MAINGEAR ML-16 Gaming Laptop Review

Highlights

• MAINGEAR’s ML-16 offers top-notch gaming performance and stunning visuals right out of the gate.
• The user-friendly design, impressive display, and durable build make the ML-16 a solid choice.
• Despite high temps and short battery life while gaming, the ML-16 is a reliable powerhouse for everyday tasks.

Choosing the right gaming laptop in a market flooded with options can seem like a major undertaking. Especially when trying to compare similar machines based on your specific needs, price, and actual specifications. Oftentimes, choosing one of the best gaming laptops can feel like an intense search to find the one that’s perfect for you. In situations such as that, Game Rant can guide readers to learn and decipher what the best laptops and the best laptop brands are, so readers can make a decision they feel confident in.

As such, Game Rant is constantly exploring the latest laptops, in hopes of finding a machine that shows a lot of promise and consumer-friendly innovation. One such machine worthy of closer inspection is MAINGEAR’s newly released ML-16, a premium gaming laptop that boasts stunning visuals, robust durability, and solid gaming performance. A beloved name in the gaming community, MAINGEAR has accumulated a positive reputation for being a system integrator built and supported by passionate enthusiasts.

Thanks again to our friends at MAINGEAR for providing a sample of the ML-16 for review! The model featured in this review is the ML-16 | RTX 4070, with an Intel Ultra 7 155H CPU, 64 GB of RAM, Windows 11 Pro, and a 4TB SSD.

First Impressions & What’s Included

MAINGEAR’s ML-16 features a comprehensive range of pricing options from $1799 to $2499, with each model featuring a range of component upgrades for storage capacity, RAM, and GPU. The price of each version is on par with laptop alternatives from different manufacturers featuring similar hardware and components. Although there are four models of the ML-16, the standard appearance of the ML-16 remains the same. MAINGEAR does offer a custom artwork upgrade for an additional $70, which can be used to customize the look of the laptop’s lid with your own design.

With that being said, even the standard ML-16 is undeniably gorgeous. MAINGEAR perfectly balances class, style, and function in the ML-16, culminating in a premium and refined laptop that can be used in professional and casual environments seamlessly. The lid and exterior of the ML-16 are textured aluminum, which contrasts nicely with the matte black panels that line the inside of the chassis.

The feeling of the chassis’ quality is evident, even at a glance. The ML-16 feels sturdy, but not bulky, and can be carried around easily. Plus, the display feels surprisingly strong and well-made, which may be partial proof of the Military Grade MIL-STD810 H durability tests that the ML-16 has proudly passed. The hinge connected to the 16-inch display also feels smooth to open, with no hint of resistance or weakness in the hinges. Although the exterior and interior of the ML-16 aren’t entirely immune to fingerprints and smudging, it does not smudge easily.

The unboxing experience for the ML-16 is relatively standard for a gaming laptop.

Inside the box, users can expect to find the ML-16 gaming laptop itself, the laptop’s charging cables, a Quick Start Guide, and a few freebies such as stickers and a microfiber cloth from MAINGEAR.

Design & Special Features

The ML-16 is a reasonably sized laptop. It is neither too small nor unnecessarily large for daily use. The size of the ML-16 makes it a great option for those who travel frequently, or those who bring their laptop to work or school daily. The ML-16 weighs about 4.1 lbs and measures 14.1 x 10.18 x 0.78 inches.

When taking a look at the ports around the ML-16, we can see that MAINGEAR has also taken a unique, but handy, approach to the placement of ports. MAINGEAR has opted to place a 2.1 HDMI Out port and a 1GB RJ45 LAN port at the back of the chassis in order to minimize the number of cables around the laptop, making room for an external mouse or other accessories.

The left side of the ML-16 features a Kensington Security slot, allowing for protection against physical and data theft with Kensington locks, which can be bought separately from the ML-16. In addition, the left side also features a MicroSD Reader, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack.

The right side of the ML-16 features a barrel jack for charging the laptop, a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. A set of speakers is also located on these three sides of the ML-16, providing the user with surround sound.

The bottom of the ML-16 is where the majority of the vents are located. The location of vents on the ML-16 means that users will have to be cautious of what’s beneath their laptop because something like a blanket or pillow could clog all the vents and lead to overheating, especially while gaming. However, the location of these vents means that the ML-16 would undoubtedly benefit from a laptop cooling pad, such as this one from Amazon, to keep temperatures under control while gaming.

The ML-16 also boasts a Windows Hello camera, which enables biometric security features for this gaming laptop like facial recognition. Outside of serving as a security measure, the quality of the dual sensor 1080p webcam serves its purpose for video calls and conferences but is ultimately unfit for content creation as a primary filming tool.

Another highlight of the ML-16 is the keyboard and touchpad combo. Although touchpads are a bit controversial among gamers, with most preferring to use wireless gaming mice, the touchpad on the ML-16 uses a glass-like finish that feels surprisingly luxurious.

