Chuwi NeoBook Launches With Intel Core 3 100U and a $409 Starting Price

Apple’s MacBook Neo has quickly attracted attention in the affordable laptop segment, and Chuwi is now aiming at the same market with a considerably cheaper Windows option. The new Chuwi NeoBook is a 14-inch laptop priced from $409, combining an Intel processor with upgradeable memory and storage rather than following the soldered-hardware approach used by many thin laptops.

The NeoBook is powered by Intel’s Core 3 100U, a Raptor Lake-U processor with six cores and eight threads. The chip can reach up to 4.7 GHz, giving the laptop enough CPU capacity for everyday workloads such as web browsing, office applications, media playback, and general productivity. However, the processor is not based on Intel’s newer Panther Lake platform, which gives some newer competing laptops an advantage in terms of platform generation.

The ability to upgrade the RAM and storage could make the NeoBook more appealing to buyers planning to keep the machine for several years. Both configurations use removable components, with two SO-DIMM slots available for DDR4 memory and two M.2 2280 slots for storage. The entry-level model uses a slower SATA SSD, while the 512 GB version moves to PCIe Gen3 storage.

The 14-inch display uses a 1920 × 1200 WUXGA resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. It runs at 60 Hz and reaches a claimed peak brightness of 300 nits. Chuwi has also fitted the laptop with a hinge that opens to 180 degrees and a 720p webcam with a physical privacy shutter.

At around 1.2 kg and 16.4 mm thick, the NeoBook is designed for users who want a relatively portable 14-inch machine without giving up common connectivity options. Power comes from a 53.38 Wh battery, and Chuwi says the laptop can reach 50% charge in about an hour using its 65 W USB-C charging system. The company rates it for up to seven hours of local 1080p video playback, although real-world battery life will vary depending on workload and display settings.

Port selection is another area where the NeoBook takes a different approach from many compact laptops. It has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports with charging, data, and 4K 60 Hz video support, along with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and one USB 2.0 Type-A port. The laptop also includes HDMI 1.4, Gigabit Ethernet, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The Chuwi NeoBook starts at $409 for the 8 GB/256 GB configuration, while the 16 GB/512 GB version costs $499. Chuwi is also offering a limited-time $30 discount at checkout. That makes the entry model available for as little as $379 during the promotion, putting it well below the price of Apple’s MacBook Neo while offering a Windows-based platform and user-upgradeable hardware.

For buyers prioritizing upgradeability, connectivity, and a low purchase price, the NeoBook has a different proposition from the typical thin-and-light laptop. The main compromises are the older Core 3 100U platform, 60 Hz display, and SATA storage on the base model. Whether those trade-offs matter will depend largely on how much performance users need from a compact budget laptop.

Chuwi NeoBook Specifications