Chuwi Hi13

First Non MS tablet to use the Surface Book 3:2 Screen
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Chuwi Hi13 Detailed First Look With Keyboard And Stylus

Chuwi Hi13 Detailed First Look With Keyboard And Stylus

Edit: The full Chuwi Hi13 review is now online: https://techtablets.com/chuwi-hi13/review/

Finally, my Chuwi Hi13 arrived the successor to the popular Hi12 model. That was the first tablet outside of Microsoft to use the Surface Pro 3 screen. And now we have the first ever tablet again using the Surface Book 3000 x 2000 resolution 13.5-inch 3:2 ratio screen. This panel has 267 PPI, so even at 13.5″ looks sharp, great colours, deep blacks and contrast. Like the Hi12 it supports an active stylus and transformer stylus keyboard. Below is the unboxing video and it’s not just unboxing the tablet, but also a detailed preview of it before my full review which I hope answers most of your questions.

The Chuwi Hi13 is on pre-order at GearBest.com and Banggood.com. I recommend using them for full PayPal cover. Or if you must have one now try Aliexpress.

First impressions &  findings:

  • Looks and feels very much like the Hi12
  • Heavy at 1.1 kilos. With the keyboard and power supply weighs in at over 2 kilos.
  • The screen is great, bright, sharp and with deep blacks
  • Non-laminated IPS panel as expected, the gap is around 1mm.
  • Comes with a pre-applied screen protector. My unit has some dust under it, that’s down to luck
  • No visible defects with the screen, doubtful it’s a second rejected by Microsoft (but it could be)
  • The touch response is good and accurate
  • Above the screen on the left is an ambient light sensor and red LED (on when charging).
  • Samsung eMMC with great speeds for eMMC 4.1 spec
  • The quad speakers seemed to have been overhyped (over marketed) they don’t sound any better than the Hi12’s to me
  • Speakers lack bass and volume, an application like DX Audio might help there (I’ll test it soon)
  • The build quality is just like any another Chuwi tablet from the last year. Some creaks around the join between the front and rear.
  • The docking port is 10 pin so works even when the tablet is reversed around in portrait mode.
  • 600Mb of the 4GB RAM is dedicated to the iGPU, must be like this to help with the demanding 3000 x 2000 resolution.
  • The bios advanced options are locked out to the end user (Sadly Chuwi doesn’t want us messing in there!)
  • Linux support – Manjaro booted and ran from my USB flash drive without any driver issues. Everything working, including touch!
  • The keyboard quality is great, 2mm of travel on the keys, spacious and firm to type on.
  • The touchpad is okay, nothing amazing. It does the job and supports gestures.
  • The keyboard hinge mech takes the heavy tablet well.
  • When docked in the keyboard the screen is a bit wobbly
  • The keyboard must be counterweighted to stop it from tipping over when the tablet is pushed right back.
  • Windows speed feels quick and fluid, Edge runs smooth as expected
  • All USB ports power external hard drives 1TB+

Additional info:

  • The charger is a small power brick 12 volts, 2A
  • Intel Wireless-AC 3165 chipset
  • Charging is via USB type -C only
  • The MicroUSB 2.0 port is data only, not charging
  • HDMI out via the Type-C port doesn’t look to work but connecting it to my monitor it briefly shows a second monitor connection that later disappears.
  • Micro HDMI out works as expect, 4k 30hz max.
  • My type-C hubs work with the type-c port for charging and data.

To test out:

  • DX Audio or another application to boost sound output.
  • Open the tablet to confirm if it has or doesn’t have an M.2 SSD slot in there.
  • Confirm stylus tech used, is it Ntrig? (Doubtful)
  • All my typical review tests. (Thermals, battery life, PDF test, gaming, Windows store games etc)

Chuwi Hi13 unboxing images:

First impressions are looking good so far but still, a lot more to test on the Chuwi Hi13. That screen is great, the build I feel is decent and the keyboard to type on isn’t bad at all. It’s large, it’s heavier than expected but I knew it wasn’t going to be a tiny light 2-in1 at 13.5 inches. The biggest disappointment is the 4 speakers, they lack a little volume I’m hopeful I can boost this using software. But so far no deal breakers which is great.

