A MacBook Air alternative? Chuwi CoreBook Air 226V launches with Intel SoC and Thunderbolt
A MacBook Air alternative? Chuwi CoreBook Air 226V launches with Intel SoC and Thunderbolt
Publish Date: 2026-05-16 18:09:00
Source Domain: www.notebookcheck.net
ⓘ Chuwi
Chuwi now offers the CoreBook Air with an Intel SoC.
A new and compact notebook promises decent computing power and could, at least in terms of form factor, be a viable alternative to the MacBook Air. The CoreBook Air 226V comes with an Intel SoC, and external graphics cards can be connected via Thunderbolt.
The CoreBook Air will likely be familiar to attentive readers, as we’ve already reviewed the model. That said, Chuwi has just listed the CoreBook Air 226V, which utilizes an Intel SoC instead of an AMD CPU. Specifically, it houses the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, flanked by 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 512-gigabyte SSD. The SSD is replaceable thanks to a single M.2 2280 slot. The pre-installed SSD is a PCIe 3.0 SSD, and the slot itself supports four PCIe 4.0 lanes. The model is listed in this configuration only and is already available for pre-order at a price of $859. Shipping is expected to begin on May 21.
Measuring 312.9 x 22.5 x 16.8 millimeters, the laptop features a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are on board, which not only support fast data transfer but also USB PD charging, the connection of monitors, and, in principle, the use of an external graphics card. Further ports include one USB 3.2 Gen 2, one Gen 1 Type-A port, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI 2.0, and a 3.5-millimeter audio jack. Lastly, Wi-Fi 6E is supported and a 2-megapixel webcam is on board. The listed weight is approximately 1 kg.
ⓘ Chuwi
The CoreBook Air 226V is relatively compact
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of…
