Maingear, a New Jersey-based company known primarily for its boutique gaming desktops, is today launching a new 18-inch gaming laptop that's packed to the gills with performance components.
The Ultima 18, which starts at $3,599 on Maingear's website, utilizes an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. There are two graphics options: Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5080 or 5090 Laptop GPU. Maingear says that the laptop was built with Clevo, which sells barebones systems to resellers that pick components. The Ultimate looks to be based on Clevo's X58xWNx-G based on specs and appearance.
CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
GPU | Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU |
RAM | Up to 192GB DDR5 (4 x 48GB) |
Storage | Up to 4x M.2 SSDs (1x Gen 5x4, 3x Gen 4x4) |
Display | 18-inch, 3840 x 2400, 200 Hz, G-Sync |
Battery | 98 WHr |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Weight | 8.8 pounds (3.99 kg) |
Starting Price | $3,599 |
The display is just over 4K at 3840 x 2400, due to the 16:10 aspect ratio. This type of high-resolution screen is increasingly a rarity, even on the most powerful gaming laptops. The only other system we've seen this resolution on is the 18-inch panel on the MSI Titan 18 HX AI, one of the best gaming laptops.
While the Titan has a 120 Hz Mini-LED panel, Maingear has opted for a faster 200 Hz display without the fancier technology.
Maingear's system also supports up to 192GB of RAM and has room for four M.2 SSDs. One of those SSD slots supports PCIe Gen 5x4, while the others all rely on Gen 4x4. The $3,599 starting configuration includes an RTX 5080, 32GB of Team Elite DDR5-4800 RAM, a 2TB T-Force A440 SSD, and Windows 11 Pro.
The system features a metal lid and palm rest. Ports are divided between the back and the sides for the system. The rear features an HDMI port, dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports, a lock slot, and the power jack. The sides feature a pair of Thunderbolt 5 ports, two USB Type-A ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.
18-inch systems are usually considered desktop replacements for a reason: their size. And this one is heavy, at 8.8 pounds, though Maingear says that the 330 watt power adapter is "backpack friendly" (and, to be fair, the point of getting a laptop — even one that's 8.8 pounds — is the option to move it from place to place).
The company states that there's no "OS-choking bloatware," which is a definite plus; Maingear's Control Center application lets you adjust RGB, fan settings, performance modes, and more. The other big software feature is Nvidia Advanced Optimus, which switches between the integrated and discrete GPU depending on power needs.
Maingear is entering a crowded market of expensive, top-of-the-line gaming laptops that includes the likes of Alienware, Gigabyte, Razer, MSI, Asus, and more, putting the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 in premium designs with plenty of ports, fast screens, and high price tags.
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