TechComputers & PCsLaptopsXiaomi Book S review: a solid 2-in-1 with Windows 11 on boardThe Xiaomi Book S is an appealing Microsoft Surface alternativeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictIf you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experienceReasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessoriesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechComputers & PCsLaptopsXiaomi Book S review: a solid 2-in-1 with Windows 11 on boardThe Xiaomi Book S is an appealing Microsoft Surface alternativeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictIf you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experienceReasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessoriesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Xiaomi Book S is an appealing Microsoft Surface alternative
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictIf you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experienceReasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessories
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictIf you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experienceReasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessories
T3 VerdictIf you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.
T3 Verdict
If you’re in the market for a Windows 2-in-1 device? The Xiaomi Book S has to be in the conversation. With a fine-looking screen and a well-built chassis, it’s priced about right – although the accessories that you’re likely to want will push the cost higher.
Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experienceReasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessories
Reasons to buy+Versatile 2-in-1 design+Bright and sharp display+Good typing experience
Versatile 2-in-1 design
Bright and sharp display
Good typing experience
Reasons to avoid-Modest performance-Average battery life-Costs can mount up with accessories
Modest performance
Average battery life
Costs can mount up with accessories
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TheXiaomiBook S arrives wanting to take on theMicrosoft Surface Proand with an eye on ourbest 2-in-1 laptopslist: it takes advantage of the versatility of Windows 11, switching between a tablet and a sort-of-laptop thanks to a clip-on keyboard attachment and case.
With an ARM-based Snapdragon processor inside, it’s a device that’s coming more from the tablet angle than the laptop one, but it actually fulfils both roles rather well. It’s also competitively priced if you have a look at some of the other 2-in-1 options out there.
This detailed Xiaomi Book S review will give you all the information you need to decide whether or not this is the right device for you. You might also want to check out our other guides to thebest laptopsand thebest tabletsfor alternative options.
Xiaomi Book S: price and availability
The Xiaomi Book S is available now in the UK, though as we’re writing this review, you can only pick it up fromthe Xiaomi website. The official retail price is £649.99, with the keyboard case – which you need for the full laptop experience – another £129 on top. There’s also a Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus available for an additional £89.
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022) dealsNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022) dealsNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022) deals
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price information
No price information
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Xiaomi Book S review: design and screen
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The Xiaomi Book S doesn’t quite have the premium feel (or the thin bezels) of something like theiPad Pro, but it’s well put together and reasonably sleek: this tablet measures 294 x 197 x 8.95mm and weighs in at 720g, so while you can hold it in one hand, you wouldn’t necessarily want to do so for an extended period of time.
We do like the 16:10 aspect ratio of the screen, which means it’s well suited for documents and websites, at the cost of bigger black bars whenever you’re watching widescreen movies. Whatever task we gave the Xiaomi Book S though, the screen held up well. There are better tablet displays out there, but the panel that Xiaomi has fitted here is better than you might expect for the price.
In terms of the overall aesthetics, it’s solid rather than spectacular, and it’s only available in a very dark grey. And in terms of connectivity, this is a Wi-Fi only tablet/laptop hybrid, with the only ports around the sides being a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
Xiaomi Book S review: performance and features
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
With a mobile-based chip inside, performance isn’t spectacular, but Windows 11 runs reasonably well here: having multiple browser tabs was no problem, and games designed for mobile devices (such as the excellent Mini Motorways) run just fine too). There’s the occasional stutter or bit of lag, but nothing too serious, and as long as you think of this as primarily a tablet rather than a laptop you’ll do just fine.
Once you start piling application on top of application the 2-in-1 does slow down, but this is a full operating system on a tablet, after all – it’s not an OS optimised for mobile devices and Snapdragon chips likeAndroidor iPadOS are. Windows 11 continues to get better and better, and definitely gives you more flexibility in terms of software than you get with aniPador an Android tablet.
The keyboard cover actually comes in two parts, which magnetically snap into place: a cover for the back that doubles as a stand, and the keyboard that fits to the front. While the accessory isn’t as well made as the ones you get with aMicrosoftSurface or anAppleiPad, it’s fine to use – we were quickly typing away without too much trouble, and the keys have a nice degree of travel.
(Image credit: Xiaomi)
(Image credit: Xiaomi)
As for the trackpad, it’s adequate enough, and there’s always the option of attaching a mouse of course (though the lack of onboard ports means you’ll probably want to go wireless). You can also buy a Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus, which will set you back an additional £89, but will be a must for anyone wanting to do creative and artistic work on their Xiaomi Book S.
There’s a 13-megapixel camera on the back of the slate and a 720p webcam on the front. Neither are particularly impressive, so we’re hoping that you’re not going to be planning too many photo sessions using your tablet – but the webcam does work with Windows Hello to make it easier to log into your user account. There are two integrated stereo speakers, which do the job for movies and podcasts but not much more than that.
In other words, it’s a 2-in-1 that’ll struggle to get through the entire day without a recharge, unless you make some compromises in terms of screen brightness and performance (there is a battery saver mode here, which will help). That’s something to bear in mind when you’re choosing your next productivity device.
Xiaomi Book S review: verdict
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
We enjoyed our time with the Xiaomi Book S: it’s a well-built and well-designed 2-in-1 that can flip between tablet and laptop-alike with ease.
The screen is a definite highlight, and of course you’ve got all the versatility of Windows 11 to call upon – it’s a device that can switch from movie watching and social media checking to essay writing and email sending without any trouble at all.
It’s not all good news though – the battery life and the performance levels are pretty average. What’s more, while the price is competitive, if you’re adding the keyboard and the stylus on top then you’re looking at an outlay of £819 in total. That’s not exactly cheap.
When you’re weighing up whether or not the Xiaomi Book S is for you, give careful consideration to what else is around and what exactly you want the device to do: if you’re doing mostly media consumption, social media and web browsing then there are a lot of cheap Android tablets and iPads around, which can also be equipped with keyboard attachments for easier typing.
On the other hand, there are Windows tablets around that give you better battery life and more power too. Where this and other 2-in-1s devices excel is in their flexibility of course, so if that’s what’s important to you then we think you’re going to find the Xiaomi Book S appealing.
Also consider
If you want to go cheaper, what about theAmazon Fire HD 10? It’s alotcheaper, but you’ll be limited to apps from theAmazonAppstore rather than having the full Windows 11 desktop operating system at your disposal. You can attach a keyboard to the tablet though to turn it into a 2-in-1 device of sorts.
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022), Amazon Fire HD 10 and Microsoft Surface Pro 8 dealsAmazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022), Amazon Fire HD 10 and Microsoft Surface Pro 8 dealsAmazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022), Amazon Fire HD 10 and Microsoft Surface Pro 8 dealsAmazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xiaomi Book S 12.4 (2022), Amazon Fire HD 10 and Microsoft Surface Pro 8 deals
Amazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire HD 10$139.99$94.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire HD 10
Amazon Fire HD 10
$139.99$94.99View
$139.99$94.99
$94.99
See all prices
Microsoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Surface Pro 8$789$743.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
$789$743.99View
$789$743.99
$743.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSXiaomi
TOPICS
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Ring announces first ever smart smoke alarms in collaboration with KiddeRing partners with Kidde on smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Ring partners with Kidde on smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
This E Ink notebook can replace your Kindle and Chromebook in oneBOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too
BOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too
Sky Stream gets a great new trick that unlocks long hidden potentialA Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels
A Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels
