RedmiBook 15 Pro: Is Xiaomi’s Magic Touch Enough to Conquer the Laptop Market?

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Is the RedmiBook 15 Pro the Affordable Workhorse You’ve Been Looking For?

Xiaomi, the company known for its affordable smartphones and smart gadgets, is branching out into the laptop market with its Redmi brand. The RedmiBook 15 Pro, priced at Rs. 49,999 in India, positions itself as a mainstream laptop aiming for core specifications over premium performance or portability. While it’s not a budget laptop, it also doesn’t compete in the ultra-portable or high-performance gaming segments. Is this middle ground a sweet spot for buyers? Let’s dive deep into the RedmiBook 15 Pro and find out.

A Familiar Yet Underwhelming Design

The RedmiBook 15 Pro boasts a slim profile at 19.9mm thick, but its 1.8kg weight might deter those seeking a truly mobile laptop. The polycarbonate construction, while offering durability, results in a rather plain Charcoal Grey finish. Unlike the more luxurious metallic Mi Notebook series, the RedmiBook’s design feels minimalistic, lacking a standout aesthetic.

The lid sports a small Redmi logo and a subtle "Power your creativity" tagline, seemingly unnecessary, but at least it doesn’t scream for attention. There’s a definite plasticky feel to the device, which, while not cheap, is a little underwhelming. Thankfully, the hinge is firm, allowing for one-finger lid opening, a welcome feature.

Display and Ergonomics: A Mixed Bag

The 15.6-inch screen, thankfully, avoids a glossy finish, offering a more comfortable viewing experience. While the bezels aren’t particularly narrow, they do hold a webcam at the top, a welcome addition in the era of remote work and video calls.

The keyboard layout, however, might disappoint some. There’s no number pad, a feature commonly found in 15-inch laptops from other brands. While the arrow keys are full-sized and dedicated paging keys are present, the overall keyboard layout feels cramped. The relatively large trackpad is a plus, boasting a physical click mechanism.

Connectivity and Features: A Few Surprises

The RedmiBook 15 Pro comes equipped with a selection of ports. On the left side, you’ll find two USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) ports, an HDMI 1.4 output, and the DC power inlet. The right side boasts a USB 2.0 port, a collapsible Ethernet port, a full-sized SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington security slot. Surprisingly, there’s no USB Type-C port, an omission that might be a dealbreaker for some users.

Additional features include dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, stereo speakers, a 720p webcam, and a single microphone. The 46Wh battery promises up to 10 hours of runtime per charge, a claim that needs thorough testing.

Hardware Specifications: A Strategic Choice

There are no configuration options for the RedmiBook 15 Pro. While the RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition offers a more affordable hardware alternative, the Pro model packs a punch with its 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H CPU. This four-core processor with Hyper-Threading is part of a new tier within the 11th Gen ‘Tiger Lake’ series.

Despite the -H suffix, this CPU is more powerful than the U-series models found in thin-and-light laptops. It’s not as beefy as the 45W+ H-series typically found in high-end and gaming laptops, but it offers enough power for everyday productivity and casual gaming.

The RedmiBook 15 Pro also boasts Iris Xe integrated graphics. While not a dedicated GPU, it still offers decent performance for casual games and multimedia applications.

Memory and Storage: Room for Upgrades?

The RedmiBook 15 Pro comes equipped with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, unfortunately, this is soldered down, with no free slots for future upgrades. Storage is handled by a 512GB NVMe SSD, which the company claims is a standard M.2 module and can be replaced, although there isn’t an additional slot for adding more storage.

Software and License: A Solid Foundation

The RedmiBook 15 Pro comes preloaded with Windows 10, making it eligible for a free update to Windows 11 once it’s released. Furthermore, you get a full license for Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019, offering a valuable toolset for productivity tasks.

Performance and Use: A Deeper Dive

The combination of the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H processor, 8GB of RAM, and the 512GB NVMe SSD should deliver decent performance for everyday tasks like browsing the internet, document editing, and light video editing. You might encounter some slower performance when tackling more demanding tasks, such as video rendering or multitasking with multiple applications.

The integrated Iris Xe graphics might not be suitable for demanding games, but it can handle casual games at lower settings. This makes the RedmiBook 15 Pro a good option for those looking for a laptop for general use and occasional light gaming.

Battery Life and Portability: Balancing Power and Mobility

The 46Wh battery claims to deliver up to 10 hours of runtime. While that’s an impressive figure, it’s best to wait for our full review to see if the real-world battery life matches the claims.

The 1.8kg weight might feel heavy for those who want a truly portable laptop. However, it’s still relatively portable for a 15-inch laptop and can be easily carried around for short trips or commutes.

The Verdict: A Solid Entry but Room for Improvement

The RedmiBook 15 Pro presents a compelling case for users seeking a balanced laptop with decent performance for everyday tasks at a relatively affordable price. Its integrated graphics might not be ideal for hardcore gamers, but it still offers a solid platform for casual gaming. While the absence of a number pad on the keyboard and the lack of USB Type-C port might be dealbreakers for some, considering its competitive pricing and solid hardware, the RedmiBook 15 Pro is certainly worth considering.

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Brian Adams
Brian Adams
Brian Adams is a technology writer with a passion for exploring new innovations and trends. His articles cover a wide range of tech topics, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Brian's engaging writing style and thorough research make his pieces a must-read for tech enthusiasts.