Xiaomi Surprises With MacBook Lookalike 'Mi Notebook Air'

[alexgowers]

Pretty good laptop for the price. I use iPhone but for a laptop, Windows OEMs offer much better specs at a lower price.
Apple seems to be obsessed with minimalism offering very limited ports.

I disagree at the time of release you usually can't match apple specs for less, especially when released in tandem with a CPU generation change. Once you spec in HiDpi screen, battery life, better trackpads, weight, SSD read & write speeds etc windows machines just are a long way off. I remember at the time i got my 13inch macbook pro I actually couldn't find a single windows machine with same specs for less and it took Dell a sold year to get the new XPS out that still didn't match it and was still plastic.

Sorry but this windows is cheaper thing is a fallacy!

This machine is so far off being comparable, it's not just the specs but the specs they don't give you that matter. It's the thermal throttling, bottlenecks in motherboards, driver compatibility, poor support and more that mean this kind of machine is wrong for so many people.

Sure if you're price sensitive take the plunge but You get what you pay no matter the brand!
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I kind of love how there is absolutely no logo on that unit.

Ditto, I love anything with small or no logos on them. I still prefer the logo on the lid and nothing on the inside. Reminds me of older phones and current samsung ones that have a logo plastered on the forehead all ugly and such.

 

[TechZeke]

You won't get me to agree on iPhone battery life. I need a battery case to make it more than 14 hours on mixed use (I need it to last 16-20 hours of mixed use, minimum).

The chart seems pretty accurate to me, based on my experience. I did a trip with couple of fellow interns to different office all over So Cal at the company I work for.(The trip literally took all day. We didn't get back until 6pm) The intern with the Galaxy S6 had her phone die before we made it to final leg of the trip(Ventura to Pomona, California), while my 6 Plus was serving navigation duty as a GPS throughout the trip and I made it back to the office with 30% battery left. With my current 6S Plus, I can actually make it through a day after forgetting to charge it the night before.

My old iPhone 5 had terrible battery life though. It would be at 20% by 10am. Generally nowadays, the iPhone having poor battery life stereotype is grossly inaccurate.

 

[9081094]

AppleCare is for 3 years. You can pop into any Apple Store globally without needing POP (as warranty is validated by SN) and have it repaired within a few days. Apple also have a brilliant RMA/DOA process. AppleCare also covers consumable items like batteries, which no other manufacturer do. Heck, Lenovo don't even cover dead pixels on a brand-new machine with their warranty.

So... what if it goes wrong? How do you get it returned? Unless you're suggesting you should just buy a new one if it fails

In European ruling every computer company must give 3 years full warranty on their products even 5 years as it's more expensive. No need for that expensive Apple care. Apple was ruled in court order to provide this too as it was the only computer company ignoring this fact.

 

[keysofanxiety]

In European ruling every computer company must give 3 years full warranty on their products even 5 years as it's more expensive. No need for that expensive Apple care. Apple was ruled in court order to provide this too as it was the only computer company ignoring this fact.

I live in the UK. The company I work for bought 1000 Lenovo laptops and RMAing ones with dead pixels is nigh-on impossible.

It's easy to cite the letter of the law and think everybody adheres to it without question. You'll have a bitter wakeup call when you try to actually get things fixed using that law. HP don't even have a complaints team.

 

[9081094]

I live in the UK. The company I work for bought 1000 Lenovo laptops and RMAing ones with dead pixels is nigh-on impossible.

It's easy to cite the letter of the law and think everybody adheres to it without question. You'll have a bitter wakeup call when you try to actually get things fixed using that law. HP don't even have a complaints team.

My company bought me a new iMac 27 inch last year and there are three dead pixels in it. Apple won't replace it only after 4 dead pixels.

 

[keysofanxiety]

My company bought me a new iMac 27 inch last year and there are three dead pixels in it. Apple won't replace it only after 4 dead pixels.

You reported a DOA iMac and they wouldn't sort it? I have to wonder if there's more to the story you're not telling me.

 

[Wyvernspirit]

So they are trying to copy an Apple product that Apple itself is killing soon?

