Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro i5 Laptop Review

Below is a detailed test video of the Mi Pro by TechTablets.com (in English). You can find the complete review here.

Like many of its role models, Xiaomi's Mi Notebook Pro also has an aluminum case. The case is visually pleasing overall, only the display lid looks a little bland without any logo. Xiaomi calls the color of its aluminum racer "Deep Gray," which is quite similar to the "Space Gray" of the Californians in our comparison. The stability and haptic are also compelling. The differences to much more expensive models only become obvious in the details, such as the bottom edge of the case which turns out to be slightly too sharp on the sides. This can be explained, for example, by the case construction. Xiaomi doesn't use a unibody concept here but works with form-pressed metal plates on a magnesium frame inside. However, considering the price range in which the Mi Pro notebook competes, the result is impressive. 

At a weight of about 2 kg (~4.4 lb) and a case thickness of 16 mm (~0.63 in), the Mi Pro laptop is one of the thinner, yet heavier models in our comparison field. Dell's XPS 15 is about 100 grams (~0.22 lb) heavier, and Apple's current completely redesigned MacBook Pro is almost 200 g (~0.44 lb) lighter and about 1 mm (~0.04 in) thinner. If you compare the XPS 15 with the current MacBook Pro 15, it becomes clear that the Dell XPS is already desperately waiting for an update, since by now the racer has become too thick and heavy in comparison. There are first rumors speaking about an update of the XPS series for the coming CES 2018. However, thanks to the slim Infinity-Edge display bezels, the advantages of the other dimensions of the XPS 15 still remain. 

On the left side, the Xiaomi Mi Pro offers one HDMI-Port, two USB 3.0 connections, and a 3.5 mm port for a headset. On the right side, we can find two Type-C connections far in the back, one of which is also used for charging the device. Although charging is only possible through that port, unfortunately this is also the port that can be used for a high-resolution monitor (DisplayPort). In the test, we were able to connect a Dell U3415W with 3440x1440 pixels at 60 Hz. In this case, you would need an adapter to charge it at the same time.

According to Xiaomi, the Type-C ports are Gen. 1 connections with a transfer rate of 1.5 GB/s. In our test, we were annoyed about the distribution of the ports (no Type-A USB ports on the right side) and about the fact that the two USB Type-C ports are not similar and cannot both be used for charging or connecting a display. 

Positive: The notebook offers a full-size card-reader. However, the observed transfer rates are very low in comparison. 

In the test, the WiFi transfer rates were satisfactory, even if they do not quite reach the values of the competitors. Compared to the other devices with the same WiFi module (Intel 8265 Tri-Band WiFi) we tested, the Xiaomi Mi Pro places in the bottom quarter. Probably the antennas were not placed optimally in the device.

The large touchpad includes an integrated fingerprint-reader, and while it looks like a swipe reader from the outside it is actually a touch-and-hold reader. During our review period, logging into the device using the fingerprint-reader worked flawlessly and without a hitch. 

Let’s talk about the Mi Pro’s sore spot: warranty. Given that the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro is not officially available in Europe, the US, Canada, and many other countries, you have to import the device from China yourself. Consequently, customers outside of China are limited to seller-based warranties. Some sellers, such as Gearbest, offer a warranty package (DOA, 45-day money back, one-year warranty) but it remains to be seen whether or not this warranty will be claimable and if so how long the process is going to take. In addition, you will have to pay for shipping back to China yourself.

Please see our Guarantees, Return Policies & Warranties FAQ for country-specific information.

The only keyboard layout available for the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro is the standard US QWERTY layout. While not a big issue for our readers on one side of the Atlantic, users used to different layouts might run into some trouble.

Touchpad

Xiaomi has equipped the Mi Pro notebook with an ample-sized touchpad of 8.4 x 12.8 cm (3.3 x 5 in). Due to the high scratch-resistance in the test, this is probably a pad with a glass surface. The haptic experience can be called excellent. The finger always slides across the pad flawlessly, and even multitouch gestures work well. The only negative: A fingerprint-reader inserted in the right top area of the touchpad mars the otherwise flawless experience. Because of the way it is constructed, mechanical clicks can be triggered easily only in the bottom half of the touchpad. The haptic and acoustic feedback turns out to be very good. Perhaps the force needed for this might be a tad too high for some users. However, at this point we can form a positive overall impression of the offered input devices.

The built-in 15.6-inch panel has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD). The display sharpness can be described as sufficient, but with a density of 141 pixels per inch, the panel cannot keep up with the crisp images we are used to from smartphones. Our measurements of the display with the model number BOE0747 NV156FHM-N61 provide basically good results. The brightness is almost 300 cd/m and the maximum contrast ratio is a good 925:1 (black/white). The brightness distribution only lags slightly in the left bottom quarter of the display, but this does not result in any visual effects.

