The Breakdown
CHUWI’s at it again. After reviewing their latest mini PC’s (UBOX and Larkbox S), their latest CoreBook X i5-12450H landed on my desk, and I’ll admit—I was skeptical. Budget laptops can be hit or miss, and CHUWI has flirted with both ends before. But after spending real time with it, I’ve got to say: the CHUWI CoreBook X leans more towards the “pleasant surprise” side.
Main features:
- 14-inch display gives this device the portability you need for work or business travel, without sacrificing the visual experience for video streaming and gaming.
- Encased in stylishly 5.8mm slim bezels, this display features 85% screen to body ratio to present you a borderless immersive visual with 2K clarity, it also forms a 14-inche screen in a much smaller chassis to enhance its portability.
- Featured a 4.4GHz max boost clock, this 8-core 12 threads processor offers a decent performance for light gaming, web-related tasking and file editing.
- The borderless keyboard has an attractive soft white backlit along with a massive touchpad to give you a comfortable and efficient typing experience in all circumstances.
- Paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and an internal 512GB SSD, you can enjoy a lag-free multitasking using experience and a high speed data reading. The storage is expandable with TF card slot(max 128GB) and M.2 slot(max 1TB).
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are supported to achieve high speed data transfer, allowing you to wirelessly stream high-quality video and communication-heavy online games with the increased bandwidth.
- A full-featured USB-C port can be found on the left side, CoreBook X also comes with 1*USB-A 3.0, Micro SD slot and a 3.5mm jack
First Look: Minimalist Style, No Plastic Nonsense
You know those laptops that try too hard? This isn’t one of them. At first glance, the CoreBook X keeps it clean. The aluminum chassis isn’t just for looks; it feels rock-solid. Lightweight, no unnecessary bulk. Pull it out at a coffee shop, and no one’s gonna clock it as a “budget” machine.
And when you flip it open? Thin bezels frame a 14-inch 2K display, giving you an impressive 85% screen-to-body ratio. More screen, less wasted space. It actually looks more expensive than it is—which, honestly, is a win on its own.
CHUWI CoreBook X Display: Not Just “Okay” — Genuinely Good
The screen here is a standout. It’s sharp, vivid, and packs solid color accuracy. We’re talking 100% sRGB coverage—perfect if you do light photo editing, or just don’t want to stare at a washed-out panel. Watching Netflix, scrolling, editing—everything looks crisp. Is it pro-level? No. But better than most laptops at double the price.
Keyboard & Trackpad: Trade-offs, But No Deal-Breakers
Now, CHUWI did cut corners somewhere. The keyboard’s where you feel it. It’s got a 60% layout—translation: no numpad, fewer dedicated function keys. Might trip you up if you’re used to a full-sized keyboard. The key travel feels fine, but lack of backlighting? Bit annoying, especially if you work late.
The trackpad? It’s not huge, but responsive enough. No serious hiccups or frustrations. Gets the job done, nothing fancy.
Under the Hood: Punches Above Its Price Tag
What surprised me most? Performance. This machine runs on Intel’s 12-core i5-12450H chip—yes, twelve cores in a laptop under this price bracket. Everyday multitasking? Smooth. Spreadsheets, a dozen Chrome tabs, light Photoshop work—all handled without sweating.
Casual gaming’s doable too, thanks to integrated Intel Xe graphics. No, you’re not running Elden Ring maxed out, but older titles and emulators? Totally playable.
CHUWI also packed in 16GB DDR4 RAM (upgradeable to 32GB) and a 512GB NVMe SSD. Both swappable. You don’t often see that kind of flexibility in budget machines anymore.
Ports & Connectivity: Everything You Need, Nothing Missing
You’ve got all the essentials. Full USB-C 3.2 port (supports charging, video, and data), two USB-A 3.0s, microSD reader, headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 keep wireless speeds solid. No weird proprietary nonsense, no dongle nightmares.
Battery & Cooling: Surprisingly Quiet, Decent Endurance
Battery life’s respectable. The 46.2Wh cell lasted me around 6 to 7 hours with moderate use. Enough for a day of work if you’re not gaming or video editing all afternoon.
The cooling solution? Another area CHUWI didn’t cheap out. The fans stay whisper-quiet during everyday use. Even under load, noise levels are totally manageable, and while the chassis warms up, it never feels like it’ll scorch your lap.
Upgradability: Yes, You Can Actually Open It
A personal favorite—this laptop’s upgradeable. RAM slots (two of them), and the SSD’s easy to swap. Want 32GB RAM and a 1TB drive? No problem. So many thin laptops glue everything down these days, but not here.
Software: Clean Install, No Junkware
This machine boots up with a clean copy of Windows 11 Home. No annoying pre-installed bloat slowing things down. That’s rarer than you’d think in budget systems.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re after something portable, affordable, and genuinely usable day-to-day, the CHUWI CoreBook X i5-12450H makes a strong case. It’s no gaming beast, and yeah, I wish the keyboard had backlighting—but at this price? You’re getting more than expected. Great for students, freelancers, or anyone who wants decent performance without emptying their wallet.
You can buy it from Chuwi’s official website.
