The Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air, refresh number 3 is now out in China. This is essentially the same model as last years, just with the newer Core M3-8100Y 3.4Ghz dual-core SoC and faster type-C charging. It looks like nothing else has really changed from the previous models I’ve reviewed.
It’s not available anywhere right now apart from Aliexpress for a whopping $785. Clearly, this seller is trying to make a nice cut on top. The laptop sells for 3999 Yuan in China (Core M3 + 256GB NVMe) which is roughly $600 USD so with retailers exporting expect about $699 for the 256GB model.
Now the odd thing is, all models seem to only have 4GB of RAM. There is a Core i5 8200Y (3.9Ghz dual-core still) model, but still the same LPDDR3 1866Mhz RAM! And then remember that limited edition 8GB model with the Mi Notebook Air 12 Core i5 7Y54 that later Xiaomi pulled for some reason?
The battery is 36.5Wh so only good for about 5-6 hours mixed use. And the wireless AC chip an older Intel Wireless AC 8265 (887Mbps) No, not the newer Wireless AC 9260 found in the Mi Gaming Laptop.
The laptop also has a backlit keyboard, USB 3.0, HDMI 1.4A and type-C USB 3.1. AKG speakers which sound better than most Chinese laptops I review. No Micro or SD card reader. Inside you’ll find a spare SATA3 M.2 2280 slot.
But this laptop is a light and super portable 1.07 kilos with the same exact 12.5″ 1920 x 1080 IPS fully laminated screen. I was really hoping for a full refresh. No point buying this model I think, better off with the 15W way more powerful quadcore 8th Gen 13.3″ i5 8250U version for $779 or 15.6″ i5 8250U Mi Notebook Pro for $879. I’m holding out for the new 13.3″ and 15.6″ models I hope at least on the 15.6″ version Xiaomi add touch support.
