- 87/100 Digit Rating
- 88 Design
- 80 for performance
- 90 % value for money
- 90 features
● PROS
- Exceptional Demonstration
- Exceptional building quality
- The trackpad and keyboard are excellent, and the pricing is affordable.
- Speakers who are not at their best
A detailed evaluation of the Mi Notebook Ultra with Core i7-11370H, 11th Generation (2021)
Xiaomi’s entry into the Indian laptop industry was emphasised last year with the debut of the Mi NoteBook 14.
While the company did release new RedmiBook laptops a few months ago, the new Mi NoteBook Pro and Mi NoteBook Ultra are the true successors to the Mi NoteBook 14 that we have all been waiting for. The Mi NoteBook Pro and Mi NoteBook Ultra are both considerable upgrades over the Mi NoteBook 14, with several noticeable improvements over the previous generation.
I’ve been using the Xiaomi Mi NoteBook Ultra as my primary laptop for the last month, and I think it’s a terrific pick for anybody looking to buy a new laptop in India for less than Rs 60,000.
In this review, I’ll go into great depth about some of the laptop’s most critical features, which should give you a better understanding of the product.
The Mi NoteBook Ultra’s specifications:
The Mi NoteBook Ultra review device that I examined was outfitted with Intel’s 11th generation Core i7-11370H CPU, although the ordinary model is outfitted with an Intel Core i5 H-series processor. I’ll go into more detail on the performance of this laptop later, but first, let’s look at the specifications –
- Intel Core i7-11370H processor, 3.30GHz base clock and 4.80GHz peak turbo, 35W
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics with 96EU is used for graphics.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 1600MHz RAM
- 512GB Kioxia NVMe SSD storage
- Mi TrueLife+ Display, 39.6cm (15.6), 3.2K resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio
Ultra Performance Mi NoteBook
The Intel Core i7-11370H CPU in the Mi NoteBook Ultra we obtained for testing is the most powerful available. This high-end quad-core CPU is commonly seen in small and lightweight gaming laptops. It’s an unusual choice to use this SoC instead of an i7 from the U-series CPU family.
What happened as a result? As a result, the Mi NoteBook Ultra is significantly more powerful than some of the other ultrabooks on the market right now. This, of course, comes at the price of thermals, which we will look at more in this research.
The CPU has four Willow Cove cores and eight threads, all of which are Hyperthreading enabled. This laptop’s H-series CPU has a TDP of 35W and a base clock of 3.30GHz, making it a great choice for gaming laptops.
It also has a single or two core boost with a maximum frequency of 4.8GHz, while all cores may achieve a maximum frequency of 4.3GHz when all cores are engaged. It outperforms the Core i7-1185G7, which has a lower thermal design power (TDP) and so performs worse.
The Mi NoteBook Ultra received a score of 5,539 in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, and a score of 1,527 on the single-core test.
The findings outperform the recently launched RedmiBook 15 Pro and Fujitsu UH-X Convertible laptops, which are powered by Intel Core i5-11300H and Core i7-1165G7 CPUs and use the same benchmarking software. Take a look at the following examples:
Furthermore, the Mi NoteBook Ultra received a PCMark 10 score of 5,034, which is higher than that of certain other ultrabooks on the market, such as the ASUS Expertbook B9400. Even outside of testing, the Mi NoteBook Ultra is a top performer when it comes to managing my day-to-day work.
I was able to work comfortably with roughly 15-20 Chrome tabs open, as well as many other applications running in the background, such as Lightroom, Spotify, and other similar programmes. The Core i7-11370H is a strong processor that contributes to the maximum performance of this laptop.
Although the lack of a dedicated GPU may appear to be a deal breaker, the Iris Xe Graphics with 96EU that drives this PC is no slouch either. It excels in the vast majority of 3D workloads.
I was able to play various Valorant games on this laptop because to the 90Hz display, and it was an overall fantastic experience.
