Xiaomi RedmiBook 8: official release date, model history and what you need to know before buying

Why RedmiBook 8 was a milestone for Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s RedmiBook line of notebooks has always held a special place in the market – combining affordable price, modern hardware and minimalist design. But the RedmiBook 8 model was a real breakthrough: it first offered users a 12-nm Intel 10th generation processor in the budget segment, which immediately made it a leader in price / performance. However, the release date of this model is still debated – some sources mistakenly tie it to 2019, although the real release occurred later.

In this article, we will not only analyze the exact chronology of the RedmiBook 8 on the market, but also analyze how this model fits into the evolution of the entire line, what innovations it brought and what to look for when buying used copies today. The main differences between RedmiBook 7 and RedmiBook 14 II β€” The models with which it is often confused.

The official release date of Xiaomi RedmiBook 8: understand the details

Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 was announced on June 3, 2020 at the presentation in China along with other devices of the Redmi ecosystem. However, it is important to understand that the announcement date and the start date of sales are not the same. The actual start of sales in China occurred on June 11, 2020, and the global market (including Russia) received the model only in July-August 2020 depending on the region.

Many users still confuse RedmiBook 8 with RedmiBook 14 II, The first one was released six months earlier, in December 2019, and it's easy to tell the difference: the eight have a different body design (thinner screen frames) and a redesigned backlit keyboard. If you're offered a 2019 RedmiBook 8, it's either a mistake or an attempt to sell an older model for a new one.

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Chronology of key events:

  • πŸ“… May 2020 β€” First Network Feature Leaks (Benchmarks of Intel Core Processor) i5-10210U).
  • 🎀 June 3, 2020 – official announcement at the presentation of Xiaomi (together with Redmi) 10X).
  • πŸ›’ June 11, 2020 – start of sales in China (price from 3,799 yuan for the base version).
  • 🌍 July 2020 – the beginning of deliveries to global markets (in Russia appeared in August).
  • πŸ”„ October 2020 – the release of updated firmware with support for Windows 10 20H2.

⚠️ Note: Some marketplaces (e.g. AliExpress) still have vendors that indicate the release date of 2019 in RedmiBook 8. This is a mistake – the 2019 model was called the RedmiBook 14. II It had fundamentally different characteristics (8th generation processor, different body). Always check the serial number of the device before buying!

Technical characteristics of RedmiBook 8: what has changed compared to its predecessors

The main innovation of RedmiBook 8 β€” Transition to Intel processors 10-Comet Lake-U with architecture 14 The basic version was equipped with Intel Core i5-10210U (4 nucleus/8 streams 4.2 GHz), and the top one is Core. i7-10510U. This has increased productivity on 20-30% compared to RedmiBook 14 II (8-generation).

Other key improvements:

  • πŸ–₯️ Screen: 14.1" IPS Full HD (1920Γ—1080) brightly 250 and the stainless stains of the Redmi Book. 7 only 200 thread).
  • πŸ’Ύ Storage: SSD NVMe PCIe 3.0 (512 GB in the top version) instead of SATA previous models.
  • πŸ”‹ Battery: 40 Wh (vs. 46 Wh in RedmiBook 14) II), but with optimized energy consumption.
  • ⌨️ Keyboard: backlight with 3 brightness levels (first in the RedmiBook line).
CharacteristicsRedmiBook 8 (2020)RedmiBook 14 II (2019)RedmiBook 7 (2019)
ProcessorIntel Core i5/i7 10th generationIntel Core i5/i7 8-generationIntel Core i3/i5 8-generation
RAM8/16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz8GB DDR4 2400 MHz4/8 GB DDR4 2400 MHz
Screen.14.1" FHD, 250 nits, 100% sRGB14" FHD, 200 nits, 72% NTSC14" HD (1366Γ—768), 200 thread
Battery40 Wh, up to 10 hours of work46 Wh, up to 11 hours.40 Wh, up to 8 hours.
Ports2Γ—USB 3.1, 1Γ—USB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm, Type-C (without Thunderbolt)2Γ—USB 3.0, 1Γ—USB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm2Γ—USB 3.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm

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If you are buying a RedmiBook 8, Check the battery status through the powercfg command. /batteryreport In the Windows command line, normal wear and tear over 3 year of operation, up to 20%. If the figure is higher 30%, The battery will have to be changed soon.

How to distinguish the original RedmiBook 8 from a fake or older model

Due to the popularity of the model, many fakes and β€œre-labeled” RedmiBook 14 appeared on the market. II. Here are the key features of the original RedmiBook 8:

  1. Serial number: should begin with RB8 (for example, RB8123456789). The number sticker is located on the bottom cover next to the Redmi logo.
  2. The case design: the "eight" has a silver metal body with a matte texture, and the Redmi logo on the lid is made in the form of an engraved inscription (not a sticker!).
  3. Keyboard: There must be backlighting (even in the basic version) and there is a built-in fingerprint scanner on the Power key.
  4. Packaging: The original box has a red accent color and the RedmiBook 8 on the end, and it comes with a 65W charger with a Type-C connector.

Check the serial number (should start with the RB8)|Examine the body for the presence of a logo-engraving|Make sure the keyboard lights are available|Check the complete set (charging 65 W Type-C)|Starting the diagnosis through Mi PC Manager-->

⚠️ One of the most common scams is the sale of RedmiBook. 14 II You can tell them by their processor: RedmiBook. 14 II Intel is worth it. 8-generation (e.g., the, i5-8265U), The original model only has 10-Check the characteristics in Task Manager. β†’ Productivity β†’ CPU.

