Orbic Airsurf 5G Laptop Review: Fast, Affordable 5G on the Go

Orbic has carved a niche for itself with the Airsurf line, offering budget-friendly laptops that prioritize portability and everyday functionality. Their latest addition, the Orbic Airsurf 5G, throws in the exciting twist of 5G connectivity, promising a constantly connected on-the-go experience.

Having spent the past few weeks with the Airsurf 5G, I can confidently say it delivers on its core promise. However, some limitations become apparent when pushing it beyond basic tasks.

Let’s delve deeper and see if the Orbic Airsurf 5G lives up to the hype.

• Size: 14.1 inches
• Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• Panel Type: IPS Touch LCD
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Intel i3 (exact generation not specified)
• Base Clock Speed: 2.1 GHz (potentially higher with Turbo Boost)
• RAM: 16 GB
• 256 GB SSD
• Wi-Fi 6 (Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 5G UW (availability depends on carrier)
• Capacity: 6000 mAh
• Up to 10 hours of usage (claimed)
• USB-C (charging and data transfer)
• USB 3.0 (x3)
• HDMI
• Headphone jack
• Windows 10 Home (upgrade to Windows 11 likely available)
• 2-in-1 convertible design with 360° hinge
• 2 MP front-facing camera (webcam)
• Weight: Approximately 2.9 lbs (1.31 kg)

Note: This information is based on publicly available product information from the Orbic website and Verizon. Some details, like the exact processor generation or port selection, might be subject to change.

For more information visit orbic.us

The first impression of the Airsurf 5G is positive. Orbic opted for a clean, minimalist design with a brushed metal lid that feels sturdy and resists fingerprints well. While it wouldn’t be mistaken for a high-end ultrabook, it definitely punches above its weight class in terms of looks. Lifting the lid reveals a full-sized keyboard and a 14.1-inch display with thin bezels on the sides. The bezels are a bit thicker on the top and bottom, but that’s a common design choice to accommodate the webcam and provide some palm rest space in laptop mode.

Speaking of size, the Airsurf 5G hits a sweet spot. The 14.1-inch display offers ample screen real estate for multitasking, yet the laptop itself feels very manageable. At around 2.9 lbs, it’s light enough to carry around all day without feeling like a burden. It easily slipped into my backpack alongside my daily essentials.

When it comes to ports, the Airsurf 5G offers a good selection for everyday use. The right side houses a USB-C port (presumably for charging and data transfer), an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. On the left, you’ll find three USB 3.0 ports, which is a welcome sight for anyone who relies on external drives or peripherals. While some users might prefer an SD card reader, the current options provide a good balance for most users.

The 14.1-inch display itself offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. While not the most cutting-edge, it delivers crisp visuals for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and watching videos. The colors appear accurate enough for casual use, though creative professionals might find them lacking in vibrancy. The touchscreen functionality worked flawlessly, making navigation and interacting with content a breeze. Overall, the display offers a good user experience, especially considering the price point of the Airsurf 5G.

The Orbic Airsurf 5G is equipped with an Intel i3 processor (the specific generation isn’t explicitly mentioned), paired with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. While benchmarks weren’t readily available, real-world performance for everyday tasks was decent. Web browsing felt smooth, with multiple tabs loading quickly. Working in Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel was a breeze, with no noticeable lag even with moderately complex documents.

The 16GB of RAM is a real plus, allowing you to keep several programs open simultaneously without a significant performance drop. The 256GB SSD storage provides enough space for most users, especially with cloud storage readily available. Boot times were impressively fast, and programs launched swiftly thanks to the SSD.

However, pushing the Airsurf 5G beyond basic tasks revealed its limitations. Editing large photos in Photoshop resulted in some stuttering, and attempting to play graphically demanding games was met with frustratingly low frame rates. While the integrated graphics chip can handle casual games like Minecraft at low settings, anything more will likely result in a choppy experience.

If your primary needs involve web browsing, document editing, video conferencing, and streaming, the Airsurf 5G will handle them with ease. However, if you’re a creative professional who needs a machine for demanding photo or video editing, or a gamer who craves high-fidelity experiences, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

The Orbic Airsurf 5G boasts the exciting feature of 5G connectivity, utilizing Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network (availability depends on your location). 5G promises significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to traditional 4G LTE. The laptop itself has a built-in 5G modem that connects to the network just like a smartphone would.

The benefits of having 5G on a laptop are numerous. Imagine downloading large files like high-resolution videos or software updates in a fraction of the time it would take with 4G. For professionals who rely on cloud storage or remote access to data, 5G’s faster speeds could significantly improve workflow efficiency. Gamers who enjoy online titles could potentially experience lower latency, leading to smoother gameplay.

In my experience, the 5G connectivity on the Airsurf 5G was a mixed bag. In areas with strong 5G signal, download speeds were noticeably faster compared to my home Wi-Fi connection. Downloading a large video file that typically took several minutes on Wi-Fi took a fraction of the time with 5G. However, consistent 5G signal wasn’t always a guarantee. There were instances, especially indoors or in areas with limited coverage, where the connection would drop back to 4G LTE.

It’s important to remember that 5G technology is still in its early stages of development. While the potential is undeniable, real-world coverage and network stability can vary depending on location.

The Orbic Airsurf 5G boasts a 6000 mAh battery, which Orbic claims can deliver up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge. In my testing, these claims held somewhat true, but with some important caveats.

During light tasks like web browsing with minimal background applications running, I was able to achieve close to 8 hours of battery life. This is a solid result for a 14-inch laptop and allows for a full workday on a single charge, as long as you’re not constantly pushing the machine.

However, battery life dips significantly when engaging in more demanding activities. Streaming videos continuously at high brightness drained the battery in about 5 hours. Video editing or running resource-intensive programs further reduced battery life to around 3-4 hours.

The 5G connectivity also plays a role in battery consumption. While offering impressive speeds, 5G definitely drains the battery faster compared to Wi-Fi. If you plan on utilizing 5G throughout the day, be sure to pack your charger or find a power outlet.

The Orbic Airsurf 5G comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home. This is a familiar and widely used operating system, offering a vast library of compatible software and a user interface most people are comfortable with. Upgrading to the latest Windows 11 is likely available, though I haven’t attempted it during this review period.

Unfortunately, the Airsurf 5G isn’t entirely free of bloatware. Several pre-installed trials for third-party antivirus software, productivity suites, and cloud storage services were present. While some users might find these programs useful, they can be safely uninstalled if not needed. It would be preferable if Orbic offered a cleaner installation with just the essential Windows applications.

Students, writers, casual web browsers, and professionals who need a portable machine for basic tasks like document editing and video conferencing will find a lot to love in the Orbic Airsurf 5G. The lightweight design and long battery life (for light use) make it a great travel companion. The 5G connectivity is a valuable asset for those who need to download large files or access cloud storage on the go, especially in areas with strong signal coverage.

The Orbic Airsurf 5G isn’t a powerhouse laptop, but it excels in everyday functionality and portability at a competitive price point. While the 5G connectivity is a promising feature, consistent coverage can be an issue currently. Those who prioritize raw processing power or gamers should look elsewhere. However, for users who value a stylish, lightweight laptop for everyday tasks with the potential of future-proof 5G connectivity, the Orbic Airsurf 5G is a compelling option. Just be prepared to uninstall some bloatware and manage your expectations for battery life under heavy use.