XPG Xenia 14 Review: the Best Ultrabook You've Never Heard of

Lisa Gade reviews the XPG Xenia 14 by ADATA, the SSD and RAM company. This isn’t their first laptop, but the newly unveiled Xenia 14 is a refreshing breath of fresh air- as if someone actually paid attention to what user’s want. The 930g Ultrabook is LG Gram light, yet rigid and premium feeling overall thanks to the matte black magnesium alloy casing and internal reinforcements. The Xenia 14 has a 16:10 aspect ratio display. It’s an Intel 11th gen Tiger Lake PC with Intel Xe graphics, Thunderbolt 4 and a PCIe 4 boot SSD. Despite its thinness and light weight, it packs plenty of ports, a full size SD card slot, and it has 2 RAM slots and 2 SSD slots.
** Get it on Amazon: amzn.to/3eKMMo7

[@alexandermyrthue1987]

Now we knows other manufacturers lied about the reason as to why they soldered RAM to the motherboard 😆😆

[@nnnnnn3647]

nope. this laptop looks like shit.

[@Wistbacka]

Interior looks a bit cheap, and the cooling solution compared to other premium laptops is questionable here.

[@andyH_England]

I am not sure why you need more than 16GB (base spec) in an ultrabook like this so upgradeable RAM seems pointless and they made it worse by selling it in single band! Most people buy the RAM they need and are not concerned about upgradeability in the ultrabook demographic. For gaming machines and prosumer laptops I get that upgradeable RAM is more useful.

[@alexandermyrthue1987]

"upgradeable RAM seems pointless" It is not only about upgradability it is difficult to fix a machine like this when more and more components are soldered on. the fact that many customers has got used to not being able to do enything is not an excuse. When the automobile came people sayed so fast do no one need to go. It's a false idea that 16GB is enough. 😉

[@andyH_England]

@@alexandermyrthue1987 I have never had RAM fail on me and I suspect the motherboard will fail before RAM. Even storage, with TB4 it is far easier to just use superfast external drives for storage of media, etc, especially as if like me you have multiple devices you can hook that external drive to whatever you want. People are just used to the old ways and it takes them time to move with the times. Unified memory and SoC are the future and in 20 years time with generations having grown up with that default setup, modularity will be strictly for servers, gamers and high-performance prosumer machines.

[@EspHack]

its like whoever designed it actually plans on using it, I hope they sell lots of them

[@traumateam2077]

I would say stay vigilant against ADATA (XPG is its gaming brand or so). I'm very disappointed with their bait-and-switch business model, at least with the ADATA XPG SX8200 PRO NVME M.2 since I own 2 sticks. Linus Tech Tips carried a detailed comparison over many different variants of that SDD and most of them are worse than the ones sent to reviewers.

[@namasteindiantraveller]

Bought A laptop 7 years ago, when only few Reviewers was there, and Lisa was on top . Now in market again, Lisa is still kicking.

[@IC_4666]

There is something about her..i love to watch her videos..

[@tremorwolfgang8403]

Oh, this one is nice, sadly not available in Germany. Would basically tick all boxes if it also were a 15 inch machine for me personally. Edit: I just realized that this is a tongfang laptop. They are also available here in germany named Schenker Vision 14 or Tuxedo infinitybook pro 14.

[@RedBeardedRabbit]

I want this exact kind of machine but scaled up to a 16-17 inch size (the bigger the better!) as an XPS 17 / LG Gram 17 competitor for those of us who want a large, top-quality display in an all-around general use multimedia laptop...

[@mini9503]

Luckily there IS a lightweight 17" laptop from the same manufacturer (Tong Fang) known as "Eluktronics MAX-17" in some region, that you can configure with an optional 92Wh battery and a QHD 400nit screen. It weighs the same as XPS 17 (2.2 kg), so I think it should make good alternative as a portable multimedia laptop. GPU is configurable from RTX 3050 to 3070.

