What you need to know

• Tech industry analyst Patrick Moorhead claims that a single generative AI model is running across multiple data centers in China.
• Rather than relying on a consistent array of matching GPUs, researchers in China are combining "non-sanctioned" units from various brands.
• Splitting the workload of a single generative AI model across several locations could solve power limits synonymous with the technology.

Despite an ongoing saga of import restrictions and outright blocks deterring NVIDIA from shipping approximately $5 billion worth of AI chips, the state of generative AI in China doesn't seem to be slowing down. On the contrary, the country appears to be pooling whatever resources it has left after NVIDIA was blocked from selling its A800 and H800 AI and HPC GPUs in their local market and inventing clever ways to combine "non-sanctioned" hardware across multiple, separate data centers.

Tech industry analyst Patrick Moorhead claimed via X (formerly Twitter) that China is excelling with "lower-performing hardware" than what is available to generative AI developers in the United States and that it recently became "the first to train a single GAI model across multiple data centers." It comes with a pinch of salt as the source was "a very large company" during a conversation protected by an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), but it would be a realistic solution to the gigantic electricity consumption seen in Microsoft and Google's AI efforts.

How is China pushing AI forward without the latest GPUs?

Although the United States government's restrictions force NVIDIA to acquire licenses to ship its A100, A800, H100, and H800 GPUs designed explicitly for artificial intelligence computing, this hasn't halted China's generative AI efforts, as the country finds inventive and unusual workarounds. Primarily, a tactic to "meld GPUs from different brands into one training cluster" (via Tom's Hardware) keeps its researchers pushing ahead with whatever hardware is at hand.

NVIDIA might be the world's leading GPU manufacturer, but propping up its data centers with alternatives from brands like Huawei's "Ascend" AI range keeps China's efforts growing, even if at a slower rate than it would with the latest cutting-edge components.

Splitting these "melded" AI processing efforts across multiple data centers could be more of a solution to the worries that "there won't be enough power (for AI) by 2025" predicted by Elon Musk earlier this year, but undoubtedly signals the tremendous growth of generative AI and lends some credibility that superintelligence might only be "a few thousand days" away from well-equipped firms like Sam Altman's US-based OpenAI.

Above all, this tidbit proves that artificial intelligence is anything but a fad, regardless of its reception by the masses. China continues to expand into generative AI despite its restrictions, while Microsoft makes a $1.3 billion investment in Mexico as the West grows with practically unlimited access to NVIDIA's high-end AI GPUs. Whether China's researchers make any substantial gains by running a single model over data centers isn't clear just yet, but it's obvious that sanctions from the US haven't deterred them at all.

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Huawei has just unveiled its long-teased "tri-fold" smartphone. It features two foldable apexes across a 10-inch display that can collapse down to just 6.4 inches, allowing that 10-inch panel to fit into your pocket. When collapsed, it utilizes a Z-shaped fold, meaning the screen bends into three "panels" and enables many different postures and use cases.

Of course, phone mode utilizes the front panel at 6.4 inches, which is what your average smartphone looks like. The second posture has just two panels, measuring around 7.9 inches, and matches your standard foldable phones today. The last posture utilizes all three panels for 10.2 inches of total screen real estate, something never before seen on a phone that can fit in your pocket.

I'm already in love with this form factor, but even if it didn't cost $2800 (yeah, you read that right), the device would only be available in China and with Huawei's custom HarmonyOS. Even if it ran stock Android, I still think there's a better OS out there for a device like this, and that OS is Windows.

10.2 inches is large enough to run Windows comfortably. The Surface Go 4 has a 10.5-inch display, and I love using it as an on-the-go Windows machine. Now, if I could fold the Surface Go into my pocket and use it as a phone, that would be the absolute dream.

Of course, this dream can't exist because Microsoft has killed all avenues to a viable mobile platform. Windows 11 is a desktop OS acceptable for a 10-inch device, but it doesn't scale much smaller than that. Windows 11 on an 8-inch device is tough and basically unusable at 6 inches.

And that doesn't even consider that Microsoft no longer has a mobile app platform. UWP is long dead, and app developers are now being encouraged to develop classic Win32 apps that utilize modern UI frameworks such as WinUI 3 instead.

If we rewind about 8 years, Windows 10 Mobile would have been the perfect platform for a device like this. With a beautiful, native mobile UI and platform paired with Continuum, it would blend beautifully across the three postures found on the Huawei Mate XT. You could have a full Windows desktop when you want it or an easy-to-use, touch-first Windows mobile UI when you don't.

It always seems to be the case, but Microsoft was well ahead of the game with Windows Phone. It was building out a platform that would have been well-positioned for these multi-postured devices. It even had CShell, which was literally designed from the ground up to allow the UI to adapt on the fly depending on screen size and form factor.

The problem with Android foldables currently is that many of the apps that run on them aren't optimized for the larger screen. Android does well in the mobile space, but it's a different ball game when it comes to tablet apps. This drawback is improving, but it's still not where I (and Google) would like it to be.

Had Windows Phone and UWP taken off, we'd be living in a very different world right now, where most Windows apps have a touch-first mobile interface and desktop-class interface that would adapt on the fly. I think foldable phones would have been Windows Phone's saving grace, as it was easily the best prepared for this new category of devices.

Sadly, Satya Nadella pulled the plug on Windows Phone too soon and ended support for the platform just as the first folding phones were announced. Even the Surface Duo, which launched with Android a few years later, was destined to fail under Microsoft's current leadership. That form factor was ripe to develop into something like the Mate XT over time, maybe even running a hybrid Android + Windows combo for the best of both worlds.

New innovations in the mobile and wearable space keep happening, but none of them are applicable to Microsoft because it decided to kill Windows Phone. This decision will hinder the company forever as more technology becomes mobile and wearable-focused.

At this point, I don't think there will ever be a folding device that I don't pick up and think, "Man, I wish I could run Windows on this thing."

Oh well.

What you need to know

• Huawei will reportedly unveil a Windows competitor later this year.
• HarmonyOS Next emulates Apple's macOS style across its status and dock bar.
• The operating system is Android-free and uses its own microkernel.

If Microsoft won't give users what they want, Huawei may do so. While it might seem like a stretch, Huawei could potentially be on the verge of giving Microsoft's Windows operating system a run for its money. 

Huawei might get back to developing its own operating system for PCs later this year. As you may know, Huawei is no stranger to the landscape since it has been developing HarmonyOS, which is used across its assorted devices, including smartwatches and smartphones (via Tom's Hardware).

According to HarmonyOS developer Jason Will on X (formerly Twitter):

"The increasing appearance of HarmonyOS PC version UI layouts on Huawei's developer website suggests that HarmonyOS Next for PC is definitely set to launch in Q4 this year."

Huawei hasn't sailed smoothly in the category, especially after the US blocked access to its Windows and Android operating systems. This prompted the company to develop its own software that allows developers to make apps and distribute them across multiple products and devices.

Years ago, Huawei was one of the most interesting brands making cutting-edge Windows laptops and tablets with excellent displays, slim designs, and haptic touchpads that often made great options for those looking to switch from Apple (mostly because they look a lot like MacBooks, ahem).

Unlike HarmonyOS, which is based on the open-source version of Android (AOSP), the anticipated PC version of Huawei's operating system — HarmonyOS Next, is Android-free and fully dependent on its own microkernel. This means that Huawei is on the precipice of achieving total independence from US-based software since it will only support apps in its own native format. 

Per the images shared, HarmonyOS Next looks pretty neat and has seemingly copied Apple's macOS style across its status bar and dock bar.

To this end, Huawei's HarmonyOS Next is available as a developer sandbox for developers to build and test native mobile apps. It's unclear when the company plans to ship it to its products. 

HarmonyOS is open-source, which potentially leads to widespread adoption. It currently holds 16% of the Chinese phone market, with projections of exponential growth in the next few years.

Microsoft's shortcomings with Windows 11 could be Huawei's strength with HarmonyOS Next

While Microsoft's Windows service is arguably the most popular operating system, the company has seemingly failed to get users to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 (despite its big AI push).

As we all know, the tech giant is set to cut support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. In a perfect world, the apparent option for most users would be to upgrade to Windows 11. However, users have blatantly expressed their reluctance to upgrade to Windows 11, citing stringent hardware requirements and flawed design elements across the OS.

Microsoft is seemingly hell-bent on pushing shiny new features to Windows 11 instead of fixing some of the issues highlighted by users regarding the operating system's shortcomings. For instance, users have openly hated the Start menu, including former Windows experiences lead. The Redmond giant announced that it was slowing its role in shipping new Copilot experiences to Windows 11 to improve and enhance existing experiences based on feedback.

During its special Surface and Windows event, Microsoft unveiled a host of crazy Windows 11 AI features shipping exclusively to Copilot+ PCs, including the controversial recalled Windows Recall, Live Captions, and more. For some, this has further widened the system requirements for Windows 11, ultimately making upgrading even harder. Global PC shipments only recently started showing a subtle uptick, but projections suggest a 5% growth by 2025 as the economy stabilizes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, a Chinese-born PC operating system would likely only "succeed" in China as Western markets are increasingly skeptical of spyware making HarmonyOS Next, even if "open source," dead in the water in non-Chinese markets. From that point of view, Microsoft may lose some market share in China, but it will be safe for the rest of the world. 

We've seen Huawei Super Device thrown around since the company unveiled its fancy new ecosystem wireless capabilities earlier this year. Like other brands, Huawei makes everything from smartphones to desktop PCs, and as such is now in a position where select devices are able to communicate with one another.

This is no mere file transfer functionality. We're talking full-blown communications with the ability to swap files between devices, mirror display outputs, use specific hardware for stylus inputs, and more. And you can do all this simultaneously. In this piece, we're going to talk more about Huawei Super Device and how it works.

What is Super Device?

Huawei Super Device actually covers a number of features released and maintained by Huawei to allow for communication between brand devices. Highlight features include Drag to Connect, Multi-Screen Collaboration, AI Search integration, Huawei Share, Pop-up Pairing, and Multi-Device Files. Essentially, Huawei wants to create a single-user experience across multiple platforms.

Ever fancied yourself laying back on your office chair, feet up, doodling notes on your tablet, and seeing the results on your Windows 11 desktop PC? That's possible with a Huawei tablet, PC, and Super Device. It sounds pretty cool if you find yourself in a position where such functionality can improve productivity or simply make it easier to manage multiple devices.

A Huawei PC and tablet is the ideal scenario for using Super Device in an office environment. Three options are available when connecting a tablet to a PC: extend, mirror, and collaborate. The first two options are very much like attaching a second display to a PC, extend will ... extend the desktop environment while mirror will recreate it on the second device.

Collaborate is more for those who need to move files between devices. When using a Huawei tablet with a PC, you can quickly transfer files on either device using the respective file manager. Begone, pesky USB drives! We can take this one step further with the Huawei stylus. The PC will read input from the tablet as you use the touchscreen, creating your own digital canvas.

Which devices are supported?

Huawei Super device isn't supported by all hardware. The company had to be careful in selecting devices to add support to ensure a pleasant user experience. Really, most recent devices launched by Huawei will have some form of Super Device support.

• Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022
• Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021
• Huawei MateBook X Pro 2020*
• Huawei MateBook X Pro 2019*
• Huawei MateBook X Pro*
• Huawei MateBook X 2021*
• Huawei MateBook X 2020*
• Huawei MateBook X*
• Huawei MateBook 16s
• Huawei MateBook 16
• Huawei MateBook 14s 2022
• Huawei MateBook 14 2022
• Huawei MateBook 14 2021
• Huawei MateBook 14 2020*
• Huawei MateBook 14*
• Huawei MateBook 13s
• Huawei MateBook 13*
• Huawei MateBook 13s 2021*
• Huawei MateBook 13s 2020*
• Huawei MateBook E 2022
• Huawei MateBook D 16
• Huawei MateBook D 15*
• Huawei MateBook D 14*
• Huawei MateStation X
• Huawei MateStation S*

*Denotes limited support. Huawei has a full list of devices that support various features as well as what limitations (if any) are placed upon said hardware.

How to set up Huawei Super Device

The process of setting up and connecting Huawei devices together is actually rather painless. Simply follow these steps on a Huawei PC:

1. Open Huawei PC Manager.
2. Go to My Devices.
3. Click on Connect.
4. Ensure your other Huawei device is turned on.
5. Select the Huawei device from the list of detected hardware.
6. Confirm the authentication prompts on both devices.
7. Enter the code on-screen that's displayed on the device.
8. Wait a couple of seconds.

Testing out Huawei Super Device

In order to effectively test Huawei Super Device, Windows Central was provided with some hardware. Executive Editor Daniel Rubino received the Huawei MateBook E and Huawei P50 Pro. I've been toying around with the Huawei MateStation X, Huawei MatePad 11, and the same phone.

Our good friends over at Android Central have already explained the good, the bad, and the ugly with the Huawei P50 Pro and the Harmony OS. We'll be focusing on how it integrates with Huawei Super Device and Windows 11 here. Connecting the MateStation X, MatePad 11, and P50 Pro together was achieved in but a few moments.

I managed to connect all three devices to the MateStation X using the Huawei PC Manager. As aforementioned, this opens up numerous possibilities through file transfers, screen sharing, and remote input. Using the stylus with the MatePad 11 is a joy and doing so to control Windows 11 from afar is an interesting experience.

This all works with Huawei's other hardware like printers, through pop-up connectivity. I wasn't able to test out this functionality, unfortunately, but the rest of the ecosystem works flawlessly. You will need to have some form of productivity requirement in the office or at home to really take advantage of all the included features.

It's even better for creatives who can actively use the portability and stylus input of a tablet with the performance of a laptop or desktop PC.

What you need to know

• Huawei MateBook X Pro has been refreshed for 2022 with new 12th Intel core processors.
• Other improvements include a new touchpad, 3.1K FullView display, and an oxidation process with new color choices.
• The 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P is cooled using the new Shark Fin Fan cooling system from Huawei to help keep it performing at higher clock speeds.

