[Jon M]

 

A correctly functioning HI13 has a lot going for it in terms of price for features.

Not sure it is fair to judge the HI13 reliability based just on the few problem reports here… I think  original poster and I were unlucky to get a defective tablets. I have no idea how many have been shipped and how many have issues. Chuwi never responded to my inquiries through the “contact” form on their website. But once I emailed the service address on the box, they did offer some suggestions.

I’m reconsidering my options for a 2-in-1 computer, but might consider another HI13 if and when Amazon starts selling them.

Jon

 

[Jon M]

I didn’t open my HI13, but since it worked when plugged in, seems unlikely that mine had such a catastrophic battery failure.

Mine is going back. The retailer will refund the purchase price and cover return shipping for DOA. They also have a US return address.  We will see how long the refund process takes.

As another data point, this USB 3.1 Type-C Charging Bridge didn’t work with my Chuwi HI13/charger. The red charging indicator on the tablet did not light with this in the USB-C port. The bridge worked on my Nexus 5x phone with its OEM charger, but did not pass-through/enable rapid charging.

Again, this may not be true for correctly charging HI13s. But it seems consistent with the prior assessment that the Chuwi OEM charging adapter may not implement the PD negotiation for charging.

Jon

[Jon M]

I did get a response from Chuwi service. At their suggestion I flashed the BIOS and reinstalled Windows.

No change. Tablet still is not charging.

I tested the charging/running current with a meter. Seems to be pulling 0.04 amps from the power adapter when the tablet is powered off, 0.75-1.0 amps when running widows with the display at 75%.  I’ve let if plugged in for about 4 days straight now, and the Windows battery level has gone up from 1% to 8%.

Attached is screen capture of powercfg battery report.

 

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[Jon M]

The return shipping is not covered by the retailer as per their policies. I knew the risks of buying from China and the high return costs. Just dissapointed with the dead-on-arrival tablet and frustrated at the lack of response from Chuwi.

If I had high confidence that opening the tablet and disconnecting the battery would reset the charging controller, then I would do that. Otherwise, I can recover about 3/4ths of my costs by returning it unopened.

Jon

 

[Jon M]

No, I have not opened the tablet to see if disconnecting the battery would reset the charging mechanism.  I didn’t want to void the warranty until I had considered all of the options…

Jon

[Jon M]

The retailer will refund my credit card, so that is good news. It will cost $60+ for return shipment to Shenzhen. So I wonder if there is any value of the unit “AS IS” to anyone?

I’m disappointed that I have gotten no response at all from Chuwi for two “technical contact” requests through their website.  Is there an alternative means of contact? Is there an authorized service center in North America or EU?

Jon

 

[Jon M]

Chris G wrote:

I’ve just ordered this charger EU Samsung Type-C 25W charger I think it will do the job fine. I don’t like the size of the stock one, it’s annoying me.

Hope the one you ordered works with your tablet.

Despite claiming 12v 2A, this Samsung 25W Fast Charger does not light the red charging LED on my HI13.

It charges my Nexus 5x, but not at rapid charge rate.

I bought mine from BestBuy and opened it carefully. I can return it for a refund. There are several different Samsung USB-C chargers, maybe other models work…. Or maybe whatever is wrong with my HI13 prevents it from negotiating correctly with the Samsung charger I tried.

Jon

[Jon M]

I can return the tablet for refund with a net loss of $80+ for the DHL delivery and the return shipping costs.

I wonder if the tablet has value “AS IS” to someone who has the experience to troubleshoot and fix it?

It is still possible that it is the charger and not the tablet since I do not have another Chuwi OEM power adapter to test with. I know that USB 3 charging adapters “negotiate” the power they supply. Maybe the OEM supply does something special that the ones I tried did not.

Jon

[Jon M]

I noticed on my HI13, the Windows updates history showed updates had been installed around February 12.  So the unit was either powered up in February or the base install image contained the windows updates preinstalled and recorded in the installation history. The tablet also arrived with English language selected in Windows and an Admin account pre-created.

Perhaps it was not powered down correctly/completely after  imaging, updating, or configuration and it discharged the batteries as a result. But that suggests there must be a flaw in the battery or in the charge/discharge protection circuit. It should not have allowed the battery level to be drained so low that they now may not be charged. (assuming that is a possibility)

The reseller has offered me some options, though not a cash refund at this point, though their website says 45 day “money-back” guarantee.

Return shipment will cost me $35-60.

Chuwi has not responded to my inquiry.

Disappointed. I really like this tablet.

• Great display, — like the size
• Responsive touch
• CPU and graphics performance what I expected
• A bit heavier than I read from prerelease reports.
• Nice build, attractive case
• Sound, as reported, not spectacular

 

[Jon M]

I’ve seen others mention aftermarket 12v 2A USB-C chargers and power banks. Any recommendations?

Since I have a Nexus 5X, something compatible with its rapid charging protocol that also works for the HI13 would be nice.

EDIT: I borrowed a 12v 3A adapter and tried it on the HI13. No change/no charging.

My suspicion is that the tablet batteries discharged below what the charging circuit will start charging at.  I am awaiting response from Chuwi or the reseller.

Jon

[Jon M]

I got my HI13 yesterday and it arrived with a completely dead battery.  Would not turn on.

I plugged in the charger and let it charge for a few hours. I booted it with the charger attached and it showed about 70% charged. But when I unplugged the USB-C charging cable it powered off immediately (as if no battery power at all).  It will not boot at all without the charging cable attached.

I tried three other USB-C power sources including one rated at 12v 1.5A. With that adapter the red charging LED came on shortly, but went out after several minutes.

When Windows is booted with the charging cable attached, the Windows charging icon is animated showing charging for about 20 seconds immediately after boot or resume from sleep. Then it stops showing the charging animation. The battery level shows as 7% in Windows.

Seems like maybe there’s something wrong with the batteries or the charging protection circuit.

I’ve tried charging while Windows active, Windows sleeping, Windows shutdown, in BIOS screen… The red charging LED stays on (not flashing) and batteries do not take a charge.

I’ve read that there is the 3×1 followed by 10 second long press power on sequence. And a 14 second long press power off. Are there other special button sequences? The only way I could get to the BIOS screen was through Windows advanced boot options.  Hooking up a keyboard and pressing ESC/DEL (or any F-key) didn’t bring up the BIOS or boot options screen.

Suggestions?

Jon

 

 

 

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