Chuwi Hi12 is one of the most interesting non-Core M tablets on the market, but the optional keyboard dock is in fact not optional at all. For full comfort and functionality it’s just needed and every Hi12 user needs to be searching for one.
So far the availability of the keyboard dock has been pretty sketchy with most stores having only some knock-offs or simply out of stock. Situation is finally getting better now, cos we got word directly from Chuwi about the grey version keyboard magnetic dock being officially released soon.
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They keyboard itself is pretty sturdy, made from aluminum alloy with strong magnetic hinge for the tablet attachement. The hinge can operate up to 120 degree angle and the docking port has been improved, so no chance for the tablet to accidentally fall off. Two USB 2.0 ports are also located on the sides of the base so the portability skyrockets with the dock, because the Hi12 doesn’t have full sized USB ports on its body.
The price for the keyboard dock is expected to hover around the $40 mark and for such money you are getting very good value. So if you are even thinking about the Chuwi Hi12 then save yourself the trouble and order the dock right away with it.
if it had m-core or i5, with tag price of 350$, i would definitely buy it
this Chuwi Hi12 costs 230$, take another 120$, so it will cost 350$ and put m-core or i5 cpu
keep doing the wrong things and you will not increase your number of customers, too bad, lets wait another year
stop using the atom cpu, nobody wants them
Chuwi is in the business of making money in a low-margins, cut-throat market. They (and all others like them) produce what sells the higher volume, the asian market really don’t facilitate premium brand profits well. Neither does Chuwi have the reputation required to make big profits per unit, thus they need to make a living on quantity over quality. While the enthusiasts like us would love something like a M-sporting (hell, even a Z8700-series) 12″ tablet, the bulk customer base don’t care. They just want that big screen and fullsize usb ports, and they want it cheap. The z8300 boards are fully developed, and cooling is not a challenge, but higher end would require massive investment in pcb and auxilliary development, money they’ll never make back on sales. Catering to the enthusiast customers is a huge moneydrain, unless your customer base is huge and willing to pay fat premiums to make up for the low sales volumes. A 128gb ssd/m.2, 8gb ram Z8700 or mid-tier M (a decent highend spec) Hi12 wold probably be more in the $6-700 area, than $350. Would people buy it? Sure. From Chuwi? No. Because thats premium brand-money – US/EU mainstream market money. Even Xiaomi would have a damn hard time making that work.
I just need Windows only wersion. Why o why they don’t sell it?
they do sell it… sigh
O RLY? Give me a link (or reflink, if you wish). Gearbest: 30 dollars more for a Win only version and… out of stock.
You just confirmed it yourself that they sell it… Whether the price is higher or availability is bad was not the question. Bye..!
@ Martin Fabian; get ur facts straight. The hi12 has 1 full size usb 2.0 and 1 full size usb 3.0 port. Martin, ur fired!! This site is going to hell with the lack off info and all the advertorials. I was so happy to discover it a year and a bit ago but I find myself checking it less and less………