The Huawei MateBook X Pro is the company's flagship laptop and it has received a refresh for 2022. Huawei has swapped out the display, thrown in a new touchpad, increased the battery pack, changed how it coats the aluminum chassis and added newer 12th Gen Intel processors. The end result is one capable laptop that looks the part.

Because of this fancy new Micro-arc Oxidation Coating process employed by Huawei for the new MateBook X Pro (2022), the laptop itself is a little lighter, coming in at just 1.26kg (compared to 1.33kg with the 2021 model). This also has the added benefit of some dashing new colors being available, including space grey, ink blue, and white.

The display is new and is now a 14.2-inch 3.1K FullView panel with a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Full support for HDR is present and gorgeous colors can be expected. Huawei Free Touch is the name of the new touchpad surface, which supports eight innovative gesture controls including screenshots, brightness, and volume adjustment.

Newer Intel Core processors are excellent in terms of performance, but we've seen some laptops struggle to tame these newer hybrid chips, resulting in some degree of thermal throttling. Huawei is using a new Shark Fin Fan cooling system, which is said to keep the MateBook X Pro performing admirably for longer sessions.

No word yet on pricing or availability for the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2022), but we can be far off from a public release. Huawei makes some of the best Windows laptops around, so we're rather excited to see how this notebook performs.

If Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Apple’s iPad Pro got together and had a baby, the offspring would be Huawei’s gorgeous MateBook E, a tablet that ships with a detachable folio case that allows this Windows PC to convert between slate and notebook form factors easily. Highlighted by a brilliant OLED display that’s both bright and punchy and a slim and sleek design and trim for easy portability, the MateBook E is one of the best Windows tablet this year.

But as the indirect “offspring” of Apple’s and Microsoft’s best tablet efforts, the MateBook E also inherits some of the best features — as well as some areas that need improvement — of the slates that inspired its creation. 

Huawei MateBook E: Price, availability, and specs

The technology war between the United States and China has claimed Huawei as collateral damage. The U.S. government has limited access to key American technology exports to China over spying concerns. As a result, Huawei has largely left the United States market, and the MateBook E isn’t widely available in the country. Shoppers interested in the MateBook E will have to resort to gray market sellers and importers instead, which could result in a premium over MSRP. 

In Europe, the MateBook E starts at €649 for the base model, which includes an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and integrated Intel UHD graphics. Our upgraded review unit with an Intel Core i5-1130G7 chip, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 512GB of built-in solid-state storage, and 16GB of RAM retails for £999. 

European customers can purchase the MateBook E through Huawei’s consumer portal. The technology war between the United States and China has claimed Huawei as collateral damage. The U.S. government has limited access to central American technology exports to China over spying concerns. As a result, Huawei has largely left the United States market, and the MateBook E isn’t widely available in the country through popular retailers like Best Buy. Shoppers interested in the MateBook E will have to resort to gray market sellers and importers instead, which could result in a premium over MSRP. 

In Europe, the MateBook E starts at €649 for the base model, which includes an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and integrated Intel UHD graphics. Our upgraded review unit with an Intel Core i5-1130G7 chip, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 512GB of built-in solid-state storage, and 16GB of RAM retails for £999. European customers can purchase the MateBook E through Huawei’s consumer portal. 

Huawei MateBook E: Design and features

The MateBook E feels more like a tablet than most of its Windows-powered contemporaries, thanks largely to an iPad-inspired device with a sculpted metal frame, large front display, and minimal screen bezels that give this slate a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The MateBook E has an excellent build quality, and the slightly curved matte metal-clad frame gives it a premium feel. And like Ford’s original Model T car, the MateBook E is available in any color you want, so as long as said color is Huawei’s Nebula Gray. 

Like its contemporaries from Apple and Microsoft, the MateBook boasts a minimalist design with curved edges, rounded corners, and a limited selection of ports. The overall design resembles earlier generations of Apple's iPad, rather than the current designs with flat side edges. 

The only connectors that made their way onto this slate are a lone Thunderbolt 4 over USB-C port and 3.5mm audio jack. 

This makes the MateBook E feel comfortable as a tablet, but multitaskers who need access to a myriad of connected peripherals may want to invest in a USB-C hub to get the most out of the MateBook. At 709 grams (1.56 pounds) without the keyboard case, the MateBook E isn't too heavy to hold. The weight compares favorably against the 891 grams (1.96 pounds) of the Surface Pro 8. 

The power button is situated on the left edge and integrates a fingerprint scanner, while the volume rocker rounds the corner at the top edge. A second USB-C port would have been appreciated, given that there is no dedicated charging port. 

Measuring just 7.9mm thick, the MateBook E is just 1.59mm thicker than the 6.4mm-thick iPad Pro and 14% thinner than the 9.3mm-thick Surface Pro 8. Compared to the original Surface Pro, the MateBook E is a whopping 40% thinner, which shows how far technology has come. The slate has an overall footprint of 286.5mm x 184.7mm, which makes it more compact in all dimensions against the 287mm x 208mm Surface Pro 8. 

For security, and to make it easy to log into your tablet, the MateBook E relies on a biometric fingerprint scanner, which is built into the side-mounted power button. On the PC side, biometric authentication is still mostly limited to Windows Hello login, and we wished more apps took advantage of the feature to make it seamless. The fingerprint reader is a bit narrow for our liking, but it was fast and accurate. I didn’t experience too many instances of the scanner not accurately detecting my fingerprint. 

Like the iPad, you’ll need to configure the MateBook E with as much memory as you think you’ll need for the life of this slate, as there’s no dedicated memory card reader.

Huawei MateBook E: Typing and trackpad

With the purchase of the MateBook E, you also get a keyboard folio out of the box, which makes the MateBook E a better value than its rivals. For example, Microsoft’s Type Cover keyboard for the Surface Pro 8 adds $139 to your overall cost, while Apple’s Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro 12.9 comes in at $349. Huawei’s strategy means that not only will you need to spend extra for the accessory, but you can get productive right out of the box.

The keyboard connects to the MateBook E via POGO pins, and the chiclet-style keys are responsive with great 1.3mm key travel. The key travel makes the keyboard feel more like an Ultrabook than a tablet with a keyboard attached. A small-ish trackpad completes the typing experience. In addition to being responsive, the trackpad supports gestures, though the narrow form factor makes it a bit more difficult to activate.

As a bonus, the keyboard cover comes with a flip-down kickstand, allowing you to prop the MateBook E up to a comfortable viewing angle. The kickstand works in a similar way to the built-in kickstand on Microsoft’s Surface Pro, but there are some differences with Huawei’s implementation. First, because it’s built into the folio keyboard cover, you won’t have access to the kickstand unless the cover is attached. Second, rather than a flip-out design on the Surface, Huawei employs a flip-down design. 

The MateBook E employs a similar center-mounted hinge, but the top part of the cover folds down to create an adjustable tent for the tablet to recline. In general, it’s a clean design, but you lose some protection on the tablet when the kickstand is in use, so be careful when balancing the tablet in notebook mode on your legs while working in case the setup comes tumbling onto the floor. The tablet can be angled from any angle between 110 and 160 degrees. 

The biggest omission from the keyboard cover is that Huawei failed to add any keyboard backlight, which is a big missed opportunity for a slate aimed for productivity. Similar first-party keyboard accessories from Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and other large OEMs have incorporated adjustable backlighting, and it’s a useful feature when typing in the dark. The lack of any backlighting here makes the folio feel like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the MateBook E experience, which is unfortunate considering the rest of the package is so premium

Huawei MateBook E: Cameras, microphones, and speakers

As a consumer device, the MateBook E is equipped with excellent cameras, microphones, and speakers. This is a win for students and office workers who need a PC to handle productivity tasks, video conferencing for collaboration, and streaming videos during their downtime. There is an array of four noise-canceling microphones for great audio calls. 

Huawei also equipped the MateBook E with four speakers, one on each corner, giving the tablet rich audio output. I generally found the speakers delightful, rendering rich highs and bass-filled lows. Audio output at the highest volume is approximately 80 decibels, enough to fill a small office or room. If you’re watching a movie or streaming videos on the MateBook E, you’ll appreciate the rich 360-degree speakers. 

And for collaboration, there’s an 8MP selfie camera up front and a 13MP camera on the back. Webcam performance is great, making this an excellent tablet for those who need to hop on conference calls. I found image quality with the webcam to be better than most average Windows laptops. 

The rear camera comes equipped with a flash, and in general, it delivers a decent photo experience if you’re a tablet photographer. I prefer taking photos with my phone, rather than toting around a larger tablet, so I’d imagine that the camera shines if you’re using the tablet for documentation purposes for work or school. With the rear camera, you’ll be able to use the MateBook E to fill out your reports with photos. 

Speaking of productivity, if you need to annotate PDFs, jot notes, or draw, the MateBook E ships with a second-generation M Pencil, which was missing from my review unit. Huawei stated that the pencil can be attached to the top edge of the tablet via magnet, and from that position, the pencil can also wirelessly recharged, similar to Apple’s iPad Pro Pencil implementation. Huawei’s M Pencil comes with different nibs that give a different sensation when drawing or writing, so you’ll have options here on how you want to replicate the feeling of drawing on real paper when moving the M Pencil across the MateBook E’s glass surface. 

The M Pencil ships inside the box on retail units. Because our review sample did not include the M Pencil, I was not able to test out the experience of writing and drawing on the MateBook E.

Huawei MateBook E: Display and brightness

The star of the show is the bright 12.6-inch AMOLED display. Unlike the iPad Pro’s 4:3 display aspect ratio and the Surface Pro 8’s 3:2 aspect ratio, Huawei stuck to a more traditional 16:10 2,560x1,600-pixel display. 

While the display dimensions work great and don’t feel quite as cramped as a 16:9 panel in landscape mode, the MateBook E doesn’t feel as natural in portrait orientation. When held lengthwise, it feels more narrow and longer than the size of a traditional letter-sized paper or a magazine.

The screen typically achieves a brightness of 400 nits, which is a bit brighter than the typical 300 nits of brightness on most Ultrabooks. The MateBook E can achieve a peak brightness of 600 nits, so it can be used outdoors without washing out. 

The peak brightness mode can only be activated when the ambient light sensor detects direct sunlight and engages the High Brightness Mode, or HBM. Unfortunately, unlike Samsung’s recent Android flagship smartphones, you can’t manually toggle HBM to get a brighter display.

Though Huawei isn’t advertising the MateBook E as a professional tablet — the lack of discrete graphics immediately eliminates this slate from contention as a mobile workstation, unlike rival HP’s ZBook series — the screen is highly color accurate, notching a 98% accuracy score when measured with a colorimeter for the wide DCI-P3 color space. The Delta E score was 1.3. 

The bright display is gorgeous to look at, offering punchy colors and beautiful contrast. If you consume a lot of media, you'll appreciate the AMOLED screen with its inky blacks and vibrant rendering of colors. I definitely loved using the Huawei MateBook E to view photos and make minor edits with its bright screen.

Contrast ratio on this tablet is excellent, leading to punchy colors and a vivid screen that’s great for viewing photos and videos. Additionally, with an AMOLED screen, another benefit that the MateBook E has compared to competitors is no backlight bleeding. The screen refresh rate is set to 60Hz, which is fine for everyday tasks. There is faint flickering when the display’s brightness is lowered to under 30%. Because of this, those sensitive to display flickers may experience eye fatigue, headaches, and some strain after using the MateBook E for longer durations. 

Huawei MateBook E: Software, performance, and battery life

Thanks to a relatively clean build of Windows 11 Home — you can also use the tablet with Windows 11 Home S mode 64-bit as well — the MateBook E is a capable productivity machine despite the low 9W TDP Intel Tiger Lake generation processor. Other notebooks and convertibles in this class are often configured with a 15W TDP CPU, which can help with some performance at the expense of heat and power consumption. In performance mode, Huawei allows the MateBook E to go up to 30 watts for short bursts. 

In most daily tasks, the MateBook E performed well. You won’t have problems with web browsing, running Microsoft Office, or multitasking. More CPU- and GPU-intensive applications will struggle with the more meager processing power, and I found some sluggishness with launching Adobe Photoshop and editing high-resolution photo files. Still, with integrated graphics, the MateBook E wasn’t intended as a system for creatives, which is a shame, as the iPad never stuttered when used as a creative tool with any number of third-party photo or video editing apps. 

And given the hardware constraints on this ultraportable tablet, gaming was not a focus for Huawei. You’ll be able to play some high-end game titles adequately when set to 1080p resolution and with medium or lower game settings. The tablet struggles with any higher settings with anything but the most casual of games. 

Like more advanced models of Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup, the MateBook E comes with active cooling, and the vents are placed at the top edge when the tablet is situated in landscape orientation. The fans did come on occasionally — even when the system isn’t under heavy load — but fortunately, they were relatively quiet. You won’t be bothered by the fans when playing audio, and the noise fades into the background when the fans are engaged if you’re working from a coffee shop. 

The biggest letdown with the MateBook E is the rather anemic battery life. Whereas Apple advertises approximately 10 hours of use on a charge with many iPad models, I got roughly 65% of that with the MateBook E when streaming Netflix with screen brightness set to just above 50%. In mixed use with casual web browsing, working in Office, and playing music and streaming videos in the background, battery life was closer to 5 hours. 

Battery life will vary depending on your use, but it’s disappointing not to be able to get a full day of use on a single charge. If you are concerned about battery life, the upside is that the MateBook E was able to recharge to 100% from a depleted battery quickly, averaging about 90 minutes for a full charge. 

Though Huawei didn’t bloat up the MateBook E to detract from the Windows experience, the company has included a number of its own apps that enhance its hardware ecosystem. If you own a Huawei phone, you can wirelessly project your phone’s display to your laptop, for instance, and you can use HuaweiShare technology as an Apple AirDrop alternative if you live in Huawei’s hardware universe. 

