Schenker XMG A722 review

The XMG A722 has a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 660M graphics chipset, with 2GB of dedicated graphics RAM. This was easily quick enough to run our Dirt Showdown benchmark at 1,280×720 with 4x anti-aliasing and the High detail preset. We saw a smooth 67.5fps at these settings, and the frame rate never dropped below 55fps. As the monitor is a 1,920×1,080 model, it made sense to really test the graphics card by running it at these native settings. At 1,920×1,080 with 4x anti-aliasing and High detail, the laptop still managed a smooth 43.6fps, and never dropped below a still-smooth 35.6fps.

However, when we put the detail level up to Ultra, so matching the settings we use to test desktop PCs, frame rates dropped to 18.6fps, which is far below what we consider playable. While these game test results are certainly impressive, they’re not up there with the Scan 3XS Graphite LG10, which managed a near-playable frame rate of 26.2fps in the Ultra detail test and a huge 57.3fps at 1,920×1,080, 4x anti-aliasing and High detail thanks to its higher-specification GeForce GTX 670M graphics chipset.

Although we were impressed with the XMG A722’s performance, we weren’t as bowled over by its 17in Full HD screen. Colours are reasonably accurate, but there is some definite light leakage at the bottom of the display. The screen doesn’t have brilliant contrast, which led to some loss of detail in the darker areas of our test images. The display’s viewing angles, both horizontal and vertical, are narrow, and we noticed significant colour shift when we weren’t in the right spot.

In many ways Schenker’s XMG A722 is a good-value desktop-replacement laptop, which packs in a large amount of application and gaming power and a Full HD screen for less than £1,000. However, we didn’t get on with the touchpad and felt the laptop’s display was below par, and the XMG A722 can’t match the Scan 3XS Graphite LG10 for performance. If you’re after a gaming laptop, the Scan 3XS’s superior power, classier-feeling chassis and better monitor are worth the extra £150.