Back in June 2020, Xiaomi entered the Indian laptop market with the launch of two mid-range laptops – Mi Notebook 14 and Mi Notebook 14 Horizon Edition. Even though both the laptops were introduced at very aggressive pricing, disappointed many users for the lack of a built-in webcam and also the absence of an entry-level variant. Now, to capture the entry-level laptop market, Xiaomi introduces Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition in India.
Mi Notebook 14 is a solid offering from Mi India and comes with the latest Intel processor, an all-metal build for better durability, enough RAM, and high-speed SSD storage for quicker data management. The spec-sheet looked very impressive for the price it was offered and without giving a second thought I ordered it on Amazon.in on the very first day of its launch. Check out my detailed review of Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition below.
Mi Notebook 14: Quick Highlights
- Display – 14-inch Full HD
- Processor – 10th Gen. Intel Core i3
- Graphics – Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- Memory – 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage
- Connectivity – 5GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1 Ports
- Operating System – Microsoft Windows 10 Home
- Battery – 46 watt-hour
Mi Notebook 14: Design
Design is one of the key reasons to consider Mi Notebook 14. In spite of being an entry-level laptop, it comes with an all-metallic design layered with an anodized sandblasted coating for premium looks and better durability. The device has a modern and a very minimalistic design (similar to MacBook Pro or MacBook Air) and does not include the brand name or even a brand log on the lid. It almost looks like a square metal slab when viewed from the top. This is something you don’t see on any laptops except the Mi Notebook 14 series.
Due to the metal build, the laptop looks very sturdy and the entire body including the display backplate doesn’t flex when pressed. You’ll get a DC power port, an HDMI port, and two USB Type-A 3.1 ports on the left, while a USB-A 2.0 port is placed on the right along with a LED charging indicator, and a 3.5mm audio port.
Air vents are placed on the bottom and the generated hot air moves out from the back of the hinge. There are four air vents placed on the bottom top portion while the speaker grills are placed near the bottom edge on either side.
The laptop weighs about 1.5kg and has a thickness of 17.95mm which is the same as the Mi Notebook 14 Core i5 variant. There is a good weight balance too but, to open the lid you’ll have to hold the base of the laptop in one hand and raise the lid with the other. Additionally, you’ll also get a built-in 720p webcam which is not present in the other two variants.
Mi Notebook 14: Display
The laptop comes with the same 14-inch full HD anti-glare 16:9 display, same as the one you find in the Mi Notebook 14 Core i5 variant. It has a screen-to-body ratio of 81.2% and a viewing angle of 178˚. There is even a matte coating on the screen that reduces unwanted reflection and glare. The side and top bezels are slim but a fairly big bezel on the bottom. Still, you’ll get plenty of screen real estate that will not affect or distract your viewing experience in any way.
The top bezel is quite big compared to the one you find on the sides as it accommodates the camera, LED indicator, and also a microphone. The display produces very good colors with high contrast and sharpness. The viewing angles are good but there is a noticeable color shift when viewing from different angles. Overall, the display is excellent in this price segment and bright enough to perform your day-to-day work.
Furthermore, the display also supports Windows HD colour mode that allows you to play HDR (High dynamic range) videos. You can only play HDR videos but cannot play HDR games & apps and play Wide Color Gamut (WCG) apps. You need to activate it manually from the display settings.
Just like most of the latest smartphones, Xiaomi has also provided the Night mode called Night light that filters out the blue light from the display to reduce eye fatigue. Unlike the other two variants, the e-Learning Edition comes with a built-in 720p HD webcam. The camera quality is excellent and usually, you don’t find such good quality webcams (most of them are VGA) in the entry-level segment.
The webcam supports Auto HDR mode, digital video stabilization, and video capture at 60fps. For security, it also includes an LED indicator placed just beside the camera that turns on whenever you open the camera app or an app is using the webcam. Overall, the webcam is best in the segment and you’ll not be disappointed for sure.
