- What is the BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet?
- BNCF NewBook 11 specs at a glance
- Design, keyboard and kickstand
- Stylus input and pen support
- Performance in everyday use – browsing, Office, streaming and gaming
- Benchmarks and comparison
- How long does the battery last?
- Charging via USB C and power bank
- Ports and connectivity
- Everyday experience with the BNCF NewBook 11
- Who is the BNCF NewBook 11 for?
- Where to buy the BNCF NewBook 11 and how much does it cost?
- What to look for when buying a 2 in 1 laptop or Windows tablet
- Conclusion of my BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet review
What is the BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet?
In October 2025 I bought the BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 Windows tablet (*) as a cheap alternative to my Microsoft Surfsurace Go 2 (*) and used it for a couple of days as my everyday device. On paper the BNCF NewBook 11 looks very attractive for a budget 2 in 1 Windows tablet:
Intel N150 quad core CPU, 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512 GB SSD, 11 inch IPS touch display, Windows 11 Pro and a detachable keyboard with kickstand. For around 360 euro with an Amazon coupon the BNCF NewBook 11 is a lot cheaper than most brand name devices in this size.
In this BNCF NewBook 11 (*) review I will go through the specs, performance, battery life, everyday experience and who I think this Intel N150 2 in 1 Windows tablet is really for.
BNCF NewBook 11 specs at a glance
To keep things clear, here are the most important technical specifications of my test unit:
| Component | BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel N150, quad core, up to 3.6 GHz |
| RAM | 12 GB LPDDR5, 4800 MT/s |
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe |
| Display | 11 inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels, IPS, touch, 16:10, around 350 nits |
| Battery | Around 34.6 Wh, measured runtime about 90 to 120 minutes |
| Charging | USB C, measured up to around 39 to 40 W |
| WiFi / Bluetooth | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports left side | 2 x USB C (1 x charging, 1 x data), 1 x Micro HDMI |
| Ports right side | 1 x USB A, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Buttons | Power button, volume rocker |
| Weight | Around 635 g tablet only, around 1106 g with keyboard and kickstand |
| Cameras | 5 MP front camera, 8 MP rear camera |
| Cooling | Active cooling fan |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro |
There are usually two main versions available: 12 GB RAM with 256 GB SSD and 12 GB RAM with 512 GB SSD. Some offers also include a different keyboard with only five rows instead of a full function key row.
Design, keyboard and kickstand
Visually the BNCF NewBook 11 (*) looks very similar to a Surface Go or Surface Pro. The tablet itself is fairly slim, build quality is acceptable for a cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet, but it does not feel as premium as a Surface or an iPad.
The keyboard connects via pogo pins and is held in place magnetically. Typing works, but a few details bothered me in daily use:
- The keyboard only has a flat angle and cannot be raised at the front like the Surface Type Cover.
- If the keyboard is not completely flat on the desk it bends quite easily in the middle.
- The kickstand on the back is also attached with magnets and can detach quickly if you open the tablet very flat or try to lift it by the stand.
On top of that the keyboard is a QWERTY layout, so an English keyboard. Windows can of course be set to German or any other language, but the printed key labels stay English. Umlauts such as Ä, Ö, Ü or ß are missing, and some special characters like “<” and “>” are in different positions. You can fix this with stickers or by learning the new positions, but if you write a lot in German it is not very comfortable.
Stylus input and pen support
Many people look at 2 in 1 Windows tablets because they want to take handwritten notes or draw with a pen. This is where the BNCF NewBook 11 has a clear disadvantage.
The BNCF NewBook 11 does not support any active stylus technology like Microsoft Pen Protocol or Wacom AES. There is no real pen input for handwritten notes, drawings or precise PDF annotations. The tablet does not distinguish between a finger and a pen, so when you use a simple capacitive stylus you cannot rest your palm on the display without accidentally touching something.
You can technically use any cheap rubber tip stylus, but from a technical point of view that is just a finger with a different shape. There is no palm rejection, no pressure levels and no tilt detection. If OneNote, Goodnotes style apps or handwritten notes are important to you, this 2 in 1 Windows tablet is not a good choice.
Performance in everyday use – browsing, Office, streaming and gaming
From a performance perspective I was positively surprised. The Intel N150 together with 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM makes the BNCF NewBook 11 a pretty fast budget 2 in 1 Windows tablet.
Benchmarks and comparison
I tested the BNCF NewBook 11 with PCMark 10 and a browser benchmark and compared it with my Surface Go 2:
| Benchmark | BNCF NewBook 11 | Surface Go 2 (Core m3 8100Y, 8 GB) |
|---|---|---|
| PCMark 10 Extended | 2169 | 899 |
| Essentials | 5872 | 1499 |
| Productivity | 4131 | 3348 |
| Digital Content Creation | 2380 | 1037 |
| Gaming | 1038 | 340 |
| Speedometer (browser) | 9.79 | 2.29 |
| Basemark Web 3.0 | 662 | clearly lower |
In practice this means:
- Web browsing: Several tabs in Edge or Chrome, YouTube in the background and a couple of other apps open are no problem.
- Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook run smoothly. For classic office work the performance of this Intel N150 Windows tablet is more than good enough.
- Streaming and Netflix: Full HD streaming in Edge or the Netflix app works without stuttering. The 1920 x 1200 IPS display is fine for movies and series.
- Gaming: The integrated Intel UHD graphics hits its limits quickly. Small indie games or older titles on low settings can work, but modern games or demanding 3D titles are clearly not what this device is made for.
- Photo and video editing: Light photo editing is possible, but for serious photo or video work I would recommend a laptop with more CPU and GPU power.