Yes, you can play games on this laptop as long as you don’t have unreasonable expectations about its capabilities. At modest settings, the Mi NoteBook Ultra should be able to run esports games and even certain AAA titles….
Below is a quick look at the 3DMark scores I was able to achieve on the Mi NoteBook Ultra. In addition, I used the Mi NoteBook Ultra to conduct creative chores such as photo and video editing, and it constantly delivered outstanding results.
On this laptop, I was able to edit my typical test edit timeline in Davinci Resolve more faster than on other laptops, such as the ASUS Expertbook B9400. We were also able to export our test files from Adobe Lightroom without any issues.
Did I mention that the 16:10 aspect ratio is advantageous to individuals in the creative field? After seeing the extra screen real estate available, it’s tough to go back to a conventional 16:9 panel.
Thermal Domain Performance
Despite the fact that Xiaomi’s RedmiBook is a popular laptop, the business is adamant on using Intel’s H-series CPUs.
I won’t be the one to complain as long as the thermals are under control. So, what can you anticipate in terms of performance from the Xiaomi Mi NoteBook Ultra? Let’s first look at some graphs, and then I’ll react to your question.
The Cinebench R23 multi-core test pushes the i7-11370H to its limits, causing it to hit its maximum turbo frequency of 4.8GHz. Throughout the test, the core clocks stabilise at around 3.3GHz.
As a result, I was able to record a high temperature of 97°C at the start of the test before it settled at around 80°C for the duration. I never witnessed core temps rise beyond 85°C, with the exception of benchmarking apps. This was a promising discovery.
This is also true while playing games or using other programmes that put a strain on the iGPU. As long as the ambient temperature is adequate, the Mi NoteBook Ultra should be able to withstand almost anything without having serious thermal troubles.
When running a resource-intensive software, the laptop will occasionally choke on, although this is a rare event that will have no significant influence on the user’s overall experience.
Ultra Display NoteBook (Mi NoteBook)
This laptop not only has one of the greatest screens available in this price range, but it also has one of the best laptop displays I’ve ever used, which I believe is a first in the industry.
Yes, other OEMs offer laptops with larger and higher-resolution displays, but the 15.6-inch 3.2K display with a 16:10 aspect ratio on the Mi NoteBook Ultra is the ideal size and resolution for me. It’s a stunning display, and it’s without a doubt one of the most amazing parts of this laptop.
This 14-inch 2K panel from the Realme Book was used to decide which is the better option, and you can see the whole comparison in this video – click here to see it.
It is worthwhile to watch the video because it emphasises other aspects of the Mi NoteBook Ultra’s display, so do so if you want to understand more about the display itself.
Keyboard, trackpad, and Input/Output on the Mi NoteBook Ultra (IO)
Before we get into the design and build quality of the Mi NoteBook Ultra, let’s talk about the trackpad, keyboard, and IO issues. The keyboard deck of the Mi NoteBook Ultra, like the rest of the laptop, is reminiscent of the Apple MacBook Pro.
You’re now looking at a standard laptop keyboard layout with lots of space between the keys.
According to Xiaomi, the keys are controlled by a scissor mechanism and have the same sensation as those on a MacBook computer.
I’d honestly say the keys on the Realme Book (Slim) are equivalent to those on the MacBook, but if there is such a thing as a metre to consider, the Mi NoteBook Ultra is even closer. Having said that, they’re really comfortable to type on, with 1.5mm of key travel, and I got used to them quickly.
Backlighting on the keyboard is a positive, since it was missing on both the Mi NoteBook 14 and the RedmiBook 15 Pro, which were both introduced last year.
Moving on to the trackpad, we can see that it now has a substantially greater surface area than the one seen on the Mi NoteBook 14 last year. Furthermore, it’s a little improvement over what we saw on both the Mi NoteBook 14 and the RedmiBook 15 Pro, but I feel there’s still room for improvement.
Even while the smooth texture is advantageous for gestures and tracking, clicking on the bottom section of the trackpad still seems “cheap,” for want of a better phrase. Though not a deal-breaker, I wanted to bring it to the group’s notice.
