With the next generation LapBook SE, the Chinese manufacturer Chuwi has released a notebook.
However, Chuwi is targeting the lower middle class in the laptops market with this more affordable device.
For less than $300, you get not only an attractive design but solid, technical data offered.
The Asian manufacturer Chuwi is according to their own statements since 2004 in the business, but only gradually gained more popularity in 2010.
Since 2015, the company has been actively involved in bringing its devices internationally to men and women.
Chuwi focuses on notebooks and tablets as well as 2-in-1 devices. For our test, we have now received the notebook Chuwi LapBook SE.
At this dealer, the notebook currently costs about $300. Chuwi sets for this notebook on a very slim design.
However, since the price is below $300, there is, of course, a different overall package in terms of processing and technology than Apple’s counterparts.
Here are the most important technical data of the Chuwi LapBook SE in the review.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Specifications
Now it’s clear that the Celeron-based processor, based on the aging Apollo Lake architecture of 2017, cannot work miracles.
The latter we want to find out in this test then. First, we will look at the next section but the equipment and processing of the Chuwi LapBook SE.
| Teclast F5: | Specs |
|---|---|
| Display: | 13.3 inches IPS Screen with 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| CPU: | Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core up to 2.4GHz |
| GPU: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| RAM: | 4GB |
| Internal memory: | 32GB + 128GB of SSD |
| Memory extension: | up to 128GB |
| Connectivity: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band and Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery: | 5000mAh (12V/2A) |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Connections: | HDMI, 1x SD card reader, USB 3.0 2x and 3.5mm audio Jack |
| Weight: | 1.438g |
| Dimensions: | 317.0 x 215.0 x 15.9 mm |
| Price: | $300 |
After that, we will devote some benchmarks to assess the performance. Afterward, an insight into our practical test of the notebook takes place.
Finally, we draw a conclusion and state for whom the laptop is suitable in our opinion.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Desing and Appearance
The Chuwi LapBook SE in the analisis makes a difference visually. At first glance, the notebook looks very high quality.
On closer inspection, however, one also discovers where the manufacturer had to make compromises in direct comparison with more expensive models.
Thus, although a large part of the housing made of magnesium or aluminum, but also plastic is used.
In addition, the wide hinge, which holds the screen, to our impression a bit wobbly and not very confidence-inspiring. Whether that longevity proves, we doubt something.
One can also criticize that Chuwi relies on a proprietary power connection. However, many other manufacturers do the same, so you can not go to court with Chuwi too hard.
Great thing: At the bottom of a slot can be opened easily, if independently and without loss of warranty, a second SSD in form factor M.2 should be added.
Incidentally, the Chuwi LapBook SE weighs 1.438 kg, but because of the very slim design, we still feel the notebook is very portable.
The diagonal of 13.3 inches also lays on the newer LapBook SE in the test. However, the design just seems much more modern and more like a piece.
Even the touchpad proves to be well-made – which unfortunately can not always be assumed.
One reason why we prefer to connect an external mouse directly to the editor on most notebooks. But that does not necessarily have to be the case with the Chuwi LapBook SE.
Atypical: The power button is not on the side, but right at the top of the keyboard – next to the Delete button. You have to get used to that and also pay attention to it during operation. If you tap elsewhere, you run the risk of accidentally turning off your notebook.
Connections on the left side of the Chuwi LapBook SE include Mini-HDMI, the headphone port and USB 3.0.
On the right side are a port for USB 3.0, TF card slot and DC charge. In addition, a webcam with 2 megapixels at the front is integrated quite inconspicuously.
Overall, Chuwi presents the LapBook SE, a very well-made notebook, whose minor deficiencies are limited.
In this price range, the Chinese manufacturer moves according to our impressions in any case in the above-average range.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Display
The Chuwi LapBook SE uses a 13.3-inch diagonal screen and 1920 × 1080 pixels.
Unfortunately, the illumination is visibly uneven, which can already be seen after the start but also during operation.
At the start, the halos on the upper and lower edges are unmistakable. During operation, this is less noticeable, unless you show over the entire picture mainly dark content.
One drawback, however, is the uneven illumination, definitely.
By the way, in everyday life, we came up with a battery charge when working with Libre Office and Affinity Photo, some YouTube videos, some surfing with Google Chrome and all in all about 7 hours of continuous operation.
It should be noted that we set the brightness relatively low – only 25% – which was enough for us thick.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Hardware and Performance
The Chuwi LapBook SE in our test cannot tear down trees with its Intel Celeron N4100. It is not worthwhile here to offer a large benchmark parkour.
However, we still put the test to the test with both 3DMark, PC Mark and AnTuTu.
The fact that 3DMark patronizingly writes “valid score” underneath is a nice gag. No, the notebook is not really that weak on the chest.
In fact, the benchmark broke, unfortunately, even with several attempts always off.
All that is missing is AnTuTu – the results in the picture above are also visible here. The Chuwi LapBook SE can get 118,045 points in this case.
As a layman guesses, these are all results that fit into an entry-level chip such as the Intel Celeron N4100 with passive cooling and the accompanying 4 GB of DDR3 RAM.
In everyday life, the Chuwi LapBook SE still performs well in simple tasks. The 4 GB of RAM help in multitasking quite supportive.
It becomes difficult, however, when powerful applications, such as Affinity, should be open parallel to a browser with multiple tabs.
The LapBook SE in our analisis is sufficient for simple work, but high demands should not be placed on the system performance.
The aged Intel Celeron N4100 smothers further ambitions in the bud. Even for casual games, the Chuwi LapBook SE is unsuitable.
Well, who wants to play an adventure like “Baphomets Curse 5: The Fall of Man”, will come with the LapBook SE.
Everything else, even the simple knitted Telltale games, however, overwhelms the passively cooled processor.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Software
Crashes or other abnormalities were missing on the Chuwi LapBook SE.
However, it was possible for us to define English as the default language despite downloading the English language pack in Windows 10.
Updates, the notebook pulled back easily and even the last fall update (Windows 10 Case Creators Update) wandered without a grunt on the LapBook SE.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Keyboard and Sound
The backlit keyboard is big enough to make even longer texts pleasant.
The attack is quite easy and even if the plastic of the Keys could haptically feel like a bit higher quality, the overall picture fits quite well.
Also, the touchpad does, as already mentioned at the beginning, better its service than expected.
Unfortunately, physical buttons for left- and right-click are missing, but the operation is also possible with gestures and appropriate taps.
Unfortunately, Chuwi can not score with the speakers on the LapBook SE. That tedious tinkle in front of you, so that you can quickly headphone or a Bluetooth speaker wished.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Conclusions and Reviews
The Chuwi LapBook SE in our review is quite an attractive notebook for its price. The workmanship is correct and the metal housing looks high-quality.
Unfortunately, the screen is lit quite unevenly, which is easy to notice, depending on the application scenarios.
For this, buyers will get a very slim notebook with sufficient performance for office and simple multimedia applications.
Although Windows 10 Home is only available in English (or Chinese) from the factory. Other language packs are downloaded quickly, but unfortunately could not be set as the default setting in our test without a complete reinstallation.
Although it is a pity that Chuwi only uses eMMC memory, the user can retrofit an SSD in form factor M.2. There is an extra easy-to-open flap on the underside.
Chuwi LapBook SE: Price and Where to buy cheaper?
Overall, the LapBook SE did well in our test. For the good and low price of about $269.99 with coupon code: GB&TACWlapbookse, you can buy Chuwi LapBook SE here a high-quality notebook for study or office work.
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