Huawei MateBook X Pro in the test: So light that I can hold it with two fingers

Huawei’s laptops have always been known for being stylish, but the latest model, the 2024 MateBook X Pro, takes it up a notch. This laptop with Intel Core 9 Ultra processor and 14.2-inch screen weighs just 980g and measures just 13.5mm.

It’s so light that I can only hold it with my thumb and forefinger by the corners, like in the picture above. While I wouldn’t call this a natural or comfortable grip, it doesn’t put any strain on my fingers until after a few minutes. Of course this is an extreme test. In real life, no one holds a laptop like that. But I actually propped my open palm under the laptop base to watch videos or read email so I don’t bend my neck down for too long.

And this is a screen you’ll want to use for watching videos: 14.2-inch OLED display with 3K resolution that delivers more vibrant colors than the LED panels in the MacBook Air.

The aluminum laptop also features this unique matte coating that has a texture reminiscent of paper. It doesn’t sound premium, and I guess smooth, cold metal feels more “high-tech,” but I really like the grip and subtle paper-like texture of the laptop. It is different from most other laptops on the market.

The rest of the hardware in the MateBook X Pro is also first class. Six speakers provide very lively sound (examples in the video below), and the keyboard and trackpad are spacious, with the latter offering very stable haptic feedback.

The port includes a pair of Thunderbolt 4.0 USB-C ports (on the left side) and a single regular USB-C port (on the right side). You can charge the laptop using any of the ports. It’s nice to have the option to charge it from the left or right side of the device. There is also a switch on the right side that is used to “turn off” the camera. So if you have the switch turned on, the camera won’t work even if you open the camera app on the laptop. I assume this button is intended for people who are worried about their webcam being hacked (people who put a piece of tape over their cameras). However, if someone were that suspicious/paranoid, I’m not sure a physical switch would be enough to convince them that their camera is “off”. You still want to simply attach a sticker to physically cover the camera.

Speaking of the camera, the quality is solid, as you can see from the video embedded above. It’s 1080p quality and the audio recording is solid.

I use the MateBook Part of my workflow involves video editing, and while this laptop should have enough power to handle it, I just don’t like editing videos on Windows machines. For better or worse, I have completely switched to Final Cut Pro (Apple software) for all of my video needs.

But I played games on the MateBook X Pro, and even without a full graphics card the Matebook X Pro managed Asphalt 9 with ease, without stuttering during intense sessions.

The laptop has a 72Wh battery and my device comes with a 90W charger. This means I can charge the laptop from 0 to 100 in under an hour, which is very convenient.

On the MateBook from the phone and trackpad. Once synced, you can easily move files between phone and laptop. You can even mirror the phone screen on the laptop and control the phone on the MateBook. Other Chinese brands like Xiaomi have started doing something similar with their products, but Huawei’s implementation is going the smoothest.

The rest of the software performance is of typical Windows category, meaning you’re either a fan or you’re not. Nothing stops the laptop from behaving like a top-notch Windows laptop.

The Huawei MateBook X Pro is the sleekest, lightest and best-looking notebook available today. But it costs a pretty penny. The MateBook X Pro starts at 1,999 euros, which is about $2,200. In Asian regions like Hong Kong, it’s slightly cheaper, but still a premium laptop at premium prices. But that was always Huawei’s intention. It is not our job to sell you inexpensive devices. It’s here to prove that it makes the best technology products in the world. I don’t love Windows, I have to admit that. But when it comes to the external hardware like the display, form factor and keyboard? This is far better than the MacBook Pro.