Huawei MateBook X Pro: Taking almost borderless displays to the next level

Samuel Tan14-inch Laptops, Laptops, Ultraportables 0

Huawei’s attempt at a premium laptop to rival the likes of Apple’s MacBook Pro is pushing the limits of borderless display. The Huawei MateBook X Pro achieved 91% screen-to-body ratio making it one of the best near borderless displays on a laptop in the market.

Table of Contents

Display

At 13.9-inch, the display is smaller than the 15-inch MacBook Pro but bigger than the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Still, it packs plenty of pixels at 3000 x 2000 resolution. This makes the 3:2 ratio display a 3K panel with 260PPI pixel density. Colour wise, it achieved 100% sRGB colour gamut with 1500:1 contrast ratio thanks to the LTPS technology. On top of this, it is also a 10-point touchscreen, wrapped in entirety with ultra-thin Corning Gorilla glass. The one glass solution is also treated with anti-fingerprint coating making it a joy to use whatever the application.

Use the display to watch 4K videos, for productivity, for editing, designing, authoring and more. Everything is shown in vivid detail and brilliant colour. Touch experience is accurate, smooth and intuitive.

The FullView display, a term that Huawei borrows from its smartphone range with full display design is achieved by moving the web cam to the keyboard. It is hidden away under the top middle key using a mechanical pop-up mechanism. This allows users to hide the 1MP camera when it is not in use. To use it, simply push the key and it will pop up revealing the recessed camera. This also offers a level of security and privacy not available on laptops with permanent camera.

Display Specifications

Size: 13.9 inches
Type: LTPS
Screen-to-body ratio: 91%
Resolution: 3000 x 2000, 260 PPI
Aspect ratio: 3:2
Viewing angle: 178 degrees
Colour: sRGB 100% colour gamut
Contrast: 1,500:1
Maximum Brightness: 450 nits
Touchscreen: 10-point, anti-fingerprint

Processors

Two CPU options, both using the latest 8th generation Intel Core processor. The choices are the popular Core i5 8250U and the powerful Core i7 8550U. A comparison between the two processors are shown below:

Intel Core i7-8550U

Intel Core i5-8250U

Kaby Lake Refresh

: Core i5 Kaby Lake Refresh

Intel Core i7-8650U	1900 – 4200 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
» Intel Core i7-8550U	1800 – 4000 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB

Intel Core i5-8350U	1700 – 3600 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
» Intel Core i5-8250U	1600 – 3400 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB

1800 – 4000 MHz

1600 – 3400 MHz

256 KB

1 MB

8 MB

6 MB

4 / 8

BGA1356

Dual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI

iGPU

Intel UHD Graphics 620 (300 – 1150 MHz)

Intel UHD Graphics 620 (300 – 1100 MHz)

The Kaby Lake processors are perfect for 3D rendering, photoshop, video editing and programming. It will handle processor intensive tasks smoothly and quickly. Overall, the Core i7-8550U is faster and better than the compared to the cheaper Core i5-8250U. But in most benchmarks, the difference in performance is not a lot. You get around 20 to 30% better results but in real life, that mili-seconds difference goes unnoticeable.

A quick boot-up with HUAWEI MateBook X Pro’s one touch power button combined with optimised BIOS allows the computer to start from cold to log in screen in 7.8 seconds. The button also doubles as fingerprint scanner for safe, fast and user-friendly login.

Memory and Storage

The Core i7 processor model has double the memory and storage with 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz memory and 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD storage respectively. The Core i5 processor model comes with 8GB LPDDR3 2133MHz memory and 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD storage. For most users, 8GB RAM memory and 256GB SSD storage would suffice. There is however, those who works with 3D rendering and video editing requiring additional storage and memory. For applications like these, choose the Core i7 model with bigger memory and storage.

Graphics

The Core i7 processor model has the upper hand here with the inclusion of a discrete graphics processing unit. This comes in the form of NVIDIA GeForce MX150 with 2DB GDDR5 dedicated memory. This makes it great for mobile gaming ensuring responsiveness and stable graphics processing for graphic intensive applications.

The Core i5 processor model will have to content with the onboard Intel UHD Graphics 630. Even so, the onboard graphics is sufficient to handle 4K video rendering and multiple connected external displays should you require that.

Audio

The one thing that plaques lightweight and ultra slim laptops is the poor audio performance. This is not so with the Huawei MateBook X Pro. Using 4 speakers and 4 digital microphone, it is capable of pushing Dolby Atmos compliant sound. The speakers are arranged on either sides of the keyboard, a design not dissimilar to that on the MacBook Pro. This makes them upward firing, perfect for entertainment.

Combining quad speakers and split frequency set-up, HUAWEI and Dolby’s superior design offers woofers with deep, resonant bass and tweeters with clear treble. Rich, crisp sound effects from all angles. The Dolby Atmos^® Sound System minimises distortion and captures details to create an immersive 3D sound experience.

Battery & Connectivity

The laptop spots a huge 57.4Wh Lithium Polymer battery even within an ultra slim and portable chassis. When it is fully charged, it will take you through the day and then some with up to 12 hours of video playback.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro maximised the touchpad, freeing users from the restrictions of time and location. Additionally, HUAWEI optimised the keystroke and keypad size, giving users more flexibility. The all-new, full-size backlit chiclet keyboard is also spill-proof to withstand whatever life throws at you.

For connectivity, HUAWEI MateBook X Pro has a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, a USB-A port, two USB-C ports (with one supporting Thunderbolt™ 3) to allow you to connect with a 4K display and external graphics card. This is plenty for a premium and ultra portable laptop making it super flexible in supporting most personal devices one would have with them when on the move.

The 3.5mm stereo headset jack and two USB-C ports are found on the left side, while a single USB-A port is found on the right side near the top edge. All ports are easily accessible.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro maximised the touchpad giving it the real estate to match even the trackpad on MacBook Pro. Additionally, HUAWEI optimised the keystroke and keypad size, giving users more flexibility. The all-new, full-size backlit chiclet keyboard is also spill-proof.

Physical Connectivity

One touch power button
3.5-mm stereo headset jack
USB-C x 1 (Allow data transfer, charging and connection with MateDock 2)
Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C) port x 1 (Allows speedy data transfer, charging and connection to MateDock 2)
USB-A x 1 (USB3.0, max output 5 V / 2 A)

Wireless Connectivity

For wireless connectivity the laptop uses IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 / 5 GHz 2 x 2 MIMO dual band adapter and BT 4.1 (compatible with 3.0 and 2.1+EDR). Huawei also includes a proprietary data sharing and exchange option for users of Huawei devices. Using Huawei Share, those with Huawei smartphones, tablets or laptops can exchange photos and files wirelessly and safely with speed up to 20 Mbps that’s 100x faster than Bluetooth.

Final Thoughts

Available only in space gray, Huawei’s attempt at a premium laptop is commendable. If you are in the market for a laptop with near borderless display, the Huawei MateBook X Pro is one to consider. It weighs only 1.33 kg and measures 14.6 mm thin, making the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro ultra portable and ultra slim so you can take it anywhere for work, study or entertainment. The other laptop with near borderless design is the Dell XPS 13, but it spots a bigger bottom bezel.

Dimensions and Weight