I purchased an Entroware Apollo laptop in 2019. I have used this laptop every day extensively. So I have decided to write a little review of my experience with the device.
Hardware / Software
14" Apollo
- Processor: Core i5 8265U - Up to 3.9 GHz [4 Cores, 8 Threads]
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 2400MHz
- Storage: 250GB PCIe SSD ⚡️
- Additional Storage: No Additional Storage
- Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
- Keyboard: Backlit UK Keyboard
- Power Lead: UK Power Lead
- Dead Pixel Guarantee: 7-Day Guarantee
- Warranty: 3 Year Silver (See Terms & Conditions, 6.3.1)
- Production Service: Standard Service
Model: EL02R6
Purchased: 17 July 2019
Price: £809.99
When I first got the device I used Clonzilla to create factory reset image. This gives me a copy of the OS as it was shipped by Entroware.
The device came with Ubuntu 18.04 but I decided to install Kubuntu.
Positives
The Apollo is an aluminium build laptop that feels excellent in the hand. I have had people say it looks like a MacBook which is not a bad thing. The no banding on the laptop does make it stand out and make it nice and clean. I think that the product looks good and professional.
The typing experience is good on the laptop and does have a backlight keyboard for working in the dark which I do more often than I like to admit.
It has a pretty nice 1080p screen with matte finished. I have never had a big issue with the screen even with the dead pixel warning on Entroware website.
I do not like using trackpads on laptops and use wireless mouse when possible. When I do use the trackpad it works well enough, I would say it is a little small.
The laptop has quite a lot of nice ports that I use quite often, and it is nice to avoid dongles as much as possible. The laptop has Ethernet, Audio Jack, USB-C 3.1, USB A 3.1, SD Card, HDMI, Mini Display Port.
Negatives (My)
It now time to point out some of the small nagatives I have found with the laptop.
The laptop fan noise can be very loud at times which is noticible by people in a room it only does this in boosts.
Think this bios hardware limitation where I was unable to keep laptop keyboard light on automatically.
The small Plastic points on the laptop are licky to wear overtime in my experance. Rubber pads on bottom laptop fallen off think caused by heat.
Speakers are not great but I mainly use headphones so was not a real issue for me but can see it being issues to other people.
No USB-C charging available.
No faster than USB 3.1 available
Struggle to see screen in very sunny light think this could be solve with brighter backlight
It worth noting some of these limitations are caused by Clevo Hardware and not really controlled by Entroware but the small issue still exists.
These issues would have not stopped me purchasing the product in 2018/2019.
Conclusion
I am happy with this Apollo purchase. I have used it nearly ever day for a few hours and it has really worked well for my personal needs. I plan to keep on using the Apollo for for quite a while yet.
Would you buy again?
I would (& did) purchase the Entroware Apollo in 2018/2019, but I am not sure that I would again in 2020/2021.
The laptop market has change and I think there are some nice options provided from bigger players from Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.
I think support for USB-C Charging is a big factor for my future laptops.
I have to review the other options available when I purchase but at the moment of writing this post, I would say Dell XPS 13 (Linux Edition) is my front runner.
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