Mi Notebook 14: Audio
The Mi Notebook 14 comes with two 2W speakers for a better audio experience. These speakers are placed on either side of the bottom edge to form a stereo pair and provide decent output. The audio output is loud and enough to enjoy the music in a small room.
The audio module on the Mi Notebook is supported by the DTS audio processing app that allows you to fine-tune the music based on movies, tv shows, or music. The app interface is simple and includes predefined pre-sets that can be easily activated with a click of a button. Additionally, you can also fine-tune the various audio parameters using the equalizer.
I tested the audio output with Skype, Zoom, and also Google meet and have not experienced any issues. Also did not observe any distortion at higher volume levels. Compared to a table or a flat surface, there is a drastic decrease in the audio out if you place the laptop on your lap due to the position of the speakers. Overall, the audio quality is above average and enough for day-to-day multimedia operations.
Mi Notebook 14: Battery
The laptop is backed by a 46 watt-hour (3220mAh) Li-poly battery and comes with a 65W power adapter. Make a note that the supplied power adapter is manufactured by Liteon technology Co. Ltd. and there is no mention of Xiaomi or the brand logo on it. In the charging test, the laptop took around 37 minutes to reach from 1 to 50% while full charge took around 1 hour 26 minutes. Check out the breakdown below.
| Charging Level | Time Required |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10% | 7 minutes |
| 20% | 15 minutes |
| 30% | 22 minutes |
| 40% | 30 minutes |
| 50% | 37 minutes |
| 60% | 43 minutes |
| 70% | 52 minutes |
| 80% | 60 minutes |
| 90% | 72 minutes |
| 100% | 86 minutes |
Coming to the battery backup, Xiaomi claims about 10 hours of battery life on regular usage with a mix of daily productivity tasks. During my testing, I managed to get about 7 hours with about 35% brightness and power mode set to Best Battery Life. The laptop was connected to WiFi all the time and used with Google Chrome with about 6 to 8 tabs, WhatsApp for Windows, Skype, and Adobe Photoshop.
The multi-taking was fluid and there was literally zero lag during most of the day-to-day tasks. When you use Google Chrome with more than 10 tabs for an extended period of time the laptop starts warming up, and the fan spins at a noticeable noise. Also, the battery starts degrading at a faster rate. This is quite common in entry-level laptops. Achieving quoted 10-hours battery life is quite hard unless you use the laptop offline and make general tasks such as music playback, document editing, etc. Overall, the battery backup is excellent and more than enough for home, school or office usage.
Mi Notebook 14: OS & Software
The Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning edition runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Home and also comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 365 One-month trial (paid subscription needed post 1-month trial). Apart from the DTS Audio Processing app and apps packaged by Microsoft, Xiaomi has also added a couple of additional apps namely Mi Blaze Unlock that helps you unlock the notebook in 1.2 seconds using Mi Band 3 or Mi Band 4 and Mi Smartshare to transfer between the notebook and any mobile device or other notebooks nearby.
Apart from these two apps, you’ll find one more pre-loaded application called Mi Support that gives you quick information about system configuration and also helps you connect to Mi support. All three apps are optional and can be deleted from the system if you don’t use it. Also, in case you need it anytime in the future, all three apps can be easily re-downloaded from Mi.com.
Mi Notebook 14: Connectivity
The Mi Notebook 14 supports Dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) for high-speed connectivity and Bluetooth 5.0 to connect wireless accessories such as Mouse, Headphones, keyboards, etc. There are three USB ports – USB Type-A 2.0 port and two USB Type-A 3.1 ports. The biggest drawback is the lack of a card reader that you’ll find in most of the entry-level machines. It could have been better if Xiaomi provided at least a microSD reader just like Asus did it with Vivobook 14 (review).