[@xmg_gg]

@@mini9503 XMG NEO 17 is not light-weight and can only be configured with a 62Wh battery. You might be referring to the Eluktronics MAX-17, which is a different chassis. But we hear the call. A 16" or 17" version of this new 14" 16:10 3K chassis is under consideration for next year. // Tom

[@mini9503]

@@xmg_gg Ahh my mistake. Thank you for that Tom. Also, I think QHD Touchscreen option on your gaming laptops would be amazing, make them more competitive against XPS and other "Creator" laptops for people like me who want Touch for productivity AND play games in native 1440p resolution

[@xmg_gg]

@@mini9503 Do you need Stylus support with the Touch? If so, what kind of Stylus? // Tom

[@mini9503]

​@@xmg_gg Stylus would certainly be a "nice to have" since I work with Photoshop and design. I think any one of AES, MPP, or USI protocols are good, I know that Wacom EMR is better but it is very expensive. I think Touch input is just a mandatory feature to many people on a laptop ever since Windows 8.1. Personally I come from non-gaming background like Lenovo Yoga series, and now that I recently got into gaming, I find myself looking at a sea of amazing gaming laptops without touch and laptops like XPS 17 that do have one. Recently I bought "MSI Creator Z16", specifically because it had a touchscreen. Otherwise I would've chosen the Eluktronics Max-17 chassis sold in my country, because I always prefer a bigger screen as long as the battery life is there. As a tech enthusiast, I WANT to support AMD and TongFang resellers, but as of right now the lack of touchscreen is what's holding me back. This is just one guy's experience though, I'm aware that some people do not enjoy touch for some reason I won't understand.

[@yabaiii1530]

Looks like it has a spot for an RTX 3050 or similar GPU

[@Marticulate]

Why can I get a full size SD slot in this and not in most creator laptops?

[@nikkorocksalot5254]

This is finally exactly what I've been looking for to replace my OG Razer Blade 12.5!

[@yehuang6773]

Nice review! Nice to see this Tong Fang Chassis become available here in North America! Tong Fang made a variant of this machine using H35 11th gen Intel CPU, 2K 16:10 90 Hz screen, with 2 fans and liquid metal. It bumps up the weight from 970g to 1.04kg - still incredibly light but it handles thermals much better. The empty slot for the graphics card can fit MX 450/GTX 1650/RTX 3050, as there are 4 spots for VRAM (4GB max), but due to the chip shortage, Tong Fang doesn't have anything with discrete graphics. I hope some OEMs can manage to get one here!

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Shenker/XMG have a version with optional higher res 90hz screen. They plan to release a version with graphics card (rtx 3050 I think). See "Just Josh" channel review.

[@jhanninnen]

Is it the ID4H1 model?

[@yehuang6773]

@@sdrtcacgnrjrc Thanks! Saw that one as well. It's a great option for European consumers. I don't think XMG operate in North America tho.

[@yehuang6773]

@@jhanninnen Perhaps. The machine looks the same. The model is called Mechrevo F1. Tong Fang owns Mechrevo.

[@xmg_gg]

@@sdrtcacgnrjrc Hi Tom, this is Tom! // Tom

[@donotwant9551]

When I want to learn about the best ultrabook I have never heard of I know Lisa will teach me!

[@wheatonrunner69]

As soon as they make one with a dedicated GPU I'll buy one!!!!!

[@play150]

same!!

[@taewoongseo5237]

coming Q4

[@wheatonrunner69]

@@taewoongseo5237 TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!

[@wheatonrunner69]

@mobileTechReviews, will you do a video card/gaming review of this unit if/when it has a dedicated GPU?

[@MrKetchupFreak]

Hi, thank you for the video! Please include some kind of Linux distribution tests in the future, so we know if everything works. Thank you!

[@andrewhua4972]

Looked insanely impressive. Seems like there aren't any i7 pre orders though? Only the i5.

