Chuwi Hi10 X1 tablet PC review

Chuwi Hi10 X1: 30-second review

The Chuwi Hi10 X1 comes in at the entry level of Windows tablet PCs. While it might not have the largest hard drive, RAM, or even CPU and GPU combo, it still offers a great solution for anyone needing a small, relatively lightweight tablet PC to get on with a little bit of work, process a document, or check emails on the commute to work. There's no doubt that the Hi10 X1 is a solidly built, compact Windows PC. However, it is a little bit heavy for its small size compared with an Android or Apple tablet, but then you do have a full-blown version of Windows sitting on this small machine.

As the machine boots up, the screen is bright and vibrant, although the uniformity of that brightness isn't perfect across the display. On the black loading screen during boot-up, you may notice highlights in different areas of the monitor. However, once you're in Windows 11 Home and everything is set up, those areas of additional brightness are no longer apparent.

The actual design of the tablet is really well thought out. Alongside the tablet, there’s a keyboard and case combo that can be purchased, and this significantly boosts the device's functionality and usability. Once connected, the case offers excellent protection for the tablet PC, and there’s good venting on the back, which ensures adequate cooling for the higher processing demands this tablet has over its Android and iOS equivalents.

The small keyboard is also nicely designed and doubles as part of the cover to protect the tablet when not in use. It attaches magnetically to the long edge of the tablet, essentially transforming it into a compact laptop when fully opened. The keys are well-weighted, providing a good typing experience for word processing, and they’re quick and responsive, as is the small trackpad, which supports multi-gesture control. Alongside the keyboard and trackpad, the tablet also features a fully touch-sensitive screen. However, the touch accuracy is slightly below that of some other tablets, meaning you might occasionally need to click a couple of times to hit the desired point. Multitasking can also cause some slowdown, especially given the device's entry-level Intel CPU. That said, using a stylus, such as the HiPen H8, instantly improves screen accuracy.

Having tested out some of the best business tablets and the best business laptops, I had a good idea what to expect from this device. In use, the tablet is surprisingly quick, handling Windows applications generally without issue once loaded. Larger applications like Microsoft Word and Excel run smoothly, despite the minimal RAM and relatively small CPU. One drawback is the limited hard drive capacity, but the inclusion of USB ports Type-A and C mean that external drives can be used if you do require additional storage.

On the side, alongside the standard USB Type-A port, two USB Type-C ports, and a Micro HDMI port. The HDMI is useful if you want to connect the tablet to a larger display for presentations, PowerPoint, or similar applications.

When pushing the processing power further, the system does start to struggle. It handles most general applications without issue, but games, media editing, and other demanding tasks highlight its limitations. However, if you want to edit some smartphone HD footage using CapCut, this small machine manages without issue. Similarly, older games like the original Tomb Raider series or DiRT Rally run reasonably well. If you’re looking for more power, storage, or the ability to play more graphic intensive games then you’ll need to spend a bit more on a device with a bit more processing clout.

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $159
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

The Hi10 X1 is widely available and can be purchased directly through the Chuwi website for $199 / £159. It is also available from most online retailers, including Amazon.

You can save money with our exclusive discount code TECHRADAR10X1 when you by direct from Chuwi by clicking here.

• Value: 5 / 5

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Specs

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Design

The Hi10 X1 is a compact, fully-fledged tablet PC running Windows 11 Home. As such, this tablet includes features not commonly found on other tablet devices, such as extra cooling with a vent at the back. This enables better airflow through the device. In terms of size it measures 245.4 mm x 164.2 mm x 10.1 mm and weighs 610 g, which is relatively heavy compared to other 10" tablets.

However, part of this weight can be attributed to its full aluminium frame, which makes it incredibly durable and gives it a stylish look, as well as a premium feel in the hand. The build quality is exceptionally good, especially considering its price point, and there is little to fault with the design and construction.

Taking a closer look at the outer design and there appears to be ample venting around the device, even with the protective case and keyboard attached. On one side of the device, you'll find two USB Type-C 3.2 ports and a Micro HDMI port. On the other side, there is a USB 2.0 Type-A port and a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.

The 10.1 inch screen itself is fully touch-sensitive with a resolution of 1280 x 800, giving it Full HD capabilities and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The IPS panel offers decent brightness, contrast, and overall visual quality. While as with most touchscreens it can be used with your fingers if you want beeter accuracy, the HiPen H8 stylus would be a good option.

When purchasing the Hi10 X1, you can buy it as a standalone tablet or as a bundle with the keyboard and kickstand, which having both for this review I would highly recommend especially considering it only costs slightly more. The bundle includes a protective case that surrounds the already tough exterior of the Hi10 X1, along with a kickstand at the back, then there's the keyboard that attaches to the tablet via a magnetic clip in the usual way for this type of device.