Huawei's Control Panel software found in the task bar along with the Huawei Assistant Today panel provide enhancements to the Windows experience to make some everyday tasks easier to perform. The former, for instance, makes capturing screenshots and recording screen videos easier, while the latter gives you access to anything that was copied to your clipboard. To fully benefit from these software, you'll need to have more Huawei hardware devices, which will allow you to share screens and transfer files easily between your phone, tablet, connected external display. 

Unfortunately, despite being built for a mobile and travel-ready world with its slim form factor and sleek design, the MateBook E didn’t take built-in LTE or 5G inspiration from the company’s lineup of mobile phones. The slate doesn’t have any option for a built-in mobile broadband modem, which means you will have to rely on the built-in Wi-Fi 6 radio or tether. 

Huawei MateBook E: The competition

There is plenty of competition in the tablet space, and many of the MateBook E slate challengers will run Android, iOS, or Windows OS. Your choice largely depends on what you need or expect from a tablet. If you prefer easy-to-use apps and a fluid, touch-based interface, iOS and Android will likely be among your top choices. However, if you want the flexibility and versatility of a desktop platform with true multitasking, Windows still reigns supreme. 

Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X are the main competitors in the Windows camp. The former starts at a lower $899 price point, but the memory and storage are both halved. Additionally, the keyboard and stylus will cost extra. 

The Surface Pro X is designed for ultra portability and excels against the MateBook E with built-in LTE, an Arm-based processor for power efficiency, and a keyboard with backlighting. Still, neither Surface Pro model can be configurable with an AMOLED display. Other Windows manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, also offer slates, convertible notebooks, and detachable tablets that compete against Huawei.

With mobile operating systems, the MateBook E will also go against tablets like the Apple iPad, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. The iPad starts at a more affordable $329, but you'll get a smaller display, and the keyboard is an additional add-on. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers an even larger 14.6-inch display, an optional keyboard with adjustable RGB backlighting, and optional mobile broadband for always-on connectivity. The Tab S8 Ultra also has Samsung's desktop-like user interface called DeX, which can run multiple windows in a Windows-like experience. Other likely competitors include any number of Chrome OS-powered tablets and Google's own Pixelbook Go.

Huawei MateBook E: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You want a Windows tablet with the build quality of an iPad
• You want a tablet-first, laptop-second PC experience
• You want a lightweight, portable device with the options for a detachable keyboard and stylus for inking
• You don't want to pay extra for accessories

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You're a gamer or need discrete GPU power for a mobile workstation
• You require long battery life in between recharges
• You want an ecosystem of apps

Huawei's MateBook E is arguably one of the most attractive Windows-powered tablet on the market today. With its bright and punchy display, bundled keyboard cover and digital stylus, and an affordable price tag, Huawei's premium Windows slate has the chops to go toe-to-toe against some of the best tablets on the market, like Apple's iPad Pro, Microsoft's Surface Pro 8, and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. As a Windows 11 tablet, the MateBook E benefits from and is also constrained by Microsoft's desktop OS. You'll be able to run any Windows software to your heart's content, but unlike iPadOS and Android, the number of dedicated tablet apps is still limited. 

If you can live within the confines of Windows for your tablet experience, the MateBook E can outpace rivals running mobile operating systems. It's a true multitasking champ, and the MateBook E has a vivid AMOLED panel and powerful speakers to get you immersed in videos. For students and productivity workers, the webcam and noise-canceling microphones deliver a great collaboration experience for video calls. The only thing holding back this slate is its rather anemic battery life. 

What you need to know

• Huawei just announced a refresh to its flagship laptop, the MateBook X Pro.
• The device is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core processor and is available in Ink Blue, White, and Space Grey.
• Huawei has not shared pricing information or a release date for the new MateBook X Pro at this time.

Huawei just unveiled a refresh to its flagship laptop, the MateBook X Pro. The new PC runs on a 12th Gen Intel Core CPU and is available in two additional color options, Ink Blue and White (the traditional Space Grey remains an option as well). Despite showing off the new PC, Huawei did not share pricing information or a release date for its new laptop.

It's worth noting that while Huawei's high-end notebooks often compete with the best Windows laptops, they aren't available for purchase in the United States. Those in Europe and Asia will likely be able to order the new PC.

The MateBook X Pro has a 14.2-inch 3.1K display with a screen-to-body ratio of 92.5%. It has an average ΔE of less than 1 on the P3 and sRGB dual-color gamuts as well. The display has a TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort3.0 Certification, which is a first among laptops according to Huawei.

To reduce glare, Huawei coated the screen of the MateBook X Pro with a Magnetically-controlled Nano Optical AR layer, which the company claims reduces light reflection by 60%.

The new MateBook X Pro is Intel Evo certified. It also has the option to run with a TDP of 30W when in Performance Mode.

Huawei highlighted the audio and video capabilities of its new laptop as well. The PC has six speakers and four built-in microphones. Along its top bezel, it has an HD camera that supports AI features, such as background switching and what Huawei calls hardware-level beauty enhancements. It also supports FollowCam and Eye Contact to help conference calls feel more personal.

Huawei also announced new versions of the MateBook 16s, MateBook D 16, MateBook 14s, and MateBook 14 laptops today, all of which have been refreshed with 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs. The MateBook 16s is the most powerful of the bunch, sporting an Intel Core i9-12900H processor.

The MateBook D 16 is unique because it features a Huawei Metaline Antenna, which the company claims will improve its signal by 56%.

What you need to know

• Huawei announced a collection of new devices at Mobile World Congress.
• The company refreshed its flagship laptop, the MateBook X Pro, and announced its first convertible 2-in-1 running Windows 11 and its first All-in-One.
• Huawei hasn't shared release dates for its new pieces of hardware at this time.

Huawei announced a collection of new PCs and devices at Mobile World Congress, including a new flagship laptop and its first detachable 2-in-1 PC running Windows 11. Many of the devices work together, such as allowing people to share a screen across separate pieces of hardware or easily sharing files. Huawei refers to this overall theme as forming a Super Device, which has been in the works for years but is expanded with the latest gadgets from the company.

The 2022 version of the flagship MateBook X Pro features a 14.2-inch Real Color FullView Display with 3.1K resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen can reach up to 500 nits of brightness and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. That display is surrounded by thin bezels, which allow the laptop to have a 92.5% screen-to-body ratio. The MateBook X Pro is also certified by TÜV Rheinland for color accuracy.

We last reviewed the MateBook X Pro in September 2021.

The refreshed MateBook X Pro runs on an 11th Gen Intel Core processor. Audio on the device should be solid, as the laptop has a six-speaker setup that supports spatial sound.

Huawei also introduced its first detachable 2-in-1 PC running Windows 11 this week, the MateBook E. The new convertible looks similar to the Surface Pro 8 or the newly announced Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i. The MateBook E has a 12.6-inch display that can reach up to 600 nits of brightness. The previous 2019 MateBook E was a Qualcomm Snapdragon tablet PC.

You'll be able to use a variety of input methods with the MateBook E, including a detachable keyboard or the Huawei M-Pencil, which supports up to 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

The MateBook E weighs 709g and is only 7.99mm thick, making it one of the thinnest and lightest Windows tablets. Inside, it runs on an 11th Gen Intel Core processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics. The 2-in-1 comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as well.

In another first, Huawei announced its MateStation X. It's an All-in-One PC with a 28.2-inch 4K+ display. The device has a 92% screen-to-body ratio and has an anti-reflective layer, which should help reduce glare in offices. The MateStation X supports 10-point multi-touch.

The MateStation X runs on an AMD Ryzen 5000H mobile processor and has 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The MateBook X Pro starts at €1,899, while the MateBook E has a starting price of €649. The MateStation X costs €2,199. Huawei has not shared release dates for any of its new pieces of hardware at this time.

As is the case with other Huawei products, it will likely be difficult to get any of the new devices in the United States. They will likely be primarily available in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

We last saw the Huawei MateBook X Pro in 2019, when Executive Editor Daniel Rubino gave it a glowing five-star review. Though we skipped the 2020 model, Huawei hasn't stopped and now offers a 2021 version that I have in for testing. It's sporting new 11th Gen Intel Core hardware with Iris Xe integrated graphics, faster ports, Wi-Fi 6, updated cooling system, and more. I've been using it regularly to see where it excels and where it falls short.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Price, availability, and specs

Huawei supplied Windows Central with a review unit of the MateBook X Pro for 2021. It has inside an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor (CPU), though you can also get a Core i5-1135G7 model. The CPU is accompanied by 16GB of soldered RAM (8GB is also available) and a 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD). Storage is also available in 512GB from the factory; it can be upgraded after purchase. The aluminum chassis comes in both Emerald Green and Space Grey colors.

The MateBook X Pro is primarily available in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. On Amazon UK, the 2021 flagship starts at about £1,300.

You can find some models on eBay starting around $1,790, and you might one day find models available on third-party U.S. retailers like Amazon. The 2018 version of the MateBook X Pro is still listed there starting at $889.

Following are the exact specs found in my review unit.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): What I like

The overall design of the 2021 MateBook X Pro isn't much different from the 2019 version we last reviewed. It's an aluminum build that's quite thin at just 0.57 inches (14.6mm), made to look even slimmer thanks to tapered bottom edges. It's a striking exterior look that rivals that of the XPS 13 9310. The metal frame has it pegged at about 2.93 pounds (1.33kg); you can slide this PC into a backpack or messenger and forget it's there. The Emerald Green finish is quite snazzy; it's also available in Space Grey.

The best Ultrabooks have all generally seen a decline in port variety as they've slimmed down. Nothing different here with the MateBook X Pro; it's still sporting dual USB-C, 3.5mm audio, and USB-A 3.2. At least both USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 4, which is as good as it gets right now in terms of speed and versatility. The only thing lacking here that I'd like to see is a microSD card reader.

The laptop's 3:2 touch display is still the laptop's most prominent feature. It has hardly any bezel at all, hitting a 91% screen-to-body ratio. There's just enough room below for the chin to show off the Huawei text logo, but that's it. It has a boosted 3000x2000 resolution that's incredibly crisp, as well as 467 nits peak brightness as tested. This helps reduce glare on the glossy finish.

Measuring color accuracy with a SpyderX Pro colorimeter, I got back 97% sRGB, 75% AdobeRGB, and 74% DCI-P3. These results could be a bit better, but it's really hard to complain about this display. It's a pleasure to see each time I open the laptop's lid.

Quad speakers make up the MateBook X Pro's audio system, though it seems that Dolby Atmos tuning has gone by the wayside. Still, sound from the two top-firing speakers that flank the keyboard and two down-firing speakers near the bottom front of the PC is clear and loud. It's some of the best audio I've heard from a laptop this size.

The keyboard is mostly comfortable, and using it for all-day typing didn't pose any major problems. Keys are pleasantly firm and have about 1.2mm of travel. There's a backlight to help with working in low-light conditions. My two complaints here are a lack of navigation keys (PgUp, PgDn, Home, End) and a half-size Shift key on the left side. As someone who ignores the right Shift key, it took some getting used to. A fingerprint reader is built into the power button just above the keyboard. It works as it should with Windows Hello for quick and convenient logins.

Wi-Fi 6 is now included for faster, more reliable wireless internet, and Bluetooth 5.1 is there for wireless accessories. Huawei Share, which was introduced in the 2019 model, is still around. If you have a Huawei phone, you can quickly and easily connect it to the laptop via NFC and Wi-Fi. Once connected, you can drag and drop files between devices, you can answer voice and video calls on your laptop, you can record your PC's screen on your phone, you can open and edit phone files on your PC, and more. The drawback is that it only works with Huawei hardware.

The discrete NVIDIA MX GPU is now gone as a configurable option. The laptop relies instead on Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, which is generally a faster solution than the MX250 discrete GPU we saw in the 2019 MateBook X Pro. My model's Core i7-1165G7 CPU isn't as zippy as I was expecting with all cores engaged in Geekbench 5, though single-core performance is excellent. Rendering in Cinebench didn't produce particularly impressive results, and anyone who wants the best performance possible will want to be wary.

I certainly didn't notice any slowdowns while using the PC for heavy web browsing, spreadsheets, Photoshop, word processing, email, and streaming. It gets a bit hot on the bottom, but the aluminum dispels heat well. And despite how thin the laptop is, the dual-fan cooling setup didn't run noticeably loud at any time.

Check out how the MateBook X Pro (2021) compares to a bunch of other laptops we've recently tested.

The M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD is very fast, and you have the option to upgrade after purchase. Unfortunately, RAM is soldered. Be sure to get exactly what you need from the factory. Battery life is pegged at about eight hours real-world time, which is decent for something with a "3K2K" display resolution. To compare, the HP Spectre x360 14 with OLED 3K2K display lasted about seven hours real-world time.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): What I don't like

The MateBook X Pro is tough to dislike. It has an impeccable build, it has an attractive display, and many of its smaller features (like speakers) are top notch. However, some of the same issues we experienced with previous MateBook X Pro models are still evident today. And with the best Windows laptops all improving a lot over the last couple of years, it makes Huawei's flagship a harder sell.

The webcam is still housed beneath a pop-up key in the keyboard. While this does provide some privacy, the angle at which it records is unpleasant. The camera offers clear picture quality, but no one wants to see up your nose. This design choice needs to be reworked for the next generation. I also hope to see the half-size Shift key on the left side get a rework.

The touchpad is plenty big, and it still uses Precision drivers. However, instead of moving parts and a physical click, it relies on haptics to provide feedback. This is something Apple has been doing forever, and it's only now starting to come to Windows laptops. You can "click" anywhere — even in the top corners — and have it register. My complaint here is that the feedback is quite minor, and I often found myself misclicking and dragging files around accidentally. It's no doubt something I'd have to get used to over time, and I suspect many people will be in the same situation.

