At XDA, we don't always cover new laptop announcements, but I'm sure all of you will eventually be on the lookout for a new laptop. My daily driver is an HP Chromebook X2 running Chrome OS which suits my needs just fine, but Chromebooks still has shortcomings that can't be easily overlooked for many programming students or professional developers. If you're looking for a new laptop that runs Windows, then you may be interested in the new Huawei MateBook 14 and refreshed Huawei MateBook X Pro for 2019.
Huawei's standard MateBook lineup can best be compared to Apple's MacBook Air, while the premium MateBook X goes toe-to-toe with the Apple MacBook Pro. Huawei unveiled the MateBook 13 at CES 2019, and now they're following up with the MateBook 14 with a slightly larger screen, two full-size USB-A ports, a slightly better discrete GPU, and up to 16GB RAM. The Huawei MateBook X Pro, however, is a refresh of the 2018 laptop with the same name. With an upgraded processor and storage, better graphics card, and improved connectivity, the new MateBook X Pro is designed to compete with other premium 2019 laptops.
Huawei MateBook 14
The Huawei MateBook 14, as its name implies, is a 14-inch laptop. Its powered by an 8th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (8265U or 8565U respectively), an optional NVIDIA GeForce MX250 discrete GPU, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 512GB of onboard storage. The Wi-Fi speeds can reach a maximum of 1733Mbps and the device supports Bluetooth 5.0. It has a 57.4Wh battery which offers up to 10.5 hours of web browsing, 14 hours of office work, or 15 hours of video playback, according to Huawei's lab testing. The device comes with a 65W charger which offers 3 hours of power on 15 minutes of charge. The laptop can quick charge mobile devices at 9V/2A.
The MateBook 14 has a metal body and a full-size keyboard and Huawei's "Shark Fin Design 2.0" for 18% cooling efficiency. There are dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support, one USB-C port, two USB-A ports (2.0 and 3.0), a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an HDMI port. The single front camera is recessed for privacy. The power button has an embedded fingerprint scanner for protection.
Huawei's OneHop software will let you quickly share files between the MateBook 14 and a Huawei smartphone at up to 30Mbps speeds. You can shake your phone to record your laptop's screen and send the video to your phone, or you can sync your clipboard between the two devices.
The MateBook 14 is available in Space Gray, Mystic Silver, or Pink Gold and will go on sale in the United States.
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Category |
Specification |
|---|---|
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Display |
Size: 14 inchesScreen-to-body ratio: 90%Resolution: 2160 x 1440, 185 PPIAspect ratio: 3:2Viewing angle: 178 degreesColor: sRGB 100% color gamutContrast: 1000:1Maximum Brightness: 300 nits (Typical) |
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Appearance |
Dimensions (H × W × D): 307.5mm×223.8mm×15.9mmWeight (w/ Integrated Graphics): approximately 1.49 kgWeight (w/ Discrete GPU): 1.53kgColor: Space Gray, Mystic Sliver |
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Operating System |
Windows 10 Home 64-bit or Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Available as one of the options) |
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Processor |
8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U processor8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U processor |
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GPU |
Intel UHD Graphics 620/NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2GB GDDR5 |
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Memory |
8GB / 16GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz |
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Storage |
256GB / 512GB PCI-e × 4 lane SSD |
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Buttons and Ports |
x1 Fingerprint Power Button 2.0x1 3.5 mm Headset and Microphone 2-in-1 Jackx1 USB-C port (support data transfer, DisplayPort and Charging)x1 USB-A 3.0 portx1 USB-A 2.0 portx1 HDMI |
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Wi-Fi |
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz 2x2 MIMO |
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Bluetooth |
BT 5.0 (compatible with BT4.2, BT4.1, BT4.0, BT3.0, BT2.1+EDR) |
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Camera |
Front camera: 1MP |
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Audio configuration |
Dolby Atmos |
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Battery |
Material: Lithium Polymer57.4Wh (Typical Capacity) |
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Power adapter |
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Audio |
Dolby Atmos Sound System |
