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Chuwi Surbook

Specifications

Chuwi Surbook
Chuwi Surbook (Surbook Series)
Processor
Intel Celeron N3450 4 x 1.1 - 2.2 GHz, Apollo Lake
Graphics adapter
Memory
6 GB 
Display
12.30 inch 3:2, 2736 x 1824 pixel 267 PPI, IPS, glossy: yes
Storage
128 GB SSD
Connections
2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1
Networking
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 15 x 293 x 200 ( = 0.59 x 11.54 x 7.87 in)
Battery
10000 mAh
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Primary Camera: 5 MPix
Secondary Camera: 2 MPix
Weight
1.043 kg ( = 36.79 oz / 2.3 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 71.11% - average
Average of 9 scores (from 15 reviews)
price: 80%, performance: 70%, features: 70%, display: 78% mobility: 75%, workmanship: 79%, ergonomy: - %, emissions: - %

Reviews for the Chuwi Surbook

85% Chuwi SurBook 2 in 1 PC Tablet Review
Source: Tech PowerUP English Archive.org version
In general, I like the Chuwi SurBook. They have done more than enough right to make a compelling offering in the 2-in-1 market. A few changes would really turn it into a home run. All the same, it left a good impression and made for a great daily driver for typical work-related tasks or watching cat videos, whatever struck my fancy at the time. Battery life proved to be the key for me, though. With a few tweaks, I was able to make it last throughout the day. Keep in mind I did not use it continuously; however, I wasn't rushing to an outlet to keep it going when I did.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/01/2018
Rating: Total score: 85%
50% Chuwi SurBook review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
For the price, the Chuwi SurBook isn’t good enough. Though it is cheaper than mainstream low-end Intel laptops, the performance is disappointing, and Chuwi itself has better performing products at lower prices.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/25/2018
Rating: Total score: 50%
60% Chuwi SurBook Review
Source: Slashgear English Archive.org version
Unfortunately, the SurBook now suffers from a sort of middle child problem. Last month, Chuwi announced the SurBook Mini which brings all of that to a smaller size. A Surface 4, if you will. And now it also has the CoreBook, which, finally, isn’t a name you’d be associating with an existing line. You could call it the SurBook 2, if you want, and its Core M processor and revamped design might make you think twice about investing in a plain not-so-old SurBook at this point in time.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/15/2017
Rating: Total score: 60%
80% Chuwi SurBook review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
The SurBook is an interesting product pitched at those who would’ve wanted a Surface 3 with some Surface Pro characteristics. Chuwi delivers admirably here, but there are some flaws that need to be addressed.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/10/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Chuwi SurBook hands-on: A high-performing Surface clone
Source: Zdnet.com English Archive.org version
All in all, I loved testing this tablet, which, like the Hi13, performs as well as my laptop. And at just over half of the cost of its competitors, what's not to like.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/27/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

Chuwi Surbook 12.3 performant und gut verarbeitet
Source: Tech Stage German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/26/2018
Chuwi SurBook
Source: ChinaMobileMag German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/02/2018
Chinesen kopieren Microsoft – und das richtig gut
Source: Blick German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/30/2017
75% Chuwi Surbook Review en Español (Análisis completo)
Source: Profesional Review Spanish ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/25/2017
Rating: Total score: 75% performance: 70% display: 80% workmanship: 78%
70% Recensione Chuwi Surbook
Source: Smart World Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/24/2017
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 80% features: 70% display: 75% mobility: 75% workmanship: 80%
Chuwi SurBook: l'anti Surface Pro molto economico
Source: Leonardo.it Tech Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Nice display; good price; comfortable keyboard; decent performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/07/2017
Recensione Chuwi Surbook
Source: HDblog.it Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Nice display; solid workmanship; decent speakers; good cooling system. Negative: Short battery life; low performance; no external keyboard.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/27/2017
[Ifa2017] Stand Chuwi - Surbook, Alternativa Al Surface Di Microsoft E Proiettore Portatile Android/Windows
Source: Cinafoniaci Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Powerful hardware; high portability; smart stylus pen; good price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/02/2017
70% Test Chuwi SurBook : un clone de la Surface Pro à prix mini
Source: Phonandroid French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/30/2018
Rating: Total score: 70%
70% Test Chuwi SurBook : un clone de la Surface Pro à prix mini
Source: Phonandroid French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/30/2018
Rating: Total score: 70%

Comment

Model:

