Save 25% on a Chuwi MiniBook pre-order, the 8.0-inch GPD and One Mix competitor

Hot on the heels of One-netbook and the release of its One Mix 3 is Chuwi, which has unveiled a promotional website for its upcoming MiniBook. The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) started life as the iLife NG08 and looks remarkably like the GPD Pocket 2, One Mix 3 and the Topjoy Falcon.

Originally, we reported that the MiniBook would come with a Celeron N4000 or Celeron N4100, but Chuwi has more powerful plans for the device. Its promotional page lists a model with a Core m3-8100Y processor instead, which the company has set to an 8 W thermal design power (TDP). By default, the CPU comes with a 5 W TDP, but Intel allows OEMs to configure it with between a 4 W and 8 W TDP. Liliputing asserts that Chuwi still plans to bring a Celeron N4100 powered model to market and that the one listed on its promotional page will be the premium model. The listing confirms the following specifications for the latter:

• Display: 8-inch IPS touchscreen - 1,920 x 1,200 native resolution
• RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4 RAM
• Storage: 128 GB eMMC
• Battery: 26.6 Wh
• Ports: USB Type-C port - PD 2.0 fast charging, USB 3.0 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, headphone jack, mini HDMI port, microSD card reader
• Other: 360° hinge, additional M.2 slot, TF card expansion, fingerprint scanner integrated within the power button

Chuwi claims that the additional M.2 slot supports NVMe drives and up to 2000 MB/s transfer speeds, which would suggest that it uses four lanes of PCIe. It also appears that the MiniBook will come in three colours: Grey, Rose Gold and Silver.

Chuwi has hinted that the MiniBook could eventually retail for just under US$700. The company will bring the MiniBook to Indiegogo next month and is currently offering a 25% early bird discount on its promotional page, which it states will bring the price down to below US$550. The website also has a timer that will run out on June 19. Hence, we suspect to see the crowdfunding campaign go live on June 19.