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Pre-installed applications |
HUAWEI Share 3.0*HUAWEI PC Manager*Monitor ManagerHUAWEI Factory ResetEye Comfort Mode*Not available on models sold in the U.S. |
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Included accessories |
HUAWEI USB-C Power Adapter 65W |
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Optional accessories |
HUAWEI MateDock 2HUAWEI Bluetooth MouseHUAWEI BackpackHUAWEI USB-C TO USB-A Conversion CableLaptop Sleeve |
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2019) Specifications
Huawei's MacBook Pro competitor is getting a minor upgrade in a lot of the internal components while the dimensions are unchanged. The MateBook X Pro 2019 model has an 8th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 (8265U or 8565U respectively), up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD, and an optional NVIDIA MX250 discrete GPU with 2GB GDDR5. The display is still 13.9-inches at 3000x2000, but much of the connectivity has been upgraded. For example, the Wi-Fi now supports speeds up to 1773Mbps, Bluetooth 5.0 is now supported, the Thunderbolt 3 port supports up to 40Gbps speeds so you can connect a 4K display or external GPUs like the GeForce GTX2080. Lastly, the 57.4Wh battery supports 13 hours of video playback or 14 hours of office work, and the USB-C 65W charger should quickly charge the laptop.
As for the design, the MateBook X Pro 2019 has a large touchpad, spill-proof keyboard, a recessed camera for privacy, metal unibody, Huawei's "Shark Fin Fan 2.0" design for better cooling efficiency, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support, quad microphones for far-field communication with Cortana or Microsoft Translator, and more. The power button has an integrated fingerprint scanner and the device has two USB-C ports and one USB-A 3.0 port. The device can quickly charge connected mobile devices that support USB Power Delivery.
If you own a Huawei smartphone, you can take advantage of Huawei Share 3.0 which lets you transfer files at up to 30Mbps speeds. OneHop software will let shake your phone to start recording your laptop's screen automatically, syncing the recording to your phone for quickly sharing. The clipboard can also be shared between the MateBook X Pro and Huawei device.
The new Huawei MateBook X Pro will be available in Space Gray and Mystic Silver colors. The laptop will be sold in the United States.
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Category |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Display |
Size: 13.9 inchesType: LTPSScreen-to-body ratio: 91%Resolution: 3000x2000, 260PPIAspect ratio: 3:2Viewing angle: 178 degreesColor: sRGB 100% color gamutContrast: 1500:1Maximum Brightness: 450 nitsTouchscreen: 10-point, anti-fingerprint |
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Appearance |
Dimensions: 14.6mm × 304mm × 217mmWeight: Approximately 1.33kgColor: Mystic Silver, Space Gray |
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Processor |
8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor8th Generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor |
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GPU |
NVIDIA GeForce MX 250 with 2GB GDDR5/Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
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Memory |
8GB / 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz |
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Storage |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD |
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Buttons and Ports |
x1 Fingerprint Power Button 2.0x1 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jackx1 Thunderbolt 3x2 USB-Cx1 USB-A (USB 3.0, max output 5V/2A) |
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Wi-Fi |
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz 300Mbps, 5GHz 1733Mbps, 2x2 MIMO |
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Bluetooth |
BT 5.0 (compatible with BT 4.2 and 2.1+EDR) |
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Camera |
Front camera: 1MP |
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Audio configuration |
Quad Digital Microphones and Quad Speakers |
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Battery |
Material: Lithium Polymer57.4Wh (Typical Capacity) |
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Power adapter |
|
|
Audio |
Dolby Atmos Sound System |
|
Pre-installed applications |
HUAWEI Share OneHop*HUAWEI PC Manager*Microsoft TranslatorMonitor ManagerFactory ResetEye Comfort Mode*Not available on models sold in the U.S. |
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Included accessories |
HUAWEI USB-C Power Adapter 65W |
|
Optional accessories |
HUAWEI MateDock 2HUAWEI Bluetooth MouseHUAWEI Leather CaseHUAWEI BackpackHUAWEI USB 3.0 A/M TO RJ45 CableAG (Anti-Glare) Film |