Availability in the U.S. and Canada is the final drawback to the MateBook X Pro. If you're currently looking to buy in these regions, you'll have to turn to eBay where prices are above list. I don't know what the future holds in terms of availability, but as it stands now you'll have a hard time getting your hands on one for a reasonable price.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Competition

The MateBook X Pro sits in a 14-inch class that's seen some exciting recent releases. The HP ENVY 14 is a top contender, receiving near-perfect marks in our review. Its 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs are joined by an NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q discrete GPU for excellent performance, and it has a ton of ports. It's not as compact as the X Pro, but it's still a beautiful machine. Battery life is excellent, the camera is where it should be, and the keyboard and touchpad are great. Prices start at about $950 and there are plenty of configuration options available.

The XPG Xenia 14 is another PC I recently reviewed. It's the way to go if you want an extremely light Ultrabook with a ton of features. It has a 14-inch display with 16:10 aspect ratio, enormous touchpad and comfortable keyboard, upgradeable RAM and PCIe 4.0 SSD, and an IR camera above the display. Prices start at about $1,100 for a Core i5-1135G7 model.

If you're looking for a convertible PC, the HP Spectre x360 14 should be near the top of your list. You get a 13.5-inch touch display with up to a 3000x2000 resolution and OLED panel, awesome speakers, strong performance and decent battery life, and a comfy keyboard and touchpad. It's our pick for the best Windows laptop right now. Prices start at $1,200 and there are tons of configuration options available.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Should you buy it?

Who it's for

• Those who are invested in the Huawei mobile ecosystem
• Those who want a high-res touch display with 3:2 aspect ratio
• Those who want a thin and light Ultrabook with premium design

Who it isn't for

• Those who prefer a more natural camera angle
• Those who don't want to pay more than list price (in U.S. and Canada)
• Those who want the best performance possible

Whereas the MateBook X Pro was ahead of a lot of laptops in 2019 (the last time we reviewed it), it's now fallen back to the middle of the pack. The next refresh needs to make some big changes to keep the flagship from going stale. The pop-up camera no longer makes any sense (if it ever did), the poor availability in certain regions only frustrates those who want to invest in the Huawei ecosystem, and the touchpad and keyboard still need some tweaking to get things just right. Performance is also not where I was expecting it to be, and those who need the most power possible will no doubt want to look elsewhere.

The positive aspects from previous generations are still present. The high-res touch display is still exceptional, and its 3:2 aspect ratio continues to please. The overall chassis design is flawless, and I love the Emerald Green color. There's no bloatware installed, and the Huawei Share app is undoubtedly handy if you're into Huawei's phones. You get loud, clear audio, decent camera quality, and modern ports.

If you're in the regions where the MateBook X Pro is widely available (Europe, Asia, and Latin America), it's no doubt still an attractive laptop. At least unless you're still working with a model from the last couple of years. My recommendation is to wait and see what Huawei does for the next generation before considering an upgrade. If you're walking into the MateBook X Pro lineup completely fresh, be sure to have a long look at the competition from other brands before making a final decision.

What you need to know

• The Trump administration is reportedly revoking several licenses to sell goods and technology to Huawei.
• The move is the latest in a long-running feud between the Trump administration and Huawei.
• The Trump administration considers Huawei to be a national security threat.

Huawei suppliers, including Intel, have been informed by the Trump administration that the U.S. government will revoke certain licenses to sell items to Huawei. The current administration also plans to reject dozens of applications to supply Huawei, according to a report from Reuters.

With President elect Joe Biden taking office on Wednesday, this move against Huawei is likely the last of the Trump administration related to the Chinese PC manufacturer. The U.S. government has placed heavy restrictions on Huawei under President Donald Trump. One of the most impactful restrictions was the move by the U.S. government to require licenses for certain American-made semiconductors to be sold abroad.

These most recent moves against Huawei, which the Trump administration considers a national security threat, come alongside several other restrictions against China and Chinese companies from the Trump administration.

While Huawei and Intel have not commented on the new restrictions, Reuters saw an email from the Semiconductor Industry Association, which states that the Commerce Department issued "intents to deny a significant number of license requests for exports to Huawei and a revocation of at least one previously issued license."

Sources told Reuters that there are several revocations, with one source stating that eight licenses are being removed from four companies. Sources also stated to Reuters that in addition to Chinese companies, that Japanese flash memory chip maker Kioxia Corp has had at least one license revoked.

Roughly 150 licenses were already pending involving $120 billion worth of goods and technology before these most recent restrictions. Sources told Reuters that an additional $280 billion of license applications for goods and technology for Huawei have not been processed.

Companies have 20 days to respond to "intent to deny" notices, after which the Commerce Department has 45 days to advise on any decisions. Affected companies can then appeal a decision for up to 45 days.

What you need to know

• Huawei announced two new notebooks to expand its current MateBook family of Windows laptops.
• The new MateBook X is an ultra-portable workhorse with latest 10th Gen Intel processors, a gorgeous 3:2 3K display, and a killer design.
• Both the MateBook X and MateBook 14 will be available later in September.

Huawei announced two new Windows-powered laptop refreshes, the MateBook X and MateBook 14. The former focuses on taking mobile productivity to a whole new level with some notable improvements to an already-great premium notebook. The new MateBook X measures in at just 13.6mm at its thickest part and weighs just 1kg.

The slim form factor makes full use of lightweight magnesium-aluminum unibody that aids durability. It's also touted as the first notebook to feature the Infinite FullView Display, rocking a borderless design that offers a massive 90% screen-to-body ratio. This is ideal for media consumption and work, especially given the 3:2 aspect ratio 3K display (3000x2000) hits 100% sRGB color gamut.

If all that wasn't enough already, the new panel is multitouch-enabled. But if you're not a fan of marking your display, the new touchpad with Huawei Free Touch is ready to go. Everything is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core processor (hello, Wi-Fi 6) with up to 16GB of RAM. A 42Wh battery should keep you going for around nine hours. The MateBook X will be available in four finishes: Silver Frost, Forest Green, Interstellar Blue and Sakura Pink.

Huawei didn't hold much back with the new MateBook 14 either. This laptop can be kitted out with new 7nm AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors, a 14-inch 2K display, and 16GB of RAM. The new MateBook 14 sports a FullView display, cutting down bezels to just 4.9mm, offering a 90% screen-to-body ratio. It too has an aspect ratio of 3:2, coming in at 2160x1440 with 100% RGB color gamut.

It's not quite as thin or light as the MateBook X, with the thickest part of the laptop measuring at 16mm and the entire notebook weighing 1.49kg. The new Ryzen processors are incredibly efficient and powerful, giving Intel a run for its money and the MateBook 14 makes full use of the CPU here with a 56Wh battery that can offer up to 10 hours of use before needing a wall power outlet.

Both laptops are expected to come out sometime later in September. Pricing is to be confirmed.

What you need to know

• The Trump administration announced tighter restrictions on Huawei.
• The U.S. Commerce department announced it will expand upon its restrictions that it announced in May.
• The restrictions are aimed to prevent Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without obtaining a special license.

Huawei's PC business in the U.S. received another blow this morning, with the Trump administration announcing tighter restrictions on the company (via CNBC). The new restrictions expand upon the restrictions announced in May, but going back to June 2019. They prevent Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without a special license. Notably, the restrictions prevent Huawei from getting chips that are made by foreign firms that are developed or produced with U.S. software or technology. Reuters initially reported on the restrictions and contributed to CNBC's report.

On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the Commerce Department added 38 Huawei affiliates to the U.S. government's economic blacklists. With those 38 affiliates, the total count is now up to 152 Huawei affiliates on the blacklist.

Pompeo explained that the Trump administration is adding tighter restrictions to prevent Huawei from working around the U.S.'s limitations, stating that the rule changes "will prevent Huawei from circumventing U.S. law through alternative chip production and provision of off-the-shelf chips." He also added, "Huawei has continuously tried to evade" the restrictions set by the U.S. in May.

The Secretary of State also shared the Trump administration's stance on Huawei as a company, referring to it as "an arm of the Chinese Communist Party's surveillance. Pompeo stated:

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that Huawei used "evasive measures" to work around the U.S. government's May restrictions, including using third parties. Ross said to Fox Business that "The new rule makes it clear that any use of American software or American fabrication equipment is banned and requires a license."

Huawei did not provide a comment or response to CNBC. Though not in relation to these specific new restrictions, Huawei has denied that it spies on people for China in the past.

In addition to these new restrictions, the Commerce Department will now extend a temporary general license for users of Huawei devices and telecommunication providers. The previous license for these expired on Friday.

The new restrictions are valid immediately and deal a significant blow to any prospect of Huawei selling new PCs, including its popular MateBook X Pro laptop. Because the restrictions don't just affect sales in the U.S. but affect utilizing technology developed by U.S. companies, Huawei faces incredible hurdles to manufacture PCs. Without special licenses, Huawei is unlikely able acquire new technology from Intel, AMD, or any Windows operating system.

What you need to know

• Huawei announced the Matebook 13 AMD Edition.
• The laptop runs on an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor and Radeon Vega 8 graphics.
• The Huawei Matebook 13 AMD Edition is available now starting at £699 (roughly $867).

Huawei announced the Matebook 13 AMD Edition today, an ultra-portable notebook powered by an AMD Ryzen processor. The 13-inch laptop runs on a Ryzen 5 3500U processor and Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Matebook 13 AMD Edition is available starting today starting at £699 (roughly $867) from the Huawei Store and other select retailers. At this time, Huawei shared pricing details for the UK and did not mention a U.S. release.

The Matebook 13 AMD Edition features a 2K Huawei FullView display and has a screen-to-body ratio of 88 percent. On its sides the display has 4.4mm bezels sandwiching its 2K (2160x1440) display that has a 3:2 aspect ratio. The display has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and supports 100 percent of the RGB color gamut.

On the inside, the Matebook 13 AMD Edition has an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor and Radeon Vega 8 graphics. It's worth noting that the Ryzen processor is from AMD's previous generation. The laptop has dual-channel DDR4 RAM and PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

The Matebook 13 AMD Edition is the Ryzen-powered sibling of the Matebook 13 that we reviewed late last year. In his review of the Intel version of the Matebook 13, our executive editor Daniel Rubino called it "A genuine MacBook Air rival that runs Windows." Now, we can see how the laptop does while running on an AMD chip.

The laptop stays cool with a "shark-fin inspired cooling system" that runs quietly while still enabling high-performance, according to Huawei.

The Matebook 13 AMD Edition supports multi-screen collaboration through Huawei Share, which lets you control your PC and your Android phone on the same screen.

Huawei's new laptop should be able to charge quickly, as it comes with a 65W USB-C pocket charger that supports several charging outputs. The included charger also supports Huawei Super Charge for certain phones, so you can quickly charge multiple devices with the same charger.

What you need to know

• HONOR announced the MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 laptops today.
• The thin and light laptops are HONOR's first PCs that will be available to a global audience.
• The MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 will be available in the UK, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and other markets by the end of March, starting at €599 (roughly $651).

HONOR announced two new laptops today, the MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15. They are the first laptops in HONOR's new MagicBook series and the first HONOR PCs to be available to a global audience. The MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 will be available in the UK, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and other markets by the end of March, starting at €599 (roughly $651).

Both laptops are available in Space Gray and Mystic Silver. They're both aimed at younger audiences on-the-go, according to HONOR. The MagicBook 14 gets up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, according to HONOR, and has a 65W fast charger.

HONOR highlights the device's privacy features, including a fingerprint power button and a pop-up camera.

What you need to know

• Huawei announced the refreshed MateBook X Pro.
• The laptop still has a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio and runs on 10th Gen Intel Core processors.
• The new MateBook X Pro will be available in April 2020, starting at €1,499 (roughly $1,625).

Huawei announced the new MateBook X Pro laptop today. The laptop builds off the design of the previous generation MateBook X Pro and packs in modern internals. It still has a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio and works well with Huawei and Honor smartphones thanks to Multi-screen Collaboration through Huawei Share. The new MateBook X Pro will be available in April 2020, starting at €1,499 (roughly $1,625).

The new MateBook X Pro is available in Mystic Silver, Space Gray, and a new Emerald Green color. It comes in at 1.33 kg (2.93 lbs) and is 14.6mm thick. Its 13.9-inch LTPS panel has a 3000x2000 resolution and 100 percent sRGB. You can get the MateBook X Pro with either a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U or a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U processor. It has an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 inside to give it some extra power.

Huawei Mate XS + MatePad 5G hands-on: Foldables come to the post-Google era

You can connect supported Huawei and Honor phones to the MateBook X Pro using Multi-screen Collaboration through Huawei Share. This allows you to use your laptop's keyboard, camera, microphone, and mouse as peripherals of your smartphone. Huawei and Honor phones need to run EMUI 10 or Magic UI 3.0 or higher to use this feature.

What you need to know

• Huawei's new Kunpeng D920S10 motherboard allows the Kunpeng 920 processor to power desktop computers.
• Huawei already makes ARM chips for mobile devices and servers.
• U.S. trade restrictions have had a large effect on Huawei's plans for PCs.

A new motherboard from Huawei allows Huawei's Kunpeng 920 processor to power desktops (via Liliputing ). The Kunpeng D920S10 Desktop motherboard was recently announced, and opens to doors for PCs being powered by ARM chips from Huawei.

Liliputing points out that the D920S10 motherboard supports up to 64GB of DDR-2400 RAM and up to six SATA 3.0 drives. It also has three PCIe slots, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and an Ethernet controller.

Huawei already makes ARM chips for mobile devices and servers. Expanding into the desktop space could open new doors for the Chinese company. While there's no direct indication that this motherboard and chip combination will be used to power Windows 10 desktops, that doesn't mean it couldn't or won't in the future.

While Windows 10 on ARM was initially referred to by Qualcomm as "Windows 10 on Snapdragon," it is now referred to as "Windows 10 on ARM," which is manufacturer agnostic.

