The versatile new MateBook family
MEET HUAWEI’S ULTRAPORTABLE LINEUP
HUAWEI is launching its latest laptops: the ultraportable MateBook family. These laptops deserve to be on anyone’s Christmas wish-list this year, as they offer that rare combination of productivityboosting performance and ergonomics that make them a joy to use. Whether you need a laptop for school or the boardroom, HUAWEI has you covered with models ranging from the $1,199 MateBook D 14, through to the $1,799 MateBook 14, to the eliteMateBook X Pro.
What’s great about the new HUAWEI MateBooks?
All three of the new HUAWEI MateBooks have characteristics that are consistent across the range. All have ultra-slim, sturdy, lightweight, sub-1.5KG, metal chassis that have been sandblasted and diamond-milled. Their ‘Slate Gray’ styling oozes sophistication in a way that they’ll turn the heads of passers-by and attract approving nods in the boardroom.
All sport screens with TÜV Rheinland’s ‘Low Blue Light’ and Flicker Free certifications to ensure that they’re comfortable to look at for extended periods.
They all make use of the HUAWEIs powerful, phone-derived, rapid-charger technology which means the charger is pocket-sized and can also be used on phones and tablets (so there’s even less to lug around)! They’re quick, too. Just 15-30 minutes of charging will allow you to work for hours.
All have fingerprint readers embedded into the power button. On the top models, these are linked to TPM modules for hardware-based encryption and compatibility with Windows 11 (you can upgrade for free).
HD webcams are cleverly recessed inside the keyboard for privacy and ensure that bezels surrounding the screen are as thin as possible. Web conferencing is enhanced by new, front-facing, dual-array microphones which can detect voices from five metres away while simultaneously using special algorithms to block out background noise.
If you have a HUAWEI phone you can also make use of the fantastic HUAWEI Share app. This allows you to share and edit files on your phone and computer like they were a single device. You can drag and drop files between them, use the phone as a second screen and connect just by tapping the MateBook’s NFC sensor. A new ‘Collaboration’ update lets you display and interact with multiple phone apps on your desktop, amongst many other things.
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro
HUAWEI’s new 13.9-inch flagship weighs just 1.33KG, is less-than 15mm thick and yet contains an 11-hour battery that can be rapidly charged for four-hours work in just 30 minutes.
Opening up the MateBook X Pro reveals the resplendent screen. It sports an improved 3:2 aspect ratio which offers additional screen real-estate to enhance media and help make you more productive. The bright (450-nit), UHD 3K resolution renders everything in sharp relief – whether you’re staring at spreadsheets or graphics. Its ability to display 100 per cent of the sRGB colour gamut means you know that the colours are accurate.
Amazingly, it also supports 10-point touchscreen interactivity which has
previously been something a batteryvampire for laptops. What’s more, it does so while repelling fingerprints(!) This feature also has some enhanced functionality – you can take a screenshot just by swiping with three fingers. The whole effect is enhanced by a super-thin, barely-there, ‘FullView’ bezel which surrounds the screen.
Interacting with the MateBook X Pro is a joy, too. The back-lit Chiclet keyboard enables fast, accurate and comfortable typing while the trackpad has been re-engineered with new, ‘Free Touch’ technology to allow smoother and more-accurate multi-touch activity.
A quad speaker array provides immersive audio that you wouldn’t expect from such a thin device.
Performance of the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro
Inside there’s one of the latest, 11th-Gen. Intel Core i7 processors, 16GB of special low-power 4,266MHz LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB of fast, NVMe storage. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics will even be able to play casual and competitive games. It all combines to provide 22 per cent faster performance than the previous generation.
There’s the latest, Wi-Fi 6 and BlueTooth 5.1 wireless connectivity. Plus, the latest wired connections are catered for: two USB-C 3.2 Gen. 2 ports provide a whopping 40Gbps transfer speed (that can support two, 4K monitors). There’s also a USB-A 3.2 Gen.1 port and a 3.5mm audio jack.
If you’re worried how powerful components will operate in such a thin chassis, rest assured that the new “Dual-fan Cooling System”, with its Shark Fin fan design and ultra-slim heat-dissipating, vapour-chamber modules, keeps everything running in a cool and stable manner.
The MateBook X Pro costs $2,999. Buyers who order early can even get bonus a set of HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro wireless earbuds worth $329!
HUAWEI MateBook 14
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, check out the $1,799 HUAWEI MateBook 14. This beauty is just 15.9mm, weighs only 1.49KG and has an 11-hour battery life. It has a 3:2, IPS screen with a crisp, UHD, 2,160 x 1,440 resolution that also supports 100 per cent sRGB.
Inside is an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor and a 512GB NVMe SSD. It has Wi-Fi 6, BlueTooth 5.1 and a complement of the latest, wired, connectivity ports. Early buyers can also get free HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro (while stocks last).
HUAWEI MateBook D 14
If budget is your prime concern, check out the $1,199 MateBook D 14. This well-built ultraportable weighs just 1.38KG, is 15.9mm thick and has a 13-hour battery life. The colourful, 14-inch IPS screen has a Full HD resolution and the bezels surrounding it measure less than 5mm. Inside, a 512GB NVMe drive and Core i5-10210U processor provide powerefficient performance. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-A, USB-C, an HDMI 2.0 port and a 3.5mm audio jack. Sound comes from dual, 2-Watt speakers. Ultimately, the HUAWEI MateBook D 14 offers everything people want from a work-oriented ultraportable. Early buyers can get a free backpack worth $99 (while stocks last).
Which MateBook should you buy?
With all three HUAWEI MateBooks offering stylish portability, you can make an easy choice of which device suits your power and performance requirements, and that that matches your budget. Whichever you choose, whether it’s for yourself or someone else, these laptops will make someone very happy this Christmas.