An interesting notebook from Onda who I normally avoid for build quality issues, well at least in tablets. Called the Xiaoma 41, no not Xiaomi but Xiaoma as in Pony (Translated). Can’t help but feel they messed up on the name, what a stupid naming scheme from them! It’s very similar to the Chuwi Lapbook 14.1, the shame the exact same specs, Quad-core Intel, Celeron N3450, 4GB, 64GB eMMC + spare M.2 2242 SATA3 slot, Intel Wireless-AC, 51Wh battery and full plastic build. This laptop is available from Gearbest for $361 (Now $276 with coupon GBXIAOMA41) at the time of writing this, pricey compared to the EZBook 3 and Lapbook 14.1.
However this one as two USB 3.0 ports instead of one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 on the Chuwi. And Onda wisely put a large heatsink on the N3450, something Chuwi didn’t really do, they just used a shield instead that wasn’t up to the job. So Onda has a long heatsink and later some heat shielding on the rear lid, much better solution I feel. This and plenty more is covered in my below Onda Xiaoma 41 unboxing and detailed first look video. Frist impressions are listing below.
First impressions:
- For an Onda the build quality isn’t bad, no issues
- The panel clearly isn’t a IPS, more like a TN panel. Horizontal viewing angles are good, verticals not so. But not a bad panel still.
- Calibration is more towards warm white Vs the cool white of the Chuwi (As per video)
- Gold colour isn’t exactly for everyone but it doesn’t look as bad as I thought in person (It’s not a deal breaker)
- The plastics and keyboard aren’t as good as the Chuwi Lapbook 14.1’s (It’s rival)
- The touchpad is larger than the Lapbook 14.1’s and feels fine. Supports typical Win 10 gestures
- The keyboard has little flex (I was pushing super hard in the video) And isn’t a spongy, trampoline mess of a keyboard like the Jumper EZBook 2 and 3
- There is a brightness shortcut on the keyboard!
- Key travel is approx 1.7mm and feels okay. I do prefer the 2.2mm of travel on the Chuwi.
- Internals look fine, a little separate PCB board for the SSD and screw given. Only a 22mm x 24mm SATA3 SSD will fit in there.
- Both ports run at USB 3.0 spec and power external HDD’s without a problem.
- Speakers are loud but distort like usual. No bass to them!
- Weight is 1.36 kilos, much lighter than the Lapbook 14.1
- The lid can’t be opened one handed and the hinge feels good.
- Charger is 12 volts 3A, 1A more than the Chuwi Lapbook 14.1. So Will it charge any faster?
- It costs more than the other Celeron N3450 out of China, it shouldn’t. That has to change if they want to sell it!
This is now the 3rd Apollo Lake laptop I’m looking at, will it be the best? I’m going to be checking out possibly 2 more with metal builds in my quest to find the best Apollo Lake 1080p laptop for my own travel needs.
Onda Xiaoma 41 unboxing images:
This is now the 3rd Apollo Lake laptop I’m looking at, will it be the best? I’m going to be checking out possibly 2 more with metal builds in my quest to find the best Apollo Lake 1080p laptop for my own travel needs.