ZDNET’s Key Takeaways
The X Plus Storm 10 laptop can currently be purchased directly from the official X Plus website for the accessible price of $369. Despite its compact physical dimensions, this small laptop delivers an unexpectedly strong level of performance that rivals machines much larger in size. While it possesses a somewhat limited battery capacity and an extremely lightweight chassis, it remains impressively capable for its form factor.
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If you can recall the early 2000s, you may remember the emergence of the so-called netbook phenomenon—a wave of ultra-small, budget-friendly laptops that briefly captivated the market. I remember that moment vividly, along with the disappointment that quickly followed. Those netbooks, though novel, were drastically underpowered, often unable to handle even modest computing tasks. Their tiny keyboards and cramped screens made them almost unusable, unless one possessed exceptionally small hands or endless patience.
So, when X Plus contacted me asking whether I would review their latest model, the Storm 10 laptop, my enthusiasm was muted at best. I reluctantly agreed, expecting another diminutive machine whose impracticality would outweigh its portability. I imagined a device much like those disappointing netbooks of old — tiny, sluggish, and difficult to type on.
To my surprise, the Storm 10 presented a different experience. The laptop arrived with Windows 11 preinstalled, an operating system that I knew from past experience often takes a substantial amount of time before it is fully ready for use. This delay alone encouraged me to follow my usual pattern — replacing Windows with a Linux distribution that I personally find more efficient to install and operate. In my experience, Linux can be up and running within roughly five minutes, compared with Windows’ far lengthier setup process.
Nevertheless, before replacing the operating system, I decided to give Windows 11 a fair chance, if only to form a proper basis for comparison. As I anticipated, the Storm 10’s performance under Windows 11 failed to impress. The system felt sluggish, launching applications and navigating menus with a noticeable delay. The combination of limited hardware resources and a heavy operating system simply didn’t put the device’s best qualities forward.
After several weeks of testing under Windows, I opted to remove it and install Ultramarine Linux running KDE Plasma as the sole operating environment—and this decision transformed the experience completely. Everything functioned correctly right out of the gate: the display, Wi-Fi and network connectivity, audio, trackpad, and even Bluetooth performed seamlessly. The only minor challenge encountered was the removal of the encrypted partition, which I quickly resolved using KDE’s built-in partition manager. Once that step was completed, installation proceeded without any complications, resulting in a refined, efficient, and responsive Linux environment.
One of the aspects I appreciated most once Linux was fully operational was the keyboard. Typically, small laptops suffer from extremely condensed layouts that make typing uncomfortable or even painful during extended use. In contrast, the Storm 10’s keyboard feels remarkably well-spaced and solid for a device of its size. While writing this review on the laptop itself, I found the typing experience natural, fluid, and surprisingly ergonomic. Each key stroke provides tactile feedback and the layout seems carefully optimized to prevent fatigue. Among compact devices, I would confidently say this is one of the best keyboards I have used.
The screen, though modest compared to the advanced displays of high-end brands such as Apple, is still high-quality for its class. It provides crisp imagery and a pleasant brightness level, and KDE Plasma’s interface looks elegant on it. I even applied a light MacOS-inspired theme, which gave the user interface an aesthetically pleasing, minimalist appearance.
In terms of raw performance, I put the Storm 10 to a meaningful test by installing Ollama’s local AI interface, deploying the llama3.2 large language model, and executing the query “What is Linux?” The model itself is roughly 2GB, yet the Storm 10 downloaded and loaded it impressively quickly—under a minute. While, naturally, it cannot compete with the computational strength of large desktop systems, its response time was remarkably short for such a compact machine: less than thirty seconds to fully generate the answer. In fact, I have encountered desktop setups that performed slower in similar tasks.
The device’s 2-in-1 convertible form factor adds flexibility. It can be folded fully backward to transform into a tablet-like orientation, allowing for portable media consumption or note-taking. This structural versatility feels well-engineered, as the hinges are firm and durable, holding the screen securely at any angle without wobbling.
The sound produced by the built-in speakers, although rather thin and lacking depth, is serviceable given the size of the chassis. The audio is at least clear and sufficiently loud. More importantly, the inclusion of a headphone jack ensures that users can easily connect high-quality headphones or external speakers, compensating for the limits of the internal sound system. Video playback, whether streamed via YouTube or stored locally, is smooth and pleasant. While it cannot match the visual fidelity of my MacBook Pro or other premium machines, the 10-inch display still handles high-resolution content commendably, even supporting 4K playback without trouble.
As for the battery, realism is key: the Storm 10’s 3800mAh unit does not support all-day, heavy-duty work sessions. The company claims up to eight hours on a full charge under moderate usage, and in my testing this estimate proved reasonable for standard productivity or web activities. However, demanding processes—like sustained AI queries through Ollama—understandably drain the charge faster. For users intending to travel or use the device intermittently, this capacity remains more than adequate.
Physically, the laptop features an aluminum body that lends it a metallic aesthetic, although the material feels somewhat lightweight, bordering on plasticky. Nevertheless, the design showcases thoughtful engineering: solid-hinge mechanics, a responsive touchscreen, and a generally polished finish. The 360-degree convertible design is particularly notable, providing both the portability of a tablet and the functionality of a full keyboard laptop in a single device.
In summary, ZDNET’s buying advice is straightforward: for anyone in search of a small yet capable laptop that offers comfortable typing, reasonable computing power, and seamless compatibility with Linux, the X Plus Storm 10 stands out as an excellent choice. At its current $369 price point, it delivers substantial value, particularly for travelers, students, or younger users acquiring their first personal computer. This laptop successfully bridges the gap between affordability and solid real-world performance.
X Plus Storm 10 Laptop Technical Specifications:
Display: 10.5-inch IPS Touchscreen with a native resolution of 1920×1200 pixels.
Processor (CPU): Intel N150 for the base model, or the newer Intel N305 for improved performance.
Memory (RAM): 16GB DDR5 (soldered onto the board, non-upgradeable).
Storage (SSD): 512GB PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD (potentially upgradable by experienced users).
Graphics (GPU): Integrated Intel graphics.
Operating System: Ships with Windows 11, but fully compatible with Linux variants.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C with Power Delivery support.
Design: Convertible aluminum body with chiclet keyboard and full trackpad.
Battery: Approximately 26.6Wh, advertised at up to 8 hours of operation depending on use.
Ultimately, the X Plus Storm 10 redefines what a small laptop can achieve. By pairing competent hardware with an efficient Linux ecosystem, it evolves from a modest portable to a surprisingly powerful and versatile computing companion.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/x-plus-storm-10-laptop-review/
