Tablet Overview Chuwi Hi13: as the Microsoft Surface Book, only cheaper

Chuwi over the past few years has been able to become one of the best Chinese manufacturers. The company's tablet, and now even laptops are in great demand because of the excellent value for money.

Was no exception and the new Chuwi Hi13. The main feature of this device - chic not afraid of the word, 13.5-inch screen with a resolution of 3000 × 2000 pixels. It is this used in Microsoft Surface Book. But can we call these devices are full-fledged competitors, especially considering the three-fold difference in price? Let's investigate.

Specifications

In terms of hardware filling Chuwi Hi13 makes no discoveries. Apollo Lake platform was introduced almost a year ago for use in tablets and notebooks entry level. Four cores clocked at up to 2.2GHz, provides sufficient performance for most common tasks. But have at the same time low TDP (7,5 W), which allows not to use additional cooling systems.

Today, 4 GB of RAM - this is the minimum acceptable value for such devices. This volume is enough for comfortable work in the operating system, surfing, listening to music, watching videos. But to run the latest PC games is not enough. However, the performance we talk more below.

Design and build

Chuwi Hi13 immediately inspires confidence. with such a large screen tablet even at a distance looks solidly and respectable, this is not some sort of seven-inch runt. Even more this feeling is enhanced when you take it in hand.

tablet housing heavy, durable metal. On the back side - the company logo, side face pobloskivaet stylish silver bevel. Chuwi Hi13 has restrained and stylish appearance that will look great in any environment.

To assemble the device no complaints. In Chuwi Hi13 used rather thick metal, so even at high exposure there is no deflection or twisting. All of the buttons are well adjusted, have a clear and mild stroke. Connectors - USB 3.0 (Type-C), microUSB, microHDMI, 3,5 mm - are placed on the left side, where you can also find the memory card slot.

It is a pity that the tablet is not a full-sized USB-port: this would facilitate the life of a great many users. So be sure to recommend to think about the purchase of the keyboard, where there are just two such connectors.

In general, for the design, materials and workmanship, I would put an excellent mark. The only caveat - the weight. When used as a tablet very quickly begin to feel that the gadget weighs more than a kilogram. Watch movies in bed or chair can be, but the best tablet at the same time not to hold.

Screen

In promotional materials Chuwi Hi13 focuses on the quality of the screen. And there is good reason for this. In short, it is incomparable.

The device uses qualitative 13.5-inch matrix with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a resolution of 3000 × 2000 pixels (267 ppi) Panasonic production. Judging by the marking, this is the model that is used in Microsoft Surface Book. The display has excellent brightness, contrast and color reproduction, it is not surprising that Microsoft's engineers chose it for your device.

Surprisingly different. If you search the web, you can see that the price of such a display in retail is about $ 350. As Chuwi company managed to get it for your tablet, which costs about the same? Mystery.

Keyboard and stylus

You can, of course, use Chuwi Hi13 only as a tablet, but I highly recommend to buy and keyboard unit. This will significantly expand the scope of application of the device.

A large screen size and significant weight make this gadget much closer to the laptop than to clean the plates. It can be used as a bedside device, but it is much more convenient, he feels in the workplace. Only in conjunction with the keyboard will reveal all the best qualities Chuwi Hi13.

The keyboard has a standard full-size layout without digital block. The keys are large enough so that it can print on immediately without any addiction. For attaching the tablet uses a convenient magnetic connectors, so that the keyboard is connected just one movement.

Metal body keyboard unit helps to avoid sagging and rattling of keys, as well as balances rather heavy tablet part. Keys island style with a well defined, but soft course provides a quiet and comfortable typing.

Stylus - is an accessory for the amateur, the average user can do without it. But if your work is connected with the work, you should know that distinguishes HiPen H3 1024 press level. The stylus is equipped with two buttons, allows you to draw with different colors, and its rear portion is used to remove the lines as if there is an eraser.

Now decide you need such a wonderful accessory or not.

Sound

In some previous tablets Chuwi present an annoying glitch regarding sound. Two speaker device positioned on the side faces so that the user's hands inevitably closed. Rose difficult choice of either listening to muffled unintelligible buhtenie or explore some non-traditional methods of grip.

In Chuwi Hi13 this issue is resolved. Now, four speakers. No matter how you hold the tablet, still block all of them will not work. It's good.

Too bad that, despite an increase in the number of speakers, special forces and improve the sound quality did not happen. It still is only good for sound system events and background music. If you want really good feeling, use headphones: they sound, the picture looks much nicer.

Performance

Used in Chuwi Hi13 hardware configuration on the Apollo Lake based on well-proven in the plates and the entry-level computers. It provides a comfortable smooth operation of the operating system and all necessary software, including web browser, media player, text and graphic editors. It is safe to say that most of the common tasks that the plate on the back.

However, if you try to edit Chuwi Hi13 huge graphic file with dozens of layers, or open at hundreds of sites in the browser, it will at least vpadot in deep thought. Compounded by a large screen resolution, which places high demands on memory and video card.

To solve this problem, the graphics processor has been allocated as much as 600 MB of RAM. It is possible to achieve an outstanding platform for this performance in games. On Chuwi Hi13 can play (albeit with lower graphics settings) in World of Tanks, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, not to mention hundreds of less-demanding games resources of the Windows Store.

By the way, the tablet while playing games and watching videos in high definition is almost not heated, indicating that a well-designed heat sink system.

To store data used eMMC-built storage capacity of 64 GB. When you first launch 43.5 GB is available, so that gamers should consider an external hard drive. However, if you use Chuwi Hi13 as a multimedia tablet, or to work with documents, it should be sufficient and the existing volume.

operating system

In this model, the manufacturer refused to dual boot and left only Windows 10 Home. Licensing system, so you can not worry about the legality of software used.

After the first run the operating system will automatically install all updates, so you will always have the latest version. Please note that the manufacturer has taken care to create a special service partition with the Windows way, thanks to which it is always possible to restore the original configuration.

results

In general, the results of tests and personal use, I got very positive impression of Chuwi Hi13. Its strengths I'd carried her wonderful screen, excellent materials and workmanship, decent performance. Another strong argument in favor of the device - its price. At the time of this writing, it is $ 340 only for the tablet and $ 415 for a full set of keyboard and stylus. If you hurry, you can get a little more discount. For the money you are having so much high-quality screen will not find another device.

However, there is at this gadget and disadvantages. Weight of the tablet with the keyboard more than two kilograms that much. However, this is due to a durable metal housing, so that the fault can still be forgiven.

The second cause for complaint - too wishy-washy sound built-in speakers. The dimensions of the device allows using higher quality components, but it seems that in this matter the manufacturer simply saved. Good for those who work in the headphones they will not face this problem.

The author expresses his gratitude to the company Chuwi for providing the test sample.