tablet mode is great, thanks to the expansive screen -- if you prop them up on a surface. Tent mode seems unwieldy, suspending such a large laptop on its edges, but it's otherwise a size and style that adds real value to a 15-inch laptop.

Computing

Dell XPS 15 vs. HP Spectre x360 15

HP Spectre x360 15 2019 review

If you're looking for a highly portable laptop, you'll likely limit your search to 13-inch models. If you're looking for more power, though, you'll be taking a look at 15-inch laptops. Perhaps the best example is the Dell XPS 15, a popular laptop that packs powerful components into a relatively small chassis thanks to tiny display bezels.

Until now, you were mostly limited to traditional clamshell machines rather than the more flexible 2-in-1 form factor if performance was your primary need. That's no longer true, with HP's Spectre x360 15 adopting the same class of CPU and GPU as the XPS 15. Does this large 2-in-1 have what it takes to compete with Dell's industry leader?
Design