HUAWEI has introduced its Matebook X Pro, a new high-end laptop that could sway potential Macbook Pro buyers — especially those looking to safeguard their privacy. Huawei announced its new laptop on February 25 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, setting itself up to compete with leading players Apple and Samsung. It is a bold move from the Chinese manufacturer, who is still relatively new on the computer and tablet scene.
The specs of the 13.9-inch MateBook X Pro overlap with Apple’s Macbook Pro on many levels — but don’t necessarily scream ‘better’ — suggesting that Huawei is aiming to compete rather than surpass. At first glance, the most noticeable feature is the close to bezelless screen with a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio, which, unlike the Macbook Pro, is also a touch screen.
In that regard, the Matebook X Pro follows in the footsteps of the Microsoft Surface Book and Surface Laptop, also adopting a 3:2 ratio. But it’s all in the details and Huawei has been paying attention. Who can ignore all the Macbook Pros with scraps of duct tape on their screens in an attempt to cover the camera? Huawei’s solution lies between the F6 and F7 keys — push it and up pops a button with the hidden webcam — thus allowing Matebook X Pro users to feel more confident about their privacy. It also means that the screen can be adjusted to any angle without worrying about staying in the shot.
Like the Macbook Pro, with its touch ID, there is a fingerprint sensor to unlock the computer and once fully charged, it claims to handle a full work day. Unfortunately for the Matebook X Pro, it doesn’t manage to be lighter in weight, which could have been an added selling point for professionals on-the-go. Still, the spill-proof keyboard may make up for it. As for sound quality, the MateBook X Pro comes with quad speakers (Dolby Atmos Sound System) as well as four microphones and a Microsoft translator for multiple users. Combine that with the fact that the company has chosen to keep the USB 3.0 and it becomes a convenient business device.
Furthermore, it comes with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7, a 512GB solid state drive, 16GB of RAM and a NVIDIA®GeForce®MX150 for high performance. The company is also looking to stay competitive in terms of pricing — with a nod towards Apple’s price scale. The entry level version (i5 / 8GB / 256GB) will retail at €1,499 (approx US$1850), with the next version up offering double the storage (i5 / 8GB / 512GB) for €1,699 (approx US$2100), and finally a Core i7 version boasting double the RAM and maximum storage (16GB / 512GB) with a price tag of €1,899 (approx US$2350). The Matebook X Pro should be available in the UK by March, followed by a second quarter launch in China, Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, the US and Saudi Arabia. – Relaxnews
