They have been manufacturing laptops for years, but now comes the Xiaomi Book S 12.4″, the first convertible from this manufacturer that is designed with a clear orientation to mobile workers due to its dimensions and weight. Of course: to make it a laptop we will need to purchase the optional keyboard, not included as standard.
This convertible tablet has a surprise in store: its processor, which is a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2. Thus, we are dealing with a device with ARM architecture that, yes, is governed by Windows 11 for ARM, a version theoretically prepared to offer a complete productivity experience.
Xiaomi Book S 12.4″ technical specifications
| Xiaomi Book S 12.4 | |
|---|---|
| Screen | LCD 12.4″, 16:10 format, 2,560 x 1,600 pixels (WQHD+)60 Hz, 500 nits, touch (10 multi-touch points) DCI-P3 100%, Gorilla Glass |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 (7 nm) CPU: Qualcomm Kryo 495 (octa-core, hasta 2.84 GHz) GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 680 |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | USB-C 3.5 mm minijack |
| Cameras | Rear: 13MP Front: 5 MP |
| Audio | 2+2W dual speaker dual microphone |
| Battery | 38.08 Wh / 4,920 mAh 65W fast charge |
| Peripherals | Keyboard (optional)Xiaomi Smart Pen (optional) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 for ARM |
| Dimensions and Weight | 294 x 197 x 8.95 mm 720 g |
| Price | €599 (promotional) |
Following in the footsteps of Microsoft Surface
Xiaomi’s new device follows in the footsteps of the Microsoft Surface convertible devices. It is very reminiscent – inevitably – of the Surface Pro X which was also based on an ARM processor from Qualcomm.
Everything in the Xiaomi Book S 12.4″ follows that path, but it tries to make some sacrifices to propose a less demanding solution than that convertible at the time.
The design is a total ‘Surface’. This Xiaomi Book S 12.4″ is not a full convertible: it is a tablet. Both the keyboard, stylus, and keyboard have to be purchased separately, which makes the whole set more expensive.
As with these devices, if we forget about the keyboard we have a tablet-based on Windows 11 for ARM with a 12.4″ diagonal that seems to be a good compromise between portability and comfort when working with it.
That screen, therefore, becomes the absolute center of the basic experience, but the truth is that Windows 11 is an operating system designed for computers with a mouse and keyboard: we can certainly do things without those peripherals, but here Xiaomi’s proposal is deficient if we do not buy separately the keyboard case with an integrated touchpad.
A modest device
What is striking about the device is not only its convertible tablet format: it is also its commitment to the ARM architecture and a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 SoC that, yes, was presented almost two years ago. This chip is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage capacity.
Its successor, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, is much more powerful, but it is also more expensive and here Xiaomi has preferred to prioritize that the equipment is affordable. It is the same chip that for example was used in the HP Elite Folio, presented in early 2021.
We are therefore not dealing here with a particularly powerful CPU and GPU, but sufficient for conventional office work sessions. Nothing to do, of course, with the powerful Apple M1, also based on ARM architecture and present in various laptops and desktops of that firm.
The tablet has a 13 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera, perfect for videoconferencing, and the battery capacity, 38 Whr, seems to be enough to last (if we do not make a very demanding use) a full day. The included 65 W charger with GaN technology is one of the pleasant surprises of the device.
Connectivity is also modest: we have Wi-Fi 5 (and not Wi-Fi 6/6E) and Bluetooth 5.1, but we will also only have a single USB-C port and the headphone jack.
Price and availability of the Xiaomi Book S 12.4″.
The new Xiaomi Book S 12.4″ will be available from Thursday, June 30. Its price and that of its accessories are as follows:
- Xiaomi Book S 12.4″: 699 euros.
- Keyboard: 149 euros.
- Xiaomi Pen: 99 euros.
At the initial launch of the product, there will be a special promotion that will be active for 48 hours from that June 30. During that period the price of the tablet will be 599 euros.
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