Edit: The trackpad is now white and my Aliexpress seller has added pictures of the final model, including the grey one. White keys and trackpad, I would have preferred black keys and a black trackpad as later the white shows the dirt more!
Final build:
So here is the final design of the Chuwi Hi12 keyboard as pictured. It’s a Transformer Book style dock with 2 x USB 2.0 ports and a rather large keyboard. It should be out in a few days according to Chuwi. This is the white and gold version, I assume there is a black version for Hi12 owners that have the black model.
With the two extra USB ports that gives us a total of five USB ports on it (If you count the microusb 2.0)
Many thanks to Chuwi for fulfilling my request and emailing me these photos. I’ll do my best to get hold of one of these for a hands-on video and review.
Marcin Ulanecki
Keyboard is mediocre. There is no power connector in it, which will be very practical.
But touchpad is horribly awful. There is no driver for touchpad. There is no way to switch off or change gestures.
Single swipe gestures makes using touchpad and whole keyboard extremely unplesant experience. Makes it unusable in some casese. I think it will be better if keyboard will have no touchpad at all.
Bob
I own this keyboard.
The touchpad is awfull!
It’s too thin, so you always touch the top of the touchpad, that launch the “minimize” gesture.
Unfortunaty, there is no drivers (it’s not compatible with Synaptics) and you can’t disable this feature.
It’s unusable.
Please Chuwi, release a driver!
Rob Harting
please advice or upport. Where can I buy this chuwi HI12 keybourd?
looking forwr to ur reply
tq rob
Kostas
what about this protector from Germany?
http://www.protectionfilms24.com/article/brotect-airglass-premium-glass-screen-protector-chuwi-hi12-2729144.html
Willie Anderson
So close, and yet so far away. The Chuwi Hi12 with gray/black keyboard (like the one pictured with the new Hi10 Air) and a stylus would be perfect for me. I don’t need a M-Core for my tablet. But I’m not going to buy something that will get snickers in the workplace (like white keys or a gold-tone case or bezel).
I do love the transformer-style keyboard in general, though. Balancing my Note 3 on my lap in an airport really doesn’t cut it, and I’m not in love with the Microsoft clickety-clack folio keyboard. I am in love with the Surface’s screen, though. That bonded glass display is really bright and sharp.
I just wish some Shenzhen tablet maker could just get it right. I get the impression that the desires of the domestic market and the export market in Shenzhen are quite different, at least with regard to style and color.
Chris G
Each lot of new releases they get closer and closer. So far this year we saw the introduction of this 3:2 screen, Wireless AC and kickstands. Maybe next year?
Vernal Scott
Even the best tablets and household names fall short of perfect. At least the China tablets are cheaper and are improving with time. Chris, we need you to send Chuwi and Tacleast the ultimate spec and persuade them to see things your way. Until then, it’ll be a continuing case of hit and miss. I’ve just orded the Hi12 for the second time after Gearbest let me down. Thanks for the discount code at Banggood, which I’ve just used. I’ll definitely hold off re the keyboard for now, but I’ll probably give in and get the grey iteration in time. I’ve just put my Chuwi Vi10 Ultimate on Amazon. Time to move on.
Chris G
I’ve ordered the keyboard for review, just waiting for it to ship. But I really want it in grey and black, my Chuwi Vi10 has been retired and was sold off on eBay for cheap, I’m using the Cube iwork10 for now, great little tablet so far, but no full sized ports on the tablet itself. But I can see I will be keeping the hi12 for it’s larger screen and full USB 3 port.
Willie Anderson
BTW, I said “Note 3” in my post, but I meant “Surface 3”, of course. I have a Note 3 as my phone, and just fumble-worded the post.
Pscxt Uco
I just dont think they will be releasing stylus version
as i cant find the grey version from official taobao shop,
I doubt if Chuwi has produced enough Grey for China market.
winston smith
According to chuwi france, a android version should be avaible from half march. I’m waiting that to pull the trigger.
Chris G
Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing it run Android.
ares9304 .
There is now a grey keyboard on aliexpress.
http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32611921051.html
http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32611969556.html
Rene
Nice design, but too much gold indeed. perhaps the pics don’t do it any justice, the golden macbook isn’t too bad either.. I’m stuck with a gold HI12, since it only was 203usd.. 🙂 not complaining though.
Vernal Scott
Thanks Chris, but that’s nearly as much gold as Mike Tyson’s teeth LOL. It’ll have to black/grey for me. As far as the Hi12 is concerned, I just wish someone had stock. No luck at Gearbest, Dealsmachine or anywhere else as yet. A bundled deal with the dock/keyboard would be great.
Rsg
Ali express has it but currently only in gold for $50-60
Chris G
I’ve updated the post with the final version photos, my seller on Aliexpress told me the design was changed as they now have white trackpads! And he added this photos from Chuwi. Not cool, as they show the dirt more. The grey one looks good, if only it had black keys and trackpad. Chuwi want to be different it seems.
Vernal Scott
Thanks Chris. I’m not in love with those white keys and trackpad either and will await your review before making a decision about whether to purchase or not. In the meantime I will await delivery of the tablet itself and when it arrives will make use of one the Bluetooth keyboards I own. Thanks again.
Erez Perets
Hey what about the model with the stylus is it in the market all ready?
Kostas
Where did you order the keyboard?
Also is there any other accessories like cases or screen protectors?
Tempered glass or simple film.
John James
aliexpress has plastic screen protectors.
Brad Hathaway
The only reason the transformer book didn’t fall over backwards when attached to the keyboard was because of the weight of the keyboard. Any word on whether there might be an additional battery or two in the keyboard? Or are they just going to put steel plates in it like Asus seems to have done (I’ve got one)?
Chris G
Exactly, like all transformer book style keyboards like this one it has a counter weight inside it, to stop it tipping over.
Brad Hathaway
On Aliexpress it says that the shipping weight for the keyboard is 900g. Probably a bit more than the weight of the keyboard but I’m not excited about doubling the weight of this table for the keyboard unless the extra weight is made up of batteries. 🙂 No indication that that’s the case here though …
Any word on a case, keyboard or otherwise, for the Hi 12?
Chris G
It will be heavy, it has to be counter weighted or it will tip. As for a case check Aliexpress, I’m using a 12″ Surface Pro 3 slip, it works fine.
ares9304 .
I hope its usable too. I recall watching your video about the Onda 116 Core M…. My finger was hovering over the order button. Probably not thinkpad quality, but looks sturdy enough. Now if they’d just release a core m version with a stylus, oh well, i shouldnt be greedy should I?
lev butajeff
Dear Chris ,
Interesting weight with&without keyboard.
Thanks in advance!
Chris G
Ordered one, I’ll find out in a few weeks when it arrives from China.
John James
What site has the keyboard?
John James
Found it. aliexpress.com
John James
How exactly does it stay standing since there isn’t a stand on the device itself?
Chris G
It slots into the keyboard, if you have seen the ASUS Transformer Book models it’s like that.
Rsg
gold n white keys wait what? They better come up with gray/black version of it. I reckon most of the people bought the gray color hi12 compare to gold version.
Any idea for about pricing and availability?
Kostas
Now we wait for the case and for the dual boot.
BoORD_L
too gold for my eyes 🙂
Chris G
Me too, but they have a black version I think (Just as well)