Just a few hoursΒ after Xiaomi revelead the new Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air, Lenovo came out with a definitive contender in the thin & stylish laptop category, the Air 13 Pro. Naturally, this sparked off a war; the ‘Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air vs Lenovo Air 13 Pro’ war!
In this post, we’ll try and take a quick look over the spec sheets of both these (rather ‘hot’ – figuratively speaking) laptops in a bid to differentiate between them.
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air vs Lenovo Air 13 Pro: Spec Sheet
Let’s begin with a spec sheet to get things clear:
| Specifics | Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air | Lenovo Air 13 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.3-inch Full HD display | 13.3-inch Full HD display |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6200U CPU | Intel Core i5-6200U / i7 CPU |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 940MX GPU with 1GB of VRAM | NVIDIA GeForce 940MX GPUΒ with 2GB of VRAM |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB / 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 256GB + M.2 slot | 256GB / 512GB |
| I/O | USB Type-C port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack | USB Type-C port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, Micro SD, 3.5mm headphone jack, fingerprint sensor |
| Weight | 1.28grams | 1.29grams |
| Battery | 40Wh | 46Wh |
As you can see the laptops are pretty much equal on almost every aspect. But let’s go into Β details.
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air Lenovo Air 13 Pro: What’s Different?
TheΒ Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air and the Lenovo Air 13 Pro both sport 13.3″ 1920 x 1080pxΒ displays, which is an excellent resolution for this screen size.
That said,Β Xiaomi has also announced a fully laminated display on the Mi Notebook Air to help reducing glare. We’re not aware of that kind of finishing being presentΒ on the Lenovo Air 13 pro yet.
Processor wise, the Xiaomi only offers an IntelΒ Core i5-6200U CPU, while Lenovo both has an IntelΒ Core i5-6200U and Intel Core i7 option… which is a godsend if you utilize CPU stressing programs like Adobe Premiere or other video-editing software.
If you game a lot on your laptop, then you should prefer the Lenovo Air 13 Pro, as it comes with 2GB of VRAM instead of the only 1GB present on the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air.
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Otherwise, if you are more intoΒ multi-tasking, the Mi Notebook Air is the better choice, as it boasts 8GB of DDR4 RAM in the cheapest configuration, while the Air 13 Pro only offers 4.
The internal storage “war” favors the Mi Notebook Air, with a second M.2 slotΒ which allows you to add moreΒ storage if need be.
TheΒ Lenovo Air 13 Pro does come with a 512GB configuration, but I can guarantee you that won’t be cheap.
Another important factor, which depends on how you will utilize your laptop, is the presence of aΒ full HDMI port on the Mi Notebook Air, absent on the Air 13 Pro.
If you’re going to connect a TV/Monitor to it, then you don’t really have a choice. Unless you’re willing to use not-so-cheap adapters from USB Type-C to HDMI.
If we talk about battery life then the Lenovo has a small advantage.Β While the battery integrated on the Air 13 Pro is technically bigger capacity (46Wh vs 40Wh), the Mi Notebook Air from Xiaomi features fast charging technology, which will allow you to charge your laptop from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes.
Much like in the smartphone world, this is a great feature to have.
Lastly, it’s important to mention that the Lenovo Air 13 Pro comes with an integrated fingerprint sensor, thus making it more secure (and fast)Β for everyday use.
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air vs Lenovo Air 13 Pro: Conclusion
Overall theyΒ are both good-looking and relatively cheap laptops. You can’t really go wrong with eitherΒ of them. And we’ve listed what’s different to help you choose better.
What are your thoughts? Which one do you prefer?
comes down to whether personal preference is an issue or someone just wants more processing power / some want less …
comes down to whether personal preference is an issue or someone just wants more processing power / some want less …
Finally real laptops. At those prices we used to get core-m or god forbid atom based 2in1s … now that that fad seems to be dying off we finally started getting real ultrabooks.
I welcome this new era where chinese manufacturers start pushing ultrabook prices to less insane numbers.
Who knows, maybe real tablets will return in the low end and we’ll be like before the 2in 1 fad started only with even better prices/specs by then…
Again if you are lucky to get Mi Notebook, most probably all the stocks already snapped magically by china online re-seller where then they jack off the price very high until it is not worth to buy.
As for Lenovo, normally it is easily available worldwide so easier for international buyer to get it. But again lenovo price $750 is temporary only (pre-order) as they will increase the price to $850 once released.