[@Sweet-Vermouth]

Can we get a webcam and mic test as well? With the way things are, zoom calls are everything and need to be good quality

[@my2cents580]

With so much upgradability this device seems like the antithesis to the MacBook. The only thing missing is a dedicated GPU, but at least with TB4 an eGPU is feasible. I wonder how its performance compares. I wonder if they really do plan to release one with an discrete GPU. Would be interesting to see what impact that would have on overall performance and battery life.

[@pinguinn_]

Also to answer the question of what they're gonna put in as a dGPU, it's gonna be a 3050 (ti)

[@Jamesified]

120hz and this would be perfect

[@nxn9172]

I think I finally found the laptop I want.

[@asadujjamannur101]

The plethora of ports and the upgradability inside is just incredible. Other manufacturers should take notes. A 14" laptop with 2 freaking SSD slots and other manufacturers produce 15" models with only one!

[@navinadv]

Sadly you can buy it, not for another month. XPG will miss the back to school market. And the i7 is still some time away. Will they make a 1TB SSD as well?

[@eugeneum3655]

Thanks for your great review video, Lisa! I just purchased this laptop on Amazon after watching your video! I hope it will get to me sooner....🥲

[@gklinger]

I believe this machine is a rebadged 1D4H1 from Tongfang (see here: www.hk.tongfangpc.com/?page_id=1550). Interestingly, TF has an identically spec'd model with a WQXGA (2880x1800) display. It would be nice if ADATA would offer that model as an upgrade.

[@milescortes8156]

this wouldve been perfect and cheaper if it had AMD

[@RockyReddy88]

Lisa, you are hands down the best tech reviewer on YT. Very detailed reviews that get into actual tech specs that matter. Keep up the good work.

[@sonochinos]

Do the USB C ports on each side support USB Power Delivery?

[@andynguyen3382]

I'm guessing this will also show up as the Eluktronics MAG-14

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

SOLD !!! Adorama has this on sale right now so I'm looking for more information. Your review technique is excellent. Thank you very much.

[@theunexpected869]

I think Someone got heavy money to talk about. 😂😂

[@YounesLayachi]

Pretty good specs but Intel :(

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

damn, lovely design IMO (elegant and understated) but no AMD option and it seems Adata/XPG discontinued this line of thin & light notebooks... :/

[@xmg_gg]

Approved by XMG! 😎

[@xmg_gg]

@Subhanshu If you live in Europe, look for VISION 14 on bestware. // Tom

[@eugeneum3655]

So.... is Vision 14 the metal chassis version of Xenia 14?

[@xmg_gg]

@@eugeneum3655 Both models have a AZ91D Magnesium-Alloy chassis, which is arguably metal. // Tom

[@adamwalter2573]

Ech, again - those small arrows. My one finger touches both keys up+down. Small arrows in the name of what ? Easier manufacture, costs reduction by $1 ? Full size arrows only make any laptop portable/mobile workstation. Otherwise it will be only a desktop or "internet toy".

[@rusbelbermudez238]

The display fails suddenly is full of horizontal phantom lines, technical support is really poor, don't waste your money

[@tdata545]

OH, that's why I know the name. I just bought their NVME sticks. Okay. They make super inexpensive, not the fastest, NVME sticks which I put in one of my ASROCK mini PCs, to make it an emulator station.

[@bradhaines3142]

they're also the same brand that cheaped out without mentioning that their 3500/3000 ssd is now only good for 2400/2000

[@nielderfp]

Hope the Apple engineers are watching, a laptop with ports!

[@antoniobifulco623]

The t-shirt game is always top notch 😄

[@angelalejandroaltacabanzo11]

What games do you recommend installing on Xenia 14?

[@khalifakhalifi2397]

Your interviews doesn't make a lot of sense. You liking everything in every laptop

[@hahaiseewhatyouredoing9086]

That very poor thermal support tho...

[@mingming9604]

It's hard to beat the expandability of this ultraportable. I don't think i've found anything similar.

[@richill0]

for music production could be a good one ? anyone knows about it ?