RedmiBook 8 vs. 2020 competitors: Who won the race?

V 2020 RedmiBook 8 It competes with models like the Honor MagicBook. 14, Lenovo IdeaPad S540 and Huawei MateBook D14. The main advantage of Xiaomi is the combination of the processor 10-generation and prices 10-15% lower than competitors with similar characteristics.

There were, however, weaknesses:

  • ❌ There is no Thunderbolt 3 support (unlike MateBook) D14).
  • ❌ The screen is only 100% sRGB (MagicBook 14 – 100% DCI-P3).
  • ❌ Plastic bottom panel (from IdeaPad) S540 metal-frame).
ModelProcessorScreen.Price (2020, Russia)PlusesCons
RedmiBook 8i5-10210U14.1" FHD, 100% sRGB~45 000 β‚½Best price/performance ratio, keyboard highlightingNo Thunderbolt, plastic in construction
Honor MagicBook 14Ryzen 5 3500U14" FHD, 100% sRGB~50 000 β‚½AMD Ryzen with good graphics, metal bodyNo keyboard illumination, weak webcam
Huawei MateBook D14i5-10210U14" FHD, 100% sRGB~55 000 β‚½Thunderbolt 3, premium design20% higher, weak dynamics

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The RedmiBook 8 is the best choice for those who want the performance of the 10th generation of Intel at a minimum price, but if you are interested in premium materials or extended ports (Thunderbolt), it is worth considering alternatives from Huawei or Lenovo.

RedmiBook 8 in 2026: Should I Buy Today?

Later. 4 The Year After RedmiBook 8 It's still a popular model in the secondary market, but with reservations. i5-10210U It still handles office tasks, web surfing, and even easy video editing (like Premiere Rush), but for modern games or resource-intensive programs (like Photoshop with large files), it is no longer enough.

Pros of buying in 2026:

  • βœ… The price of used model fell to 15,000-25,000 β‚½ (conditionally).
  • βœ… Easy to find spare parts (batteries, keyboards, screens).
  • βœ… Supports Windows 11 (after update) BIOS).

Cons:

  • ❌ Intel's outdated graphics UHD Graphics (not pulling modern games).
  • ❌ No Wi-Fi 6 support (Wi-Fi 5 only).
  • ❌ The battery in most instances worn out by 30-50%.
How to check compatibility with Windows 11?
To install Windows 11 on RedmiBook 8, you need: 1. BIOS Up to version 1.07 or later (download from the official Xiaomi website). 2. TPM 2.0 in settings BIOS (Security β†’ TPM Setting). 3. Use the Microsoft utility PC Health Check to check compatibility.Without these steps, installing Windows 11 will not be possible due to lack of official support.

RedmiBook 8 Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite its reliability, RedmiBook 8 has typical "diseases" that occur after 2-3 years of use, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:

1. Fast battery discharge

If the laptop is less than 2 hours old, the battery is probably worn out.

powercfg /batteryreport

In the report (battery-report.html), look at Design Capacity and Full Charge Capacity (current). If the difference is greater than 30%, it's time to change the battery. The original RedmiBook 8 battery has an articular RB8-BAT-01.

2. Overheating and trottling

When loaded (for example, in games), the laptop can overheat due to dust in the cooling system.

  1. Remove the bottom cover (unscrewing 10 Torx screws) T5).
  2. Blow the radiator with compressed air or clean with a brush.
  3. Replace the thermopaste (Arctic recommended) MX-4).

3. The keyboard lighting is not working

If the keyboard is not illuminated, check:

  • πŸ”Œ Is the laptop connected to the network (backlighting is turned off when working from the battery in energy saving mode).
  • πŸ–₯️ Settings in Mi Control Center (Keyboard Backlight tab).
  • πŸ”§ The state of the keyboard plume (often departs during disassembly).

⚠️ Warning: When replacing a battery or thermal paste on RedmiBook 8, be sure to turn off the battery plume before removing the bottom cover! Unlike many laptops, here the plume goes directly under the board and can be damaged if the case is not opened neatly.

Can I install two on RedmiBook 8? SSD?
No, RedmiBook 8 only has one slot. M.2 2280 for SSD. However, you can replace the standard drive with a more capacious one (for example, Samsung 970). EVO Plus 1 TB, and you can also connect the second one. SSD plug-in SATA, But this will require dismantling the Wi-Fi module.
Does RedmiBook 8 support Type-C charging?
Yes, but with reservations, the laptop can be charged via the Type-C port, but only if you use the original Xiaomi 65W charger with support for the device. PD (Charges from smartphones (for example, 18 watts) will not work - they will not provide enough current.
How to drop BIOS RedmiBook 8 if you forget your password?
For password resetting BIOS: Turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds (discharge the residual energy in the capacitors). Connect the charger and turn on the laptop, the password will be reset. If that doesn't work, you'll need to refashion. BIOS through CH341A (rationing skills required).
What is the maximum RAM supported?
RedmiBook 8 officially supports up to 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz. However, users have successfully installed 3200 MHz modules, but they operate at a reduced frequency (2666 MHz).
Where to download the original drivers for RedmiBook 8?
Official drivers can be downloaded: 🌐 On Xiaomi Support Site (select RedmiBook 8 model). πŸ’Ύ Through the Mi utility PC Manager (automatic update). πŸ”§ Forums 4PDA or XDA Developers (if you need modified versions) Avoid downloading drivers from third-party sites, which may contain malware.