Buy your next laptop on Aliexpress... MAYBE?

Typically when we buy laptops off AliExpress it is because they are comically bad... but on paper the Chuwi Corebook X is just plain a good deal.

Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group.

FOLLOW US
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MUSIC CREDIT
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Intro: Laszlo - Supernova

Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High

CHAPTERS
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0:00 - Intro
0:46 - The Ridge!
1:05 - Unboxing
3:20 - What to look for in a $500 laptop
4:05 - The HP Laptop
6:30 - Weight Test
7:24 - Maraca Test
7:57 - Keyboard, Trackpad
9:14 - Display Results
11:30 - Performance Results
13:10 - SSD Cache and Performance
15:10 - Speakers, Webcam
16:17 - Repairability
17:29 - Battery Life
20:46 - Conclusion
21:26 - DeleteMe!
22:28 - Outro

[JarrodsTech]

I haven't used a Chuwi for about 3 years, but my experience was similar, the build quality felt way better than expected for the price. The CPU was disgustingly slow though, some random Celeron I'd never heard of, so it's cool to see that they're using something decent now.

[filpoamati]

Never thought I'd hear Linus say 'Buy' and 'AliExpress' in the same sentence without grinning

[benjaminoechsli]

That easy access panel for the SSD is pretty sweet.

My first ever laptop was $500. It's cool seeing how far the price range has come, especially if you're willing to poke around.

[mr.guillotine]

I'd like to see you guys test their entire lineup of laptops vs more mainstream options. This one did so well, that I am now curious if that ends up being the case for the others.

[HectorRodriguezN]

I'm glad you are calling out HP at 16:34 for hiding the screws, my last 3 laptops have been HP, and they all had this problem for when I upgraded RAM or SSD. (Pavilion, Laptop, then Pavilion again, both pavilions are 1366x768, actually most specs for the laptop were all better than the pavilions but it had a plastic chassis). Another thing, here in El Salvador, they are selling models with 4/8 GB RAM, lower CPUs and the aforementioned screens at 800-900 USD, so I will definitely be exploring chuwi when I am due for a laptop renewal

[HyperionAlpha]

7 days later and there's at least two things to note here.

1. Chuwi does sell on Aliexpress, and they have laptops on AliExpress right now, however, they are cheaper and even more low-end than the laptop featured in this video. As Linus said in this video, they bought this laptop directly from Chuwi's website, not AliExpress.

2. Chuwi's website went down for at least a full 24 hours in this past week. Once it returned, the laptop that you see in this review was no longer available, and is still no longer available. The cheaper laptops look nearly identical, but they have a lesser spec cpu, and less RAM. No word on whether the better laptop will return later, but for now it looks like this video has done its damage to Chuwi's inventory.

[astealoth]

I got an HP 15 with an R5 5500U, about 2.5 years ago for $450. It only came with a 1x8gb 3200 stick of RAM and a 256gb SSD. I upgraded it with a matching spec 1x8gb 3200 stick of RAM and got a way bigger m.2 SSD for it for cheap on Ebay. Still works great. I don't use it a lot but with dual channel 3200mhz memory those Vega 8 graphics can slap. Even runs Diablo 4 pretty stable with FSR. The screws being under the feet is the only thing I greatly dislike about this generation of HP Laptop. They've been using this chassis for like 3-4 years now, it's the one little detail that will keep me from looking at HP for my next laptop.

[cristianorossi]

Yes, the Chuwi has some problems with the battery, but if you think about the fact that you can easily have a battery back-up for it due to USB-C, then it becomes less bad in my opinion. I sometimes used my powerbank on my laptop and even though it can't really charge it, it at least solws down the discharge

[achimhaun]

It's always depressing for me when I see fantastic tech prices (especially laptops from HP/Dell) only to find out that the identical model available in Germany costs at least 50-70% more..

[quinnhackett]

"It's a big deal for a student" *proceeds to plug $250 backpack

[hongluzhang]

Linus doesn't know how competitive laptop market is in China, as literally over 95% gaming audience in high school and university is limited to use laptops rather than diy pc due to residence and some other factors at play. Truly wish someone like Andy can actually take Linus a tour on the specs of laptops they can get at various price points, because now I am just so angry at the greedy pricing strategies computer companies are forcing onto consumers.

[Haligonian]

Since it takes USB-PD, you can always use a portable power bank to compensate for the worse battery! The extra space and weight you save with the Chuwi vs. the HP would allow for a sizeable one in your backpack or whatever.

[HStark]

Chuwi has been making budget laptops and tablets in China for more than a decade now. They have always been great at this budget segment, though I'd say the laptop in this video is probably one of the higher end and more expensive option they offer.

[TEENYcharma]

also another thing I think the Chuwi has over other cheap laptops is that the trackpad is centered. I know its a super small detail, but it is just such a pet peeve of mine when manufacturers have the trackpad off to the left a little bit. The centering of the trackpad is enough to give it the premium look

[KartoonPerson]

As a highschooler I do say that the chuwi 3.5 hours is decent for school use cause even though we have laptops for doing school work, teachers barely even tell us to pull out our laptops and when we do classes are usually just 45mins and so the chuwi laptop will last half of the school day if we have it open from 1-5 period, so I think the chuwi laptop is actually really good for students if your school doesn't provide you with Chromebook.

[WCDavis-mvos]

I've been running a $300 ThinkPad for the last 4 years. 8th gen i3 is surpisingly powerful, more than enough for basic tasks and even some lightweight gaming. Oh, and one of the best Linux experiences I've had on a laptop. Going ThinkPad again for sure.

[BrownFoxWarrior]

I agree on the arrow key thing. I hate using the half keys on the two arrows I use the most. I need full keys (or at least consistently sized ones if they MUST be slimmed).

[namelesssoul]

I bought a Chuwi Lapbook pro a few years ago. It is an amazing computer, but the hinge broke after a year. I have yet to try and diy fix it, but apparently it's not uncommon for their laptops to have some cheap internal structural materials. Something to keep in mind.

[DestroyAllWarnings]

It makes sense people don’t worry much about battery life on a cheap laptop. When I was in school, what mattered most was squeezing every bit of performance per dollar - I was broke but always within reach of an outlet in every class and every lab.

[a.filakiewicz]

i noticed a pretty consistent pattern servicing laptips - business laptops are designed to be relatively easy to service and come with good manuals for technicians. Premium consumer goods are hit or miss, but budget laptops are purepousfully difficult to disassemble.