Lunar Lake Struggles to Impress as a 3-in-1 Tablet, Handheld, and Laptop Hybrid

This gaming tablet is a tough sell, but there are definitely aspects of OneXPlayer’s latest Intel-powered device that I appreciate. The Lunar Lake chip performs admirably, and the Arc 140V GPU delivers impressive gaming capabilities. Plus, that stunning 11-inch display is a real highlight.

However, the device is plagued by bugs and inconsistencies, and despite being marketed as a versatile 3-in-1 gadget, it struggles to shine in any of those roles.

Similar to the previous Meteor Lake-powered OneXPlayer X1, this model aims to function as a standard (albeit bulky) PC tablet, a laptop-like device with its magnetically attached keyboard and touchpad, and a handheld gaming PC with clip-on controllers. Unfortunately, this quest for flexibility compromises each mode in various ways.

I had hoped for a better experience this time, but it seems OneXPlayer hasn’t learned from past mistakes and continues to repeat them. Perhaps the pursuit of versatility makes it impossible to avoid these pitfalls. Either way, it hasn’t won me over.

X1 Air specs

Processor	Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
Cores | Threads	8 | 8
Graphics	Intel Arc 140V
Memory	32 GB LPDDR5x-8533
Storage	1 TB M.2 2230 SSD
Screen size	11-inch
Native resolution	2560 x 1600
Refresh rate	120 Hz
Battery	72.77 Wh
Ports	2x USB4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x TF 4.0 slot, 1x Mini SSD slot
Dimensions	252 x 163.5 x 13.5 mm
Weight	892 g (w/ controllers)
Price	$1,280

✅ If you need a powerful tablet and can tolerate some quirks: The Lunar Lake chip in the X1 Air is a solid mobile processor, and the display is fantastic, but the overall experience leaves much to be desired and demands a lot from the user.

❌ If you can’t handle quirks: The X1 Air has numerous issues, from odd boot and charging problems to missing gyro support and unreliable software updates.

The OneXPlayer X1 Air shines when used as an 11-inch laptop with its attached keyboard, though it’s still less practical than a traditional 11-inch laptop. Like many similar devices—think of Microsoft’s Surface tablets—it struggles when used on your lap. This is largely due to the absence of a hinge, as all components are located behind the screen, and the keyboard section is just a leatherette flap. Any ergonomic support comes from a small stand on the back of the tablet, which isn’t comfortable for extended use away from a desk.

On a desk, however, it performs surprisingly well. The keyboard, while still prone to bending, offers more travel than many actual laptop keyboards, making it comfortable to type on. The keys are well-spaced, reducing the chance of mistypes, and the trackpad is impressively responsive.

Overall, it can mimic a notebook effectively, provided you’re not trying to use it in a situation where the stand won’t work. The stand has improved from the previous generation, as it’s now integrated into the chassis rather than being a separate accessory. This new design is a full-width metal sheet that offers better positioning and structural rigidity. However, it can’t be used in portrait mode without standing at an awkward 90° angle.

You probably won’t use it in portrait mode much anyway, as it seems to lack auto-rotate functionality. The latest Windows 11 update appears to have removed the rotate option from quick settings entirely. While you can still change the display orientation through Windows Settings, it’s not a user-friendly solution, especially since the previous OneXPlayer tablet didn’t have this issue.

So, is it a poor tablet? What about as a handheld gaming PC? The performance is solid, but the overall experience is frustrating. The Arc 140V iGPU in the Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 258V chip delivers gaming performance that can rival some of the best Strix Point chips.

I had hoped for better battery life, but during the PC Mark gaming battery test, I only managed 103 minutes at full speed. I’m familiar with the OneXConsole software, which offers detailed control over performance and power consumption. However, some sections, particularly software updates, are still in Chinese, and Windows often flags the update packages as problematic.

The OneXConsole software allows you to optimize the Intel chip’s efficiency. Lunar Lake excels in low power modes, and I’ve been running it at 15 W (essentially half-power), which significantly extends gaming time while still providing decent performance.

It sounds promising, but the actual experience is riddled with gaming and technical frustrations. The detachable controllers remain a weak point. They were subpar on the original X1, and the X1 Air hasn’t improved them. They feel hollow, the buttons lack a satisfying response, and they flex uncomfortably when attached. While they secure well, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the hefty tablet could topple over while gaming in bed.

And let’s not forget the weight. Unlike dedicated gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Xbox Ally X, which are designed for balance, this thick 11-inch tablet with bulky controllers is not comfortable for extended handheld gaming sessions.

The bugs add to the frustration. While I didn’t encounter the visual artifacts from the Meteor Lake device, I faced my share of issues. After draining the battery during testing, the X1 Air refused to boot, even when plugged in. I had to go through a convoluted process of hard resetting and switching chargers to get it working again.

Now it mostly functions, but it still requires some coaxing to boot up, and standby mode is often unreliable, as is typical with Windows devices.

Even if it were bug-free, the overall package doesn’t justify its price. The version I tested is priced at $1,499, currently discounted to $1,280. That’s the cost of a solid RTX 5070 gaming laptop, and I wouldn’t recommend spending that on a device that doesn’t excel in any of its intended modes—laptop, tablet, or handheld.

This makes it hard to recommend. After using the OneXPlayer X1 Air extensively, I see improvements over the original X1 and appreciate certain features (like that screen), but I can’t in good faith suggest anyone spend over $1,200 on it.

Especially when you can get the best gaming handheld for half that price or a genuine Lunar Lake laptop for the same amount. Sure, you might lose some versatility, but the compromises the X1 Air demands simply aren’t worth it.