[@eddieoconnor4466]

Hmmm...I might be switching loyalties and changing from ThinkPads to one of these...this thing looks AWESOME!...LoL~!

[@Richie_Likes_Running]

The logo is upsidedown, that's enough to put me off.

[@HadiMT96]

Hi. Has anyone bought this laptop? Is it good?

[@davidbulauski5475]

When you mentioned the laptop is more flexible I think you wanted to say more rigid because of its magnesium chassis right ?

[@edplat2367]

This would be good but a single heatpipe leaves me concerned about thermals.

[@BillyONeal]

That’s standard on 15W class hardware

[@__--JY-Moe--__]

👍

[@druanubis7194]

If they ever put out a new laptop, seems this was a one shot deal.

[@PinataOblongata]

If you click on "Where To Buy" on their website, its a blank page. Unhelpful.

[@johnmonk66]

I won’t pay 1100 for a laptop I have head of, definitely will not pay that for an unknown and untested laptop.

[@tnypxl]

Just had to ruin it with that tramp stamp of a logo. Sigh.

[@SMFJose]

No thanks

[@MakingMadBeats]

Hey Lisa! Thanks for the review and the great work troughout those years. Can you please say something about dpc latencys on this device for handling realtime audio? What device would be an alternative to this device for the european market, since I live in Germany. Maybe Schenker/XMG? THX

[@Michael_Lak]

"Currently unavailable. "

[@peace_not_war2612]

See Lenovo, actually, you can make your X1's RAM upgradable and put some ports on it

[@lincoln_highway1355]

The should have flipped the xpg logo

[@zjchew]

Illegear currently have the Intel H-CPU config with dual fan and 90 hz screen. They may have the RTX 3050 version by Sep-Oct this year.

[@josephteller9715]

Lack of a dedicated GPU on board or cooling to support such makes it an office/student device rather than a gaming or productivity machine. Sigh.

[@baguskusumaloka]

wait for Avanza Version

[@ryerye9019]

As an enthusiast brand, this doesn't offer much over the Framework laptop.

[@2011Kestrel]

Nothing soldered on - I’m in. This laptop just got placed in the lead for a future laptop purchase. But I wish it was a convertible (it’s the best form factor for my personal use).

[@bluejay796]

Ummm... I think your invisibility cloak isn't... working... 🤔

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

Lisa, I have been go through some challenges lately. Your vids give me a much needed mental break from life’s problems. Your channel touches lives and is always uplifting to watch. Thank you for making the best content!

[@boden_staendig]

This is the first ultrabook I'd actually consider buying. Well, perhaps the 15" version, not this 14" one, but either way, this is a really good, zero-BS one. The single RAM stick is a great thing. People for whom 16 gigs is enough are hardly performance-oriented anyway. But, for power users, 32 GB is a must already, so they will love the upgradebility and additional speed. Plus, the 16:10 screen ratio means I can finally move the taskbar to the bottom again. At 150% scaling on a 1080p screen, a dialog window that's been optimized for 720p (as is typical with so many apps) wouldn't fit otherwise with the taskbar at the bottom, but here, it will. Many thanks for this nice and detailed review. I only found your channel because I was looking for reviews of the Xenia, which is a bit sad since you're a real professional.

[@josephteller9715]

Cooling system? Noise Level? HDMI Port? EtherNet Port?

[@phillipjames453]

I like your t-shirts.

[@andrewleventis8341]

if it uses windows no thanks

[@dwinantosaputra6679]

Probably if there will be i3 version gonna be cheap and would be good for EGPU user (gen 4 x4 mpcie)

[@CantankerousDave]

“Channel” has two n’s.

[@Arkan_Fadhila]

i heard that this laptop based on intel design so xpg didn't build it from ground up. Can somebody clarify it ?

[@samis9980]

Xenia sounds like a car from Daihatsu... Daihatsu Xenia. KEKW

[@jackbrabham]

yeah, but it is hideous

[@DigitalSamTV]

Wow how did they do all this and keep it that light. It looks beautiful and ticks so many boxes.... Really. Wow. If I hadn't bought a ThinkPad p14 last year I'd be a serious potential buyer

[@darrencordoviz6732]

Laptop manufacturers PLEASE TAKE NOTE!