No they are copying the MacBook while using the air name and pricing.
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Windows 10 > MacOS

Only haters will say anything different.

For many, Windows 10 isn't even the best version of Windows.

 

[derekamoss]

Best... Gif... EVER!

 

[flyinmac]

For many, Windows 10 isn't even the best version of Windows.

For many the Mac OS won't do anything useful to them.

For many, the Mac OS is completely inadequate, incompatible, and useless.

The same can be said about every operating system ever made.

Most who care, will choose the operating system that works best for their needs.

On one machine, Windows XP is the best operating system and best version of Windows because it is the most capable for the task I ask of that machine.

On another machine Windows 10 is the best version of Windows, because only Windows 10 will do what I want that machine to do.

On another machine Mac OS 10.7.5 is the best version of the Mac OS, because that was the last version of OS X that did everything my way in all the areas that matter to me for the tasks I do on that machine.

On my iPhone, I don't care which version of iOS is on it. They've all worked. But then again, I do find that I revert to Android devices for some tasks.

The simple truth is that there is no single operating system or version of said operating system that will be the best for everyone.

I can't even find one operating system or version that I like for everything.

But I do find that I prefer Windows 10 for most of my general tasks. Daily stuff.

The other options I have are choices I make for specific tasks.

I like Macs. But I'm also not biased towards them or any other machine.

I've used almost every operating system and version ever made (probably several you've never heard of). No single version of an Operating System will please everyone.

 

[sundragon]

Relative cons:

• not retina,
• not running OSX or macOS,
• 0.79LBS heavier,
• no Apple branding (but space for an Apple sticker is available)
• article doesn't share "thinner" but I'm guessing it's not quite as thin (and I know that is a paramount concern for all of us),
• includes the "antiquated" headphone jack instead of a proprietary lightning jack

Relative pros:

• much more powerful processor,
• multiple standard ports (without needing an adapter),
• discrete graphics processor,
• slightly larger screen (in either model),
• about half the price of MB,
• includes the thoroughly ubiquitous standard headphone jack, no adapters required

Is this basically a more powerful MB at MBair pricing (albeit without OS X)?
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Applecare for MB $249 vs. Cost of a new MI (starting at about) $540

Just a heads up - It appears to be a TN screen not an IPS screen. That is a considerable difference in my opinion. Resolution aside, I'd like to see a proper review before I say this is comprable because you stare at that screen all day and if it's washed out, and has poor viewing angles, then I'd rather pay a few hundred more for a better screen... I'm all about bang for the dollar but the thing you stare at for hours needs to be exceptional.

 

[grahamperrin]

Moved from https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/23191853

A few items of interest:

• recent but undated Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air — the Description of All Models in the Mi Laptop Series
  
• Xiaomi's first laptop is the $750 (£571) Mi Notebook Air
• Xiaomi gets into the laptop business with $750 MacBook competitor | The Verge – Also selling smaller $525 Mi Notebook Air variant
• Xiaomi’s Mi Notebook Air takes on the MacBook for just £550 | Ars Technica UK
• Xiaomi surprises market with first laptop | South China Morning Post although it's not entirely a surprise; the company publicised its plans for a laptop in September 2015
• Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air vs MacBook Air vs HP Envy 13: Specifications comparison | The Indian Express
• The First Hands on Review on Xiaomi Notebook Air gets Posted on Youtube - UPTOPLAPTOP – there's a video with subtitles in English
• Xiami Mi Notebook Air 12.5" & 13.3" Hands On Review & Comparision - YouTube – no subtitles yet

– and the CNET review linked from the opening post is describes as 'hands on'.

 

[grahamperrin]

Under the related poll, @Osty wondered about BSD. This afternoon in irc://chat.freenode.net/#pcbsd for TrueOS Desktop:

TrueOS has the more recent nvidia drivers as well as the newer xorg compat stuff for it
so those laptops probably will work on TrueOS much sooner than on pure FreeBSD

Related:

• http://www.freshports.org/x11/nvidia-driver/ with reference to http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html
• https://github.com/trueos/freebsd-ports/blob/master/x11/nvidia-driver/Makefile
  
• the most recent FreeBSD Quarterly Status Report, in particular –

… expanded graphics support, both at the chipset and window manager levels …

 

[bubulol]

Of course they are a copy of a beautiful product!

