The 'Apple of China' just launched a gorgeous and affordable MacBook Air competitor

Xiaomi on Wednesday launched its first Windows 10 laptop, the Mi Notebook Air.

Also known as the "Apple of China," Xiaomi has raised its profile in recent years on the back of affordable smartphones, branching out into everything from fitness trackers and media streamers to electric bicycles and rice cookers in recent months.

Now, it's venturing into a consumer PC market that's still largely in decline across the globe, its native China included.

That said, on the surface, the Mi Notebook does look like a slim, stylish, and solidly powerful Ultrabook at a relatively affordable price. Let's take a closer look.