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| The NeoBook Plus has been listed on Chuwi's website |
Chuwi has quietly expanded its recently introduced NeoBook lineup with a larger sibling, and for anyone who felt the original 14-inch model was just a bit too compact, the new NeoBook Plus might be exactly what you've been waiting for. The Chinese manufacturer has taken the core hardware from its standard NeoBook and transplanted it into a more spacious 15.6-inch chassis, creating a machine that prioritizes screen real estate and typing comfort without abandoning the value-focused philosophy that has come to define Chuwi's approach to budget laptops.
The timing here is notable. Chuwi initially entered the mid-range laptop conversation earlier this year with the 14-inch NeoBook, positioning it as a direct challenger to Apple's new MacBook Neo. That device earned attention not for blazing performance, but for offering something increasingly rare in the modern ultraportable market: user-upgradable components at a price that undercuts the competition. The NeoBook Plus takes that same formula and scales it up, targeting users who need more screen space for productivity but aren't willing to pay premium prices for it.
Familiar Internals, Bigger Footprint
At the heart of the NeoBook Plus sits the same Intel Core 3 100U processor found in its smaller sibling. This Raptor Lake-U chip features six cores and eight threads, with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.7 GHz. It's not going to win any benchmark battles against the latest silicon from Intel's Panther Lake lineup or Apple's custom ARM chips, but for everyday productivity tasks—document editing, web browsing, video calls, and light multitasking—it delivers competent performance.
The real story here isn't the processor; it's what surrounds it. Chuwi has equipped the NeoBook Plus with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, and critically, both are user-upgradable. The laptop features two SO-DIMM slots for memory expansion and two M.2 2280 slots for storage. This is becoming increasingly rare in a market where soldered components have become the norm, even among budget manufacturers trying to shave every millimeter of thickness.
If you want to learn more about the specific configurations or check current availability, you can visit the official product page for the Chuwi NeoBook Plus. For those interested in how the original 14-inch model compares, our detailed coverage of the NeoBook provides valuable context about Chuwi's broader strategy in this segment.
Display and Design: Trading Aspect Ratio for Size
Here's where the NeoBook Plus diverges most significantly from its smaller sibling. While the 14-inch NeoBook features a 16:10 aspect ratio display at WUXGA resolution—a welcome choice for productivity users who appreciate vertical screen space—the Plus model steps back to a more conventional 16:9 aspect ratio with FHD resolution. The 15.6-inch IPS panel offers 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and a 60 Hz refresh rate, but Chuwi hasn't disclosed brightness specifications or other display details beyond the basics.
This is a curious decision. The 16:10 aspect ratio has become something of a hallmark for modern productivity laptops, offering that extra vertical real estate that makes document editing and web browsing more comfortable. Stepping back to 16:9 feels like a compromise, albeit one that's likely driven by cost considerations. That said, the larger physical size of the 15.6-inch panel means you're still getting more screen area overall, even if the proportions are less ideal for certain workflows.
The chassis itself measures 357.2 x 228.3 x 17.4 mm and weighs approximately 1.5 kg (about 3.3 pounds). That's a reasonable weight for a 15.6-inch laptop, though it's noticeably heavier than the 1.2 kg 14-inch model. The extra bulk does bring one tangible benefit beyond the larger screen: a full numeric keypad. For anyone who works with spreadsheets or does extensive data entry, that's a meaningful addition that the smaller NeoBook simply couldn't accommodate.
Battery and Connectivity: More Room Means More Juice
The larger chassis also allows for a bigger battery. The NeoBook Plus packs a 57 Wh lithium-polymer battery, up from the 53.38 Wh unit in the standard model. Chuwi claims this can be charged to 60 percent in just one hour using the included 65 W USB-C PD charger. The company hasn't published specific runtime estimates, but given the modest power draw of the Core 3 100U processor and the relatively standard FHD display, users should expect all-day battery life for typical office workloads—likely in the seven to eight hour range, similar to or slightly better than the smaller model.
