Talk about a great deal for the Redmibook Pro 14 in 2024!
Talk about a great deal for the Redmibook Pro 14 in 2024!
I had a hard time locating much information about this laptop while searching, so I thought it would be helpful to share this thread with others.
In short, I was looking to upgrade from an XPS 15 9520 (i7-12700H, 32GB, RTX3050) and a temporary Surface Laptop Go, opting for a smaller model, and I found myself drawn to the Core Ultra series.
Feedback on the XPS 14 was... not very encouraging, and the price point even less so!
After some browsing, I came across the Redmibook Pro 14 from Aliexpress.
Core Ultra 7 155H
32GB RAM (7467 Mhz)
1TB SSD
2880x1800 panel, adaptive refresh 48-120Hz
80wH battery
Strong IO (HDMI, 1x USB-C, 1x TB4, 2x USB-A)
In reality, it met all my expectations and provided IO I won’t likely use—my workflow already includes USB-C and dongles.
My main takeaways:
- Durable construction overall
- The underside panel feels somewhat thin, but that’s the only concern
- I haven’t opened it yet, but a thermal pad on top seems like a possible fix for the minor issue
- The chassis is very sturdy
- Passed the simple touch test easily; hinge opens around 180 degrees
- The display has a bezel—used to glass fronts, so it feels a bit cheaper
- Sizeable feet on the back, one continuous line across the rear, two small ones at the front
- Quiet and cool performance even under stress tests
- Fans are relatively quiet
- The keyboard works well; trackpad is okay but has a slight wobble. If you’re used to MacBooks or Windows XPs, it feels a bit less refined
- Software: shipped with a pre-set user profile, Windows 11 Enterprise (Chinese region), English language pack
First step after checking specs and before connecting was to wipe the drive and reinstall W11 Pro using a key I already had.
I used a 100W GAN USB-C charger, which is more bulky than typical premium GAN chargers like Anker or UGreen.
After about 24 hours of use, battery life matched expectations—roughly 12 hours for general office tasks at around 80% brightness.
Gaming performance was modest: ~35 FPS at native resolution/High settings, ~45 FPS at 1080p/High, ~70 FPS at 1080p/Low.
Battery life was noticeable to drain quickly during a short test (~30 minutes of playtime, ~23% loss from full charge).
The fan was audible but not excessive, and CPU temperatures stayed in the mid-70s.
In summary, it feels like a MacBook clone running Windows—very functional.
From what I’ve seen in reviews (especially Russian YT videos), the 14 and 16 models are almost identical, with only minor differences like higher display resolution and a 130W charger.
I’m glad to address any questions you might have, should anyone come across this post.
....AMA.
COST
Paid $1,234 CAD plus approximately $80 in taxes/import duties. Estimated delivery cost around $1,300 CAD (roughly $950 USD, 890 EUR, £760).
This transaction occurred during Aliexpress' "anniversary promotion," which was the primary factor prompting my purchase despite limited research. Typical retail prices hover near $1650 CAD ($1200 USD, 1130 EUR, £965).
Other laptops under consideration:
- XPS 14 (~$2800+Tax with similar specifications)
- GalaxyBook4 ($2400+Tax with only 16GB RAM / 512GB storage)
WARRANTY
Based on my location in Canada, I’m assuming minimal warranty coverage—mainly covering standard DOA or obvious defects received. While a "2-year warranty" is advertised, I haven’t pursued it due to the perceived low likelihood of significant issues at this price point. I anticipate needing around $250 CAD for shipping if I were to proceed.
DRIVERS
Driver information available in Spanish via Google Translate; link provided.
https://www.mi.com/service/notebook/drivers/N57
Ongoing support remains uncertain, though some models show updates every 2 years at least. Windows updates should handle 99% of driver needs, and I’m not particularly interested in additional software support.
BRIGHTNESS
Screen brightness isn’t confirmed, but claims are around 400 nits (14") and 500 nits (16"). The 14" model appears brighter than my Surface Laptop Go (tested at ~320 nits) and surpasses the XPS 9520’s 500 nits. A value of 400 nits seems reasonable. Windows doesn’t list peak brightness figures for these panels.
REFRESH RATE
Perceived refresh rate depends on personal preference and marketing claims. It feels noticeably smoother than the Surface Laptop Go or XPS, especially at regular speeds (60Hz). While some premium Core Ultra models now offer 60Hz panels, most gaming laptops use lower rates. I’ve observed that many "premium" units ship with 60Hz displays.
WEIGHT
Weight measured at 3.3lbs / 1.5kg on my scale—significantly lighter than the Redmi claim of 1.46kg.