The wide variety of port options accessible to consumers is one element of the Mi NoteBook Ultra that I especially like. Unlike the Realme Book (Slim), which has only a few USB Type-C connectors, the Mi NoteBook Ultra has a plethora of USB Type-C connectors to pick from.
There are two USB Type-A ports, one of which is a 3.2 Gen 1 port and the other is a USB 2.0 port, as well as a Type-C USB port and a Thunderbolt 4 connector for charging. This gadget also has an HDMI connector as well as a 3.5mm combo jack.
Design and Build Quality of the Mi NoteBook Ultra
As previously stated, the Mi NoteBook Ultra looks a lot like the MacBook Pro, both on the outside and on the inside, particularly on the keyboard deck. In my honest opinion, it is not a negative development for all practical reasons. In fact, I feel it is one of the best laptops available in this price range in terms of design and build quality.
The chassis weighs 1.7kg and is made of aircraft-grade Series 6 aluminium. It is intended to be both lightweight and sturdy. It’s not as slim or light as, say, a MacBook Air, but it screams high-end craftsmanship.
There’s also a ‘Xiaomi’ emblem on the lid, which gives it a bit more personality than the preceding RedmiBook 15 Pro. The overall build quality is really excellent, which sets it apart from other items in this price range.
Other useful features, like as a built-in fingerprint reader on the power button, make it an excellent pick for travellers. Not to mention the addition of a webcam to the top of the display, which was previously lacking in both the Mi NoteBook 14 and the RedmiBook 15 Pro versions.
Furthermore, the laptop includes twin 2W stereo speakers that are compatible with the DTS audio processing application. Despite having a lower speaker quality than some other ultrabooks on the market, it is loud enough to fill a small room with decent audio quality.
Furthermore, thanks to a unique feature that allows you to open the lid with just one finger, it is fairly simple to open. Opening the lid reveals the beautiful display, complete with all of its bells and whistles, as detailed in depth in the video above and in this article.
The Mi NoteBook Ultra’s Battery Life
The Mi Notebook Ultra has a 69,993 mWh battery that Xiaomi promises would last up to 12 hours of continuous operation. It is charged with a 65W Type-C power adapter, which is quite convenient.
When it comes to battery life, the Mi NoteBook Ultra managed to last for roughly 7 hours and 20 minutes with the brightness set to its highest level of 100 percent . There are certain PCs that can easily last you for an entire day before you need to find a charger.
This is one of those gadgets. Obviously, your results may vary, but I feel it to be commendable given the fact that it has a 3.2K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and is fairly priced.
Mi NoteBook Ultra Verdict
Xiaomi has unveiled the Mi NoteBook Ultra in India, with a starting price of Rs 59,999 for the basic configuration. At this pricing, you are looking at the entry-level variant of the machine, which features an Intel Core i5 CPU and 8GB of RAM as standard.
The model I reviewed for this evaluation is the most pricey available, with a price tag of Rs 76,999 (approximately) (about). For that money, you’ll receive a superb laptop with one of the most brilliant screens available, a powerful Intel Core H-series CPU from the 11th generation, and an incredibly well-built device that’s normally unheard of in this price bracket.
It also outperforms some more costly ultrabooks while costing a fraction of the price of those more expensive ultrabooks.
This is a wonderful upgrade for folks who are now operating an older computer or even the Xiaomi Mi NoteBook 14 that was introduced last year. Spending a little extra money on the Mi NoteBook Ultra or the Mi NoteBook Pro rather than the RedmiBook 15 Pro, which was introduced not long ago, is likewise a no-brainer in this circumstance.
The Realme Book (Slim) is one of the most competitive devices in this price range, but it has some noticeable peculiarities that you should be aware of, such as a smaller display with an unusual aspect ratio and other features.
That being said, the Xiaomi Mi NoteBook Ultra is undoubtedly the greatest laptop available in this price range, and I can already see this exact machine appearing on a number of our recommended laptop lists in the future.