I’m not much of a stylus user, but so far it seems okay. Certainly not the same Ntrig experience like I recall on the Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book.

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.

55 Comments

  1. Someone has stolen your review… http://www.xiaomitoday.com/chuwi-hi13-hands-review/

    • Lazy sods. That’s pretty messed up.

      • They also linked to the wrong version of Manjaro Linux. The ISO they linked to won’t work.

  2. What’s about screen flicker / PWM on Low brighless ?

  3. news about a dualboot (Win+Android) version of any of these upcoming Celeron based Tablet-netbooks??!!?
    I think there is still no match between Win and android expecially as far as native apps available

  4. Hi Chris, thank you so much for your professional review, after discovering your website that I ordred a HI12 (was not convinced by HI13 especially the lack of full usb), as asked by The Hacker before, can you please test the hipen H3 on HI12, emily confirmed that H3 is compatible with HI12 & HI13 but it seems that an other user reported that it is not working. Thx in advance

  5. Hi Chris thanks for that post I have bought the hi13 and just waiting on delivery. Please could you tell me. When they release the version with windows and android will we be able to change our Windows only ones with an update or something so we can get both operating systems? Thanks Chris keep up the good work I’m a fan.

    • Chuwi Hi13 will not support Android OS because of its Apollo Lake CPU.

      • There are x86 ports for Android available. Search them up if you want to.

  6. Thanks for posting this up Chris.

    Would you say this is a worthy upgrade over teclast x2 in terms of performance?

    I’m using it mainly for productivity.

    Thanks again.

  7. Hey Chris,
    Can you confirm if the H3 pen can truly magnetically ‘dock’ on the the side of the tab as advertised.
    And if it does, kindly show in your next video how strongly attached it can be by probably shaking the tab a bit to see if it comes off.
    Cheers.

    • Wow. I get your motivation for the request here. But I hope you are at least making some donation to help support Chris and his site. JMHO.

    • Images of the Pen docked to the side of the tablet are here: https://techtablets.com/chuwi-hi13/images/ it’s quite strong the magnet, but knock it and it will come off easy enough.

  8. Can you please try some free art programs with the stylus such as clip studio paint, or http://www.madewithmischief.com to test the new stylus pressure?

    Please try drawing diagonally slowly as well to see if it creates a lot of jitter in the strokes.

    Thanks!!!!

  9. Hi Chris, how do you compare the display of chuwi Hi 13 and microsoft surface pro 4? which one you feel better? I mean only display.

    • They are really about the same to me the displays. Both have the same PPI of 267 and similar colors and black levels etc. But the due to the fact the Surface Pro 4 is fully laminated it looks much better as it has far less reflections.

      • I really hate reflections. Is there any tablet with matte screen?

        • There are after-market solutions for this no? Anti-reflection screen films you can apply. I thought so anyway. Not perfect, But may be a solution for an otherwise desirable device.

        • Kindle 😀

  10. Hey Chris

    Gould you please try the H3 stylus pen on your Hi12, acording Chuwi it should Worm, but i got mine today, but it dosent work on my Hi12 and since GB havet sent my Hi13 yet, i cant test if the is working

    • Hi, could you please confirm if you have a z8300 HI12? because according to your reflection on chuwi forum the hipen H3 should work on z8350 series (Hi12 Q64G45170100001-Hi12 Q64G45170105000) as it has already a new touchscreen. We can ask someone to check the H3 on z8350 serie to see if it is the case, I ordered HI12 which is z8350 according to Gearbest and I really don’t know which one to buy the H1 or H3, thx in advance.

      • Oh it’s the Z8300 I’ll have in a day or tow. So it will not work?

        • Yes it will not, emily corrected the compatibility tablets HI12/13 vs stylus H1/H3, so older models of HI12 (z8350 to confirm) are compatible only with hipen H1, HI13 & future versions of HI12 (after serial number XXX201704XXX) are compatible only with hipen H3 (not compatible with hipen H1), the remain question is HI12 z8350 is compatible with hipen H3 and/or H1? as it has already a new touchscreen

          • Sadly I can’t test that unless my version is a Z8350 one. Hopefull someone can let us know.