Connectivity remains one of the NeoBook Plus's strongest selling points. The port selection is genuinely impressive for a laptop in this price range:
USB-C ports: Two full-featured USB-C ports supporting 5 Gbps data transfer, PD charging, and 4K 60 Hz video output
USB-A ports: Three USB-A ports for legacy peripherals and accessories
Video output: Full-size HDMI port supporting up to 4K at 30 Hz
Networking: 1 Gbps Ethernet jack—a rarity in modern thin-and-light laptops
Storage expansion: microSD card reader
Audio: 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo jack
Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which should provide reliable performance for most users. The inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port is particularly noteworthy; it's a feature that has all but disappeared from consumer laptops, yet remains invaluable for IT professionals, gamers concerned about latency, or anyone working in areas with unreliable Wi-Fi.
The webcam is a basic 720p unit, but it includes a physical privacy shutter—a feature that has become increasingly important to security-conscious buyers. It's a small addition that demonstrates Chuwi is paying attention to what users actually want.
Performance Expectations: Setting Realistic Goals
It's important to calibrate expectations when discussing the NeoBook Plus's performance. The Intel Core 3 100U is a previous-generation Raptor Lake-U chip, not the newer Wildcat Lake or Panther Lake architecture found in some competing products. This means it trails the latest processors in raw benchmark numbers and power efficiency.
However, for the target audience—students, writers, business users, and casual consumers—the Core 3 100U paired with 16 GB of RAM should provide a smooth experience for the vast majority of everyday tasks. Windows 11 Pro comes pre-installed, and the integrated Intel Graphics can handle light photo editing and casual gaming at moderate settings.
The active cooling system should help maintain consistent performance under sustained workloads, and Chuwi claims the fan operates quietly enough to avoid distraction during webinars or video calls. Without hands-on testing, it's difficult to verify these claims, but the thermal design appears adequate for the processor's modest TDP.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The Chuwi NeoBook Plus is currently listed at $539 as part of a new-release promotion, down from its stated MSRP of $669. This pricing positions it $40 above the 14-inch NeoBook, which sells for $499 at full price.
Is the premium worth it? That depends entirely on your priorities. For the extra $40, you get:
- A larger 15.6-inch display (versus 14 inches)
- A slightly bigger battery (57 Wh versus 53.38 Wh)
- A full numeric keypad
- More physical space for typing and navigation
What you give up is the 16:10 aspect ratio and a bit of portability, since the Plus model is heavier and bulkier. You also lose the higher pixel density of the smaller screen—though both are FHD, the 14-inch panel packs more pixels per inch.
Compared to the broader market, the NeoBook Plus remains competitively priced. Most 15.6-inch laptops with comparable specifications from established brands typically cost $600 or more, and few offer the same level of upgradability. The dual SO-DIMM and dual M.2 slots mean you can extend the laptop's useful life significantly by adding more RAM or storage down the line—something you simply cannot do with most modern ultrabooks.
The Verdict: A Practical Choice for Pragmatic Buyers
The Chuwi NeoBook Plus isn't trying to be the thinnest, lightest, or fastest laptop on the market. Instead, it's carving out a niche for buyers who value practicality, repairability, and value over cutting-edge specifications and premium materials.
The larger screen and numeric keypad will appeal to productivity-focused users who spend their days in spreadsheets or documents. The extensive port selection eliminates the need for dongles and adapters. The upgradable internals provide a path to extend the laptop's lifespan well beyond what sealed competitors can offer.
The compromises are real—the older processor architecture, the 16:9 aspect ratio, the basic 720p webcam—but they're also predictable at this price point. Chuwi has made deliberate choices about where to invest and where to economize, and the result is a laptop that delivers solid value for users who prioritize function over form.
For anyone in the market for an affordable 15.6-inch laptop that can grow with their needs, the Chuwi NeoBook Plus deserves serious consideration. It may not turn heads at the coffee shop, but it will get the job done—and it will keep doing so long after sealed competitors have been relegated to the recycling bin.
