Xiaomi Elevates the Laptop Game: Unveiling the Sleek and Feature-Packed Mi Notebook Ultra

Just a little over a year after introducing the competitively priced Mi Notebook 14 series in India, Xiaomi has now unveiled the Redmibook series and the latest 2021 Mi Notebook lineup. With these launches occurring in quick succession, Xiaomi has successfully categorized its laptop range into mainstream and premium segments, mirroring its strategy with smartphones and televisions. The new Mi Notebook Pro and Mi Notebook Ultra begin at Rs. 56,999 and Rs. 59,999 respectively and exhibit considerable similarities alongside a host of appealing features. Today, I’m reviewing the slightly pricier Mi Notebook Ultra, and here are my initial thoughts.

In contrast to last year’s Mi Notebooks which were exclusively 14-inch thin-and-light variants aimed for broad appeal, the 2021 lineup thus far includes premium models in both 14-inch and 15.6-inch formats, providing significantly enhanced features and specifications at elevated price points. The main distinctions between the two models revolve around display size and quality, influencing their overall dimensions and weight.

The Mi Notebook Ultra features a sleek design with a brushed aluminum finish

The Mi Notebook Ultra is crafted from aluminum with a dark sandblasted and anodized finish, which Xiaomi refers to as Lustrous Grey. It presents a very polished aesthetic – simple yet sophisticated. In contrast to the fully minimalist design of last year, this model incorporates a glossy black Xiaomi logo centered on the lid. At 17.9mm, it’s still reasonably slim, but the 1.7kg weight is somewhat on the heavier side for current non-gaming laptops.

Upon opening the lid, you will encounter the standout feature of the Mi Notebook Ultra – its 15.6-inch IPS LCD display. This screen is somewhat atypical due to its 16:10 aspect ratio, 3.2K resolution (2560×1600), and a refresh rate of 90Hz. It can reach a brightness of 300 nits, with a color range covering 100 percent of the sRGB spectrum.

I particularly appreciate the 16:10 aspect ratio and am pleased to see its return after manufacturers favored 16:9 for video viewing for so long. This subtle yet meaningful change makes daily tasks more comfortable. My first impressions of this display are that it’s extremely sharp and visually appealing. The matte finish reduces reflections, and the bezels are reasonably thin. Thankfully, there’s a webcam positioned appropriately, unlike the models from previous years.

On the lower portion of the laptop, the black keyboard contrasts strikingly with the dark metal casing. Prospective buyers will be glad to see that backlighting has been added – a feature I had hoped for in last year’s version. The key layout seems satisfactory, with adequately sized arrow keys and a sidebar of page navigation keys on the right. The power button includes a built-in fingerprint sensor for added convenience in daily use. A unique addition is a macro key, typically found on gaming or enthusiast keyboards – I’ll be testing how useful that feature is over the next few days.

The power button features an integrated fingerprint sensor, the arrow keys are spacious, and there’s a macro key included

I will elaborate on the keyboard and trackpad in my comprehensive review after spending more time with the Mi Notebook Ultra. For now, I’m satisfied with the overall build quality of this laptop – the lid exhibits no flex and can be opened with a single hand easily. The hinge feels robust, allowing the lid to be pushed back to a considerable angle.

You have the option of selecting an 11^th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H or Core i7-11370H processor. Both are quad-core CPUs with HyperThreading and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. They are built on the ‘ Tiger Lake-H35‘ architecture, differing primarily in clock speed, cache size, and GPU performance.

If you opt for the Core i5 variant, you can choose between either 8GB or 16GB of RAM – these versions are priced at Rs. 59,999 and Rs. 63,999 respectively. The Core i7 configuration is only available with 16GB of RAM, priced at Rs. 76,999. All variants come with a 512GB NVMe SSD. While the RAM is non-upgradable as it is soldered, the SSD can be replaced, although Xiaomi recommends visiting an authorized service center for replacements.

Connectivity options include one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, and one USB 2.0 port. There’s an HDMI output and a 3.5mm audio jack, but no SD card slot is present. You can charge the laptop via either Type-C port using the included 65W adapter. The device features dual 2W stereo speakers. The webcam offers a resolution of 720p, and it also includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

Xiaomi claims a 12-hour battery life from the 70Wh battery, which I will test in my upcoming full review. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a complete license to Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Student Edition is included, and the laptop will be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 once it rolls out. Over the next several days, I will be conducting a series of tests, including gaming performance, as well as evaluating the ergonomics, design, and value-added features of this laptop. Stay tuned for my comprehensive review coming soon.