Just over a yr after launching the competitively priced Mi Notebook 14 collection in India, Xiaomi has adopted up with the Redmibook collection and now the 2021 Mi Notebook household. With these launches taking place in fast succession, Xiaomi has segmented its laptop computer choices into mainstream and premium tiers, similar to its smartphones and TVs. With costs beginning at Rs. 56,999 and Rs. 59,999 respectively, the brand new Mi Notebook Pro and Mi Notebook Ultra are literally fairly related and share quite a few fascinating options. Today, I’ve the marginally dearer Mi Notebook Ultra with me, and listed below are my first impressions.
While final yr’s Mi Notebooks have been all 14-inch thin-and-light models designed for mass attraction, the 2021 family so far is comprised of premium 14-inch and 15.6-inch fashions that supply fairly a bit extra by way of options and specs, at greater costs after all. The variations between the 2 primarily come all the way down to show measurement and high quality, and consequently their total measurement and weight.
The Mi Notebook Ultra has a minimal look with a brushed aluminium physique
The Mi Notebook Ultra has an aluminium physique with a darkish sandblasted and anodised end that Xiaomi calls Lustrous Grey. It’s a really slick look – plain and easy, however nonetheless high-end. Unlike final yr’s fully minimalist look, there is a shiny black Xiaomi emblem within the centre of the lid. While nonetheless comparatively slim at 17.9mm, the Mi Notebook Ultra weighs 1.7kg which is on the upper aspect for non-gaming laptops lately.
Flip the lid open and you may see the principle promoting level of the Mi Notebook Ultra – its 15.6-inch IPS LCD display. This is barely uncommon due to its 16:10 facet ratio and three.2K decision (2560×1600) in addition to 90Hz refresh price. Brightness goes as much as 300 nits and color protection is rated at 100 % of the sRGB gamut.
I notably just like the 16:10 facet ratio, and I’m completely satisfied to see it make a comeback after years of producers prioritising 16:9 for watching movies on. It’s a small however vital distinction and is extra snug for on a regular basis work. First impressions of this display are that it is vitally crisp and nice. It has a non-reflective matte texture and comparatively slim borders, and fortunately there is a webcam in its rightful place, not like final yr’s fashions.
On the decrease deck you will see the black keyboard which stands out in opposition to the darkish metallic. Potential patrons can be completely satisfied to notice that there’s backlighting now – this was on my wishlist for enhancements to final yr’s mannequin. The format appears advantageous, with generously sized arrow keys and a column of paging keys to the best. The energy button has an built-in fingerprint sensor which also needs to make on a regular basis utilization handy. One distinctive contact is a macro key, which is normally solely seen on fanatic or gaming keyboards – I’ll see how that works as I take advantage of this laptop computer for just a few days.
The energy button has an built-in fingerprint sensor, the arrow keys are usually not cramped, and there is additionally a macro key
I’ll speak extra concerning the keyboard and trackpad in my full overview, after utilizing the mi Notebook Ultra for some time. For now, I’m pleased with this laptop computer’s total development high quality – the lid would not flex and it is simple to open it with one finger. The lid could be pushed again far sufficient and the hinge feels sturdy.
You get a alternative between the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H and Core i7-11370H processors. Both are quad-core CPUs with HyperThreading and built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. Both are primarily based on the ‘Tiger Lake-H35‘ structure and are totally different solely by way of clock pace, cache quantities, and GPU power.
If you select the Core i5 CPU, you will get both 8GB or 16GB of RAM – these variants are priced at Rs. 59,999 and Rs. 63,999 respectively. The Core i7 is on the market solely with 16GB of RAM, for Rs. 76,999. All variants have a 512GB NVMe SSD. While the RAM is soldered and never upgradeable, the SSD is socketed, however Xiaomi advises going to an authorised service centre to swap it out if wanted.
You get one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port and one USB 3.2 Type-C port, in addition to one USB 3.2 Type-A port and one USB 2.zero port. There’s an HDMI video output and a 3.5mm audio socket, however no SD card slot. You can cost this laptop computer by means of both of the Type-C ports utilizing the included 65W adapter. There are twin 2W stereo audio system. The webcam decision is 720p and naturally there’s additionally Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
Xiaomi guarantees 12-hour battery life from the 70Wh battery, and that is one thing I’ll have to check in my full overview. Another factor price mentioning is that you simply get a full license to Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Student Edition, plus you will be eligible for an replace to Windows 11 when it is launched. I’ll be working loads of checks together with video games, and checking the ergonomics, design, and value-added options of this laptop computer over the subsequent a number of days. Do keep tuned for a full overview, developing quickly.
