Chuwi Vi8 Full Review, FAQ, Root, Dual Boot ROM info

[zijin_cheng]

Mod Edit: Selling site link removed.
Finally got my blog up, so go ahead and click the link below to visit the text review!
http://www.mobiletechasia.com/?p=45


I figured I would compile relevant questions and information in this thread:

Questions:
Is there Micro HDMI out? Yes
Is there GPS? No
Does the MicroSD work? Yes, up to 64GB.
Can I connect an external hard drive using the OTG cable? Yes, I use it regularly to transfer video files from my WD 2TB Passport.
What is the available space on Windows/Android? 7GB Free on Windows, 4GB free on Android.
I can't find the shortcut in Windows to switch back to Android! Go to C:\Program Files\Insyde and create a shortcut of the EXE file
My system time keeps changing with I switch between Windows/Android?
Mod Edit: Selling site link removed.
Root:

Hello! I have created a fully functional CWM recovery for Chuwi VI8 Ultimate. Backup, restoration, installation zip archives, etc. I am not responsible for your actions. The archive CWM Recovery, drivers for ADB, utilities for flashing recovery. Good luck!
LINK: http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F0B--h1DazjXHdMXFqc3NtckFVcU0%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing

ROMs:
All Chuwi Vi8 ROMs can be found here:
http://www.needrom.com/category/others/all-tablets/chuwi/

This is the Chuwi Vi8 official ROM:
http://www.needrom.com/download/chuwi-vi8/

Accessories:


Mod Edit: Selling site links removed.

 

[deonology]

Chuwi Vi8 Questions?

Thank you very muchfor the great review zijin_cheng

I have some questions about this great tablet, i would really appreciated if you can answer

• what is the available free space in Windows and Android partitions?
• Is it possible to remove Android partition and extending Windows partition?
• Is there any recovery partition, if yes, how much space is allocated by recovery?
• Is it possible to install windows 10 to this tablet?
• Is it possible to use WIMBOOT method for more free space?

BR

 

[zijin_cheng]

Thank you very muchfor the great review zijin_cheng

I have some questions about this great tablet, i would really appreciated if you can answer

• what is the available free space in Windows and Android partitions?
• Is it possible to remove Android partition and extending Windows partition?
• Is there any recovery partition, if yes, how much space is allocated by recovery?
• Is it possible to install windows 10 to this tablet?
• Is it possible to use WIMBOOT method for more free space?

BR

No problem!

- It started with about 7GB free on Windows, and 4GB free on Android. 13GB total is allocated to the C:\ drive on Windows, and 7GB total for the Android partition.
- At the moment no, but I'm quite sure some resourceful XDAer will figure out a way.
- Yes, its 7GB (5.43GB + 1GB)
- Yes, but I believe that it will be more difficult due to the dual boot nature of this tablet
- I'm not sure, I haven't tried. However, I followed this guide to get more free space (as I also have the Asus T100)

 

[deonology]

Thank you very much

 

[Usraek]

Nice cross-post from RFD, and great review!!

The Chuwi (and most other tablets like this) use WIMBOOT, where the recovery partition *is* the OS drive, and and changes and patches get saved to the C: to preserve the installation for recovery when needed.

There have been multiple successful attempts to install Windows 10, you need an OTG adapter so you can use a USB stick and a mouse/keyboard. General consensus is it works well, but probably best to wait for a later or full release version. A Google search will find you instructions though if you're looking to
do it immediately.

As for partition removal, I haven't really seen it discussed, but I'm sure there's a utility to nuke the unwanted partitions. Though you could just order the single OS version that only comes with Windows, but that model is missing the microHDMI.

 

[Big Dunker]

Hello everybody,

just bought this tablet with dual boot. So in case if I want to reinstall the installed windows 8.1, how can I do it? After the reinstall, will the android system still be there?

Thanks

 

[mattie1]

from singleboot to dualboot?

Hi! I also have this amazingly cheap tablet but I ordered it when the dualboot was not in stock.

Now I'm wondering if it is possible to actually make my windows 8.1 table into a dualboot with android.

I have downloaded android x86 and installed it on a partition but I just cant find out how to actually make the UEFI-bios boot from it. Also since I wasnt unable to boot from usb (no matter what settings I changed in the bios) I couldn't install the android system straight off the bootable usb so i installed it on another system and copied the contents to the new partition. I imagine that it wont work even if I actually succeed to make it boot from another partition.

Has anyone tried to install android as a second OS in this tablet? Please tell me how :S

Best regards
Matthew

 

[ID000001]

The HDMI out on this unit, is it strictly mirror, or does it have the ability to show two separate Desktop?

 

[zijin_cheng]

Hello everybody,

just bought this tablet with dual boot. So in case if I want to reinstall the installed windows 8.1, how can I do it? After the reinstall, will the android system still be there?

Thanks

Hey man, I'm believe so, but you have to make sure you choose the correct option when you go into the "factory reset" portion of the tablet itself.

Hi! I also have this amazingly cheap tablet but I ordered it when the dualboot was not in stock.

Now I'm wondering if it is possible to actually make my windows 8.1 table into a dualboot with android.