If you asked me, they look even prettier, slick design, no logo...
For the first time, i must say alternatives look almost equal if not better than the master^^
I am going to buy it, cant wait next Macbook Pro Retina
Well i am not really interested into Apple eco-system, when i had iPhone, i didnt buy Macbook, when i had Macbook, i switched to Android, now i got iPhone again but thinking switching on Xiaomi Notebook Air (it looks like i am the opposite of fanboy^^)
I got iphone SE, a Xperia Tablet (Android) and planning to buy that Xiaomi Notebook Air (W10)
Sure i will miss OSX but we cant wait forever for a major updates, Macbook range look pretty awful, Macbook Air is really outdated, Macbook 12 is clivant machine and underpowered, Macbook Pro Retina hasnt been updated for a while...

 

[grahamperrin]

Exploring innovation in Shanzhai: the case of mobile phones

From the abstract of this recently published journal article, with added emphasis:

Chinese innovation in low-cost, ‘good enough’ electronic products has been very active. Such products may be copies of current branded goods that are positioned as straightforward counterfeits, knock-offs, or Shanzhai. In this paper, we argue that this simplistic analysis is inadequate to describe novel approaches to the production of new goods and that a new system of innovation is emerging. This novel innovation system has a distinct set of context specific actors and intra- and inter-firm structures that have aided the technology innovations and the development of new business models. This paper employs a case study method and uses qualitative data to explore how innovations emerge in new mobile technologies and the innovation system that supports their emergence. It examines the Shanzhai mobile phone industry as a case and provides a first attempt to map the innovation system that has developed. The results suggest that the distinctive characteristics of the Chinese innovation system contribute to the innovations around the product and the production processes. It further confirms the suitability of applying the innovation system approach to Shanzhai phenomenon, and explores new forms of innovation dynamics. …​

From beneath the poll that relates to this topic

… Chinese copycat …

… Chinese knock-off …

… You don't have to invest the time, energy, R&D, etc. nexessary to produce the product. I.e. Just putting your name on it doesn't make it yours. Hence, the failure both of my students and of Xiaomi.

From this topic

Chinese manufacturer ripping off

knocked off

copycat crown

knock off

Shameless hardware bootleggers who are incapable of an ounce of original, creative thought.

 

[CBillups1]

So when does this release

I assume we have to buy from overseas

 

[willmtaylor]

Exploring innovation in Shanzhai: the case of mobile phones

From the abstract of this recently published journal article, with added emphasis:

Chinese innovation in low-cost, ‘good enough’ electronic products has been very active. Such products may be copies of current branded goods that are positioned as straightforward counterfeits, knock-offs, or Shanzhai. In this paper, we argue that this simplistic analysis is inadequate to describe novel approaches to the production of new goods and that a new system of innovation is emerging. This novel innovation system has a distinct set of context specific actors and intra- and inter-firm structures that have aided the technology innovations and the development of new business models. This paper employs a case study method and uses qualitative data to explore how innovations emerge in new mobile technologies and the innovation system that supports their emergence. It examines the Shanzhai mobile phone industry as a case and provides a first attempt to map the innovation system that has developed. The results suggest that the distinctive characteristics of the Chinese innovation system contribute to the innovations around the product and the production processes. It further confirms the suitability of applying the innovation system approach to Shanzhai phenomenon, and explores new forms of innovation dynamics. …​

From beneath the poll that relates to this topic

From this topic

 

[grahamperrin]

From an academic English teacher who has taught thousands of students:

YEAH, WELL, THAT'S JUST LIKE YOUR OPINION, MAN

 

[japanime]

Exploring innovation in Shanzhai: the case of mobile phones

Co-authored by a professor working for a university in China.

 

[grahamperrin]

@japanime credit to you for taking time to consider the paper.

The single sentence about funding for completion of the research and the paper mentions the Ministry of Education, but not a university. That sentence alone does not adequately describe the research that preceded the paper.

Which of the two professors did you mean?

