ALLDOCUBE KNote X

ALLDOCUBE KNote X 2 in 1 Tablet with backlit keyboard

Judging by the reports of review, there is a gradual, but steady growth in consumer interest in hybrid 2-in-1 tablets running Windows 10. There is one such device that will be discussed in this review. By the way, the device was released in 2018 by the company Cube (AlldoCube after rebranding), which is included in the list of the most well-known suppliers of affordable Tablet PCs. The model, called AlldoCube KNote X, has a transformable design, equipped with a 13.3″ 2K display, Intel Gemini Lake N4100 processor and 8 GB RAM.

The transformer has a rather elegant case, the design of which makes it easy to see common features with the Samsung Galaxy Book. The back of the KNote X is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. The body of the transformer is thin – only 8.6 mm, while being assembled very decently. Due to the rounded edges, the device is quite well in the hand. The weight of the device is 766 grams, which would not be so small for a regular tablet. But when you connect the keyboard, the final weight will be approximately on par with the most compact ultrabooks. The display on the front panel around the perimeter is surrounded by a frame of optimal width, at which the user could hold the tablet in his hands, without worrying about the occasional finger touches to the touch screen. Most of the main connectors are located on the left side face:

• DC-connector for connecting the power adapter;
• USB Type-C port in a single copy;
• MicroSD card slot.

On the right side of the face is only one connector – 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones and an external microphone. Connection interfaces are the minimum, however, due to the presence of a separate power connector, you can “convert” the port to Ethernet, HDMI interfaces or a full-sized USB 3.0 Type-A interface using special USB Type-C adapters. You can expand the number of USB ports using a USB hub. Also, the tablet is equipped with two sound speakers, whose grilles are located on the left and right side faces. On the upper side of the left side is a mechanical power button and volume control. On the bottom, you can find a 5-pin magnetic connector designed to connect a proprietary keyboard.

The mechanical keyboard cover is not included in the standard package and must be purchased separately. This is despite the fact that the potential of a transformable device is fully revealed precisely due to the proprietary keyboard. The design of the cover allows you to freely switch the device to the most convenient mode: for example, a tablet with one movement transforms into a laptop, with a full keyboard and protective case. The upper part of the cover serves as a stand, with the ability to adjust the angle of the display to 270°. On the inside of the cover is a keyboard unit that provides a comfortable set, due to the soft but clear key travel, as well as a sufficient distance between the full-sized buttons. Accordingly, the user will not have to get used to the new keyboard for a long time to achieve maximum speed with the blind typing method. At the bottom of the keyboard unit is a touch-sensitive touchpad, with two built-in keys that perform the functions of the left and right mouse buttons.

Sound and Camera

The device is equipped with two sound emitters, which have an average volume margin, and do not differ in volume, depth and sound detail. The built-in speakers clearly did not count on lovers to listen to high-quality audio: for such purposes it is desirable to use good headphones. But, the speakers do their job well while watching movies and TV shows. The front 2-megapixel camera, due to the low quality of the received images, is suitable for video communications in instant messengers. On either side of the front camera are the holes of the two built-in microphones. The main camera produces images of very mediocre quality, with a resolution of 5 MP.

Display

The transformer is equipped with a high-quality IPS screen produced by JDI, the diagonal of which is 13.3″. A widescreen display with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and FullHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) is perfect for content consumption. For example, to watch YouTube videos in full screen. The touchscreen responds to almost any capacitive pen, however, it does not recognize the angle of the stylus and the degree of pressure. Therefore, AlldoCube KNote X can be used to create handwritten notes, but not for drawing. The protective glass and capacitive touch panel, supporting up to 10 simultaneous touches, are a single design, which ensures a high accuracy of response to input, transfer of a more contrast image and reduction of glare. The display has wide viewing angles, demonstrates a clear picture display, with rich color reproduction. The minimum level of glare and a high margin of brightness provides the necessary conditions for comfortable work outdoors, in daylight.

Software

AlldoCube KNote X comes with a full-fledged, desktop OS Windows 10. That is, on the device, you can run not only software from the app store, but also any third-party software, including Adobe Photoshop and others. Initially, the device has a pre-installed operating system with two language packs: Chinese and English. At the same time, the user has the opportunity to independently download any necessary localization (including Russian), when connected to the Internet. Additionally, a special night mode is integrated into the system, the use of which can significantly reduce eye strain. This feature will be especially relevant for users who spend a lot of time working with the device at night, in the absence of an external source of lighting.

Hardware

In a convertible PC AlldoCube KNote X uses an Intel Intel Gemini Lake N4100 processor based on the Apollo Lake architecture. The Intel Gemini Lake N4100 has a good balance between energy efficiency and performance. Depending on the required power to perform a particular task, there is a dynamic change in operating frequencies, in the range from 1.1 to 2.2 GHz. In addition, the SoC integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 500, the maximum operating frequency of which reaches 700 MHz. This model is not suitable for processing large volumes of high-resolution video, as well as for launching the most modern games with the maximum graphic settings. Nevertheless, the device has more than enough performance for working with Microsoft Office, viewing 1080p video, basic photo editing, surfing the web, launching games from the app store, as well as old 3D games with low hardware requirements. At the same time, the device demonstrates good responsiveness of the interface and smooth operation.

Memory

What is important for multitasking, AlldoCube KNote X is equipped with an impressive amount of RAM – 8 GB LPDDR3. This ensures that you can comfortably work with several applications at the same time, and switch between them without delays or hang-ups. The role of internal storage is performed by an eMMC format storage device with a capacity of 128 GB. Most users will have enough free space not only to install software, but also to store a collection of photos and audio tracks. The eMMC modules are inferior in speed to read and write SSD drives, but they surpass classic hard drives in a number of parameters, ranging from more compact dimensions and increased read / write speeds, completing the absence of noise during operation and reduced power consumption. In case additional space is required, you can install a microSD card with a capacity of up to 128 GB in the corresponding slot. To store large amounts of information and gain access to them, it is possible to connect external HDD / SSD drives through the USB-C port.

Battery

Like other similar devices, AlldoCube KNote X has a low power consumption level – 4W. The transformer is equipped with a separate power connector, and is designed to connect a DC power adapter with an operating voltage of 12V / 2.5A. Autonomous operation of the device is provided by a built-in battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh, a charge which is enough for 7 and a half hours of video playback, at a 50 percent brightness of the screen. In other words, the user can expect approximately 8 hours of autonomous operation of the transformer, in the mode of moderate loads.

Wireless communications

High-speed Internet access is provided using a dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac module operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. In the absence of Wi-Fi coverage, you can use a 3G / 4G modem to access the global network. Wireless devices, such as Bluetooth speakers, are connected using Bluetooth 4.0 wireless interface.

Summary

The device level AlldoCube KNote X is not able to replace the game console or a powerful PC for professional video rendering. On the other hand, thanks to the design features and compact dimensions, the transformer is perfect for use in almost any conditions: on business trips, on vacation, in a cafe, at home or in the office. AlldoCube KNote X is a versatile portable assistant that is a worthy alternative to classic ultrabooks designed for office tasks, browsing the Internet and multimedia consumption.

SPECS