RAM
RAM is permanently soldered; the Core Ultra 7 only offers 32GB and 1TB options, with no upgrade capability at purchase. The Ultra 5 provides 16/512GB and 32/1TB configurations.
M.2 SLOTS
I haven’t removed the bottom panel, so M.2 slot availability isn’t confirmed. Based on previous models, the 16" model might have two slots, though not all 2280 ports. The YMTC PC300 (mentioned in this review) is available in both 2280 and 2242 variants; I’ll follow up after disassembly.
I expect a single M.2 slot with a 2242 form factor, but could be more favorable than anticipated.
Thank you for the extra details. Your tolerance for risk is significantly higher than mine, which is why I’m considering a major purchase from China without a warranty or support.
For reference, I recently purchased an Acer Swift Go 14, which closely matches the RedmiiBook Pro 14 (and 16) in both appearance and performance. It was available at Costco for $700 (now $800). However, it had a critical issue: it didn’t detect the internal SSD during USB booting, preventing a clean Windows installation. After returning it, I opted for a Swift Edge 16 OLED instead, which cost $600 from Costco.
Looking at Costco.ca and Costco.com, the same Swift Go 14 (Ultra 7) model is listed at $1500 in Canada compared to $800 in the US.
Canada:
https://costco.ca/acer-swift-go-14-in.-t...40039.html
US:
https://costco.com/acer-swift-go-14”-tou...37600.html
That’s quite a gap. It seems clear now why you chose to go with a Chinese purchase without any guarantees.
It seems like the price difference is mainly due to CAD->USD conversion, which adjusts the amount accordingly. Still, the premium remains significant. Australians are also paying a bit more.
I'm noticing strong sales for Ryzen 7040-series laptops, with 8040 models launching soon. Both offer similar 780M IGP performance, matching MTL IGP. The HP Pavilion and Acer Swift both feature the 7040 Ryzens, though their build quality isn't top-notch. I lean toward Lenovo ThinkBook for durability, but they're lagging in tech adoption compared to others. That's a trade-off.
You won't find me buying Dell XPS models—they're too expensive. Plus, they've reduced the F-keys to mimic Apple's Touch Bar. I was considering the XPS 13 Plus, which (like MBA) only supports 2 USB-C ports. The previous XPS 13 had F-keys but storage couldn't be upgraded. It feels like Dell is copying many of the shortcomings of Mac products.
On the USB side, have you ever tried removing the chipset drive to install on USB? The 'no drive' option has been available for a while now...
Do you think adding a chipset driver would help? I didn't consider it, but it would definitely complicate things, especially since I rely heavily on USB boot keys for tasks like image backups. Adding drivers to all those devices would be a big challenge. Thank you for the suggestion!
Hi, I saw some Chinese reviews on YouTube about a Xiaomi app that lets you adjust performance modes (four options). Is it possible to use and modify these settings without installing unnecessary software? Can you change the power limits in the Intel app for the Arc GPU? Does the BIOS support any adjustments such as power limits or fan curves? What are the main issues with this hardware? Have you tried running Linux on it? Is the screen smooth or grainy? Can it be charged using both USB-C ports?
I haven't managed to modify the profiles beyond Windows, and I haven't tried to install the Xiaomi app yet.
I haven't installed the ARC Control software—this will be done now and I'll update tomorrow.
*EDIT* No power limit controls are shown for the iGP; the BIOS offers very few options.
Regarding downsides... I don’t really like the keyboard, it feels a bit soft. The trackpad works well, but the left-click response isn’t ideal (especially if you’re used to gestures). That said, personal taste matters— I’m not a big fan of the raised plastic edge around the screen. I prefer the glass top on my Surface Laptop Go or older XPS models, though I suspect that preference is linked to the touch features those devices supported.
I’ve never experimented with Linux before.
The display is matte. Here’s the panel: https://www.panelook.com/MNE007ZA3-2_CSO...62478.html
Only one USB-C port is charging, which is not the one closest to the back of the device.
A Windows update has alerted me about a firmware update (version 1.8.1.8). I’ll try to understand its purpose before applying it.
Thank you for your detailed response! I've already placed this order, so once I receive the laptop I'll share my thoughts and any missing information. I'm a bit worried about charging from just one port. The review of the 16-inch model on Notebookcheck mentions that both USB-C ports and DisplayPort support charging, which could be relevant for me. It's strange there seems to be a difference in how the ports are configured between versions.
Yeah, I believe I read both support charging - but in actuality, while the indicator flickers when connected to the rearmost, it doesn't 'actual' charge.
Interestingly, I couldn't find much on the firmware issue. Installed it anyway, and now dark mode looks very grey & washed out. There is now another optional Windows update for another firmware.... installing that now.