Tips from China: Extremely cheap laptops for 5,000 CZK

In the next installment of Tips from China, we’re heading to the opposite end of the spectrum than last time. While powerful mini PCs cost over 10 thousand, today we’ll show laptops for 5 to 10 thousand CZK. I’ll say it upfront – for this money, you can often buy a better refurbished ThinkPad with a metal body and a higher quality display. But if you want a new machine, we can look at what China has to offer.

Refurbished or new? The eternal dilemma

Before we dive into specific models, I must mention an important point. You can get a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad for 5-8 thousand with an Intel Core i5, 8/16 GB RAM, and an SSD. You’ll get a magnesium body, a legendary keyboard, a matte IPS display, and battery life that cheap Chinese laptops have no chance of surpassing.

So why buy a new Chinese laptop? Warranty, a new battery, and Windows 11 are the main arguments. Plus, some models offer modern connectivity like WiFi 6 or USB-C charging. If you’re not keen on rummaging through second-hand markets and dealing with potential issues, a new laptop for 5 thousand might make sense.

TECLAST F16Pro – basic office for 4,659 CZK

The TECLAST F16Pro is a typical representative of the “you get what you pay for” category. The Intel N95 processor has 4 cores without hyperthreading, which translates to – YouTube, Word, and Excel are fine, anything more will hurt.

Reviews warn of sharp edges and a fragile power connector. While a SATA SSD is faster than eMMC from cheap mini PCs, it can’t compare to NVMe. The 1920×1080 resolution display is sufficient for 15.6 inches, just expect average brightness around 250 nits.

An interesting feature is the second M.2 slot, which, however, only works for SATA drives. And beware – accessing it requires almost neurosurgical skill. WiFi 6 is a pleasant surprise in this price category.

Verdict: Absolute basic for undemanding users. More like a second machine for the bedroom than a primary laptop.

Price: 4,659 CZK

Blackview AceBook 8 – a slightly better basic (5,107 CZK)

The Blackview AceBook 8 relies on the newer Intel N97 with a slightly higher clock speed. The main advantage? 16 GB RAM and a 512GB SSD as standard, which is decent for this price. A backlit keyboard is a bonus that the competition lacks.

However, Reddit users warn – no support, no updates. One owner even complains about cutting themselves on the laptop due to sharp edges. The charger quality is reportedly poor, with the cable falling apart at the connector.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a large 15.6″ display and a numeric keyboard at a reasonable price, the AceBook 8 can handle it. Just don’t expect premium build quality.

Verdict: More RAM and storage than the competition, but questionable quality and zero support.

Price: 5,107 CZK

CHUWI GemiBook XPro – compact 14″ choice (5,368 CZK)

If you prefer a smaller and lighter laptop, the CHUWI GemiBook XPro with a 14″ display weighs only 1.45 kg. The Intel N150 is the newest of the N-series processors in our selection, offering slightly better efficiency.

Reviews praise 100% sRGB coverage – unusual for this price. However, the display has a glossy surface, which can be bothersome when working near a window. DDR5 RAM is modern, but unfortunately, it’s soldered to the board and cannot be expanded.

The 5-6 hour battery life isn’t dazzling, but it’s sufficient for occasional use. USB-C with charging support means you can use a universal charger instead of a proprietary adapter.

Verdict: Best display in the test, compact dimensions, but average battery life.

Price: 5,368 CZK

Ninkear A15 PLUS – Ryzen for 10 thousand (10,005 CZK)

The only laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 5825U in our selection. For double the price, you get significantly higher performance – 8 Zen 3 cores can handle more demanding multitasking or lighter photo editing.

Reviews praise the aluminum body and comfortable keyboard. The package even includes a bag, mouse, and mousepad. 32 GB RAM might be overkill, but at least you have a reserve.

Weaknesses? Slow WiFi 5 and average speakers. The display has a low brightness of 250 nits; you won’t use it outdoors. For 10 thousand, I would expect more.

Verdict: Powerful processor in a nice body, but at a price where refurbished premium laptops or entry-level models from established brands like ASUS or HP already compete.

Price: 10,005 CZK

What to watch out for?

The biggest disappointment is usually display quality. A brightness of 250 nits means you won’t see the monitor clearly near a window. TN panels have terrible viewing angles. Glossy surfaces collect fingerprints like a magnet.

Second pitfall – real battery life. Manufacturers state up to 8 hours, but the reality is 4-5 hours with normal use. Furthermore, the battery is often non-replaceable; expect a significant drop in capacity after two years.

Third problem – support and updates. Chinese brands like Blackview or Ninkear have no service in Europe. BIOS update? Forget about it.

Conclusion: Who benefits from a cheap laptop?

Cheap laptops from China are not a bad choice if you have realistic expectations. They will serve well for a grandmother on Facebook, a student for notes, or as a second machine for the bedroom. Just realize that for 5 thousand, you won’t get a miracle.

My advice? If you don’t necessarily need a new machine, look for a refurbished ThinkPad or HP EliteBook. For similar money, you’ll get better build quality, a better keyboard, and often a more powerful processor. Buy a new Chinese laptop only if you want a warranty and don’t want to deal with second-hand markets.

Of the tested models, I would choose the CHUWI GemiBook XPro for 5,368 CZK – it has the best display, reasonable features, and compact dimensions.

Do you have experience with cheap laptops from China? Or did you opt for a refurbished one?