Microsoft recently received a license to export "mass-market software" to Huawei, though the license did not explicitly state that the license covered Windows 10. More details will likely come forward in the future.

In 2018, Huawei launched the MateBook X laptop and MateBook 2-in-1 tablet to critical acclaim. The MateBook X Pro took it up a notch with even thinner display bezels, a quad-core i7 processor, and a smart pop-up web camera. Combined with the $1,499 price point, the MateBook X Pro quickly became one of the best values in the premium Ultrabook range.

For 2019, the company is not straying far from that formula. Barring a complete hardware redesign, there was little from the original that needed improving. The new 2019 edition tidies up some loose ends.

Editor's note: The 2019 MateBook X Pro is not yet available at the time of publication, nor are pricing or availability specifics. We will update this post accordingly when we receive those details.

small changes add up

What's new in the 2019 Huawei MateBook X Pro?

Put the 2018 MateBook X Pro next to the 2019 version, and you'll struggle to see anything different, except for an ugly NFC sticker. But there are a few notable changes, including at least one to the exterior that people have been asking for since last year.

Here are the most significant modifications:

• Text-only logo; no more lotus flower.
• New Intel Core i7 8565U quad-core processor.
• New NVIDIA GeForce MX250 25-watt GPU.
• Thunderbolt 3 now supports full four PCIe lanes for bandwidth.
• NFC with Huawei Share 3.0 software.
• New Shark Fin 2.0 cooling solution.

None of those are particularly huge advances, but without a massive redesign there is little Huawei could do with the MateBook X Pro to make it better. The quad-core Intel "Whiskey Lake" processor and GPU are the latest available, leaving few options for Huawei.

Top of the line

Huawei MateBook X Pro tech specifications

The MateBook X Pro is your standard premium Ultrabook for 2019, but Huawei was able to combine many features that are usually spread across laptops into one excellent one.

Stand out features include the 3:2 display aspect, which is what Microsoft uses in its Surface line. That display also has a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio, which is exceptional. Of course, that means you also get the industry's only pop-up web camera that is housed in the keyboard deck.

Likewise, for the NVIDIA GeForce MX250 for graphics – Huawei is the first to use it in a laptop we've reviewed.

Quad-speakers are becoming more familiar, with HP leading the pack, but Huawei offers its audio package with Dolby Atmos-tuned ones.

The MateBook X Pro has an all-metal unibody design that is not damaged easily. Our version from last year has nary a ding or scratch. That metal adds up, though, and while the MateBook X Pro is far from heavy at under three pounds, it does feel heavier and denser than that. There's minimal flex to the chassis making this a very sturdy and solid-feeling laptop.

For user-upgrades, the screws on the bottom are easily removable, and with a simple pry tool you can access the innards. Not much can be upgraded, however, as RAM and the CPU are soldered to the board. Users can update the solid-state drive (SSD) if they wish, but they will have to remove the heat plate first, which is a bit cumbersome.

There is not much for input-output on the MateBook X Pro, but you get one USB Type-A port and two Type-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3.

What has not changed is the massive trackpad, which uses Microsoft Precision drivers. It's one of the best trackpads on a Windows PC, but it has a slight rattle that some may find unpleasant.

getting the basics right

Huawei MateBook X Pro screen, keyboard, and audio

The MateBook X Pro 2019 nails what I call the "fundamentals" of any laptop: typing, display, trackpad, and audio. It's hard to find another laptop that gets as much right.

The touch screen can hit around 420 nits of brightness (claimed is 450 nits), which is very bright, as most laptops are about 300 nits, by comparison. Color accuracy is 100 percent sRGB and 75 percent AdobeRGB – both exceptional scores.

The keyboard delivers around 1.2 mm of travel, and while it is a bit shallow, it's enjoyable to type on, with a good backlighting system.

Audio is pushed through four speakers on the top deck (they flank the side of the keyboard) and can get quite loud. The included Dolby software lets you tune things for various audio profiles including for music, movies, or voice. Overall, this is an excellent audio experience that's unmatched by most competitors.

powerhouse Ultrabook

Huawei MateBook X Pro performance and battery

Compared to other laptops in this class, the MateBook X Pro is a top performer. Manufacturers must decide how much power to deliver to the CPU to coincide with how effectively the device's thermals keep it cool. Huawei's 15-watt processor runs a bit higher than the competition, and it shows in the benchmarks.

The MateBook X Pro – when combined with an excellent Western Digital NVMe SSD and GeForce MX250 – results in one of the most potent 14-inch non-gaming laptops on the market.

CPU

Geekbench 4.0 Benchmarks (Higher is better)

GPU

Geekbench 4.0 CUDA (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

Huawei uses a newer Western Digital SSD with good results. Our model has a 1TB drive with excellent speeds.

That GeForce MX250, though, is barely worth mentioning – at least compared to the MX150. NVIDIA only has a slightly higher clock on the MX250 and, otherwise, it is the same hardware. Our benches don't show much of an improvement, but that may be due to less mature drivers during our testing.

Similarly, it's worth pointing out the new MateBook 13, which we recently reviewed has nearly the same hardware as the MateBook X Pro and even beats it ever so slightly in benchmarks. Those differences are more academic than substantial, however.

Battery life is a solid 10 hours with the MateBook X Pro, which is notable for its Core i7 processor and "3K" display with GPU. It's perfect for this class and slightly better this year due to the improvement in efficiency from Intel's latest processor.

For thermals, Huawei improved the MateBook X Pro's capability. While there is still only one large fan (versus two smaller ones in the MateBook 13), the new Shark Fin 2.0 design results in a quiet and satisfying experience. The fan has a nice low audio profile with no high-pitched whining. Temperatures are always cool, thanks to that new heat plate on the bottom, and the fans only come on during heavy load.

The best

Huawei MateBook X Pro is nearly perfect

There were few things to not like about the MateBook X Pro in 2018, and there are even fewer this year. The new CPU and GPU were expected, sure, but the slight change to the logo, the full four PCIe lanes for Thunderbolt 3, and improved cooling shows that Huawei listened to user complaints.

The bigger stories are the new software solution with Huawei Share 3.0 and the screenshot capability. If you also use a Huawei phone like the Mate 20 X you can quickly share photos to the MateBook X Pro by tapping the Share stick on the laptop's deck. The system works by pairing via NFC and then using Wi-Fi Direct for transfers. It's a rapid system that lets you send media to your laptop for editing (or using). You can even post photos and video back to the phone using the same process.

Editor's note: The garish NFC sticker is needed to pass through the metal chassis of the MateBook X Pro; were you to remove the sticker you would likely kill the Share function.

Huawei introduced a new three-finger swipe display gesture for screen capturing. You can then have the text pulled out of the image and use it in your Word or Office documents. It works brilliantly, making it perfect for business or productivity.

While everything else is the same from last year, that's OK because the MateBook X Pro always excelled compared to the competition. The 3,000 x 2,000 touch-screen 13.9-inch display is stunning; the audio is excellent; typing is solid; and the MateBook X Pro gets all-day battery life while still giving that extra GPU boost from NVIDIA.

Even the price of the MateBook X Pro is very good, with the cost of last year's model going as low as $1,499 for the top-tier Core i7 model. (The i5 model does not have the GPU.) Huawei purposefully undercut the competition to make a name for itself in the U.S., and it worked. This time, however, the price may go up making the value play a bit harder to make. We'll have to wait and see until full pricing and availability are announced.

If you recently picked up the 2018 MateBook X Pro, this refresh is so mimor that you won't suffer for want of the latest and greatest.

I don't love the bland, Apple-clone design, but clearly, most consumers do not care. Putting those complaints aside and the MateBook X Pro is still the king of the Ultrabooks ... as long as you don't want inking support or a 2-in-1 convertible.

Pricing and availability

Huawei expects the new MateBook X Pro for 2019 to go on sale globally sometime in late April or May of 2019. Final pricing has not yet been disclosed. We'll update pricing info when Huawei shares those details.

In June 2016, Huawei's MateBook — a tablet PC with a floppy keyboard — convinced me that the company had a few great ideas for Windows 10 devices. Since then, the Chinese firm released the ground-breaking MateBook X and the popular MateBook X Pro.

In 2019, the MateBook 13 fits neatly in between the "X" and the "X Pro" and in many ways, it brings the best of both for a few hundred dollars less than an Apple MacBook Air. Of course, like any laptop, there are a few things that keep it from being perfect, but overall, Huawei continues its winning streak of killer traditional Ultrabooks with the new MateBook 13.

Huawei MateBook 13: What you need to know

The MateBook 13 is a mid- to upper-tier Ultrabook with a touchscreen. Pricing begins at $999 for the Core i5 version without a discrete graphics card and jumps to $1,299 for the Core i7 model with a 25W NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics solution.

Compared to the MateBook X, the chassis is nearly identical, but the MateBook 13 is about a half pound heavier and significantly thicker. The MateBook 13 also gets a touchscreen, but the Dolby-tuned speakers are on the bottom due to the added fans, which greatly improves system performance over the MateBook X.

The MateBook X Pro costs around $200 more than the MateBook 13. That extra money gets you a slightly larger display, pop-up web camera, top-firing speakers, a USB Type-A port, and Thunderbolt 3.

While there is no Type-A port, Huawei includes its MateDock2 in the box (~$50 value), which adds USB-A, USB-C, HDMI and VGA ports to the MateBook 13.

Finally, compared to the most recent Apple MacBook Air, the MateBook 13 brings a touch screen and a significantly more powerful U-series processor (versus the Y-series Apple is using) along with an option for discrete NVIDIA graphics with the GeForce MX150, but it lacks Thunderbolt 3.

Huawei MateBook 13 display and build quality

The MateBook 13 borrows heavily from Huawei's existing laptop designs, which is good and bad. The all-metal chassis has little flex to it, doesn't scratch easy, and is better-than-average in resisting fingerprints.

At 2.8 lbs (1.27 kg), the MateBook 13 is not heavy, but it's not the lightest laptop either. Part of that weight is the decent 42 WHr battery and that metal body, which make the MateBook 13 feel solid and dense.

The bad side is more of a subjective observation; Huawei's design is generic at best, and it borrows heavily from Apple at worst. In a world where HP, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft and MSI are now carving out unique designs, Huawei's comes across as functional but a tad boring.

Typically, a 13-inch display would be borderline too small for a laptop, but Huawei again uses a 3:2 aspect ratio versus the typical 16:9 used by everyone else except for Microsoft Surface PCs. That aspect makes the screen taller on the MateBook 13 and gives it plenty of space for work.

Huawei claims a 100 percent sRGB color accuracy rating and our tests confirm that along with 78 percent Adobe RGB. Screen brightness is decent at around 300 nits, but Huawei still has a hyper-aggressive auto-brightness feature, which makes things dimmer than most people will like. The uptick is better battery life, but most users will likely want to untick the auto-adjust screen brightness feature in Windows settings. It has a full touchscreen, though inking and pen support do not appear to be present.

Huawei also continues to embrace thin bezels, but this design is merely a copy of the MateBook X's from mid-2017 and is less impressive today. But because the top display bezel is not too thin, engineers were able to keep the decent 1MP web camera on top of the screen versus the weird pop-up camera that the MateBook X Pro invokes.

Huawei MateBook 13 typing and trackpad

Huawei makes good keyboards and decent trackpads, and that carries over to the MateBook 13. Key travel is modest, but satisfactory with a two-stage backlight. The keys easily pick up grease so they will need an occasional wipe. The edge-to-edge keyboard layout is comfortable to use, and this laptop is overall better-than-average for heavy typing.

Compared to the MateBook X, Huawei has enlarged the trackpad on the MateBook 13. The trackpad is one of the largest you'll find in a PC of this class only bested by Apple's. Clicking is soft and responsive with smooth gesture support thanks to the Microsoft Precision drivers.

I have some concerns about the MateBook 13's trackpad for reliability. A popular complaint about the MateBook X Pro is a loose or rattling trackpad. While I have not had this problem on any of my Huawei devices, enough people have complained about it to make it worth your attention if you're planning to get one.

Huawei MateBook 13 audio takes a hit

Huawei does some of the best audio in laptops, especially at this price range. Both the MateBook X and MateBook X Pro leverage top-firing speakers combined with Dolby-tuned Atmos speakers and software, delivering outstanding audio.

The MateBook 13 has two excellent speakers that are clean, relatively rich, and quite loud. The problem is they are down-firing. When the MateBook 13 is placed on a table, the audio is exceptional, but using the laptop on your thighs will easily block the speakers, resulting in a muffled soundscape.

The reason why the teeny MateBook X could have top firing speakers behind the keyboard is because that system is fanless. Without fans in that area, Huawei's engineers put in the speaker system. The MateBook 13 has fans, which is good because this machine is much more powerful and won't thermal-throttle (plus that GPU). But as a result, the audio takes a hit.

For those who really want great audio all the time the larger (and slightly more expensive) MateBook X Pro is a better option.

Huawei MateBook 13 performance

The MateBook 13 is easily one of the most powerful 13-inch laptops around, with only the Surface Book 2 beating it for graphics. That's perhaps an unfair comparison, too, as the Surface Book 2 is a different class of laptop that's larger, more expensive, and it's a 2-in-1.

Huawei uses the latest Intel 8th Generation "Whiskey Lake" processors, which provide a slight clock boost over the previous Kaby Lake 8th Gen processors. The results are obvious, with the quad-core Core i7-8565U beating everything from Surface Book 2, to the XPS 13 (9370), Surface Laptop, and Core i7 Surface Pro 6. The numbers are especially impressive for multi-core, which hit 17,062 on Geekbench 4.0.