To keep the device as slim as possible, Xiaomi has excluded the Type-C port and the LAN port. The USB Type-C port is not necessary unless the device supports Type-C charging. Instead of a Type-C port, you can make use of a USB 3.1 port to get better transfer rates. Anytime if you miss the LAN port, get a 3rd party USB LAN adapter that will do the job. Apart from the three USB ports, you’ll get an HDMI port that allows you to connect the laptop to your Smart TV or Projector. There is sufficient spacing between the ports and you can utilize all the ports at the same time.
In the file copy test using WD 3.0 external USB hard drive, the Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition achieved an average transfer speed of 31MB/s on a USB 2.0 port and about 112 MB/s on a USB 3.1 port. Similarly, the device achieved an average speed of 169MB/s while transferring files from one drive to another.
Mi Notebook 14: Performance
The Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition comes with 8GB RAM which is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be removed or replaced with higher capacity. Also, there is no additional slot to extend the RAM. Coming to the storage, the device comes with a 256GB Kingston SSD (237GB available) which can be replaced in case if you need more storage. Make a note that the laptop comes with only one storage slot and you’ll have to replace the existing 256GB SSD with a higher capacity M.2 SSD to extend the device storage capacity.
Performance is one of the strong reasons to consider Mi Notebook 14. The system is amazingly fast and you’ll never feel that you are working on an entry-level laptop. I was surprised when I used the laptop for the first time. Right from the boot, opening the apps, copying the files, etc. system response was amazing. I have not experienced any lag in the basic operation such as video calls, editing documents or PDFs, etc.
I tried the GIMP photo editor, OpenShot video editor, OBS studio, Microsoft PowerPoint and the performance is really good. Coming to the browsing, both Chrome and Microsoft Edge performed well with about 12 to 13 tabs open. Once you cross 10 tabs and start using other apps, the device slowly starts warming up.
The device is backed by Intel UHD Graphics 620 and basic resource-friendly games such as Limbo, Angry Birds PC, etc. work without any issues. Even I was really surprised by the performance of Photoshop on the Mi Notebook 14. Basic photoshop tools such as creating a collage, retouching, adjusting colors works like breeze. I have not tried any high-end games as the device doesn’t include any dedicated GPU.
The Mi Notebook 14 takes about 10 seconds to login screen while sleep mode to login screen will take about 5 seconds. As the laptop lacks a fingerprint reader, you’ll have to enter the password to get access to the laptop. I also ran CrystalDiskMark and PC Mark 10 Professional Edition benchmark tools on the Mi Notebook 14 and the results are impressive.
Mi Notebook 14 Benchmarks
In the CrystalDiskMark test, the Mi Notebook 14 achieved a sequential read and write speed of 522.63 MBps and 451.72 MBps respectively. Similarly, the device achieved a random read and write speed of 319.22 MBps and 283 MBps respectively.
Mi Notebook 14: Keyboard & Trackpad
The device comes with scissor mechanism-based keyboard with a travel distance of 1.3mm. The keys are a little rough and have a matte kind of finish. Additionally, the keyboard also includes a dust-protection layer to prevent dust accumulation around the keys. Keys are well-spaced and don’t make much noise while trying.
There is also sufficient space around the trackpad to keep your wrist in a comfortable position. The entire review is written on the Mi Notebook 14 itself and I did not experience any pain or other issues like mistyping. The only issue I observed is the size of the up and down arrow. Both keys small in size and you may feel a slight inconvenience while using these two keys.
Xiaomi has also positioned the Power key on the keyboard itself instead of a separate button outside the keyboard layout. A metal chassis back the entire keyboard and you’ll not experience any flex or bending while typing. The only disadvantage with the keyboard is the lack of Backlighting. Except for backlit buttons, the keyboard is very good and will give you a comfortable experience even for long sessions of typing.
Coming to the trackpad, the Mi Notebook 14 comes with a centrally-aligned trackpad that doesn’t contain independent buttons. It isn’t the biggest trackpad in its segment and also buttons are slightly loose and make a loud clicking sound when you use them. The trackpad supports multiple gestures such as swipe, scroll, zoom in, and zoom-out.
