Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024: Super lightweight at 980g, but too expensive?
Huawei's latest ultrabook impresses with its weight under 1kg, excellent 14.2-inch OLED display, and Core Ultra 9 chip, but the £2,099 price tag is a major hurdle.
Overview of the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024
The 2024 version of the Huawei MateBook X Pro sets a new standard in the ultrabook segment with a weight of only 980 grams and a thickness of 13.5mm. It boasts powerful specifications with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. However, its high price and supply concerns due to trade restrictions may affect its market accessibility.
Main technical specifications
| Ingredient | Detailed specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16 cores, 22 threads, Turbo 5.1GHz) |
| RAM | 32GB (quad-channel) |
| Hard drive | 2TB SSD |
| Screen | 14.2-inch OLED touchscreen, 3,120 x 2,080 pixels, 120Hz |
| Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics |
| Connection port | 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-C 3.2 |
| Weight | 980g |
| Prices in the UK | 2,099 |
Design and build quality
The most striking feature of the MateBook X Pro 2024 is its ultra-lightweight design. Weighing only 980g, it's one of the lightest 14-inch laptops on the market. The body is crafted from magnesium alloy, providing a sturdy and robust feel despite its light weight. The surface is coated with a matte finish, effectively resisting fingerprints and offering a comfortable grip.
However, the minimalist design also comes with some limitations. The device is only equipped with three USB-C ports, two of which support Thunderbolt 4. The removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and memory card reader may be inconvenient for some users, especially when compared to competitors like the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, which has more ports.
High-quality OLED screen
The MateBook X Pro 2024 features a 14.2-inch OLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 3120 x 2080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The 3:2 aspect ratio is ideal for office work and web browsing. Huawei has used flexible OLED panel technology, similar to that used in foldable phones, to reduce the overall weight of the device.
A major advantage of this monitor is its factory color calibration. Users can choose between various color profiles such as sRGB, AdobeRGB, or DCI-P3 via the Display Manager software. In technical tests, the monitor achieved a maximum brightness of 600 cd/m² in SDR mode and up to 1,219 cd/m² with HDR content. Color accuracy is also very impressive, with an average Delta E value of only about 1.01 in P3-D65 mode.
Performance and battery life
Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, the MateBook X Pro 2024 delivers powerful performance, surpassing even the Apple MacBook Air M3 in many tests. The integrated Intel Arc graphics are also capable of handling creative tasks and light gaming. However, this performance cannot compare to dedicated gaming laptops with dedicated GPUs in the same price range.
Battery life is a noteworthy point. In testing, the device achieved approximately 10 hours and 46 minutes of use after disabling Super Turbo mode. This mode is designed to automatically optimize system resources, but in practice, it significantly reduces battery life without providing any clear benefit. Therefore, users should disable this feature for the best battery experience.
User experience and price
The keyboard offers a fairly comfortable typing experience with large keys and reasonable key travel, although the typing feel is a bit clunky for a premium product. Conversely, the haptic touchpad is a major plus, with its smooth glass surface and smart gesture features such as adjusting screen brightness by swiping along the edges.
The speaker system is also a pleasant surprise, delivering loud, detailed sound with considerable depth for the laptop's slim and lightweight size. However, at £2,099 in the UK market, the MateBook X Pro 2024 faces stiff competition from the MacBook Air M3 and the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024), which offer better value for money.
Conclude
The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 is an impressive engineering feat, combining a super-lightweight design, premium build quality, an excellent display, and powerful performance. However, its high price and the limited number of configuration options make it a difficult choice to access. It's a very good laptop, but it doesn't quite justify its price when compared to competitors in the same segment.
