The smaller version of the Chuwi Surbook has arrived for my unboxing and review. The Surbook Mini is only 10.8 inches and uses the Microsoft Surface 3 screen. It’s 1920 x 1280 fully laminated with over 450 nits of brightness and by far the best part of this 2-in-1 tablet. The keyboard still hasn’t shipped but should in a week or two, hopefully in time for my review.
It’s got 2 x USB 3.0 ports and a Type-C port with data, PD power and display out support. (Just like the Surbook) It supports the HiPen H2 active stylus, which unfortunately isn’t a good stylus at all as it has no pressure sensitive levels. Just on or off like a more accurate pointer really.
The mini version of the Surbook here is currently $249 USD so cheaper than the larger Surbook with the 12.3 Surface Pro screen.
My unboxing and first look can be found below with more my first impressions.
Chuwi Surbook Mini first impressions:
- The build is very similar to the Chuwi Surbook. Metal 125-degree kickstand, metal rear unibody.
- The fully laminated screen is very bright, deep blacks, good colours and sharp enough 1280p at 10.8-inches
- The charger is 12V 2A with a slightly longer type-c plug than your typical hubs and adaptors.
- USB type-c display out works and USB data. But using my havit type-c hub I have to push the plug in real hard like the Surbook.
- You get approx 43GB free and there is no SSD slot on the Surbooks.
- Intel Wireless AC 3165 chipset, no surprises there
- A fast Samsung eMMC 5.1 chip for storage
- The stylus is sadly the HiPen H2, it should be the HiPen 3 with pressure support. This one is a simple basic active stylus.
- It’s 750 grams in weight with the keyboard it will be aprox 1.1 or 1.2 kilos I imagine.
- I don’t have the keyboard yet but will try to also review it. It’s not quite in stock yet. But shipping soon.
- The speakers are both on the left side. So no stereo separation. I thought it had just one speaker, but it turns out it has two in there.
Overall first impressions are mixed, I like the build, USB 3.0 ports and type-c the screen is great and love seeing more fully laminated displays. But the stylus isn’t good and neither are the speakers. I hope the keyboard is decent, I have no idea if it’s backlit like the Surbook’s but I didn’t see in mentioned so I think not.