Finally real laptops. At those prices we used to get core-m or god forbid atom based 2in1s … now that that fad seems to be dying off we finally started getting real ultrabooks.
I welcome this new era where chinese manufacturers start pushing ultrabook prices to less insane numbers.
Who knows, maybe real tablets will return in the low end and we’ll be like before the 2in 1 fad started only with even better prices/specs by then…
Again if you are lucky to get Mi Notebook, most probably all the stocks already snapped magically by china online re-seller where then they jack off the price very high until it is not worth to buy.
As for Lenovo, normally it is easily available worldwide so easier for international buyer to get it. But again lenovo price $750 is temporary only (pre-order) as they will increase the price to $850 once released.
Lenovo will win as they are recognised more internationally also have the resources to get their product to their international customers. Xiaomi cant even supply $15 mi band 2 outside China let alone a laptop! Lol
Lenovo will win as they are recognised more internationally also have the resources to get their product to their international customers. Xiaomi cant even supply $15 mi band 2 outside China let alone a laptop! Lol
1.28grams vs 1.29grams (!) they are really supposed to be thin as air. π
The big difference is one will actually be available internationally, while the other will be available in limited quantities in China only.
1.28grams vs 1.29grams (!) they are really supposed to be thin as air. π
The big difference is one will actually be available internationally, while the other will be available in limited quantities in China only.
Where can I buy any of these laptops? π
Online Chinese retailers already have them on presale.
Thanks Pierre. Any links? π
I’m sorry but I can’t link to external websites. I’m sure you can find by yourself or wait for the shop at Gizchina to put it on sale (if they will).
usual resellers have it already like Gearbest, Geekbuying, etc…
xiaomi-mi”dot”com is where to buy the laptops, and its in english and as of now only the smaller one is available. the others apparently sold out so far. and they list the shipping info to the US as well.
This comment was deleted.
Online Chinese retailers already have them on presale.
This comment was deleted.
I’m sorry but I can’t link to external websites. I’m sure you can find by yourself or wait for the shop at Gizchina to put it on sale (if they will).
usual resellers have it already like Gearbest, Geekbuying, etc…
xiaomi-mi”dot”com is where to buy the laptops, and its in english and as of now only the smaller one is available. the others apparently sold out so far. and they list the shipping info to the US as well.
FYI, Lenovo Air 13 comes in 3 versions :
I5 / 4GB RAM / 256GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 5499RMB ($850)
I7 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 6299RMB ($1000)
I7 / 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 6999RMB ($1100)
I5 pricetag is $750 during presale period, then it’ll be sold $100 higher.
Dunno if there are presale opportunities for the 2 other models.
FYI, Lenovo Air 13 comes in 3 versions :
I5 / 4GB RAM / 256GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 5499RMB ($850)
I7 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 6299RMB ($1000)
I7 / 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD / NV 940MX 2GB => 6999RMB ($1100)
I5 pricetag is $750 during presale period, then it’ll be sold $100 higher.
Dunno if there are presale opportunities for the 2 other models.
The difference is all Mi products are impossible to buy except through 3rd party sellers with hefty added premium.
Where as you can actually buy Lenovo products from Lenovo at advertised prices.
Xiaomi is deliberately directing products to re-sellers to create hype and shortage, and the only way for ordinary consumers to buy from Mi website directly is through participation and begging in the “fan community”.
you can order the xiaomi laptop directly from their website right now.
The difference is all Mi products are impossible to buy except through 3rd party sellers with hefty added premium.
Where as you can actually buy Lenovo products from Lenovo at advertised prices.
Xiaomi is deliberately directing products to re-sellers to create hype and shortage, and the only way for ordinary consumers to buy from Mi website directly is through participation and begging in the “fan community”.
you can order the xiaomi laptop directly from their website right now.
Theres an Big Mistake in the Artickel.
The xiaomi is the best choice for gaming because the lenovo uses DDR3 V-Ram and the xiaomi GDDR5 Ram.
The Xiaomi GPU Version is arround 20-40% faster depending on the game.
Theres an Big Mistake in the Artickel.
The xiaomi is the best choice for gaming because the lenovo uses DDR3 V-Ram and the xiaomi GDDR5 Ram.
The Xiaomi GPU Version is arround 20-40% faster depending on the game.