CPU

Geekbench 4.0 benchmarks (higher is better)

GPU

Geekbench 4.0 CUDA (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (higher is better)

The NVIDIA GeForce MX150 is a fine substitute for Intel Iris Plus graphics, which are not available with Intel's 8th Gen platform. While a far cry from the GeForce GTX 1050 — 76,948 on Geekbench versus 48,430 from the MX150 — Huawei at least used the more powerful 25W version of the chip, giving it a little extra punch. The MX150 has a graphics boost that will let you do some light gaming but is a stretch for hardcore adventures or intense video editing.

Heat and fan noise were well within normal ranges. The fans are audible, but Huawei managed the thermal well and the laptop, despite being metal, never became uncomfortable.

Finally, for storage, Huawei uses a premium Western Digital solid-state drive (SSD) with exceptional performance, akin to what Samsung delivers. Sequential read speed was 3,500 MB/s with writes a respectable 2,500 MB/s, making this one of the fastest storage solutions in a laptop without doing an upgrade.

MateBook 13 is easy to recommend (with a caveat)

Huawei has created yet another highly-desirable laptop that packs some serious performance.

The MateBook 13 is chock full of premium hardware, including that excellent i7 processor, Western Digital SSD, Intel AC-9560 Wi-Fi card, outstanding touch display, and a very good typing experience.

Battery life for real-world usage is between seven and eight hours, which is not crazy high but is right in that sweet spot for most users. Battery life, though, is rewarded with excellent system performance from the quad-core processor, and that NVIDIA GPU, which gives an extra boost for light photo or video editing.

There aren't many downsides to the MateBook 13. Audio is only OK when the laptop is in your lap, due to speaker placement, but it is otherwise excellent when on a desk.

The lack of Thunderbolt 3 is a letdown, but it's worth pointing out two things. Huawei sells Thunderbolt 3 with the higher-end MateBook X Pro laptop, acting as a differentiator and partially justifying that extra $200. Second, this is likely the last generation of laptops where Thunderbolt 3 is optional, as Intel is building the technology into the chipset directly with no licensing costs starting with the tenth generation Intel Core processors, which are due at the end of 2019.

While the overall look of the MateBook 13 is mediocre, the build quality makes it feel more substantial, especially for the reasonable $1,299 asking price. I'd still like to see Huawei innovate more around the look of its laptops, but at the very least, future Apple-converts have something familiar when shopping for Windows PCs.

The other caveat is Huawei's reputation — or rather the alleged transgressions, according to the US government. There have never been any nefarious apps or software found on Huawei's laptops (this one ships only with its PC Manager software for driver updates), nor has anyone found anything suspicious with its hardware (which are all standard PC parts). Nonetheless, there are still concerns for those worried about privacy, which is a bit ironic in the world of Facebook and Google. Personally, it's a non-issue for me, since I don't work in government or with sensitive data.

Overall, the MateBook 13 is an impressive traditional Ultrabook that delivers an aesthetic like combining the Surface Laptop with a MacBook Air, but it comes at a much lower price. For those who want a non-convertible laptop, it would be difficult to find something that checks all these boxes and does it for below $1,300 making this easy to recommend.

The MateBook 13 is now available from Amazon and Newegg starting at $999 and at Microsoft online and in-store within the next few weeks.

What you need to know

• The U.S. Department of Commerce granted Microsoft a license to export "mass-market software."
• Microsoft did not specify which software it may sell to Huawei.
• Some speculate that the license will likely allow Microsoft to sell licenses for Windows to Huawei.

Microsoft can now export certain software to Huawei following the U.S. Department of Commerce granting a new license to Microsoft (via Reuters). Microsoft did not specify which pieces of software it can now export to Huawei, but the company's statement mentioned "mass-market software." Some believe that this new license will allow Huawei to ship devices running Windows 10 again.

Microsoft shared a statement to Reuters announcing the new license, "On November 20, the U.S. Department of Commerce granted Microsoft's request for a license to export mass-market software to Huawei. We appreciate the Department's action in response to our request." According to Reuters, the Commerce Department has begun granting licenses to multiple companies to sell goods to Huawei. A U.S. official told Reuters that the government has processed about half of the 300 license requests it has received, and that it has approved about half of those, including Microsoft's.

Microsoft President Brad Smith weighs in on Huawei and the US government

Microsoft's statement does not specify which types of software the company can now sell to Huawei, and Microsoft did not clarify their statement. The U.S. Department of Commerce did not comment on the issue either. Reuters spoke with Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, who said that the license is likely for the Windows operating system. If that is the case, it would bring Huawei one step closer to selling laptops running Windows.

Black Friday buyer's guide: Windows 10 laptops

Huawei finally unveiled the highly leaked Mate 30 Pro (and Mate 30) today. The phone rocks some of the most impressive hardware on the market including two 40MP cameras (one regular, one wide) and an 8MP telephoto shooter that comes from the P30 Pro. There's also 5G, 27W wireless charging, 3D face unlock, virtual side buttons, and the powerful new Kirin 990 processor.

Perhaps the most interesting part is how Huawei cannot sell the phone with Google services, including the Google Play store. The reason for that decision stems from the U.S. Commerce Department's ban earlier this year that prevents American companies from providing technology to Huawei.

Selling a premium, high-end phone without Google services or the Google Play Store is quite a blow to what could have been the best phone of the year.

Ex-Windows Phone users are quite familiar with owning a phone in a Google-less world. Would such a phone appeal to some of that audience? Would the effort needed to make it functional in 2019 be worth it?

Huawei is not resting on its laurels, though. The company also announced it was going to drop a massive "USD 1 billion to encourage developers to build apps and get them marketed on Huawei phones outside China." Even revenue sharing will bump from 70 percent (what Google offers) to 85 percent.

Microsoft and Nokia tried a similar strategy with the Lumia line. However, the amount of money invested by both companies was never revealed. It seems safe to say though that it was never close to $1 billion (maybe over many years, but not in one shot). That money is a drop in the bucket for Huawei, but it does show they are serious about this effort.

Sideloading, custom ROMs, other app stores, and PWAs to the rescue?

A savvy user can, of course, "sideload" Google (and other) APKs on the Mate 30 Pro just like any Android phone – so technically this is not an issue for power users.

There's also just the good ol' web. Many sites – including almost all of Google's – now support the progressive web app (PWA) model. That means users can "install" a website as an app to their phone. That will work for YouTube, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Maps, Instagram, Outlook, Facebook, and many more.

Huawei is also reportedly considering opening up the bootloader to allow custom ROMs - a reversal of a previous policy. That could open the door to many new ideas and options too. There'a also consideration being given to loading other third-party app stores from companies like Aptoide and F-Droid.

The idea though of a powerful, feature-rich phone running a Google-less Android 10 experience is captivating. Huawei's app store already has plenty of apps, but it is not entirely clear if it will be enough (probably not).

Part of me sees the romantic appeal (and irony) of a Google-less Android phone with top-shelf hardware. But the realist in me knows it will probably be quite challenging to get by without Instagram, WhatsApp, Google Maps, and presumably even Microsoft software like Outlook, Skype, and Office. Sideloading is a nice runaround, but then security and trust of the APK source is a concern.

For those reasons, I am not confident a Mate 30 Pro has any real chance outside of China for success. But I cannot also help to be fascinated by the idea and would like to give it at least a shot. Am I alone, or is a workable Google-less Android phone in 2019 just a pipe dream? Let me know.

What you need to know

• Microsoft President Brad Smith discussed the U.S. government and Huawei in a recent interview.
• Smith discusses the role of governments regarding technology further in his upcoming book "Tools and Weapons: The Promise and the Peril of the Digital Age."

Microsoft's President and Chief Legal Officer, Brad Smith, recently discussed the U.S. government's treatment of Huawei in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek. Smith shared some of his efforts to discuss the export ban list and Huawei with U.S. regulators in the interview.

Smith stated that actions like that of the U.S. government in relation to Huawei should not be taken without "sound basis in fact, logic, and the rule of law." According to Smith, Microsoft has asked for clarification from the U.S. government and received vague explanations.

President Trump has previously stated that Huawei is a national security threat, and the U.S. Department of Commerce added Huawei to the export blacklist. Huawei being on that list affects the company's ability to sell devices because the list restricts U.S. companies from selling products to certain Chinese companies. As a result, Huawei has had to look for alternatives to Android for its phones and has delayed product launches. The blacklist takes full effect in November following several months of heated discussions and extensions.

Huawei Mate 30 could launch without an official build of Android or Google apps

Smith added that the export blacklist puts the survival of companies at risk.

In addition to discussing the effects of the export ban list on Huawei, Smith also addressed potential upcoming restrictions on emerging technologies with Bloomberg Businessweek, stating, "You can't be a global technology leader if you can't bring your technology to the globe."

Smith further discusses the U.S. government, China, and several issues facing the technology industry in his upcoming book "Tools and Weapons: The Promise and the Peril of the Digital Age." The book is co-authored by Carol Ann Browne and comes out September 10, 2019.

What you need to know

• Huawei has discounted its laptops by up to $200 for the back-to-school season.
• The MateBook X Pro and MateBook 13 are both $200 off, but you can also snag the MateBook D for $150 off.
• You can pick up the discounts on the MateBook X Pro, MateBook 13, and MateBook D at the Microsoft Store now.

If you're looking to pick up a new laptop before heading back to school this year, Huawei has readied some deals that may be worth a look. The company has cut $200 off the price of both the MateBook X Pro andMateBook 13 by $200 for the back-to-school season. If all you need is a basic laptop to get some general work done, the MateBook D is also available for $150 off.

The discount on the MateBook X Pro is for the 2018 model; the 2019 refresh still has yet to hit stores. The price drop brings the top-end model down to $1,300, netting you a 13.9-inch 3000 x 2000 screen, an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor, NVIDIA MX150 graphics, and 16GB of RAM. You can save a little more money by opting for the model with a Core i5-8250U processor, which packs 8GB of RAM and integrated graphics for $999.

The MateBook 13, meanwhile, has Core i5 and i7 models available at a discounted $800 and $1,100, respectively. Going for the Core i7 model will net you 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, along with NVIDIA MX150 graphics. The Core i5 model ratchets things down a bit with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage without discrete graphics.

Finally, there's the MateBook D, which offers an Intel Core i7-8550U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $850 in a 14-inch package.

Each of thes discounts is set to run through August 14.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

What you need to know

• In spite of a trade ban by the Trump administration, a few U.S. companies resumed selling components to Huawei three weeks ago.
• Component sales to Huawei have reportedly totaled hundreds of millions of dollars in just three weeks.
• The companies are "lawfully" getting around the Trump ban by not labeling the components as American-made.

U.S. chipmakers are continuing to sell products to Chinese smartphone and telecommunications equipment maker Huawei, despite a ban issued by the Trump administration last month, according to a new report from The New York Times.

Citing four people with knowledge of the sales, the report says U.S. chipmakers such as Intel and Micron have found a way to get around the trade ban by not labeling the products as American-made. Goods that are produced overseas by American companies are usually not considered to be American-made. The companies began shipping components to Huawei about three weeks back and will help the Chinese company to continue selling its products such as smartphones and servers.

Since a complete sales ban of components to Huawei is expected to come into effect after mid-August, it is possible that a certain percentage of the components shipped to Huawei could be for use in the company's future products. According to estimates, U.S. chipmakers have sold components worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Huawei already.

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra had mentioned during an earnings call on Tuesday afternoon that the company had ceased shipments to Huawei after it was put on the Entity List by the Commerce Department. However, Micron resumed sales two weeks ago after it reviewed the entity list rules and "determined that we could lawfully resume" shipping a few products.

The Trump administration, claims the report, has been aware of the sales but most officials are unsure about how they should respond. "As we have discussed with the U.S. government, it is now clear some items may be supplied to Huawei consistent with the entity list and applicable regulations," wrote John Neuffer, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association in a statement on Friday.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

What you need to know

• Huawei's MateBook D is currently available for $500 at Newegg.
• The deal is part of a flash sale that runs for the next two days.
• The budget laptop usually costs $630.

If you're on a search for a new budget laptop, the Huawei MateBook D is currently available at a solid discount from Newegg. The online retailer has dropped the MateBook D's price from $630 to $500 as part of a flash sale that is set to run through the end of the day on June 25.

This sale is for the AMD Ryzen-powered version of the MateBook D, not the Intel variant. For your money, you'll pick up a relatively thin and light laptop with a 14-inch FHD touchscreen, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. It's only available in Huawei's "Mystic Silver" aluminum chassis, and powering the whole thing is an AMD Ryzen 5 2500U processor clocked at 2 GHz.

The MateBook D weighs in at about 3.2 pounds and comes with one USB-C port, three USB Type-A ports, and one HDMI port. And while you won't find a discrete graphics chip here, you will get AMD's integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics.

If you're curious, you can grab the MateBook D for $500 at Newegg now.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

The Huawei MateBook D is an excellent laptop packing some very capable hardware. There aren't a ton of upgrades you can make to it, nor are there any you really need to make, but there are some areas you can squeeze out a little extra performance. One of these is by upgrading the wireless card, and in turn, the Bluetooth that's integrated with it.

Products used in this guide

• The Ryzen version: Huawei MateBook D ($597 at Amazon)
• Upgraded Wi-Fi: Intel 9260 wireless card ($19 at Amazon)
• The right tools: ORIA precision screwdriver kit ($16 at Amazon)
• Just in case: Cable Matters Ethernet adapter ($14 at Amazon)

How to upgrade the wireless card on the Huawei MateBook D 14

Even though this is an AMD Ryzen laptop, the stock wireless card is still made by Intel. It's a fairly decent Wi-Fi card, especially given the price of the laptop, but for the purposes of this guide we're upgrading to the Intel 9260.

There shouldn't be any issues with compatibility, but it's handy to have a USB Ethernet adapter handy just in case something does go wrong. You'll still be able to get online and make sure you can get the latest drivers.

Here's how to replace it.

