The Maingear Super 16 stands out for its robust capabilities, particularly in terms of speed. However, users must manually activate the maximum output mode to unlock it fully. In contrast, competing devices handle this seamlessly, often with more appealing aesthetics and similar costs, which raises questions about the overall appeal of this model.
Although Maingear lacks the widespread recognition of major manufacturers such as Asus and Lenovo, the company excels in crafting high-end gaming rigs. The Super 16 exemplifies this expertise, featuring top-tier components including a high-refresh-rate screen capable of 300Hz.
The Super 16's exterior, sourced from Clevo rather than designed in-house, lacks the flair of some competitors. Nevertheless, Maingear optimizes it effectively while keeping pricing reasonable. Ultimately, its worth hinges on less tangible aspects like user experience.
In testing, the Super 16 failed to dominate in speed trials, visual appeal, or affordability. Its streamlined operating system and personalized assistance from a boutique firm could appeal to those requiring reliable help. Yet for buyers prioritizing efficiency per dollar, it struggles to justify its cost.
The model arrives primarily in one ready-to-use setup with specified hardware. An upgraded 'Boost' variant increases storage and RAM twofold, though essentials stay identical. Customization options extend to 64GB or 96GB of RAM and varied SSD selections. The standard version includes Samsung 990 Pro PCIe Gen 4 drives, while the tested unit featured a Samsung 9100 Pro PCIe Gen 5 SSD, available in tailored builds. Custom setups also permit adding extra SSDs.
This device delivers formidable gaming prowess, holding its own against premium offerings from established brands.
The Super 16's appearance is unremarkable, prioritizing functionality over style to accommodate cutting-edge internals. Its uniform black finish contributes to this subtlety, with a subtle sheen in the coating that contrasts mildly with the otherwise plain form.
Sharp edges define the structure, devoid of rounded elements, making the front edge potentially uncomfortable against the wrists during extended sessions on this expansive unit. Measuring nearly 11 inches in depth to support the 16-inch screen, it proves challenging to pack and navigate the keys. The overall heft adds to its imposing presence.
Unlike slim profiles such as the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, this laptop measures close to 1.2 inches in thickness and tips the scales at five pounds. The accompanying adapter, while standard-sized, contributes an additional 1.5 pounds for portability.
Construction quality remains functional but uninspired. A metallic cover bears the Maingear emblem, yet the base uses plastic materials—textured ABS near the screen and glossy polycarbonate below. This yields a somewhat budget-like impression compared to all-metal rivals. While sturdy overall, minor flex exists in certain areas, preventing a truly rugged sensation.
Robust rubber pads anchor it firmly, promoting airflow beneath. Exhaust vents dominate the sides and rear, with slimmer openings at the back. During one gaming session, an odd resonance caused vibrations audible and tactile on the keys, lasting briefly but standing out as atypical.
A single stylistic element appears as an LED strip along the rear, visible only to onlookers rather than the user.
The input layout presents pros and cons. Keys provide ample depth and a responsive snap, enhancing the typing feel. However, uneven key stability and flat surfaces lead to frequent mis-hits, with fingers slipping to adjacent edges or snagging during adjustments.
Consequently, achieving fluid input proves difficult without errors. In typing assessments via Monkeytype, speeds reached 100-110 words per minute, though precision dipped under 95 percent, necessitating corrections.
It incorporates standard arrow keys and a compact numeric section. Yet the layout compresses the main keys and numpad, complicating access to the right shift and zero. Illumination covers the labels effectively with multiple patterns, limited to three zones without individual key control.
The pointing device is adequate but modest in size for its screen diagonal, allowing basic navigation and gestures without frustration. Feedback could be silkier, and the button press feels muted. Positively, it ignores palm contact consistently.
The screen performs well, though it falls short of excellence. This IPS unit reaches 547 nits brightness, remaining clear in varied lighting due to its anti-glare coating, even at reduced levels.
Contrast measures 1260:1, typical for IPS, and color reproduction covers 84 percent of DCI-P3. Resolution stands at 2560x1600 with a 300Hz cap and G-Sync for smooth visuals.
In gameplay, the rapid refresh impresses, but options like 240Hz OLEDs with quicker responses, broader colors, and deeper blacks diminish the appeal of the additional 60Hz here.