[@TechWiz1983]

Hi grandma!

[@CarlosSura]

I was looking for an ultrabook and found your review, you just made a new sale for XPG. Thank you for such a great review, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[@PinataOblongata]

If this was a touch 2-in-1 I'd buy it today. Wonder if they'll make one, esp if they can make one with those serviceable ram slots. I will glad accept a tiny bit more thickness for the upgradeablity (and lower initial price).

[@AlexTanMcRAlexTanHaoNam]

this laptop is actually cooperate with Intel as making a standard of Intel

[@bfish9700]

As is, meh. With alder lake 28w + xe dg2 it becomes really interesting.

[@JR-ly6bx]

Price?

[@SzymonN0wak]

t490s?

[@petrchmelar1937]

The Techradar review suggests that there is a flex in the top shell and that the screen hinge is bouncy to the point of being highly distracting while typing, can you please test this? Otherwise seems like a dream laptop.

[@pafawag5b6b5b]

if this laptop had the classic thinkpad keyboard and trackpoint i would totally buy it right now, it looks amazing, it's super light and the amount of upgradability is crazy for a modern laptop, even the t14 has less options

[@wheatonrunner69]

Will you do another review of the unit if/when it has a dedicated GPU? I'm very interested in the gaming performance and that would be the major purchasing decision for me.

[@franklinsalazar8430]

As always, nice review Lisa! Your KZbin channel has been my personal favorite for many years now. I definitely think you should make a video about the Acer Swift 3 next. I cant decide if it is the right laptop for me. Your advice is always helpful. Thanks again! 😀

[@ravipeiris4388]

Hopefully, Adata will force other notebook manufacturers to up their game to be as well built & featured as this model.

[@blueeyednick]

I like it but I hate the 4 cores. Won't last a good 5 years.

[@trickyrat483]

XPG are very well-known in the community.

[@TechWizz]

Oh man...the non-touch is where it ended for me.

[@stage666]

The inside looks same as the cheap ass walmart motile laptop. So is the outside. Probably re-used the same mold and manufactured off of the same production line.

[@xmg_gg]

It's a different chassis, but both are made from Magnesium-Alloy. The insides are optimized for low weight, that's why you sometimes see empty spaces between the parts. Other laptops cram every inch full of stuff, but if you want to reach that sub 1 kilogram sweet spot, you gotta reduce and reuse. // Tom

[@Saschabrix]

This laptop have everything. I'm impressed!

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Very cool. I think plenty of people don't need a touchscreen or pen input, in which case this looks like a great buy. 16:10 is a godsend. Great review Lisa!

[@xuesoso]

Thanks for the nice review. One compaint this chasis gets is its weak screen hinge. Was there any screen teeter or movement when you type on the keyboard?

[@SpykerSpeed]

You convinced me to buy one. Excellent review! We need more laptops that are similar to this.

[@montebellanger5941]

Did you buy it? I am thinking about getting one.

[@SpykerSpeed]

@@montebellanger5941 yes, I did. It's excellent. Much lighter than I expected, and the screen is great for watching KZbin and browsing the web. Also the fan is very quiet. Only downside is the small battery, but that's not a big deal. I never use it for gaming.

[@LuisChavezTV]

The road to 900K is getting closer everyday Another great review Lisa thank you always allowing me to learn something new and different with every new video! 💻📱😊❤️

[@Stephen_A.]

I like that it appears to be able to turn off the trackpad by clicking the upper left white dot.

[@JasonAbraham28]

Can you do a review on the frame.work laptop? What's your take on it?

[@kwanarchive]

4:07 I didn't know Chanel went into the RAM market...

[@uoieavillanueva5806]

YES MA'AM! THIS IS SUCH A GAME CHANGER to the market