The Chuwi SurBook began its life as an Indiegogo campaign, pitched as an affordable 2-in-1 Intel-based PC tablet that looks like an almost exact replica of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4, only without the hefty price tag. The SurBook has the same diagonal screen size (12.3 inches) and the same display resolution (2736 x 1824 pixels) as the Surface Pro 4. The chassis is made of a magnesium alloy - it is light, strong and a very good heat conductor, which is definitely a good thing. Users will notice that there are no fans on the SurBook and therefore no grilles; the only ones you will find are the two speaker grilles located on either side of the tablet. So, heat spreads in the entire chassis, which then acts like a giant heatsink. The screen, which sports a 3:2 aspect ratio, is surrounded by a bezel with a width varying between 15mm and 18mm; thin enough to be almost inconspicuous. The top edge of the device hosts the volume rocker and the power button. Four ports (two USB Type-A, an audio jack, and one USB Type-C port) are located on the right. There are no HDMI ports, which means users will need to get an adaptor to connect an external monitor. For the processor, Chuwi chose Intel's newest generation quad-core 4-thread Apollo Lake N3450 processor that was launched at the end of 2016. It is the perfect choice for 2-in-1 tablets and lightweight laptops, balancing best value with fantastic performance. Compared to the previous ‘Cherry Trail’ generation, it offers a 30% performance improvement, and finely tuned power management gives longer battery life. The SurBook can confidently handle all kinds of everyday scenarios, such as working, shopping or gaming, backed up by Intel Generation 9 HD graphics, meaning it can smoothly play HD videos and run 3D games.

 

Furthermore, there is a pair of cameras (5-megapixel at the back and 2-megapixel in the front). The keyboard, with large keys and decent feedback, is accurate and reasonably pleasant to use; the touchpad is also usable, but neither will stand the comparison with a traditional keyboard/touchpad combo on a laptop. The SurBook boasts an amazing 2736 x 1824 (2K) resolution screen, one of the world's highest resolution displays for a tablet. It is perfect for everyday use, but also suitable for specialist work. The sharp contrast and delicate colors can make works look even more outstanding. The display is excellent, probably on par with the Surface Pro 4. Expect vibrant colors with great viewing angles and outstanding image quality throughout. The detachable keyboard and adjustable kickstand make the SurBook ideal for business travelers. With an ultra-slim keyboard, it can be easily put into a bag or brought along anywhere you want. The keyboard is also backlit, so users can type with ease even in the dimmest light. Its 125-degree-angle kickstand frees hands and makes it easy to present the screen to colleagues or friends.

 

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

 

Intel HD Graphics 500: Integrated low-end graphics adapter with DirectX 12 support, which can be found in some ULV SoCs from the Apollo Lake series.

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Celeron N3450: Frugal quad-core SoC from the Apollo Lake series for inexpensive notebook. Runs with clocks between 1.1-2.2 GHz and integrates a DirectX 12 capable graphics adapter. Compared to the previous Atom generation, the per-MHz performance of the CPU architecture was vastly improved and the graphics adapter was improved as well.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


12.30":

This range of display format is largely the upper limit for tablets and the lower limit for subnotebooks.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small in size and therefore easily portable. The tiny display has the added advantage of requiring little power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is exhausting for the eyes. High resolutions, which one is used to from a standard laptop, are almost not usable.

The same applies to tablets in this size range.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


71.11%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Acer Switch 3 SW312-31-C4P6
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350
Acer Switch 3 SW312-31-C8ZK
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350

Devices with the same GPU

Asus VivoBook Flip 12 TP202NA-EH008TS
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.3 kg
Lenovo 300e 81FY0007MH
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3450, 11.60", 1.5 kg
Trekstor PrimeTab S11B
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 0.78 kg
Asus VivoBook Flip 12 TP202NA-EH001T
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.3 kg
HP Chromebook x360 11 G1-2XZ59EA
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.4 kg
HP Chromebook 11 x360 G1
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.3 kg
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 R751TN-C0CG
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.4 kg
Lenovo 500e Chromebook-81ES0005UK
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3450, 11.60", 1.35 kg
Lenovo YOGA 310-11IAP-80U2006HSP
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.35 kg
Trekstor Primetab T13B
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 13.30", 1.47 kg
Asus VivoBook Flip 12 TP203NAH-BP073T
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.3 kg
Asus Chromebook Flip C213NA-BU0033
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.25 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-32N-C2GU
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.186 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-32N-C2X3
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.25 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-32N-C9Q9
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.25 kg
Trekstor Primebook C13
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 13.30", 1.39 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-31-C1TK
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3450, 11.60", 1.5 kg
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 R751T-C4XP
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.4 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-32N-C9FE
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.6 kg
Asus Chromebook Flip C213SA-YS02
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3350, 11.60", 1.22 kg
Acer TravelMate Spin B1 B118-RN-C6WX
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3450, 11.60", 1.5 kg
Acer Spin 1 SP111-31-C79E
HD Graphics 500, Celeron Celeron N3450, 11.60", 1.5 kg

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Chuwi Minibook X 2023
UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N), Alder Lake-N N100, 10.50", 0.92 kg
Chuwi Freebook 13
UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 24 EU), Jasper Lake Celeron N5100, 13.50", 1.36 kg
Chuwi UBook XPro
HD Graphics 615, Kaby Lake i7-7Y75, 13.00", 0.925 kg
Chuwi MiniBook X
UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 24 EU), Jasper Lake Celeron N5100, 10.80", 0.918 kg
Chuwi Minibook, m3-8100Y
UHD Graphics 615, Amber Lake m3-8100Y, 8.00", 0.65 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum (Update: 2017-10- 2)