 

[willmtaylor]

From an academic who has taught thousands of students:

"An academic"? Please cease and desists with the ad hominem attacks. I'm a lowly English teacher who loves traveling the world and teaching ESL to international students.

Furthermore--and more importantly--are you seriously so entrenched in OSX coding and Iraq war tweeting that you can't take a joke, or are you just not a fan of Lebowski (and if it's the latter, what's wrong with you?!?!)

Finally, and least importantly, I did in fact read your peer-reviewed scholarly journal and found it lacking in relevant substance. It spoke merely to the means of ShanzhaiGi but not to the ethics--which is my point. The article amounted to little more than:

Smaller companies are struggling to compete, so instead of doing all of the hard work, they're employing a different business model: copying the designs of more established companies. This means they save money by doing none of the hard work and can capitalize on a poor middle class which is desperate for the look of the newest technology but doesn't have the fiscal means to purchase it. Oh, and those mean old capitalists just don't understand our ways. Here's how the companies are doing it...."​

How's that for an abstract?

P.S. Take a breath and smile a bit; I know ther isn't as much sun across the pond, but you'll feel better.

 

[Michael Goff]

So they copied including a keyboard and screen and trackpad and aluminum?

Appalling.

If they really were copying Apple it wouldn't have all those industry standard ports and would have removed the entire battery if necessary to make it 1mm thinner than the last one.

Removing the ports on the MacBook wasn't about thinner. Why do people keep parroting that?

 

[grahamperrin]

P.S. Take a breath and smile a bit;

I was smiling greatly and making mmm noises with a tenth Fruittella in my mouth, then catching up on this topic made me laugh

 

[willmtaylor]

I was smiling greatly and making mmm noises with a tenth Fruittella in my mouth, then catching up on this topic made me laugh

Cheers.

 

[JackANSI]

The chart seems pretty accurate to me, based on my experience. I did a trip with couple of fellow interns to different office all over So Cal at the company I work for.(The trip literally took all day. We didn't get back until 6pm) The intern with the Galaxy S6 had her phone die before we made it to final leg of the trip(Ventura to Pomona, California), while my 6 Plus was serving navigation duty as a GPS throughout the trip and I made it back to the office with 30% battery left. With my current 6S Plus, I can actually make it through a day after forgetting to charge it the night before.

My old iPhone 5 had terrible battery life though. It would be at 20% by 10am. Generally nowadays, the iPhone having poor battery life stereotype is grossly inaccurate.

I will never agree. My 6 is completely dead between 2-3pm (from 6am) if I don't have an external power source. I have 31 apps installed (no power saps like facebook or anything), on the phone a fair bit and when not usually playing music, GPS/Nav occasionally, lots of quick emails and sms, and a decent amount of tethering. I've never got the use-time advertised by Apple, ever. This has been repeated from all my iPhones from the 4 on.

Claim it's inaccurate all you want... the battery life freakin' sucks if you actually push the thing.

 

[TechZeke]

I will never agree. My 6 is completely dead between 2-3pm (from 6am) if I don't have an external power source. I have 31 apps installed (no power saps like facebook or anything), on the phone a fair bit and when not usually playing music, GPS/Nav occasionally, lots of quick emails and sms, and a decent amount of tethering. I've never got the use-time advertised by Apple, ever. This has been repeated from all my iPhones from the 4 on.

Claim it's inaccurate all you want... the battery life freakin' sucks if you actually push the thing.

You're starting from 6am on a 4.7" class phone. I consider that pretty decent, and we haven't even considered the exact amount of time you do each of these tasks as well as what brightness. I'm on the train to work by 6:30am and my old iPhone 5 would die before noon. If you were starting at 8am, that'd be one thing, but I don't think you would get any better if not worse from another smartphone in a similar size class.

Generally for the best battery life you need a ~3000 mah found in the 5.5" size class, which make up the top smartphones on the battery life chart. It may suck for your specific use case, but its perfectly in-line with the chart. There's no way any of the recent sub 5" android phones would last longer, especially the S6.

I stand by what said, the poor battery life (I guess in comparison to other phones) stereotype is inaccurate.