Chuwi's latest gaming laptop makes a curious hardware trade-off

Chuwi has expanded its gaming laptop lineup with the new GameBook Max, an 18-inch machine powered by Intel processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics. The latest model takes a somewhat different approach from the last-gen GameBook, which we reviewed last year. While the display has grown considerably, some of the underlying hardware has actually been downgraded.

The GameBook Max comes with two processor options: an Intel Core i7-14650HX or a Core i9-14900HX. Both configurations feature an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM. Chuwi specifies a maximum graphics power of 115W, comprising a 100W TGP and an additional 15W through Dynamic Boost.

In contrast, the original 16-inch GameBook featured a more powerful Ryzen 9 9955HX and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti with 12GB of VRAM. Basically, the new GameBook Max is something of a departure from its predecessor, offering a mix of upgrades and downgrades.

Another noteworthy difference is the display. The GameBook Max features an 18-inch IPS panel with a 1920 × 1200 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 144Hz refresh rate. While the larger screen provides more viewing area, its resolution and refresh rate are both lower than the original GameBook’s 2560 × 1600, 300Hz display. Plus, the RTX 5060 might have to rely on DLSS and Frame Generation to max out the panel’s refresh in most modern-day AAA games. The laptop measures just 21.6 mm thick and weighs 2.8 kg.

Elsewhere, the laptop comes with either 16GB or 32GB of DDR5 RAM, expandable to 64GB through two SO-DIMM slots. Storage options include 512GB and 1TB PCIe SSDs, with two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots providing room for additional expansion.

The GameBook Max also features a 77.77Wh battery, a 250W power adapter, and support for USB-C Power Delivery charging at up to 140W. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 2.1a, two USB-C ports, and three USB-A ports. Chuwi has also included an RGB-backlit keyboard, four speakers, and a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter.

The Chuwi GameBook Max is now listed on the company’s US storefront. The Core i7 configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage costs $1,799, while the Core i9 version with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is priced at $2,099. Both configurations are currently marked as available to order.