It looks like there’s another player in the mini-laptop space. A new model called the MAG1 is up for pre-order from Chinese retail site JD for about $590 and up.

It features an 8.9 inch, 2560 x 1600 pixel IPS touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, and a small touchpad below the space bar.

Overall, the MAG1 looks like a competitor to the GPD P2 Max — a mini laptop with a similar design, but which lacks the backlit keyboard.

The MAG1 will be available in at least two versions:

Other features include an aluminum chassis, USB Type-C and USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a mciroSD card reader, a micro HDMI port and 3.5mm headphone jack, and a fingerprint sensor in the upper right corner of the keyboard.

The little laptop features an 8,600 mAh battery, 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. And the computer measures 8.2″ x 5.8″ x 0.7″ and weighs about 1.5 pounds.

There’s no word on if or when the MAG1 will be available outside of China, but it’s interesting to see a growing number of companies entering the mini-laptop space that was pioneered by GPD with the launch of the GPD Pocket and GPD Win line of handheld computers a few years ago.

Update: It’s up for pre-order globally from GeekBuying, which is selling the MAG1 for $630 and up.

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19 replies on “MAG1 8.9 inch mini-laptop launches in China for $590 and up”

  1. Hope you post a new article if this becomes more easily available in the US. Thank you.

  3. While not a requirement for me (although preferred), I wonder how some Linux distros work on this.

  4. I would have preferred a trackpoint with middle click button than the small touchpad. It has a touchscreen if you need gestures. A trackpoint between the b and h keys and mouse buttons on the bottom would allow for some keyboard improvements and, to me, more usable.

    1. Yeah, for non-handheld but still small notebooks, going with the Vaio P trackpoint and mouse button design would be better. As you’ve said, the touchscreen can handle the gestures. The trackpoint can still be used for panning/scrolling with a middle mouse button like with the Vaio P and ThinkPads.

    2. Another vote for a trackstick nub. I wonder why these OEMs prefer a cramped touchpad/optical pad. One of these mini PCs had it, then it got abandoned. Where there issues?

      I’ve only used tracksticks on HP and IBM/Lenovo notebooks and they were great on both small and large notebooks.

  5. This is the best netbook/ultrabook I’ve seen this year. Looking forward to reviews.

  6. Either this is a render, or the photos are photoshopped. Perhaps to make it appear thinner. At the very least they removed the shadow underneath the bottom. I mean, you’re not fooling anyone… it’s obvious it is the classic tapered-edge illusion to make it look thinner from higher angles.

    1. Looks like renders. Interested in seeing some hands on photos/videos of this. Although, I would have preferred a mouse nub than that small touchpad.

  7. Would be nice for them to provide a real life picture of it… Wondering how true that thinness and bezel is.

    1. Yeah, the other mini notebooks had thinner renders than real life. We’ll see. Although, this seems to be a pretty good mini notebook.

  8. It looks like it has the keyboard of the One Mix 3 and the body of a P2 Max which is really not a bad mashup. Its touch pad should be easier to use than the optical touch pad on the One Mix and the backlight is certainly an advantage over the P2 Max. Really, any non-standard keyboard needs a backlight. With the price it’s supposedly going for, I think it’ll do well… as long as it has any distribution at all outside of China. If they were available and if I didn’t just recently buy a mini device, I’d consider one of these for sure.

    1. Yeah, a backlit keyboard is a requirement these days. USB LED lights are a no go. I’m definitely eyeing the MAG1 hoping to see some early reviews and hands on.

  9. This looks very nice. I think they should send one to Brad for testing…then giveaway time!

    1. Just the backlit keyboard and SD card slot already makes the MAG1 a better product than the P2 Max.

      1. It has touchpad. While small, it’s better than the even smaller optical touchpad the One Mix has.

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