Audio output from the downward-facing units near the front delivers solid volume to cut through fan noise without distortion or hollowness, yet lacks expansive staging or richness.
The front-facing 5MP camera produces clear images, managing low light with some grain. Tones appear authentic, though backlit scenes challenge exposure balance. It enables Windows Hello for biometric access, plus a mechanical cover for security.
Audio input captures speech clearly with nuance, but sensitivity amplifies ambient sounds, making keyboard or mouse use intrusive during calls.
Port selection suits a large chassis without excess or shortfall. Right-side options include two Thunderbolt 4 connections supporting 100W charging (not during games) and a microSD reader. Each side has a 10Gbps USB-A, with a headphone port on the left.
The back hosts HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps LAN, and power inlet. Side vents position connections forward, potentially cluttering workspaces and interfering with peripherals like mice.
Networking shines via Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 for tri-band operation including the 6GHz spectrum, paired with Bluetooth 5.4.
Bulkier designs often yield superior output, and the Super 16 capitalizes on this. It excels in PCMark 10's comprehensive productivity suite.
Everyday productivity poses no challenge for this gaming-focused system. The review's enhanced SSD likely inflated scores slightly beyond the base model. Despite that, it ranked lowest in PCMark 10's application launch segment, reliant on storage velocity.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor delivers solid results without topping charts, showing restraint in single-thread tasks relative to peers. AMD's Ryzen 9 9955HX3D in the Asus ROG Strix G16 outperforms in both core types. The Super 16's chip slots between variants in the Acer Predator Helios NEO 16S AI and Alienware 16X Aurora using identical CPUs, underscoring cooling and power impacts.
Default settings limit potential, evident in 3DMark Port Royal where shifting to peak mode elevates it from second to first, yielding over 10 percent gains.
Unlike auto-adjusting rivals, it defaults to conservative power until user intervention via dedicated software, lacking a quick key toggle. This stems partly from regulatory compliance in California, with Maingear citing fan noise concerns upon plugging in.
Skepticism arises, as competitors ramp acoustics only under load regardless of mode, and this unit's fans grow loud in standard operation during intensive use.
For games, the 140W graphics allocation shines, outpacing similar RTX 5070 Ti setups at lower limits while trailing the faster-CPU Asus ROG Strix G16, proving adept at 1080p resolutions.
Challenging titles like Metro Exodus on Extreme at 1080p average 61fps, benefiting from elevated GPU limits over subdued alternatives.
In Cyberpunk 2077, it surpasses 115W counterparts but lags the Asus, whose comparable build includes a superior OLED panel, highlighting positioning challenges.
Activating peak mode aided specific tests like 3DMark Port Royal but not others such as Steel Nomad, where it still followed the Asus. Recent AMD chips often edge Intel in real-game metrics beyond synthetics, and all contenders optimize similarly to close gaps.
Overall, it remains a capable performer. Even in base mode, it handled Stellar Blade at native resolution with DLSS Balanced for 180-200fps steadily, allowing smooth boss encounters. Fans hummed audibly but stayed tolerable, with no heat buildup.
Modern gaming notebooks have boosted endurance through intelligent component control, like GPU hibernation. The Super 16, however, uses a modest battery without optimal efficiency. Video looping yielded just over three hours, half the category norm; the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 demonstrates superior management with efficient parts for extended use.
Practical duration fluctuates. Default GPU handling engages it unnecessarily, draining power faster. The non-reflective screen allows dim operation outside glare, and disabling graphics fully extended sessions to 5-5.5 hours in ideal conditions.
Capable of matching elite models from major makers, the Super 16's subdued styling and absence of automated optimization tools hinder direct rivalry. Priced at $2,758, it lacks standout value.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 Gen 10 offers a comparable RTX 5070 Ti setup cheaper currently. The Asus ROG Strix G16 undercuts it significantly, while the Zephyrus G16 matches specs at a fair rate with sleeker, lighter build, larger battery, and better runtime. The Super 16 performs adequately but fails to differentiate itself.
Mark serves as an independent technology journalist and equipment evaluator. Driven by cost-effectiveness, he has explored diverse tech areas, assessing hundreds of items from solid-state drives and portables to cinema systems and electric bicycles. He continually compares innovations to gauge their merits.