I have downloaded android x86 and installed it on a partition but I just cant find out how to actually make the UEFI-bios boot from it. Also since I wasnt unable to boot from usb (no matter what settings I changed in the bios) I couldn't install the android system straight off the bootable usb so i installed it on another system and copied the contents to the new partition. I imagine that it wont work even if I actually succeed to make it boot from another partition.

Has anyone tried to install android as a second OS in this tablet? Please tell me how :S

Best regards
Matthew

Not sure how that could be done, sorry. Maybe you could try installing Insyde's dual boot switching software, they could have more info on how to do it.

The HDMI out on this unit, is it strictly mirror, or does it have the ability to show two separate Desktop?

So far all the videos of this tablet have only shown mirroring, no extended desktops, but I'm sure it can be done, if not with Windows maybe another piece of software.

 

[fdeferia]

Bluetooth keyboard on Chuwi Vi8

Hi guys, This a pretty silly questions, I wonder if anybody with this tablet has bought it whit the Chinese Bluetooth keyboard, and knows whether there is any way to use ESC and function buttons that appear in blue, on the upper keys. Using Fn+ any of these keys would do whatever but ESC or F1, F2, F3 etc. For instance, key 0... Fn+0 = Volume down, but not F10.
I have searched about this on the internet but haven't got any info.
Does anybody have the same issue? It'pretty frustrating when using excel on windows 8.1. I. I have the dual boot version whatsoever.
Cheers

 

[Krystyna]

Very good tablet, but last week I bought a Onda V919 3G Air, otherwise, I will buy this tablet.

 

[zijin_cheng]

Hi guys, This a pretty silly questions, I wonder if anybody with this tablet has bought it whit the Chinese Bluetooth keyboard, and knows whether there is any way to use ESC and function buttons that appear in blue, on the upper keys. Using Fn+ any of these keys would do whatever but ESC or F1, F2, F3 etc. For instance, key 0... Fn+0 = Volume down, but not F10.
I have searched about this on the internet but haven't got any info.
Does anybody have the same issue? It'pretty frustrating when using excel on windows 8.1. I. I have the dual boot version whatsoever.
Cheers

Hey man I haven't bought the bluetooth keyboard with the Chuwi, but I've had problems with bluetooth keyboards in general as only basic keys work such as letters, shift, not even ctrl sometimes. Did the keyboard come with any software? Try to google the brand and see if there are any drivers.

And you're using excel on your Chuwi? Props! That's difficult!

 

[fdeferia]

Hey man I haven't bought the Bluetooth keyboard with the Chuwi, but I've had problems with bluetooth keyboards in general as only basic keys work such as letters, shift, not even ctrl sometimes. Did the keyboard come with any software? Try to google the brand and see if there are any drivers.

And you're using excel on your Chuwi? Props! That's difficult!

Thanks for the response!
Well, it doesn`t have a brand serial number or anything, I guess it is just generic hardware, it works very well, but anyways, maybe the ESC and Function buttons are fake.
In that case, there might be an app to reassign keys, I will check that.
And yes, using excel with chuwi, just to input lab data on the go, and analyse it with some charts, not a big deal.

 

[flofy22]

I have this tablet and this is sick man its incredible that I have boot os on just one table this tablet would be perfect ithey would be with 64gb internal storage that of couse next gen will it have it . I really recommend this tablet hope some xda programer member open a tread and make custom rms and some root stuff hehehe the best 2015 130 dollar gadget XD

 

[nupi]

Decent enough for the price I paid.

Two gripes I do have, even so.
1) Screen expansion seems broken on Windows, if I turn it on, the tablet screen goes dark. Anyone managed to get both screens working at the same time?
2) It seems like USB OTG with simultaneous charging does not work - any chance to fix that?

 

[zijin_cheng]

I have this tablet and this is sick man its incredible that I have boot os on just one table this tablet would be perfect ithey would be with 64gb internal storage that of couse next gen will it have it . I really recommend this tablet hope some xda programer member open a tread and make custom rms and some root stuff hehehe the best 2015 130 dollar gadget XD

I've updated the OP with information and will update it when others create ROMs for this.

Decent enough for the price I paid.

Two gripes I do have, even so.
1) Screen expansion seems broken on Windows, if I turn it on, the tablet screen goes dark. Anyone managed to get both screens working at the same time?
2) It seems like USB OTG with simultaneous charging does not work - any chance to fix that?

I think the Chuwi Vi8 only supports screen mirroring, you'll need to find another piece of software
It's the USB OTG cable itself, you need one that supports both, something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110931117836

 

[Sean09]

Anyone able to install Google Plus? Won't work for me.

Edit, fix here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1382925

 

[DaveL03]

Hey guys! I will be receiving my Chuwi very soon and will root android to expand the ram with Roehsoft RamExpander. Do you guys have any clue if the ram I gain will also be useful on Windows? Thanks for your time guys! Great infor about the tablet here!

 

[joses444]

which is the average temperature in both tablet and android windows? heated quickly?

 

[Misablazek]

dual boot

Hello. I Chuwi vi8 only with win 8. You can do dual boot OS? thanks