Chuwi HiBook

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Chuwi HiBook & Keyboard Unboxing and First Impressions

Chuwi HiBook & Keyboard Unboxing and First Impressions

The Chuwi HiBook has landed here at TechTablets. The build is very similar to the Cube iwork10 Ultimate. If you have seen my hands on videos and the review of that model you will see the similarities. It’s obvious that the same ODM makes these tablets or at least the keyboard. There are however some changes in the tablet design, the HiBook has a better all metal unibody build, but a larger gap in the IPS and glass digitizer. (The Cube iwork10 has a very small almost laminated look) And the Chuwi has a different internal layout with speakers either side and a USB type-c port.

The keyboard is excellent, I would go as far to say the best 10.1-inch transformer book style I’ve seen. The build quality is top notch just like the Cube one with only a minor change in the status LED position, otherwise they are exactly the same just one is silver and the Cube one is blue. It looks a little nicer due to this color choice I feel. I’m very annoyed to see this first batch has USB power issues. None of the USB ports want to power my Western digital 2.5″ 1TB external hard drive. My Chuwi Hi12 can access it just fine, yet this HiBook can’t!

First impressions and findings summary:

  • Great keyboard, same as the Cube iwork10 Ultimate’s.
  • Good build quality, well put together and it feels solid.
  • The HiBook has an ambient light sensor, disabling it boosts maximum brightness
  • The screen has a large 2mm+ gap between the IPS and glass digitizer.
  • USB type-c port works for data and charging.
  • Can’t be charged via the micro USB 2.0 port.
  • Dual boot menu always launches in portrait, even when docked (Slight annoyance)
  • Charger is now upped to 3A Vs the standard 2 or 2.5A
  • Light Android ROM looks decent enough and fast.
  • 32.4GB free in Windows 10 Home
  • Windows activates just fine
  • USB type-c port will not power an external HDD
  • USB 2 ports on the keyboard will not power external HDD’s

These are just my first findings, I’ll have more on the HiBook soon.

Video tech reviewer and tech blogger. I have a huge interest in the latest tech, tablets, laptops, mobiles, drones, and even e-scooters. Active in the tech community since 2008 days of the Omnia i900 Windows phone. Samsungi8910omnia.com, Samsunggalaxysforums.com founder from way back.

28 Comments

  1. Does the HiBook keyboard have gestures? I sold my Hi10 because of build quality problems and the annoying gestures on the tiny trackpad. I was thinking of getting the Hi12 instead, until I found out about the keyboard flex and gestures. Right now it seems to be between the HiBook and iwork10 Ultimate

  2. Hi Chris,

    Great first impression mate lots of info.

    I read elsewhere that the unit had some sort of static or feedback that can be heard through headphones that are plugged in.
    Can you tell me if this is the case with your unit?

    Also does Android recognize the SD slot and can it be used for installation of apps?

    Thanks
    Scott

  3. If I’m buying a simple hub with external power (connected to portable power battery) and connect it to the usb – then connect the HDD (without power)
    will it work?

    • That might work as my unit seems to lack power, which is why the HDD’s will not work on it.

  4. Hi Chris,

    I am new to your site, thanks for the excellent work! I am looking for a tablet mostly for my child to watch downloaded cartoons, play some learning games, and once in a while be used by the parents for web browsing or pushing something to Chromecast. I have looked at all of your reviews and am not quite sure which to go with. I’m thinking I would like the following items:

    -9.5-10.5″ screen (light and small enough for a 2 y/o to use it and attach to headrest in car for child viewing)
    -Dual boot
    -Micro SD slot
    -Ambient Light sensor
    -Good battery life so cartoons can be watched on a long flight or car ride (3-4 hours+)
    -I’m concerned with the amount of space between the digitizer and screen found on many of your review units, is this bothersome? (How does this spacing compare to an iPad or Samsung Tab S2)
    -USB C would be nice but not a must
    -If going with a ATOM X5 would you recommend waiting until a Z8500 is available

    Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions! How do you keep the site alive, do you take donations or get referral credit when we purchase through a link?

    • Hi, this might be the tablet you’re after or the Cube iwork10 Ultimate? I have a 2 year old too and for her, I use a Teclast X98 Air III as it’s cheap and easy for her to hold at 9.7″. It’s not very powerful, but still does the job with apps in Android learning games like endless numbers etc. Windows is too hard for a 2 year old, so I just stick to Android for her.

      The gap in the glass and ips is for example on the X98 Air III exactly the same as an iPad Air (First release) That model has a non-laminated display and it will give you an idea of the gap. On the Cube iwork10 Ultimate, the gap is almost non existant around 0.5mm so it looks laminated almost. The HiBook gap is a large 2mm or so but not too bothersome. You can help out here on the support us page: http://techtablets.com/support-us/ thanks, without the referral links and donations this site would not exist.

  5. Hi,

    Do you think the usb ports not powering external drives is a hardware issue that can’t be solved? I just ordered 2 hibooks and saw your post after….

    Thanks

    • I hope so, it might just be my unit. But I’m looking for a fix.

      • Thanks for the answer.
        I ended up cancelling my order. I will go for a HI12 instead 🙂 the static in, the jack doesn’t seem to be a big issue.

        • Audio static on the Hi12 varies from light static to non-existent for some lucky owners.

  6. Hi Chris,

    Thanks for the initial reveal. Can you let us know the weight of the Chuwi Hibook keyboard? I need to know the total weight before buying since weight is critical for me. Thanks! Eagerly waiting for the next review.

    • Sorry I missed it, it’s 1.11 kilos tablet + keyboard dock.

      • Hey Chris,

        No worries and thanks for the swift reply.

        Geez… 1.11 kg in total, bummer!
        I was hoping that it falls below 1kg or something like the
        Microsoft Surface 3 weight. My petite sister needs a tablet
        pc like this for school. And with all the books she lugs daily,
        1.11kg can be quite heavy.

        Guess I’ll have to search for another one. Still, I do like
        this Chuwi Hibook though :p

        • Bit heavy, but this tablet has a rather big flaw for me now. If it can’t power my 2.5″ external hard drives it’s rather useless to me.

          • Oh, you just pointed something very important to most of us. Awaiting your future reviews.
            As for weight, I’m looking at the Teclast Tbook 10 + keyboard . Hope it is below 1kg. 🙂

  7. now they reached a very decent quality in terms of used material/design etc.
    the prices will go UP UP UP
    🙁

  8. Since both keyboard (iWork10 and HIbook) look the same, there are interchangeable with each other?

    • Yes 100%

      • No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Hibook’s keyborad do not compatible with Cube iWork 10!!!!!!!!!
        Th hooks in different positions, and I think magnetic dock pins are incomapible elctonically.

        • Thanks, later I posted that it didn’t in fact fit. Forgot about this comment.

          • I read your comment before , I bought hibook keyboard for my Cube iWork 10:( because it cost was 15 USD lower. But did not work, I tried to mod, I cut hooks, but did not work.
            I wasted 37 USD and a month…
            Not et all..
            I like your commets , but I wrote reply because I do not want anybody else waste his/her money.

        • So you didn’t see my Hibook Vs iwork10 ultimate comparison video where I said there they weren’t interchangeable? Really sorry about this 🙁

  9. got this exact charger with the Hi12 dual boot I just received

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