Hello everyone,

unfortunately, only a short time after our last price update on September 18, we have to inform you about further price adjustments for XMG and SCHENKER laptops on bestware today.

New prices as of October 2, 2026

The starting prices of many of our current models have increased again today. The extent of the adjustment varies depending on the model.

To avoid unnecessarily spreading the development across several consecutive tables, we are comparing the new prices directly with the price level from before September 18, 2026, i.e. before our last update a few weeks ago. The changes shown below therefore represent the total price development across both rounds of adjustments.

As RAM currently accounts for a significant share of the additional costs, we are also showing how much RAM is already included in each model's starting configuration.

Why another increase so soon?

The memory market has tightened considerably again within just a few weeks.

In the current highly volatile market environment, depending on supply windows, availability and new purchasing requirements, our procurement prices don’t always change gradually anymore. Newly available batches can rise significantly above previous price levels at relatively short notice. Longer-term price commitments are virtually impossible to obtain for some of the most needed components.

DDR5 memory is particularly affected. In our September update, we already showed how sharply RAM prices had risen since mid-2025. Since then, the terms available to us for restocking our SKUs have deteriorated further.

The same trend can also be seen in more recent public market data:

• Schlechte Nachrichten: DRAM und NAND werden noch teurer [ComputerBase]
• DDR5 wird im vierten Quartal teurer: Trendforce kassiert die Sommer-Prognose [PCGH]
• AI Server Demand Sustains Memory Contract Price Increases in 4Q26, While Consumer-Side Pressure Persists [TrendForce]

As stated in our previous updates, these adjustments reflect increased procurement costs and are not intended to expand our margins. We recalculate each model and its configuration options based on current and foreseeable procurement costs. This also means that today's pricing has to take into account the conditions under which a particular configuration can be restocked in the future.

On bestware, we also offer optional RAM downgrades to as little as 8 GB in Single Channel. For business and technical reasons, we cannot offer systems completely without RAM.

Additional impact from an unfavourable exchange rate

Another factor is the development of the euro against the US dollar.

A significant share of our components and barebones is priced in US dollars. Over the past four weeks, the euro has lost around 2.5% against the dollar. You can see the development here. For goods purchased in US dollars, this translates directly into higher costs in euros, even if the actual USD price of a component remains unchanged.

While this effect is smaller in percentage terms than the current price movements for RAM, it affects virtually the entire laptop, including the CPU, graphics card and display. As a result, we also had to adjust the prices of some CPU and GPU upgrades slightly upwards again.

Overview

Effective today, October 2, 2026, on bestware:

All prices include 19% VAT. The changes shown refer to the price level before September 18, 2026, and therefore also include the adjustments already communicated in September.

Closing statement

We know that another price adjustment within such a short period is not welcome news. This is precisely why we do not want to simply publish new prices without context, but instead explain transparently why our calculations are currently changing so quickly. We are keeping the adjustments as limited as reasonably possible under the current circumstances and will continue to monitor further developments closely. If relevant procurement prices fall again or exchange rates move in our favour, we will reflect this in our retail prices as well, just as we have done in the past.

We are happy to answer any questions about the changes and the current market situation here in the thread.

// Tom

Hello everyone,

When we launched the XMG NEO 16 (M26) in August, we announced that the Mini-LED option would only become available to order after successful validation of NVIDIA G-SYNC and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus.

NVIDIA has now completed this validation. We have therefore opened the Mini-LED option for pre-orders:

• XMG NEO 16 (M26) on bestware

The Mini-LED panel is now available with all three graphics cards offered in the XMG NEO 16 (M26):

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

Compared with the OLED option already included in the starting price, the new Mini-LED option comes at no additional cost. Compared with the standard IPS panel, which is also available with the RTX 5070 Ti, the price difference is €145 incl. 19% VAT.

Availability is planned for mid-October 2026. From that point onwards, pre-orders can be assembled at our facility in Leipzig and subsequently shipped within our usual assembly and delivery times.

Comparison

The Mini-LED panel is technically identical to the corresponding panel in the AMD-based XMG NEO 16 (A25), as well as the XMG PRO 16 (M25) and XMG APEX 16 MAX (M25). However, NVIDIA validation for G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus applies exclusively to the Intel-based XMG NEO 16 (M26), and only to the Mini-LED panel - not to the OLED or IPS options.

Here is a comparison:

Any references to G-SYNC or Variable Refresh Rate here explicitly refer to the display of the laptop. With compatible external monitors, NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync work with all of our PCs and laptops, regardless of the selected display option. NVIDIA Advanced Optimus also applies exclusively to how the laptop's own display is connected.

What if I have already ordered my XMG NEO?

If you have already ordered an XMG NEO 16 (M26) with an IPS or OLED panel and would prefer to switch to Mini-LED, you can have your order adjusted accordingly.

Simply reply to your order confirmation with a short request for the change. If you modify your order in this way, the delivery schedule will be based on the current forecast for Mini-LED: available from mid-October, plus the usual assembly and delivery time.