Additionally, the trackpad also comes with a built-in palm rejection feature that cancels the unintended touches. During my review, the scrolling was good, and also the trackpad was able to detect gestures most of the time. The trackpad is more than enough for general usage but the overall performance is average and not the best in its segment. You may not like the trackpad if you are a multitasker.
Verdict
The Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition comes under the entry-level segment and targets E-learners, work from home users, School or College users, and also first-time buyers. Keeping the price and specifications in mind, Mi Notebook 14 is one among a few very few entry-level laptops that give you excellent performance at a pocket-friendly price.
Right from the design to specifications, Xiaomi has not compromised on anything that affects the overall performance and user experience. During my testing, the laptop performed exceptionally well with almost zero lag. Apart from the impressive specs, the design is something that stands out from the crowd. Due to the all-metal design, you will get better durability and premium look & feel compared to a plastic build.
The only thing I missed is the lack of Microsoft Office License. The device comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 365 and can be used only for a month on a trial basis. After a month of activation, you’ll have to subscribe to any of the paid plans available. As the device is targeted at e-Learners, a lifetime-free edition of Microsoft Office could have made life easier and more convenient. Many OEMs such as HP, Lenovo, etc. will provide Microsoft Office Home & Student Edition without any additional cost.
Overall, the Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition is a value for money laptop that fulfil almost all needs of an entry-level user. The latest 10th Gen. Intel Core i3 processor, Genuine Windows 10 OS, Full HD display, 720p HD webcam, Super-fast SSD, 8GB RAM, and good battery life makes the Mi Notebook 14 one of the best entry-level laptops available in the Indian laptop market under ₹35,000.
The laptop is recommended for Home & office users who deal with Email interactions, Document editing, video meetings, online classes, etc. If you are a gamer or a graphic designer or video editor this laptop is not for you. If you are looking for a laptop with expandable memory & storage slots, fingerprint reader then, have a look at ASUS VivoBook 14 (Review)
Pros
- Impressive full HD display
- All-metal build
- Excellent performance
- Good battery life
- 8GB RAM
- SSD storage
- Comfortable keyboard
- Genuine Windows 10
Cons
- No backlit keyboard
- No expandable RAM
- No additional storage slots
- No SD card slot
Where to Buy
The Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition comes only in Silver color and available to buy via Amazon.in and mi.com at ₹36,999. The Laptop comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty on the device and you can also purchase an additional 1-yeat warranty ₹1,599. You can download all Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition drivers from Additionally, you can download all the Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition drivers from here.
Note: Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition was first launched at an introductory price of ₹34,999 and Xiaomi has also provided an instant discount of ₹1,500 with HDFC and SBI cards for a very limited period of time. Now the laptop is available for ₹36,999.
Mi Notebook 14 e-Learning Edition Specs
| Parameter | Mi Notebook 14 |
|---|---|
| Display | 14-inch Display 1920 x 1080 Pixels 16:9 Aspect Ratio 178˚ Viewing Angle 81.2% Screen-to-body Ratio |
| OS | Windows 10 Home |
| Processor | 10th Gen. Intel Core i3-10110U 2.1GHz Dual-core |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Storage | 256GB SATA 3 SSD |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM, 2666MHz |
| Ports | 2 x Type-A USB 3.1 1 x USB 2.0 1 x HDMI 1 x Combo Audio Jack 1 x Charging Port (DC) |
| Audio | 2x2W Stereo Speakers DTS Audio Processing 3.5mm Audio Jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | Built-in 720 1280 x 720 Pixels |
| Battery | 46Wh Battery 65W Power Adapter |
| Dimensions | Thickness: 17.95mm Length: 323mm Width: 228mm Weight: 1.5kg |
| In the Box | Mi Notebook 14 Power Adapter Power Cord User Manual |