Overall, the design and build of the Hi10 X1 are impressive, especially considering the price and its range of features. The inclusion of full USB Type-C ports, a Type-A port, and an HDMI port makes connectivity and adding accessories exceptionally easy. Additionally, the fact that it features fast and robust Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connections enable it connect to other devices, such as speakers, control panels, or even projectors for presentations.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Features

Powering the small tablet PC is an Intel Alder Lake N100 4-core, 4-thread CPU, coupled with Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel processors. In terms of storage, it is somewhat limited at 256 GB, but this is backed by 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, which helps it to power through Windows applications for everyday use.

For connectivity, the Hi10 X1 includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2, offering the latest in wireless technology. Powering the tablet is a 25.84 Wh, 7.6 V, 3400 mAh battery, which provides up to 4 hours of battery life under light to moderate use.

The Hi10 X1 has been designed to be as versatile as possible with its 2-in-1 design that enables you to use it as both a tablet and a laptop. This keyboard case is well designed and adds both functionality and an extra layer of protection for the device. Even if you don’t plan to use the keyboard, it helps to protect the screen during transit.

The 10.1-inch screen, with its 1280 x 800 resolution, may not have the highest resolution available, but it offers decent brightness adjustment and the fact that there's a Micro HDMI port also adds flexibility. essentially for business use this will enable you to connect to a larger monitor or projector for presentations.

Finally, worth a mention are front and rear cameras. The 8 MP auto-focus rear camera is suitable for capturing general images while on the go, and the 5 MP front-facing camera is ideal for video conferencing or online meetings, just don't expect too much off the quality from these.

• Features: 4 / 5

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Performance

Running through the performance of the Hi10 X1 highlighted a few interesting results. First and foremost starting with the physical design and its compact size makes it easy to pop into almost any bag. However, the weight of 610 g, plus the added weight of the case and keyboard, brings the full weight total to 1123 g, which considering the size is relatively heavy. That said, the weight is offset by the device's exceptional build quality. For such an affordable tablet, the construction is superb.

One highlight of this build quality is the connection between the keyboard and the tablet. On many devices like this, the ribbon cable connecting the two can be loose, causing issues even when the device is used on a table. However, the cable here is well-designed, providing good rigidity. When the device is placed on a table, the textured back of the keyboard grips the surface, making for a decent typing experience. That said, don’t expect to use it on your lap like a traditional laptop, as there is still a bit too much flexibility in the connection for comfortable lap use.

In terms of performance, the first thing to note is that running a CrystalDiskMark test revealed relatively slow drive write speeds. This becomes apparent when loading more than one or two apps, as load times can feel sluggish due to the slower data read and write speeds. However, once applications like Microsoft Word or Excel are open, the performance is quick and more than fast enough for everyday use. Typing is very responsive, and navigating around spreadsheets is easy, particularly with the touchscreen functionality.

Reinforcing its performance for Windows applications, the device achieved a PCMark score of 3071. While not particularly high, this is adequate for most day-to-day tasks. Additionally, the Windows Experience Index score of 7.9 is sufficient for running most Windows Home applications and for home or small business use. However, if you push the system with more complex Excel documents, you will notice a slowdown.

Pushing the system further by opening Adobe Lightroom showed that, despite the limited storage requiring files to be pulled in from a connected device (e.g., via USB-C), the actual performance was surprisingly good. The Hi10 X1 managed to keep up with the processing, delivering an acceptable experience for light photo editing tasks.

By the end of the test it was very apparent where the strengths of this small machine lie and that's with basic Windows applications such as the Office suite which it handles with relative ease. Media playback it also does surprisingly well and while the built in speakers are a little on the quite side the audio through headphones is actually quite good.

For some games it also manages to keep up with the action and playing Dirt Ralley and the original Tomb Raider series of games was all within it's abilities, however, playing anything more graphic intensive is just a no.

Considering the price the performance of the Hi10 X1 is surprisingly good and considering the price it actually comes across as a great option even with the relatively small storage and limited CPU and GPU combo.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Chuwi Hi10 X1: Final verdict

There's no doubt about how handy the small Hi10 X1 can be. Its compact size, relatively decent power, and robust build at an extremely low price make it an attractive option. The fact that it features a full-blown version of Windows, rather than Android, makes it easier to integrate into Windows-based work environments, making it a great choice for business users.

The design is surprisingly stylish, and the aluminium frame, along with a decent range of accessories, gives it a premium feel despite its budget pricing. In use, the performance is also surprisingly good, even with some slowdown when too much is demanded of the processor and onboard graphics. For most Word and Excel documents, the N100 processor provides more than enough power and can even handle the odd bit of gaming.

While some creative apps will run, the screen's illumination uniformity could be an issue. However, with a 10" screen, it’s never going to be ideal for image or video editing regardless. All things considered, the build quality, performance, and price make it a great option if you need a small, portable Windows-based machine.

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