1. Shutdown your MateBook D.
2. Flip it over.
3. Grab a Torx T5 screwdriver and remove the nine visible screws from the bottom of the laptop.
4. Using a credit card or plastic pry tool, pop the base off the laptop.

5. Gently pull back the black tape to the right of the fan that is covering the top of the wireless card.
6. Gently pull up on the antenna connections and remove them from the wireless card.
7. Remove the single crosshead screw securing the wireless card.
8. As the card pops up, pull it straight back out of the m.2 socket.
9. Insert the new card into the socket at an angle, and push gently until it locks in place.
10. Reuse the screw from step 7 to secure the new card.
11. Reattach the antenna connections by gently pushing down.
12. Pop the bottom cover back on and reinsert the nine screws you removed in step 3.
13. Power the laptop back on.

Now, make sure you've got the latest drivers for the new card by visiting the Intel support page and you're all set.

Easily upgrade your wireless connections

If you want to get the most you possibly can from your wireless connections on the MateBook D, the Intel 9560 wireless card is a solid choice. It doesn't cost much, either.

The upgrade isn't difficult, and even if this is your first time opening up a laptop, it's not a lengthy or complicated process. So long as you have the right screwdriver and a spare hour, it's one of the simplest upgrades you can make.

Other items we used

The wireless card is the focus of the upgrade, but here's what else we used through the course of this guide.

Huawei MateBook D 14 ($597 at Amazon)

The MateBook D stuffs an AMD Ryzen 5 2500U with Vega 8 graphics inside a sleek metal chassis, adds a nice display and keyboard, solid battery life and an amazing price tag.

Cable Matters Ethernet adapter ($14 at Amazon)

Handy to have in case of emergencies, but also because sometimes Ethernet is the best way to get online.

ORIA precision screwdriver kit ($16 at Amazon)

Never worry about having the right screwdriver for the right job. This precision kit contains everything you'll need to tinker with your PC or laptop.

What you need to know

• Microsoft confirms that Huawei devices will continue to receive updates and support.
• Concerns have arisen regarding the future of Huawei hardware in response to U.S. government regulations.
• Huawei stated that its devices would continue to be supported last week.

Microsoft confirmed that Huawei devices will continue to receive updates and support in a recent statement to PC World. Concerns have arisen regarding the future of Huawei devices following Huawei being placed on the U.S. entity list. Being on this list bans U.S. companies, including Microsoft and Intel, from trading with Huawei.

While the entity list could have implications regarding devices being released in the future, a Microsoft spokesperson clarified the status of Huawei devices going forward regarding updates and support:

Huawei made a similar statement last week in an FAQ on their website, stating "All Huawei smartphones, tablets, and PCs will continue to receive security patches, Android updates and Microsoft Support."

While current laptops are confirmed to receive updates and support going forward, the government regulations could affect future hardware releases. Huawei already had to delay the launch of a laptop due to the restrictions.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

What you need to know

• Huawei confirms that its PCs will continue to receive security patches, upgrades, and Microsoft support.
• The news comes amid worries about the effect of trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
• Huawei was recently placed on an "entity list" by the U.S. Commerce Department, preventing U.S. manufacturers from doing business with the company without prior approval.

If you had worries about whether Huawei PCs would continue to receive support from Microsoft amid excalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, Huawei is seeking to put them to rest. In a FAQ posted to its website, Huawei answered some of the biggest questions concerning ongoing support of its products, including confirmation that its PCs will be supported going forward.

"All Huawei smartphones, tablets, and PCs will continue to receive security patches, Android updates and Microsoft Support," the company says in the FAQ. Further in the FAQ, Huawei reinforces this point by stating, "we can confirm that Huawei devices with Microsoft software will be upgraded and supported."

This follows a saga that saw the U.S. Department of Commerce effectively blacklist Huawei from buying parts from U.S. companies unless those companies received permission to sell them to the Chinese manufacturer. While Huawei's placement on the "entity list" was ostensibly motivated by security concerns regarding networking equipment, it was initially unclear how it would affect the company's smartphones and PCs.

Huawei has since been forced to indefinitely postpone the launch of a new laptop due to trade restrictions. Huawei's MateBooks were also briefly pulled from the Microsoft Store before returning this week, with Microsoft stating it is "resuming the sale of existing inventory of Huawei devices."

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

What you need to know

• Huawei notebooks are once again available on the Microsoft Store.
• Listings have returned for the MateBook 13, MateBook D, and MateBook X Pro – though the latter is marked "Out of Stock."
• This comes nearly a month after MateBooks were pulled from the Microsoft Store without explanation, with speculation that U.S.-China trade tensions may have been to blame.

Following a month of absence from Microsoft's digital store shelves, Huawei notebooks are once again available at the Microsoft Store. Listings are back up for the MateBook 13, MateBook D, and the MateBook X Pro (via WalkingCat). Though the latter of the three is listed as "Out of Stock," this marks the return of the product listings after they were pulled last month.

When Huawei's lineup went missing from the Microsoft Store in May, it did so without explanation from Microsoft. There was speculation that current trade tensions between the U.S. and China may have been to blame, but it's unclear if that was indeed the cause.

In May, Huawei was added to an "entity list" by the U.S. Commerce Department, preventing U.S.-based companies from providing parts to the Chinese manufacturer without prior approval. Huawei's new status recently put the brakes on the launch of a new laptop, which may never launch if Huawei remains blacklisted.

In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft commented on the MateBooks' return to the Store, noting that it is "resuming the sale of existing inventory of Huawei devices at Microsoft Store."

We're currently awaiting the release of the next iteration of the Huawei MateBook X Pro, but it's unclear if its launch will be affected by the trading ban. Huawei has yet to give a final release date or price for the updated laptop. In the meantime, the MateBook 13 and MateBook D are still available via the Microsoft Store, with the MateBook 13 in particular offering a nice balance of power and portability.

What you need to know

• The newest Huawei Mate X's release is being delayed by three months.
• Huawei claims that the delay is not connected to the U.S. Entity List.
• The new Mate X is a 5G device that is also foldable.

The Huawei Mate X was set to come out this month, but is now delayed until September 2019 (via the Wall Street Journal). The Mate X is a foldable smartphone that also supports 5G and runs Android.

Huawei has run into several issues, including having to delay the launch of a device due to the U.S. Entity list which bans American companies from selling technology to certain companies. But Huawei's head of corporate communications, Vincent Pang, stated that the delay of the Mate X is not connected to the U.S. Entity list. Instead, Huawei is going to work on improving the folding screen. Pang said that the device is going through certification tests with multiple carriers and expects testing to be completed in August.

This isn't the first foldable device to be delayed. The Samsung Galaxy Fold has been pushed back multiple times. At this moment, there isn't a foldable smartphone that's commercially available.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

No RAM upgrades possible

Getting inside the MateBook D 14 is extremely easy: simply undo the nine screws on the base and pop the panel off. However, when you're inside, you can't upgrade the RAM because it's soldered in. The 8GB of dual-channel 2400MHz DDR4 RAM is what you're going to have to live with.

It's made more confusing by the fact that the soldered RAM is specific to the 14-inch, AMD Ryzen 5 variant of the MateBook D. There is also a 15.6-inch version powered by an Intel processor which does have replaceable RAM.

Nevertheless, there are some areas you can add a little extra performance to your MateBook D 14.

Supports NVMe SSD

As standard, the MateBook D comes with a 256GB Sandisk m.2 solid-state drive (SSD), but only running at SATA speeds. What you may not have known is that the m.2 slot on the laptop actually supports NVMe (non-volatile memory express) m.2 SSDs, which means you can get a significant uptick in read and write performance if you upgrade.

When you take the bottom off the laptop the SSD is easily accessible without having to remove any further components. You simply unscrew the existing one, then insert the replacement. When doing an SSD upgrade like this we always recommend starting again with a clean installation of Windows 10 over cloning the existing drive.

Just remember to visit the Huawei support page and download the laptop specific drivers, and the Huawei PC Manager app if you want that back.

As for the upgrade, our current recommendation goes to the Samsung 970 Evo Plus thanks to its insane performance, attractive price, and fantastic reliability. Find out why we like it so much in our review.

Upgrade the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well

One other thing you can upgrade in the MateBook D 14 is the Wi-Fi card. It's a standard m.2 form factor, which means you can swap it out for something a little better if you want to. The standard card in the laptop is an Intel 8265, which is pretty good, but upgrading to the better performing Intel 9560 with a max data speed of 1.73 Gbps.

The 9560 also has Bluetooth 5.0, and it's a really affordable upgrade to complete that may well give you a bit better life going forward.

Upgrades you can make to your MateBook D 14

While a RAM upgrade is off the cards, you can add a little more performance to your MateBook D in other areas with these parts.

Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB SSD ($118 at Amazon)

A well-priced NVMe SSD that offers performance like you've never seen before.

Intel 9560 Wi-Fi card ($24 at Amazon)

Intel hardware in an AMD laptop?! Not crazy at all, and this wireless card has improved max data speeds as well as Bluetooth 5.0.

What you need to know

• A new Huawei laptop has been postponed due to U.S. trade restrictions.
• The laptop would have been in the Matebook line.
• This is the first known Huawei product launch postponed as a result of the U.S.-China trade dispute.

Huawei would have launched an new Matebook laptop this week, but the unveiling has been postponed indefinitely due to Huawei being on the restrictive U.S. "Entity List." The laptop would have been unveiled at the CES Asia show this week in Shanghai, but the launch has now been indefinitely postponed according to The Verge.

Huawei's CEO of consumer divisions, Richard Yu, told CNBC that the situation was "unfortunate." Yu also stated that US trade restrictions on Huawei are the reason for the postponement. Companies on this list cannot be sold products from American companies — like Microsoft and Intel.

Huawei's laptops are one of the only commercially successful products from Huawei that are sold in the United States. But these devices rely on U.S. technology including the Windows 10 operating system and Intel processors.

Any future plans would require a change regarding the U.S. Entity list. Yu admitted that the laptop might not be launched if Huawei remains blacklisted.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

What you need to know

• Huawei's MateBook X Pro has been removed from the Microsoft Store.
• Huawei, a China-based company, was recently added to a trade blacklist by the U.S. Commerce Department.
• It's likely that the laptop's removal is related to its status on the blacklist, but Microsoft has yet to comment on how its relationship with Huawei is impacted.
• The MateBook X Pro continues to be available on Amazon, but stock is limited.

It appears recent escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China may have caused Microsoft to pull the MateBook X Pro from its online store. As first spotted by The Verge, Huawei's flagship laptop is no longer listed in the Microsoft Store, and searchers for Huawei on the store return no results.

Huawei last week was added to an export blacklist by the U.S. Department of Commerce, preventing U.S. companies from doing business with the Chinese tech giant without prior approval and putting the launch of future Huawei laptops in question. The export blacklist would cut off Huawei's access to chips from companies like Intel, Qualcomm and NVIDIA, but it's unclear what steps Microsoft has taken to comply with the order.

We've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update this story if one is provided. For its part, The Verge reports that Microsoft "has refused to offer any statement on the situation."

In a previous statement provided to Windows Central, Huawei thoroughly rebuffed the Commerce Department's decision, stating:

Yesterday, Huawei received a temporary reprieve of sorts related to its Android license, allowing it to continue development of future products and support current customers and devices through August 19.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

What you need to know

• As trade tensions continue to escalate between the U.S. and China, it's unclear whether the Huawei's latest MateBooks will be affected.
• Huawei, a China-based company, was recently added to a trade blacklist by the U.S. Commerce Department.
• In a statement to Windows Central, Huawei denounced the Commerce Department's move but could not comment on whether it will impact the availability of the MateBook X Pro and MateBook 14.

Amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, Huawei was placed on an export blacklist by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Huawei's addition to the blacklist, along with 68 of its affiliates, will means that the company will no longer be able to buy parts from U.S. suppliers without first obtaining approval from the U.S. government. But with the new MateBook 14 and MateBook X Pro on the horizon, it's unclear what the move will mean for the launch of Huawei's latest pair of laptops.

"We have not announced US availability so we can't comment at this time," a Huawei spokesperson said in a statement.

While that may not make the fate of Huawei's new MateBooks any clearer, the company thoroughly rebuffed the Commerce Department's move. From Huawei:

The Commerce Department's decision to place Huawei on an export blacklist comes as the Tump administration issued a broader executive order to protect U.S. infrastructure from "foreign adversaries," referring to the issue as a "national emergency." The order gives the commerce secretary broad authority to block transactions with tech companies who have been labeled as being controlled by foreign adversaries, with the goal of preventing potential espionage and threats to critical infrastructure.

The language of the order is relatively broad, but it remains to be seen how much of an affect it will have on the technology sector as a whole.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

Huawei has a sound premium laptop line-up. The MateBook 13 offers insane performance in a portable chassis, while the larger MateBook X Pro houses a larger display, up to 16GB RAM and additional storage for those who require a more powerful PC. Both share a similar design and it all boils down to what specs you need.

MateBook 13 vs. MateBook X Pro tech specs

Looking at just the name, you'd expect the MateBook X Pro to house an Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, a dedicated RTX 2080 GPU, and a 4TB SSD. But this isn't the case and it's only really a slight upgrade from the excellent MateBook 13. It's not to say the MateBook X Pro is a bad laptop as it's not and is well worth considering if you need a slight bump in performance and the larger display.

The MateBook 13 is just that good.

Both Huawei MateBook laptops are amazing

The major differences between the MateBook 13 and MateBook X Pro are the display size, resolution, RAM, storage, ports, and GPU options. Starting with the display size, the MateBook X Pro has a 13.9-inch panel compared to the MateBook 13's 13-inch, which isn't a huge improvement, but does allow for an upgrade in both resolution and pixels-per-inch (PPI), from 2160 x 1440 and 200 PPI to 3000 x 2000 and 260 PPI.