Although the touchpad works in a pinch, especially for standard browsing, gaming on the touchpad can be difficult. Luckily, one of the function features of the ML-16 locks the touchpad, so you can instead use your mouse while gaming, without accidentally bumping into the touchpad.

The keyboard on the ML-16 is a full-sized RGB chiclet keyboard, which features a Numpad, function keys, and the brand-new Windows Copilot button. The Copilot button can be used to quickly pull up Microsoft’s latest AI assistant to take advantage of the ML-16’s NPU. However, because this software is still in its infancy, the AI assistant features feel more like a novelty gimmick. Regardless, time will show whether AI-ready laptops will become the new standard.

The function keys of the ML-16 are also typical for modern gaming laptops, with there being preset functions to control media players, volume, brightness, and other basic settings. Each of these keys is printed with a small design to show their alternative functions.

Finally, the LED indicator lights on the ML-16 are a small feature that had a surprising impact on the experience with the ML-16. These two lights are clear enough to assist users, but are never distracting.

Although these lights are a very minor feature, the placement and easy-to-understand LEDs are surprisingly useful. The ML-16 comes with two indicator lights that give you a clear idea of what your PC’s power status and battery status is at. For example, the first light will blink green to let you know that the system is asleep, and the second light may flash yellow to alert you once the battery is getting low.

Display

One of the ML-16’s strongest attributes is its 240Hz 16-inch QHD+ display. As mentioned before, the screen on the ML-16 is Pantone Color Calibrated, and supported by X-Rite Color Assistant software. This makes the display of the ML-16 fantastic for content creation, especially creative content like video or photo editing, where color accuracy plays an important role.

For those who place a lot less importance on color accuracy, the display on the ML-16 also supports HDR features and boasts an impressively high refresh rate. This promotes smoother-feeling gameplay and enhanced response time, which is vital for any competitive racing or shooter game.

All in all, the display on the ML-16 proves to be a great choice by MAINGEAR for gaming, viewing, and creative content creation.

Software

MAINGEAR stands out from other companies with its 100% zero bloatware promise. Each of MAINGEAR’s systems comes with a clean installation of Windows, free from any unnecessary programs or antivirus software.

In spite of that, the ML-16 does boast a few programs that exist only to amplify and improve the user experience. For example, MAINGEAR’s Control Center software opens even more functionality for the ML-16 by offering a comprehensive look at the laptop’s specs and the status of internals. The Control Center software features three main profiles that users can swap between to control fan speeds, power, and noise level. Those who plan on gaming can quickly switch to the Performance profile, and those who want the ML-16 to be silent can switch to the Quiet profile.

With this software, you can also set keyboard macros, and even customize the colors and brightness of the keyboard’s RGB. Admittedly, the RGB customization isn’t very in-depth as you can only choose between a few main colors, but the choice of colors is quite nice. You can also set timers to automatically turn off the keyboard’s RGB to save resources while the laptop is off the charger.

The ML-16 also comes with Sound Blaster Studio+, an invaluable resource for content creation, or for those who frequently play and talk online. Sound Blaster Studio+ can be used to tweak the sound settings of your mic, headset, and speakers with several virtual mixers and settings.

Battery Life

The battery on the ML-16 charges from empty to full in about an hour, but the total lifespan of the ML-16’s battery varies based on several factors. While using power-saving energy efficiency settings, you can expect the battery in the ML-16 to last six to seven hours. Alternatively, using performance-focused settings to play games off the charger results in a significantly shorter battery life, lasting approximately an hour or so.

Although this may seem like a major drawback for the ML-16, a short battery life is to be expected with most gaming laptops because of the high power draw of components. In the case that you plan on using the ML-16 all day during school or work, the Control Center software serves as a tool that will allow you to quickly change to a power-saving profile to extend the lifespan of your battery’s current charge.

Plus, the Control Center software boasts a unique setting that looks out for the health of your battery. With the ML-16’s FlexiCharger, MAINGEAR gives you total freedom over how your battery charges.

For example, constantly charging a battery to 100% can negatively impact its lifespan, but the ML-16 features a unique smart charging setting that charges the battery only up to 80%, putting much less strain on it than usual.

Performance & Gaming on the ML-16

The ML-16 is an impressively powerful computer, especially considering its size. Although the choice of hardware varies from version to version, this model of MAINGEAR’S ML-16 boasts an RTX 4070, an Intel Ultra 7 155H with 16 cores and 22 threads, plus 64 GB of RAM.

Specifications of this caliber are usually ideal for mid-range to high-end gaming, teetering on utilizing ultra graphics depending on the game and settings that have been applied. With the RTX 4070, users can often utilize Nvidia’s DLSS and Frame Gen to further improve performance and visuals without consuming unnecessary resources with the power of AI upscaling. The RAM and CPU were great at multitasking and provided smooth performance with little to no interruptions while gaming and using the ML-16 for everyday work. The SSD provided decently speedy load and boot times, with the average boot and shutdown times measuring about 30 seconds.