If you have already received your XMG NEO, our standard 30-day extended right of withdrawal still gives you the option to adjust your order. In this case, we ask that you leave all protective films on the device wherever possible and submit your request for the change immediately. The exchange will be handled through our RMA return process, including a prepaid DHL shipping label provided by us.

What is NVIDIA Advanced Optimus?

NVIDIA Advanced Optimus allows the connection of the internal display to switch dynamically between the iGPU and the NVIDIA GPU without requiring a restart. In principle, it is the automatic version of the MUX switch found in every XMG gaming laptop.

With conventional NVIDIA Optimus, by contrast, the internal display remains permanently connected to the iGPU. Frames rendered by the NVIDIA GPU are first routed through the iGPU before reaching the display. A direct dGPU connection is only possible by manually switching the MUX switch - without Advanced Optimus, this switch requires a restart.

What is NVIDIA G-SYNC?

NVIDIA G-SYNC dynamically synchronizes the display's refresh rate with the frame rate output by the NVIDIA GPU. This reduces typical effects such as tearing and makes frame output and motion appear smoother, particularly when FPS fluctuate.

Unlike a fixed refresh rate, the display therefore continuously adapts to the frames actually being rendered. This requires a direct or appropriately validated connection between the NVIDIA GPU and the internal display.

G-SYNC in laptop displays is based on the open "VESA Adaptive Sync" standard, which is also used by AMD FreeSync. Intel now refers to this technology in its driver using the brand-neutral term "Variable Refresh Rate" (VRR).

The main difference between models with and without G-SYNC lies in how the display is connected. With NVIDIA G-SYNC, the technology also works when the laptop display is connected directly to the dGPU via the aforementioned MUX switch. On configurations without G-SYNC, however, VRR only works when the laptop display is connected to the iGPU. The display still synchronizes with the frames supplied by the dGPU, but those frames first have to pass through the iGPU's framebuffer. A direct dGPU connection can theoretically enable higher frame rates - with the greatest effect when FPS are already very high. The impact on system latency is also measurable, which is why fast-paced shooters in particular are generally better suited to a direct dGPU connection. A somewhat older test by Jarrod's Tech put the difference at around 2-3 milliseconds.

Further information

For more technical background on the XMG NEO 16 (M26) and the specific characteristics of the individual display options, see our Deep Dive article:

• XMG PRO and XMG NEO 16 (2026): Extended Product Information

This article includes detailed information on topics such as these:

• Mini-LED with G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus now available for pre-order
• Mini-LED or OLED: two high-end options with different strengths
• The OLED display in detail
• Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus in detail
• XMG OASIS: liquid cooling solution for XMG NEO 16
• and much more…

Our YouTube channel also features an in-depth introduction to the XMG NEO 16 (M26) with our new host David:

• XMG NEO 16 (M26): Our best gaming laptop now with OLED | Hands-On (German with English subtitles)

More information about the technologies mentioned above is available in these product-independent FAQ articles:

• What are the differences between NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync and Intel Adaptive Sync?
• In which XMG laptops can NVIDIA Optimus be disabled?

If you have any more questions about XMG NEO, please do not hesitate to contact us.

// Tom

Hi everyone,

some of you may remember the SCHENKER ELEMENT 16 from when we first showed the project during CES 2026.

• Schenker Intros The First Semi-Modular Intel Panther Lake Laptop [January 2026]

It took longer than originally hoped, but the final production version is now ready and available.

• New 16-inch laptop receives global release with 72 GB RAM and Intel Panther Lake [Notebookcheck]

The ELEMENT 16 is a 16-inch laptop based on Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake), available with Core Ultra 5 325 or Core Ultra 7 356H.

A few of the more unusual aspects:

• screwless bottom cover that unlocks and slides off without prying open clips
• automatic battery disconnect when the bottom cover is removed
• separate left and right I/O daughterboards instead of having all ports soldered directly to the mainboard
• replaceable keyboard, touchpad, battery and individual fans
• one SO-DIMM slot plus 8 GB of onboard DDR5-5600, for up to 72 GB total memory
• PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD support
• two Thunderbolt 4 ports
• extensive custom BIOS/EC features, including hardware disable options, PXE over USB Ethernet and the ability to disable the onboard RAM for troubleshooting

One of the longer-term ideas behind the project is to keep the chassis and as many surrounding components as possible compatible with future mainboards.

For more information, please check out our full technical deep dive:

• SCHENKER ELEMENT 16 (E26): Extended Product Information

The article goes into the design decisions and compromises in considerably more detail, including why we ended up with 8 GB soldered + SO-DIMM instead of LPCAMM2, how Intel Flex Memory works, the I/O-board architecture, firmware customization, cooling, repairability, spare parts and the future mainboard strategy.

Configure & buy:

• SCHENKER ELEMENT 16 (E26) on bestware

If something in the specifications or deep dive is unclear, if there is a technical detail you would like us to investigate further, or if you have feedback on what we should do with this platform in the future, please let us know. Please also see our survey about potential I/O port modules and future roadmap direction.

Thanks to everyone who has followed this project since its first announcement. We are looking forward to your feedback!

// Tom