This is a new ARM-based 2-in-1 laptop running Windows 11 out of the box. This means the Chinese manufacturer is the latest to join Microsoft’s Windows on ARM platform. As for the device itself, the Book S has a 12.4-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. Xiaomi points to a 60H refresh rate, which is not top-end specifications but good enough for most users. In terms of brightness, the highest output is 500nits. Users will be able to use an active stylus on this touchscreen display.
Compromises
As a Windows on ARM machine, the Xiaomi Book S has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 CPU. Interestingly, this is not the latest version of the Snapdragon’s Windows ARM chipset, nor is it the most powerful. Coupled with compromises on the display, it is clear Xiaomi is putting the Book S into the mid-range of the market. The price is down to €699, which means some other compromises on the way. For example, there is only Wi-Fi connection and not cellular. That means this is a rare Windows on ARM laptop that is not an “Always Connected PC”. Full Specs Tip of the day: With a single registry tweak, it’s possible to add a ‘Take Ownership’ button to the right-click context menu that performs all of the necessary actions for you. You’ll gain full access to all possible actions, including deletion, renaming, and more. All files and subfolders will also be under your name. The Take Ownership context menu will set the currently active user as the owner of the files, though they must also be an administrator. They can then enter the folder or modify the file as they usually would.