When putting the ML-16 to the test, results show that the base performance is often on par with or a little behind an identical system, with the ML-16 occasionally scoring higher.

This may be, in part, due to an issue that made itself known after some time of testing. Although most gaming laptops are notorious for getting hot due to the lack of space for optimal cooling, the ML-16 reached peak temperatures impressively fast. This is especially evident when taking a look at in-game statistics, which show that the ML-16 reached CPU temperatures up to 101 °C, sometimes within minutes of starting a game.

Luckily, the Intel processor has rated the max operating temperature at 110 °C, which the ML-16 never hit close to, even after gaming for some time. Regardless, seeing temperatures over 99 °C is a bit concerning for hardware, especially when regarding the health and longevity of the system. This is another reason why a laptop cooling pad may be a vital accessory to purchase alongside this gaming laptop.

Despite high temps, gaming on the ML-16 is a pleasant experience. The screen is smooth and absolutely stunning, and the speakers can get surprisingly loud for a laptop. Most games were able to handle high settings with no sweat, but did tend to slow down a bit with ray tracing on and during scenes with lots of particle effects. Even in open-world games such as Elden Ring, the frame rate stayed consistent and rarely dipped below 60. The high temperatures did make the keyboard a bit uncomfortable to use after some time, but that is relatively common for a gaming laptop.

All in all, MAINGEAR’s ML-16 is a great system and packs a serious punch in terms of compact gaming performance.

Should You Buy the MAINGEAR ML-16?

Overall, MAINGEAR’s ML-16 is a remarkable, quality machine that doesn’t cost a fortune. A true beast in disguise, this gaming laptop feels perfectly suited for those searching for an everyday laptop that can do almost everything from general computing to running high-end games. If you’re someone looking for a surprisingly quiet laptop that can work hard and play harder, the ML-16 may be perfect for you.

The traditional, yet classy design of the chassis fits in seamlessly to any environment, whereas a red and black gaming laptop may be considered unprofessional. Plus, the ML-16 boasts unmatched durability, proven through military testing, meaning that this gaming laptop will be able to endure any mishaps associated with life. The build quality of the chassis feels luxurious, and there is plenty of obvious consideration and care put into the ML-16. It is a nice feeling to have a laptop that is designed and supported by fellow gaming enthusiasts, and that is one of MAINGEAR’s foundational philosophies.

With that being said, there are a few downsides to the ML-16 that should be considered before purchasing, like its high temps and short battery life while gaming. Although the power settings can be tweaked to elongate the ML-16’s battery life, it still does not come close to how long some of the best laptops with amazing battery lives can last. This is why it might not be ideal for those who don’t frequently get the chance to plug in their machine throughout the day. The concerns that the high CPU and GPU temperatures pose are something that can also be remedied by using a laptop cooling pad and keeping up with regular maintenance to prevent the build-up of dust. Regardless, even with the higher-than-average temperatures, gameplay on the ML-16 felt consistent and smooth, even after playing for some time.

All in all, if you are someone in the market for an elegant powerhouse that can handle everyday tasks, as well as intensive gaming sessions, the ML-16 may be the answer. Even at the more expensive end of the spectrum, what you get with the ML-16 feels more than worth the money, especially when considering the quality of the display, keyboard, and chassis.

MAINGEAR’s latest lineup of laptops includes two main versions: the ML-16 and the ML-17. Although this article features the high-end model of the ML-16, the RTX 4060 version of the ML-16 can be considered to be a good budget alternative. With a price difference of about $700, the MAINGEAR ML-16 | RTX 4060 comes with most of the same things as the model featured in this review. Although the gaming performance will not be as powerful, this version of the ML-16 boasts respectable specifications that are more than capable of handling mid-range gaming.

On the other hand, MAINGEAR’s ML-17 is a serious investment for passionate gamers and enthusiasts seeking high-end performance. This gaming laptop can go toe to toe with the best of the best, boasting an RTX 4090, 64 GB of RAM, an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, and a bigger battery. Although there are some differences in design to accommodate the cooling needs of these high-end components, the ML-17 captures the essence of its more affordable alternative.

FAQ

Q: Is a 16-inch gaming laptop good?

Yes. 16-inch laptops are generally considered to be a good middle ground, especially for gaming laptops. The added space makes room for more or larger components, without compromising majorly on portability.

Q: Is it worth it to get a gaming laptop?

There is a lot of debate on this subject, and it depends on the person. If you’re looking for the best price-to-performance ratio, then generally, desktop PCs promise a slightly better deal. However, gaming laptops as of the last decade have seriously stepped up their game in terms of bridging the performance gap. Many modern gaming laptops can go toe-to-toe with desktop PCs, with the added benefit of being totally portable.