      • I just got a hipen 3 and I have a hi12 z8350 (purchased 1 month ago) and the hipen 3 does NOT work with it at all.

        • Thank you for your confirmation, so to summarize: hipen H1 is only for Hi12 (z8300 & z8350), hipen H3 is for Hi13 and futur Hi12 (serial xxxx201704xxx) as stated by emily on chuwi forum.

  11. Chris, I’ve been lurking about your page and have yet to post anything here.
    But your page proves to be a superb resource and having followed (and F5’ed) this page closely the last two dates for updates on the Chuwi Hi13 I was convinced to get it after your video released yesterday.
    Much appreciated, now let’s see when my unit gets here 🙂

  12. Is it able to charge with powerbank like chuwi hi12?

    • My 12v 1.25A power bank looks like it will charge it, it acts like it is charging but the battery still drops. So no luck with battery packs/banks yet. I’ll try another when I’m in the studio again this afternoon.

      • Thank you very much!

      • Hi Chris!!
        Just posted a similar question in xiaoh123’s review of the cube mix plus.

        Were you able to get any powerbank working to charge this tablet (or any other celeron or core m tablet) using the USB cable port?

        Thanks souch for your awesome reviews!!! They’re really so helpful.

  13. “so far to deal breakers ” – typo?

  14. Hi Chris, sorry if I’m repeating myself as I don’t know if you saw my other posts. I think you will like the Gnome desktop version of Manjaro better than the Xfce desktop version. It has an app launcher with big big icons/buttons for ease of touchscreen use and perhaps other larger buttons?. Burn it to your USB drive and give it a spin. Cheers, Brad. –> https://downloads.sourceforge.net/manjarolinux/manjaro-gnome-17.0.1-stable-x86_64.iso

  15. I have a tablet holder with a long flexible and bendable arm for my 10inch tablet. Works like a charm and costs around $10 from China.

    I wonder if there is something similar for 13.5 inch tablets?

  16. Great unboxing Chris. Thanks for taking your time.
    Chuwi raised my hopes up a bit with the 4 speakers gimmick they pulled. Seems they did away with full sized USB port to keep the tab slim?
    All in all it’s a good buy I think, considering I placed my order for the lovely screen. Noticed you didn’t sound too impressed about the screen like you do with the Hi12 (probably just me).
    Hoping you don’t discover more cons as you test it out for your full review 🙂

    Thanks again Chris.

    • “Seems they did away with full sized USB port to keep the tab slim?”

      Sadly though, this is thicker than the Hi12 which has full size type-A usb ports.

      • Yes, they had space for full sized ports, they should have used at least one the tablet.

    • It’s a beauty the screen is great the best part about the tablet. No more cons yet, oh one, some light interference over the 3.5mm jack.

      • Awesome then.
        Can you help with like a probable date you’d be posting the video of your full review?
        I find myself refreshing your page over and over for that update it’s killing me 🙂

  17. Chris, thanks a ton for pushing this post to print so very quickly. I admit to waiting up for it after you announced that your Hi13 was arriving soon. I’ve been looking for a large screen tablet, primarily for use as a sheet music reader. The bigger the screen the better, as I’m quite nearsighted and have found a direct correlation between increasing notes size and reducing the number of errors I make in playing.

    For such a limited purpose, I didn’t want to splash out big money for a Surface Pro or Ipad Pro. I’ve been sitting on a teetering fence waiting to see what the new Chuwi would be like, and IMO, you’ve delivered a top review, as much as can be asked for in such a short period of time. I know you’re going to do extensive testing so you can give more details to all your techie fans and that’s terrific service you provide. I’ve seen enough to know that for a few hundred, I’ll be getting a reasonable product that will do what I need and is built well enough to last a few years. So now I can order before the Chuwi store raises their prices (Gearbest has already gone up about 20%).

    Again, thanks and thanks and thanks.

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