Intel 15.6" Laptop Computer 2-in-1,Win 11 Pro Review
This $340 laptop packs 16GB of RAM and a big SSD, but it's built around an outdated Apple processor and has shockingly bad reliability scores.
Overview
Let's be straight up front. This Intel Thin 2-in-1 is a weird one. It's a Windows laptop with an Apple processor, and that's not a typo. The Core m3-8100Y inside is a dual-core chip Apple used in some of its older MacBooks, and now it's running Windows 11 Pro in a 15.6-inch convertible. It's a bit of a Frankenstein's monster, honestly.
So who's this for? Honestly, it's a tough sell. The 57th percentile CPU score means it's just okay for basic tasks, and the 18th percentile GPU ranking tells you gaming is off the table. It's got a touchscreen and a backlit keyboard, which is nice, but at 2.15kg, it's not exactly the lightest 15-incher out there.
What makes it interesting is the price. At $340, it's cheap. You're getting 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which is a lot of storage for the money. But you're also getting WiFi 5 instead of 6, and reliability scores in the 3rd percentile. That's a major red flag. This feels like a laptop built from spare parts, and you're taking a gamble.
Performance
Performance is exactly what you'd expect from a dual-core chip from several generations ago. That 57th percentile CPU ranking means it'll handle web browsing, document editing, and video calls, but you'll feel it start to sweat if you have too many tabs open or try to do anything more demanding. It's fine for the absolute basics, but don't plan on editing photos or videos on this thing.
The integrated graphics land in the 18th percentile, which is as low as it sounds. You're not gaming on this, period. Even lightweight indie games might struggle. The 16GB of DDR3 RAM is a decent amount, but it's older, slower memory. The 512GB SSD is the real bright spot here, giving you plenty of room for files. Just don't expect lightning-fast transfer speeds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price is very low at $340. 90th
- Comes with a full 512GB SSD, which is generous for the cost. 66th
- Includes 16GB of RAM, more than many budget laptops.
- Has a touchscreen and a backlit keyboard, features often missing at this price.
- Runs Windows 11 Pro, which is a step up from the Home edition.
Cons
- Reliability scores are abysmal, in the 3rd percentile. That's a huge concern. 3th
- The dual-core Apple Core m3-8100Y CPU is outdated and underpowered. 20th
- Integrated graphics are terrible, scoring in the 18th percentile. No gaming. 26th
- At 2.15kg, it's heavy for a modern 15-inch laptop, especially a 2-in-1. 26th
- Only has WiFi 5, lacks modern connectivity like WiFi 6 or Bluetooth 5.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M3 |
| Cores | 2 |
Graphics
| GPU | Integrated |
| Type | integrated |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR3 |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 15.6" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Physical
| Weight | 2.1 kg / 4.7 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
Value & Pricing
The value proposition here is simple: you get a lot of specs on paper for not much money. $340 for 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is hard to find elsewhere. But you're paying for that with major compromises everywhere else.
You're getting an ancient, underpowered processor, terrible graphics, poor reliability, and outdated WiFi. It's like buying a car with a great sound system and leather seats, but the engine barely runs. Compared to other budget options, this one has bigger numbers in the spec sheet but likely much bigger problems in real-world use.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to something like an ASUS Zenbook Duo or even a base model MacBook Air, this Intel Thin doesn't stand a chance. Those machines are faster, lighter, more reliable, and have better screens. But they also cost three or four times as much.
The real competition is in the $300-$500 refurbished market. You could find a used Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 for about the same price. Those business laptops would have a much faster quad-core CPU, better build quality, and far higher reliability scores. The trade-off is you might only get 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Personally, I'd take the older business laptop every time for the peace of mind.
| Spec | Intel 15.6" Laptop Computer 2-in-1,Win 11 Pro | ASUS ZenBook ASUS - Zenbook 14 14" FHD+ OLED Touch Screen | Lenovo Yoga Lenovo - Yoga Slim 7x - Copilot+ PC - 14.5" 3K | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Samsung - Galaxy Book5 Pro - Copilot+ PC - 14" 3K | Apple MacBook Air Apple 13" MacBook Air (M4, Sky Blue) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Microsoft 13.8" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 | Apple M4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 24 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 512 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 512 | 1024 |
| Screen | 15.6" 1920x1080 | 14" 1920x1200 | 14.5" 2944x1840 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.6" 2560x1664 | 13.8" 2304x1536 |
| GPU | Integrated | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm X1 | Intel Arc Graphics | Apple M4 10-core | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sequoia 15.1 | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 2.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 75 | 70 | - | 53 | 54 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Screen | Compact | Storage | User Sentiment | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel 15.6" Laptop Computer 2-in-1,Win 11 Pro | 66.2 | 20.2 | 43.5 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 30.9 | 48.2 | 49.5 | 3.4 | 89.6 |
| ASUS ZenBook 14" Compare | 88.9 | 65.8 | 93.9 | 99.2 | 75 | 84.7 | 71.6 | 81.1 | 55 | 97.3 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14.5" 3K 90Hz Compare | 98.5 | 41.2 | 94.6 | 97.1 | 95.4 | 73.8 | 71.6 | 66.9 | 75.4 | 97.3 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" 3K Compare | 68 | 65.8 | 86.4 | 90.3 | 93.3 | 85.2 | 71.6 | 77.9 | 75.4 | 96.4 |
| Apple MacBook Air 13" Compare | 74.2 | 20.2 | 68.2 | 73.9 | 84.8 | 90.2 | 48.2 | 66.9 | 94.9 | 99.4 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" Compare | 98.5 | 41.2 | 60.2 | 95.7 | 80.4 | 87.3 | 84.3 | 49.5 | 75.4 | 99.4 |
Verdict
I can only recommend this to one very specific person: someone who needs a Windows PC for the absolute most basic tasks, has a budget locked at $340, and values storage and RAM above all else, including speed, portability, and long-term reliability. Think checking email, writing documents, and browsing the web on a single screen.
For literally everyone else, I'd say save up a bit more or look for a refurbished business laptop. Students need something more portable and reliable. Anyone doing more than basic tasks needs a faster CPU. The 3rd percentile reliability score is the deal-breaker for me. This feels like a laptop that could stop working any day, and that's not a risk worth taking, even for $340.