NEWS
NEWS
NEWS
Xiaomi enters the laptop market with the $750 Mi Notebook Air
Xiaomi Inc. has launched its first laptop called the Mi Notebook Air, which comes in a top-of-range 13.3-inch version as well as a more portable 12.5-inch model. Whether this is a good move by the Chinese company is unknown at this stage. However, considering the Chinese notebook market is predicted to contract by 10.4 percent this year, according to IDC analyst Bryan Ma, it could be a risky move.
We look at how the top-of-the-range 13.3-inch model compares to the Apple MacBook and 13.3” MacBook Air.
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air vs. Retina MacBook vs. MacBook Air: Tech specs
|
13.3” Mi Notebook Air |
MacBook |
13.3” MacBook Air |
|
| Processor |
Intel Core i5-6200U “Skylake-U” processor |
1.1GHz or 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.4GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache Configurable to 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache. |
1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache. |
| Memory |
8GB of RAM |
8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory |
4GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory |
| Hard Drive / Storage |
256GB SSD SATA slot available to increase storage by up to 256GB |
256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage, Configurable to 512GB flash storage. |
128GB PCIe-based flash storage / 256GB PCIe-based flash storage |
| Display and webcam |
13.3-inch full HD display 1,920 x 1,080. NVIDIA GeForce 940MX GPU. 1MP webcam |
Retina display 12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology (2304 x 1440 at 226 ppi), Intel HD Graphics 5300, 480p FaceTime camera |
13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display (1440 x 900),Intel HD Graphics 6000, 720p FaceTime HD camera |
| Ports and connectors |
Type-C USB for charging, 2x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI, 3.5mm audio port |
One USB-C port with support for: Charging USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps) Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output VGA output using USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (sold separately) HDMI video output using USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (sold separately) |
Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps), Thunderbolt 2 port (up to 20 Gbps), MagSafe 2 power port, SDXC card slot |
| Battery |
Up to 9.5 hours, 40Wh battery. 50 percent charge in 30 minutes |
Up to 9 hours wireless web, Up to 10 hours iTunes movie playback, Up to 30 days of standby time, Built-in 39.7-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, 29W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C power port |
Up to 12 hours wireless web, Up to 12 hours iTunes movie playback, Up to 30 days standby time, Built-in 54‑watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery, 45W, MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management; MagSafe 2 power port |
| Dimensions and weight |
12.17” x 8.3” x 0.58”, 2.82 lbs |
11.04”” x 7.74 x 0.14–0.52, 2.03 lbs |
12.8” x 8.94“ x 0.68”, 2.96 lbs |
| Price |
$750 |
$1,299: 256GB$1,599: 512GB |
$999: 128GB $1,199: 256GB |
Design
The 13.3-inch Mi Notebook Air is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air, but lacks the wedge design of the MacBook Air.
Both models feature a slim body, devoid of a logo on the exterior and come in silver and gold color options. Both have a 1080p display with slim under-glass bezels, 1MP webcam, a USB Type-C charging port and an appealing price tag.
Battery
The claimed battery life for the Mi Notebook Air of 9.5 hours puts it on par with the MacBook, but still lags behind the 12 hours claimed for the MacBook Air. However, the lower specced 12.5-inch Mi Notebook Air does provide a claimed battery life of 11.5 hours.
Enhanced gaming capabilities
The 13.3-inch Mi Notebook Air comes with a discrete graphics card – the Nvidia GeForce 940MX. The Mi Notebook Air’s full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 display allows gamers to enjoy games like Dota 2 at 85 frames per second.
Price & availability
If you are now eager to get your hands on the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air when it becomes available on August 2, unfortunately, you are out of luck, unless you are in China. At this stage, the Mi Notebook Air will only be available for purchase in China.
The 13.3-inch model will retail for $750. While the lower specced, but lighter 12.5-inch model with longer battery life will retail for $525.
Images via: Xiaomi
A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE:
Support our mission to keep content open and free by engaging with theCUBE community. Join theCUBE’s Alumni Trust Network, where technology leaders connect, share intelligence and create opportunities.
- 15M+ viewers of theCUBE videos, powering conversations across AI, cloud, cybersecurity and more
- 11.4k+ theCUBE alumni — Connect with more than 11,400 tech and business leaders shaping the future through a unique trusted-based network.
About SiliconANGLE Media
SiliconANGLE Media is a recognized leader in digital media innovation, uniting breakthrough technology, strategic insights and real-time audience engagement. As the parent company of SiliconANGLE, theCUBE Network, theCUBE Research, CUBE365, theCUBE AI and theCUBE SuperStudios — with flagship locations in Silicon Valley and the New York Stock Exchange — SiliconANGLE Media operates at the intersection of media, technology and AI.
Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, SiliconANGLE Media has built a dynamic ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands that reach 15+ million elite tech professionals. Our new proprietary theCUBE AI Video Cloud is breaking ground in audience interaction, leveraging theCUBEai.com neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of industry conversations.
