Gaming Performance Review of Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air (2018)
3. Gaming Performance of Mi Notebook Air
   • CPU and GPU specifications
   • Performance benchmarks
4. Gaming Tests
   • Wolfenstein: The New Colossus
   • Rise of the Tomb Raider
   • Project CARS
   • Battlefield 1
   • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
   • Grand Theft Auto 5
   • The Witcher 3
5. Thermal Performance and Fan Noise
6. Pros and Cons
7. Conclusion

Gaming Performance of Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018)

The Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) is equipped with the latest eighth-generation Intel Core i5-8250U CPU and a dedicated NVIDIA MX150 GPU. In this article, we will explore the gaming performance of this compact and lightweight laptop. Although it may not be a powerhouse for gaming, it is impressive to have a dedicated GPU in such a portable device.

Overview of Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air (2018)

The Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) features a sleek and elegant design, weighing only 1.32kg and measuring around 14 to 15mm in thickness. The dark grey color gives it a stylish appearance compared to the previous silver model. With its eighth-generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor and 8GB of RAM, the laptop offers smooth multitasking performance and ensures efficient gaming capabilities.

Gaming Performance of Mi Notebook Air

The gaming performance of the Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) can be attributed to its dedicated NVIDIA MX150 GPU. Although this GPU may not be as powerful as an NVIDIA 1050 Ti with 4GB of RAM, it still provides a significant boost in gaming performance compared to laptops with only integrated graphics.

CPU and GPU Specifications

The eighth-generation Intel Core i5-8250U CPU ensures that the Mi Notebook Air can handle demanding gaming tasks. However, due to limited cooling capabilities, the GPU is slightly underclocked compared to the same GPU Present in the larger Mi Notebook Pro. Despite this limitation, the Mi Notebook Air is still able to deliver satisfactory gaming experiences.

Performance Benchmarks

To assess the gaming performance of the Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018), we conducted several benchmarks using MSI Afterburner to monitor frames per Second (FPS) and thermal performance. Overclocking the GPU provided a 10-15% increase in performance without significant drawbacks. The results of the benchmarks showcased the laptop's capabilities in running various games.

Gaming Tests

In this section, we will delve into the gaming tests conducted on the Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018). Each Game was tested on different settings to evaluate the laptop's performance at different graphics levels.

Wolfenstein: The New Colossus

Running on the Vulkan API, this game performed admirably on the Mi Notebook Air. With a resolution of 720p and low graphics settings, the game achieved a stable 90 FPS, making it highly playable.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Similar to the previous game, Rise of the Tomb Raider was tested at 720p with low graphics settings. The results showed an average of 50 FPS, indicating smooth gameplay.

Project CARS

Project CARS was tested at 1080p, and despite some initial frame drops, the game ran around 60 FPS, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. By tweaking settings to achieve a balance between performance and visuals, this racing game was highly playable on the Mi Notebook Air.

Battlefield 1

Running Battlefield 1 on the Mi Notebook Air presented an average frame rate of 50 FPS, with occasional drops during intense battles. However, the gameplay remained fairly smooth, making it satisfactory for gaming on this compact laptop.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

The Mi Notebook Air handled Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with ease, achieving an average of 80 FPS at 1080p on the highest settings. This popular multiplayer game was highly playable, even for those with less-than-perfect aiming skills.

Grand Theft Auto 5

When tested on low settings at 1080p, Grand Theft Auto 5 performed remarkably well, staying close to 60 FPS throughout gameplay. While some more advanced graphical effects were disabled, the game maintained a visually pleasing experience.

The Witcher 3

Despite being a demanding game, The Witcher 3 was playable on the Mi Notebook Air at 720p on low settings. The average frame rate stayed above 30 FPS during gameplay, ensuring a decent gaming experience.

Thermal Performance and Fan Noise

During our testing, we monitored the laptop's thermals using HWinfo and found that the temperatures reached a maximum of 83 degrees Celsius on the CPU. This is within an acceptable range and demonstrates effective cooling capabilities. The GPU temperature stayed within reasonable limits as well, peaking at 75 degrees Celsius.

In terms of external temperatures, the top area of the keyboard reached around 45 degrees Celsius, while the Palm rest and touchpad remained at around 28-30 degrees Celsius. Although the laptop did get warm during extended gaming Sessions, it did not become uncomfortably hot.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Dedicated GPU for improved gaming performance
• Compact and lightweight design
• Eighth-generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor
• Sleek dark grey color
• Smooth multitasking performance

Cons:

• GPU slightly underclocked compared to larger Mi Notebook Pro
• Limited cooling capabilities leading to thermal throttling
• Surface temperatures can get warm during extended gaming sessions

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) offers decent gaming performance considering its compact and lightweight design. While it may not be a gaming powerhouse, it provides satisfactory frame rates and playable experiences for a wide range of games. With its elegant design and respectable specifications, the Mi Notebook Air is an excellent choice for those looking for a portable laptop with capable gaming capabilities.

Resources:

• [Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) Unboxing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=[insert video id])
• More Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13 (2018) Reviews