“Maingear’s Ultima 18 gaming laptop, launched in June 2025, boasts a 4K 200Hz display, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, and up to NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU. With 192GB DDR5 RAM, four SSD slots, and Thunderbolt 5, it’s a desktop replacement for gamers and creators. Starting at $3,599, this beast delivers unmatched performance.”
Maingear Ultima 18 Unleashes Desktop-Level Gaming Power
Maingear, a renowned name in premium gaming PCs, has unveiled its most formidable laptop yet—the Ultima 18, launched on June 11, 2025. Designed in collaboration with Clevo, this 18-inch gaming laptop is engineered to rival high-end desktop PCs, offering a compelling blend of portability and raw power. With a starting price of $3,599, the Ultima 18 is aimed at elite gamers and content creators who demand uncompromising performance.
At the heart of the Ultima 18 is an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, a 24-core powerhouse clocked at up to 5.4GHz with Turbo Boost. Paired with this is the option for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 mobile GPU with 24GB of GDDR7 memory, ensuring seamless handling of the latest AAA games and resource-intensive creative workloads. The laptop supports up to 192GB of quad-slot, dual-channel DDR5 RAM, a feature rarely seen in laptops, making it ideal for multitasking and AI-driven applications.
The standout feature is the 18-inch 4K (3840×2400) display, boasting a 200Hz refresh rate, G-SYNC support, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. With a response time of under 7ms and a 16:10 aspect ratio, the screen delivers vibrant visuals and fluid gameplay, catering to both gaming and professional content creation. While some competitors like the Alienware 16 Area-51 offer faster 240Hz displays, the Ultima 18’s 4K resolution sets it apart for those prioritizing visual fidelity.
Storage is another highlight, with support for up to four M.2 SSDs, including one PCIe Gen5x4 slot and three Gen4x4 slots, offering blazing-fast data access. Connectivity is equally robust, featuring dual Thunderbolt 5 ports, Wi-Fi 7, dual 2.5Gb LAN ports, HDMI 2.1, and Bluetooth 5.4. The laptop’s 98Whr battery and 330W charger ensure it can sustain its high-performance components, though its 8.8-pound weight makes it more of a desktop replacement than a truly portable device.
Maingear’s Control Center software allows users to customize RGB lighting, fan speeds, and performance modes, balancing raw power with quieter operation when needed. NVIDIA Advanced Optimus dynamically switches between integrated and discrete GPUs to optimize power efficiency. The laptop’s industrial design, featuring a metal lid and palm rest, exudes durability, while its per-key RGB keyboard adds a touch of flair.
However, the Ultima 18’s premium specs come at a cost. The RTX 5090 configuration significantly increases the price, with some estimates suggesting top-end models could exceed $5,000. Critics note that the RTX 5090 offers marginal gaming performance gains over the RTX 5080, potentially making the latter a better value for gamers not requiring extreme graphical power. Additionally, the laptop’s 8.8-pound weight and reported fan noise during intense sessions may deter users seeking portability or quieter operation.
Compared to rivals like the Razer Blade 18 and MSI Titan 18 HX, the Ultima 18 holds its own with superior RAM capacity and SSD options. However, unlike the MSI Titan, which offers a 4K Mini-LED display option, the Ultima 18 lacks HDR support, which could be a drawback for some. Despite these trade-offs, Maingear’s focus on bloatware-free performance and extensive customization options makes the Ultima 18 a compelling choice for power users.
The Ultima 18 is available for order directly from Maingear’s website, with configurations tailored to individual needs. As gaming laptops continue to blur the line with desktops, the Ultima 18 stands out as a bold statement of power, precision, and versatility.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from recent news reports, product announcements, and reviews from sources like Tom’s Hardware, Yahoo Finance, and NotebookCheck, published between June 11 and July 6, 2025. Specifications and pricing are subject to change, and readers are advised to verify details directly with Maingear’s official website.