Compared to my Surface Go 2 the BNCF NewBook 11 (*) is noticeably faster. The Surface Go is lighter, looks and feels more premium and offers better pen support as well as slightly longer battery life and an optional LTE version. A Surface Go 2 (*) with Intel Core m3 8100Y and 8 GB RAM can currently be found refurbished on Amazon without keyboard for around 200 euro. With a Type Cover you end up at around 250 to 280 euro.
How long does the battery last?
The biggest downside in my BNCF NewBook 11 review is battery life. Even though the tablet has a battery with around 34.6 Wh I only reached about 90 to 120 minutes with mixed use and around 70 percent display brightness:
- Browsing the web in Edge or Chrome
- Some Office work, emails and OneDrive sync
- Occasional YouTube or other streams
As soon as I started benchmarks or other CPU heavy tasks the battery drained even faster. The active fan kicked in and was clearly audible, and the tablet got noticeably warm, but not so hot that you could not hold it.
For a device that is marketed as mobile Windows tablet this runtime is on the low side in my opinion. Many regular 14 inch laptops in the same price range offer a longer battery life.
Charging via USB C and power bank
On the positive side the BNCF NewBook 11 charges via USB C. I did not use the original charger but several USB C Power Delivery chargers with up to 100 W. According to my USB meter the tablet drew up to around 40 W while charging.
In theory you can also use a power bank to charge the BNCF NewBook 11 as long as it:
- supports USB C Power Delivery
- can deliver enough power (ideally 30 to 45 W or more)
While charging I noticed a slight static tingling when touching the metal parts of the device. I have seen this with other metal devices and power supplies as well and would not consider it a defect, more a typical side effect of some chargers.
Ports and connectivity
For an 11 inch 2 in 1 Windows tablet the BNCF NewBook 11 offers a decent selection of ports:
- Left side: 2 x USB C (depending on the model one port is for charging, one for data), 1 x Micro HDMI
- Right side: 1 x USB A, 3.5 mm audio jack
- Top: power button and volume rocker
My test unit did not have an SD or MicroSD card slot and there was no SIM slot for mobile data. If you regularly import photos from cameras or want to be online without a hotspot, keep this in mind when deciding if this 2 in 1 Windows tablet fits your workflow.
WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are good for this price range and the connection was stable during my tests.
Everyday experience with the BNCF NewBook 11
Here is a quick overview of my everyday experience after a few days with the BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet:
| Positive points | Negative points |
|---|---|
| Very good performance for the price | QWERTY keyboard without German umlauts |
| 12 GB RAM is a big plus for a cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet | Keyboard bends easily and only offers a flat typing angle |
| 512 GB SSD offers enough space for Windows and programs | Kickstand can detach easily in some positions |
| Bright IPS display with 16:10 aspect ratio | Battery life only about 1.5 to 2 hours in normal everyday use |
| USB C charging also works with third party chargers | Device gets noticeably warm under load and the fan is audible |
| Pleasant weight for the size | No pen input for handwritten notes |
| No card reader and no LTE or 5G option |
Who is the BNCF NewBook 11 for?
Despite its weaknesses there are use cases where the BNCF NewBook 11 (*) can make sense as a cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet:
- Users who want a low cost secondary device for browsing, email and Netflix
- Students or pupils with a small budget who mainly use Office and the web and usually sit near a power outlet
- Users who care more about performance than battery life and can live with an English keyboard layout
This cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet is less suitable for:
- Heavy typists who need a stable keyboard with German QWERTZ layout
- Users who work on the go and need many hours of battery life
- Creatives who expect proper pen support for notes, sketches and drawing
- Gamers and content creators who need more GPU power
Where to buy the BNCF NewBook 11 and how much does it cost?
The BNCF NewBook 11 (*) is mainly sold by online retailers such as Amazon and different marketplace sellers. In most cases you will find:
Prices change a lot depending on offers, retailers and coupons. When I bought it the 12 GB / 512 GB version was around 360 euro. Overall the BNCF NewBook 11 clearly sits in the lower price range of Windows 2 in 1 tablets.
What to look for when buying a 2 in 1 laptop or Windows tablet
No matter if you are looking at the BNCF NewBook 11 or another Intel or AMD 2 in 1 Windows tablet, there are a few points you should check carefully, especially in the budget segment:
| Point | Why it is important |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB is the minimum, 12 or 16 GB make multitasking much smoother |
| SSD size | 256 GB is tight, 512 GB or more is a lot more comfortable |
| Display | Resolution, viewing angles, brightness and aspect ratio |
| Battery life | Look for real world reviews, not only manufacturer claims |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTZ versus QWERTY, stability and typing comfort |
| Pen support | Important if you want to write handwritten notes or draw |
| Ports | USB C, card reader, HDMI, maybe LAN or docking options |
| Weight | Especially relevant for tablet mode and commuting |
| Support and brand | Known brand with good support or rather a no name manufacturer |
If you mainly work in a home office and value performance and ports, a classic 14 inch laptop with AMD Ryzen or Intel Core in the 400 to 600 euro range may be the better long term option. In this price range you often get better battery life, a full size keyboard and more reserves for multitasking.
Conclusion of my BNCF NewBook 11 2 in 1 tablet review
The BNCF NewBook 11 (*) is an interesting cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet with surprisingly good performance for its price. It scores with 12 GB RAM, a fast SSD and a decent IPS display. As a small browsing and office device on the desk or sofa it can do the job.
For me personally the short battery life, the wobbly keyboard, the English layout and the lack of pen support were deal breakers, so I decided to return the device. If you know exactly what you are getting, can live with these compromises and mainly need a cheap 2 in 1 Windows tablet for simple tasks, the BNCF NewBook 11 can still be an option.
If you want a real Surface Go replacement with pen support, better battery life and a higher quality keyboard, I would rather look at a used Surface Go or a slightly more expensive branded laptop instead.
(*) Affiliate Links