The observed reaction times are within the usual range for the display technology used. We also determined that PWM is used for controlling brightness beginning from a reduction to 99% of the brightness. However, at 21.8 KHz, the frequency is extremely high, so that we do not expect any effects on the user.

The selection of configurations offered by Xiaomi is limited. The Mi Pro can either be equipped with the current Intel i5-8250U or the i7-8550U, which are two native ULV quad-core processors with a TDP of 15 W, as well as with either 8 or 16 GB of working memory. The model with 16 GB of RAM requires the selection of the i7 CPU. In terms of the graphics, there is always a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX150 with 2 GB of GDDR5 graphics storage. It is interesting that Xiaomi currently only offers an SSD with 256 GB, even though there are two M.2 slots. However, an upgrade on your own with suitable tools is not a problem.

Xiaomi already uses the newest, eighth generation of Intel processors in the Mi Notebook Pro. The performance of the i5-8250U in our test unit does not stand out in our comparison field. In the decision on the i5 or i7, the clock speed of the two chips is the deciding factor. While the i5 has a clock speed between 1.6 and 3.4 GHz, the i7 ranges between 1.8 and 4.0 GHz. This enables faster operations particularly in single-threaded applications. In the Cinebench R15 single test, our comparison chart shows an advantage of about 20% for the i7. In the multi-core test, the differences are negligible, since here it mainly depends on the cooling solution how well the developing heat can be diffused.

It is interesting that in the comparison with the well-liked i7-7700HQ 45W-TDP CPUs, which are often used in high-end multimedia notebooks (MacBook Pro 15, XPS 15, ZenBook UX550, etc.), the latter is still ahead by 20-30% in the multi-core test, while the results of the single-core test are very close together, depending on the device. Thanks to the high possible clock speeds, the new i7-8550U may win here.

The i7-7500U, which has often been used in slim notebooks until now, has about the same performance during single-core load, but it remains behind by a full 40% in the multi-core test. Here, the new native quad-core chip can fully use its advantage. 

As usual, we also look at the performance of the CPU in the duration test. In our Cinebench R15 multi loop, the results are already by about 5% lower after the first measurement and then remain on this level. So during constant load scenarios, you should expect a slightly lower performance.

In the PCMark benchmark comparison, our current configuration of the Xiaomi Mi Pro notebook (i5-8250U, 8 GB) places in the middle of the field of the current multimedia racers. The combination of quad-core ULV CPU, entry to mid-level graphics, and fast PCIe SSD is a solid platform for the productive and creative use of the notebook. Possible usage scenarios include image and video-processing and gaming with adjusted settings, in addition to simple office tasks and web-surfing.

The Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics card used in the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro is an independent graphics chip of the entry-to-mid-level. It tops the 3D performance of the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 by a full 150%, and even the sometimes still used GeForce 940MX can be beaten by about 50% in 3DMark 11. However, your expectations in terms of 3D performance and games should not be too high. A GeForce GTX 1050 adds about another 75% performance on top of the MX150, and a GTX 1060, which is recommended as entry into the gaming world, more than triples the 3DMark result of the MX150.

The comparison with other notebooks equipped with the same GPU turned out to be particularly interesting. Depending on what device we compare it to and what benchmarks in particular we are looking at, the difference between the Mi Pro and the competition in 3DMark was between 4-13%. As before, abovementioned TDP limits will highly likely be responsible for this result.

In the first days of our test, we mostly observed a silent operation during non-demanding office tasks and web-surfing. When the two fans started, they remained at a low speed and in an unobtrusive low-frequency range in terms of their noise level. During 3D operation, the 40-dB mark was breached, and the laptop became clearly audible. But even then, the noise can be described as more of a low-frequency whirring, which is also visible in the frequency diagram of our measurements.

We have an overall impression that is positive in this area. The Xiaomi Mi Pro often remains silent, and even when the fans are active, they operate in a frequency range that is unproblematic.

Frequency comparison (checkboxes are selectable!)

If you compare the measurements of the Xiaomi Mi Pro notebook to the current multimedia racers, you can immediately see an advantage in the power consumption. Using the 8250U 15-W CPU and the smaller MX150 can reduce the power consumption in particular during load by half compared to the other devices. As a reminder: In terms of performance, the i5-8250U is about 20% behind the 7700HQ in the Cinebench multi-core test, and the GPU is about 40% behind the stronger GTX 1050 in 3DMark 11. You can easily see the power-consumption advantage of the devices that have a Full HD display compared to those with higher-resolution displays.

Considering the power consumption observed, the signs for a good battery life are very positive. Since Xiaomi does not skimp on the battery capacity either, using a 60 Wh lithium-polymer battery, the notebook can convince in the first test. In our practically relevant WiFi-surf test (150 cd/m2), the Mi Pro lasts for a full 10 hours.

For comparison: the strong-endurance MacBook 13 with a 54-Wh battery and a 7360U CPU with Intel Iris graphics can barely last a little more than an hour longer in our WiFi test (with the MacOS).