Hi 8 Pro Review (Latest Batch "64-bit with new wifi module)

[Vedran]

Have you tried this approach for Anniversary Update?

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/not-enough-disk-space-for-anniversary-update/c26212d7-7ab2-4a65-9231-d8e6d1b88d97

[John]

You bet, it’s funny you posted that.  Basically windows update plays dumb and tells you that your device is 100% up to date (it’s not clearly but I think this is Microsoft dancing around the fact that the device does not have enough space literally to install the update).  When you download the update tool it runs, tells you that an update is available (anniversary), begins the process then errors out with a red message telling you to free up space.  there is no way to point or tell it to use the SD card (I have a 32gig card installed that otherwise reads/writes without issue).  I believe windows requires the free space to be available on the drive windows is installed to so plugging in a thumb drive, sd card, etc. doesn’t change that windows needs 8gigs of free space on it’s partition to work with.  The only solution I could possibly see is if Chuwi themselves released a new windows 10 image pre-patched that could be FLASHED over the original install.  But being that it’s Chuwi (and this is true for chinese tablets in general) I suspect such a solution won’t ever appear.  Now it’s possible there might be an Iso of win10 that could be installed that includes the updates but for a lot of people that isn’t ideal either (driver and hardware issues).

For me the promise of windows 10 was supposed to bet the idea that you had an always up to date version of Windows that was safe and secure and required no weird user involvement of flashing hardware or breaking drivers.  In this regard it fails completely, some solutions might come up but I really don’t have a desire to wait and take the chance when I still have the option to return the tablet and consider other options.

[Vedran]

I apologise, I wasn’t specific enough.

Do not use Windows 10 upgrade assistant (first link).

Use Media Creation Tool (second link).

Anniversary Update is rolling out in stages through Windows Update: e.g. my Surface picked it up only few days ago, while I’m still waiting for the update to roll out for HP Envy 8 Note. Maybe I’ll stop being patient and use Media Creation Tool as well, but I’d rather wait for it. (Same with Hi 8 Pro)

[Chris G]

Thanks for this review, after my “fun” with the Hi8 Pro first batch I decided to never get it again touch it second batch or 3rd. But good to see someone’s review of it. Things improve or get worse and it all varies from the batches. So many times I rubbish something with all it’s faults (Onda oBook 10) then to have people tell me their experience is great and they have NONE of my faults I encountered. And then the other way too. I give something a good review and their unit is a lemon.

Such is a lottery we play buying a Chinese tablet. BUT, things have been good. Just stay away from Voyo and Onda in general, I’ve found.

Chris | Admin
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[John]

I’m US based so my pricing and access to things is probably a bit different then folks across the pond but I’m leaning towards returning the tablet.  Asus has a newer Zenpad that I was able to play with in person at a store and while it was only 1280×800 I found the display to be adequate.  Side by side there is definitely no comparison for sharpness but I also found the laminated display to be an improvement and it wasn’t as night and day.  The Zenpad also runs Marshmallow which means the SD card is actually useable so for about the same money (approx $110 USD) I can go with a Zenpad that runs a MT-8163 chip by MediaTek and while a lower resolution I found the display itself to be of higher quality.  I also find the touch screen to be more responsive and it’s also gorilla glass.

Since I’m not one to really care about having dual boot (it’s neat but having a Hi12 if I want windows 10 on a tablet I will use that device) the only advantage to the Chuwi Hi8 Pro is the high rez screen.  The ZenPad had smoother scrolling in Chrome (under android), was snappier when task switching between apps (android), and has a gorilla glass laminated screen.  as much as I really like the PPI of the Hi8 Pro the ZenPad definitely feels like the better fit for me I just wish it had an option for a 1200p screen like the Chuwi!   My decision is also skewed slightly by my preference for Android in a tablet of this size.  Basically my ideal tablet would be a 8″ Android device with 32gb storage and 3gigs of ram and a 1200p screen but I am not aware of any that fit that bill in the price range I want to spend so compromise comes into play.  The Chuwi made a great first impression and if they offered a simple way to flash it to android only and recover all the wasted space I might be more willing to “live” with Android 5.1

[Author]

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