Why RedmiBook 8 was a milestone for Xiaomi
Xiaomiβs RedmiBook line of notebooks has always held a special place in the market β 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 β 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.
Chronology of key events:
- π May 2020 β First Network Feature Leaks (Benchmarks of Intel Core Processor) i5-10210U).
- π€ June 3, 2020 β official announcement at the presentation of Xiaomi (together with Redmi) 10X).
- π June 11, 2020 β start of sales in China (price from 3,799 yuan for the base version).
- π July 2020 β the beginning of deliveries to global markets (in Russia appeared in August).
- π October 2020 β the release of updated firmware with support for Windows 10 20H2.
β οΈ Note: Some marketplaces (e.g. AliExpress) still have vendors that indicate the release date of 2019 in RedmiBook 8. This is a mistake β 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:
- π₯οΈ Screen: 14.1" IPS Full HD (1920Γ1080) brightly 250 and the stainless stains of the Redmi Book. 7 only 200 thread).
- πΎ Storage: SSD NVMe PCIe 3.0 (512 GB in the top version) instead of SATA previous models.
- π Battery: 40 Wh (vs. 46 Wh in RedmiBook 14) II), but with optimized energy consumption.
- β¨οΈ Keyboard: backlight with 3 brightness levels (first in the RedmiBook line).
| Characteristics | RedmiBook 8 (2020) | RedmiBook 14 II (2019) | RedmiBook 7 (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5/i7 10th generation | Intel Core i5/i7 8-generation | Intel Core i3/i5 8-generation |
| RAM | 8/16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz | 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz | 4/8 GB DDR4 2400 MHz |
| Screen. | 14.1" FHD, 250 nits, 100% sRGB | 14" FHD, 200 nits, 72% NTSC | 14" HD (1366Γ768), 200 thread |
| Battery | 40 Wh, up to 10 hours of work | 46 Wh, up to 11 hours. | 40 Wh, up to 8 hours. |
| Ports | 2ΓUSB 3.1, 1ΓUSB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm, Type-C (without Thunderbolt) | 2ΓUSB 3.0, 1ΓUSB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm | 2ΓUSB 3.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm |
π‘
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 βre-labeledβ RedmiBook 14 appeared on the market. II. Here are the key features of the original RedmiBook 8:
- Serial number: should begin with RB8 (for example, RB8123456789). The number sticker is located on the bottom cover next to the Redmi logo.
- 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!).
- Keyboard: There must be backlighting (even in the basic version) and there is a built-in fingerprint scanner on the Power key.
- 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-->
β οΈ 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:
- β There is no Thunderbolt 3 support (unlike MateBook) D14).
- β The screen is only 100% sRGB (MagicBook 14 β 100% DCI-P3).
- β Plastic bottom panel (from IdeaPad) S540 metal-frame).
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Price (2020, Russia) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RedmiBook 8 | i5-10210U | 14.1" FHD, 100% sRGB | ~45 000 β½ | Best price/performance ratio, keyboard highlighting | No Thunderbolt, plastic in construction |
| Honor MagicBook 14 | Ryzen 5 3500U | 14" FHD, 100% sRGB | ~50 000 β½ | AMD Ryzen with good graphics, metal body | No keyboard illumination, weak webcam |
| Huawei MateBook D14 | i5-10210U | 14" FHD, 100% sRGB | ~55 000 β½ | Thunderbolt 3, premium design | 20% higher, weak dynamics |
π‘
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:
- β The price of used model fell to 15,000-25,000 β½ (conditionally).
- β Easy to find spare parts (batteries, keyboards, screens).
- β Supports Windows 11 (after update) BIOS).
Cons:
- β Intel's outdated graphics UHD Graphics (not pulling modern games).
- β No Wi-Fi 6 support (Wi-Fi 5 only).
- β The battery in most instances worn out by 30-50%.
How to check compatibility with Windows 11?
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 /batteryreportIn 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.
- Remove the bottom cover (unscrewing 10 Torx screws) T5).
- Blow the radiator with compressed air or clean with a brush.
- Replace the thermopaste (Arctic recommended) MX-4).
3. The keyboard lighting is not working
If the keyboard is not illuminated, check:
- π Is the laptop connected to the network (backlighting is turned off when working from the battery in energy saving mode).
- π₯οΈ Settings in Mi Control Center (Keyboard Backlight tab).
- π§ The state of the keyboard plume (often departs during disassembly).
β οΈ 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.