Let’s start with the specs: it has an i5-8250U processor, 8GB of RAM, a dual-drive setup (128GB SSD + 1TB HDD), an MX110 2GB discrete graphics card, and a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display. I chose this version mainly for the dual-drive configuration—using the SSD for the OS and the HDD for data meant I didn't have to carry an external hard drive around every day.

Design and Build Quality

The lid (A-side) is made of metal—Space Gray—and feels decent to the touch. However, the keyboard deck (C-side) feels like plastic rather than all-metal. Overall, the build quality is solid for the price point; nothing feels loose or flimsy. It weighs around 2.18 kg, and the 65W charger isn't exactly light either; carrying it back and forth to get off work every day definitely puts a bit of a strain on the shoulders.

The keyboard includes a dedicated numeric keypad and has 1.5mm of key travel, offering fairly crisp tactile feedback. The touchpad is quite large—5.9 inches—though, to be honest, I never really got used to it and usually plug in a mouse. The responsiveness doesn't compare to Apple's trackpads; it’s functional, but don't expect a premium experience.

Daily Usage

I mainly use it for coding, reviewing documents, and web browsing. I’ve run both Java and Python on it; compilation speeds for standard projects are acceptable—unless it’s a massive project, you generally don't have to wait too long. It handles running Photoshop and Premiere Pro simultaneously without crashing, though naturally, you still have to wait for rendering and exports to finish.

As for thermals, it’s barely noticeable during routine office work, and the fan is quiet even when it occasionally kicks in. However, if you launch a more resource-intensive program, the fan noise becomes quite audible. Some people online complain about the fan noise, but I find it acceptable—audible, sure, but not annoying. That said, you’ll definitely notice it if you’re using it in a quiet room at night.

Battery life is just average; a full charge gets you about three hours of office work. If you’re heading out without the charger, you’ll want to keep that in mind.

Ports and Expandability

The port selection is decent: two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an SD card reader. Many thin-and-light laptops these days cut out the Ethernet port and SD card slot, so this model is refreshingly practical in that regard.

The RAM is soldered onto the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. It’s worth considering this carefully before buying: the 4GB version is basically obsolete right out of the box, whereas the 8GB version is sufficient for daily tasks. You *can* upgrade the storage yourself, though; it has both an M.2 slot and a 2.5-inch drive bay. There are plenty of teardown tutorials online, so swapping in an SSD or adding more memory isn't difficult.

Screen

It features a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display. It looks fine, though the color gamut is only 45% NTSC, meaning colors appear a bit washed out—so it’s definitely not suitable for photo editing or color grading. However, it’s perfectly adequate for viewing documents and coding. Some people have criticized the resolution, but I think 1080p is enough for a 15.6-inch screen—though perhaps I just don't have high standards.

The Bottom Line

By today’s standards, the performance isn't exactly powerful. With an 8th-gen Core i5 and an MX110 GPU, it handles games like *League of Legends* okay, but don't expect to play demanding AAA titles. However, if you need a laptop for office work or school—writing papers, working on spreadsheets—it’s more than capable.

Its biggest selling point is the price; it cost just over 3,000 yuan back in the day, and used models are likely even cheaper now. The downsides are obvious, too: average battery life, mediocre screen quality, and non-upgradable RAM. If you’re on a tight budget and just want a large-screen laptop that gets the job done, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for something thin and light with long battery life, or a machine for gaming, you’d be better off looking elsewhere.

XIAOMI 2600mAh/40.04Wh 15.4V N15B01W Battery