Huawei's MateBook 13 has 8GB of RAM for both the Intel Core i5 and i7 models, which is enough for most PC tasks (and even some light gaming on the side), but the MateBook X Pro comes out on top with the option for 16GB, allowing Windows and more intensive apps to run flawlessly. The same goes for the GPU with the MateBook 13 rocking an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU or a dedicated NVIDIA MX150 GPU with 2GB of VRAM.

The MateBook X Pro can be kitted out with either the Intel 620 or an improved NVIDIA MX250 GPU with 2GB VRAM. This, combined with the option for a 1TB MVNe PCIe SSD, makes the larger laptop better suited for video editing and storing huge files like a collection of RAW photos. Finally, a complain we have with the MateBook 13 is the lack of Thunderbolt, which is present on the MateBook X Pro. You could even connect an external GPU for even more computing power.

Because the Matebook X Pro is a little larger, it can house more ports like a full-size USB-A, which can be used to connect hardware using older cables, and the aforementioned Thunderbolt port. Two USB-C ports are still present with one allowing for charge to be delivered to the larger 57.4 WHr battery.

The issue with all this additional performance and list of features, you're paying more than you would for the MateBook 13. If your budget can stretch to accommodate the increase in cost, it's well worth considering, but if you simply need a laptop that looks stunning and runs well, the MateBook 13 is a great choice.

Go with the MateBook 13 if you want a Windows MacBook

There's a reason we keep going on about the MateBook 13. It's that good. Not only does it start at a reasonable price for the Intel Core i5 model, but you can kit the laptop out with a dedicated GPU, Intel Core i7 processor and 512GB of speedy flash storage.

For those who need a larger display and more power

The MateBook X Pro isn't a huge upgrade on the MateBook 13, but it also doesn't cost considerably more. Choosing this laptop will bag you more RAM, a better GPU, more storage options, a larger display, and more available ports. This is at the cost of a price increase and a larger chassis.

Chinese tech company Huawei has been under fire recently in the U.S. over security concerns, but it's the U.K. that is now raising the alarm of "significant" security flaws in the company's products. In a new report published this week by the U.K.'s Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Center (HCSEC) (via CNBC), the group found "significant technical issues have been identified in Huawei's engineering processes, leading to new risks in the UK telecommunications networks"

Further, the report states that Huawei has made "no material progress" in addressing issues raised in its previous 2018 report.

"The Oversight Board advises that it will be difficult to appropriately risk-manage future products in the context of UK deployments, until the underlying defects in Huawei's software engineering and cyber security processes are remediated" the 47-page report said in a summary of its findings. "Overall, the Oversight Board can only provide limited assurance that all risks to UK national security from Huawei's involvement in the UK's critical networks can be sufficiently mitigated long-term."

The HCSEC doesn't recommend a ban on Huawei's telecommunications equipment, which may be pivotal as the infrastructure for 5G begins to roll out across the globe. Further, the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) stated that it "does not believe that the defects identified are a result of Chinese state interference."

In a statement to CNBC, Huawei said it takes the findings "very seriously" and that "the issues identified in the OB (oversight board) report provide vital input for the ongoing transformation of our software engineering capabilities."

The report comes as Huawei is facing increased scrutiny from governments around the globe. The U.S. government enacted a ban on Huawei on Huawei networking equipment last year, naming it as a potential national security threat. Huawei has since responded by suing the U.S. government to overturn the ban. Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was also arrested in Canada late last year as the U.S. seeks to extradite her under charges of fraud.

Australia has also enforced a ban on Huawei networking equipment over concerns that the Chinese government could use it to hack the country's power grid.

Huawei unveiled a revised version of its MateBook X Pro at MWC 2019 this year, but last year's model still remains a sleek and powerful choice. And if you've had your eye on one for a while, now may be the time to make the jump, as the Microsoft Store has dropped the price on both the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 models by up to $200.

The top-end model is currently down to $1,300, which is a solid discount from its usual $1,500 price tag. For your money, the MateBook X Pro packs a 13.9-inch 3000x2000 screen, an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor, NVIDIA MX150 graphics, and 16GB of RAM. That's rounded out by 512GB of storage and Huawei's sleek design, which includes incredibly thin bezels around the display.

You can save a little more money if you step down to the model with an Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics. That model is down from $1,200 to $1,050.

You'll also find a fingerprint sensor on board, along with two USB-C ports (one of which is a Thunderbolt 3 port) and one USB-A port.

Despite being released in 2018, this version of the MateBook X Pro remains a solidly powerful option at a great price. The 2019 model, which is expected to launch in the coming months, does feature an updated Huawei logo and a move up to Intel's Whiskey Lake processors, but it's otherwise much the same as last year's model. For more, you can check out our full review of the MateBook X Pro, or snag the discount at Microsoft now.

Huawei is having luck with Windows 10 PCs as the company is following its recent MateBook 13 with a slightly larger MateBook 14 that features the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU for some extra power.

Additionally, its trendy MateBook X Pro laptop from last year is getting a modest refresh with the latest from Intel and NVIDIA as well.

Here's all you need to know from Mobile World Congress 2019!

MateBook X Pro new and improved for 2019

The MateBook X Pro was a wildly popular laptop for Huawei last summer, and this year the company looks to continue to ride that trend. While there are no significant revisions the design, dimensions, and weight are all the same – there is some new hardware underneath for some extra processing power and a bit extra battery life as well.

One of the significant changes Huawei is excited for is the Thunderbolt 3 port is now full 4x PCIe lane-enabled allowing more graphics data (40 Gbps) when used with an external GPU.

The extremely thin display bezels remain, and as a result Huawei still has that odd keyboard camera that pops out of the deck when needed. That privacy feature proved to be popular despite the resulting odd camera angle – something which Dell even moved away from recently.

New Intel "Whiskey Lake" processor options in Core i5 or Core i7 keep up with the competition, but there's also a new NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU too. However, we're told that users should only expect a modest 10-15 percent increase in performance over the already existing MX150 GPU used last year. Still, any boost is welcomed in such a thin and trim Ultrabook.

Huawei is adding a new Huawei Share 3.0 feature that uses NFC and Wi-Fi Direct to instantly transfer photos, documents, and data from the clipboard between the MateBook X Pro and any Huawei smartphone. The feature works by tapping the phone to the keyboard deck, and it does seem very fast and efficient, although that required NFC sticker is a bit of an eyesore. Huawei also has a new screen gesture for screenshots (three-finger swipe) and the ability to edit photos with your finger.

Oh, and yes, there's finally a new logo too - or rather, just Huawei's name, which is cleaner than last year's version.

Overall, the MateBook X Pro is more of the same from last year, but that's not a bad thing. The company admits it had trouble keeping them on the shelf due to aggressive pricing (which may not be matched this year) and some outstanding specifications that no other laptop manufacturer is offering including that excellent 3:2 "3K" touch display.

Can lightning strike twice? Huawei seems to believe so, and the new MateBook X Pro for 2019 looks to have most of the features people want these days.

Look for global availability starting in May and throughout the summer including the US and other major markets. No word on pricing, but there were hints it could go up from that $1,499 offering for last year's i7 model – which was one of the best values around.

MateBook 14 premium, but more affordable

Adding a bit of confusion to the mix is the MateBook 14 – basically a slightly larger MateBook 13, but with an HDMI port, larger battery, two Type-A ports, and slightly improved graphics.

The MateBook 14 doesn't deviate from the current design language of Huawei's other laptops – there's the silver or grey color schemes, metal chassis, and focus on thin display bezels for its 3:2 14-inch screen.

The MateBook 14 is even closer to the higher-end (and now refreshed) MateBook X Pro laptop, which is also 14-inches, but is slightly heavier by 0.35 pounds (160 grams), thicker, and lacks more premium features like Thunderbolt 3 and quad-speakers (just dual instead).

While that lack of Thunderbolt 3 is disappointing Huawei makes up for it a bit with a full HDMI port – something the MateBook X Pro doesn't have – for more display-out connectivity options (the Type-C port can also do display out).

The display while similar in size is only 2160 x 1440 (185 PPI) instead of the MateBook X Pro's 3000 x 2000 (260 PPI), but still brings touch to users.

Huawei is also introducing new screen-gesture support including three-finger swipe motion for screenshots and editing. Additional software includes Huawei Share 3.0, which is an NFC-initiated system for instantly sharing photos, clipboard, and documents between the PC and Huawei phone. That info is then transferred via Wi-Fi Direct for exceptional speed.

For charging, Huawei is including a custom extra-small 65W Type-C charger that can also be used for other Type-C devices including Android phones.

In using the MateBook 14 for a bit, the laptop has a lot of potential. The design, features, and 3:2 display should also resonate with consumers and those who need something for work.

The inclusion of GeForce MX250 for graphics, latest Intel 8th generation processor, touch display, and slim package all felt great to use.

The one issue Huawei may face is differentiation from its MateBook 13 and MateBook X Pro. While there are differences, Huawei seems to have a lot of overlap in its different tiers which may cause some confusion in the market place.

The MateBook 14 seems to be a solid choice for those who want premium but are on a more fixed budget.

However, at press time Huawei did not divulge exact pricing for the MateBook 14 though it will clock in at a lower price point that the MateBook X Pro and above the MateBook 13 so around $1,200 seems within range. Availability should begin later this spring in various global markets.

Why buy a MateBook 13?

The Huawei MateBook 13 is a thin and light laptop that sits between Huawei's impressive MateBook X and MateBook X Pro devices. The MateBook 13 has the latest "Whiskey Lake" 8th generation Intel processors. These processors are U-series as well, which are more powerful than the Y-series processors used in some Apple devices that compete with the MateBook 13. If you opt for the Core i7 version of the device you can also have an integrated MX150 for graphics. The internals of the MateBook 13 make it one of the most powerful 13 inch laptops available.

In addition to impressive internals, the laptop also has an amazing outside. The 2K screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio which makes it feel quite roomy despite the fact that it's only a 13 inch screen. It has good color accuracy and also supports touch, though it doesn't support inking or pens.

The body of the MateBook 13 is less impressive visually, featuring a space gray design with little flair, but it's sturdy and well built.

In our full review of the device, we gave the Matebook 13 a 4.5 out of 5 thanks to its excellent performance, beautiful touch screen display, and impressive value for its price. So if you're looking for a PC alternative to the MacBook, you should definitely start here.

Where should you buy a MateBook 13?

The MateBook 13 is available at a number of popular retailers and many of them are sound options. The one that's best for you depends largely on which retailer you prefer to shop at and which services you already use. If you purchase the MateBook 13 from Microsoft you'll earn Microsoft Rewards Points. This program allows you to trade your points in for gift cards for services like Xbox GamePass, Xbox Live, or for gift cards to the Microsoft Store and many other retailers.

If you want your MateBook 13 as quickly as possible, you'll want to use Amazon, assuming you have Amazon Prime and can get deliveries quickly to your address. Newegg is also a reliable supplier of electronic goods. You can't really go wrong with any store that lists the MateBook 13.

The Core i5 MateBook 13 without discrete graphics is available for $999. The more powerful Intel Core i7 version with an MX150 is $1,299.

Huawei MateBook X Pro has a gorgeous display

Even if it's not anti-glare, the MateBook X Pro has a downright awesome display. At 13.9 inches with a 3:2 aspect ratio, its 3K (3,000 x 2,000) resolution is stunning, and it includes multi-touch support for times when the keyboard and touchpad aren't getting it done. It has almost no bezel at all, and color accuracy hits 99 percent sRGB.

The display is plenty bright at about 450 nits, and auto-brightness will help with dealing with external light, so working in a well-lit room won't be a complete struggle if you don't have a matte screen protector. For true anti-glare properties, though, you will want to invest in a screen protector.

Why use a screen protector?

Save Huawei re-releasing the MateBook X Pro with a matte display option, a third-party screen protector, like this one from iCarez, is about the best way to add anti-glare properties. It's designed to specifically fit the MateBook X Pro, has a lifetime replacement warranty should something go wrong, and it has an oleophobic coating to help cut down on smudges and oil from your fingers. It likewise will not interfere with the touch function of the laptop's display.

At about $8 for a two-pack of screen protectors, you'll be hard-pressed to find a cheaper way to cut down on glare when using your MateBook X Pro.

If you're a fan of Huawei's premium laptops, but don't want to drop the big bucks on the high-end MateBook X Pro, the company has a new addition to its lineup that may prove attractive. Huawei today launched the Intel-powered variant of its MateBook D in the U.S., packing some powerful specs at a starting price of $999.

Huawei already unleashed one version of the MateBook D on the U.S. market earlier this year with a variant powered by an AMD Ryzen processor at a much lower price of $629. The Intel version steps things up a notch by packing in your choice of either an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U or i7-8550U processor.

On the graphics front, the Intel version switching things up from Radeon's Vega8 graphics to a discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX150 chip. It also sports more storage options, with either a 256GB or 512GB SSD. Other than those differences, the Intel version shares the same 8GB of LPDDR3 memory, 1MP front-facing camera, and 14-inch 1080p screen. Power is also once again supplied by a single USB-C cable.

The MateBook D certainly looks to be a viable option for anyone who likes Huawei's styling but is turned off by its higher-priced offerings. Starting today, you can pick up the Core i5 version at Amazon, Newegg, and B&H for $999. The Core i7 version is available only from the Microsoft Store for $1,099.

• See at Amazon
• See at Microsoft
• See at Newegg
• See at B&H

Huawei's MateBook X Pro represents the top of the company's laptop portfolio with a price tag to match, but the company is following up with something for the more budget-conscious out there. Now available as a Walmart exclusive, the new MateBook D costs $629 with an AMD Ryzen chip doing the heavy lifting.

In terms of specs, the MateBook D is positioned to perform well enough for most tasks for its price point, but it won't be setting any benchmark records. At center stage is AMD's Ryzen 2500U processor at 3.4GHz with Radeon Vega graphics. Backing that up is 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Rounding things out is a 14-inch 1080p touch display.

Still, despite sitting firmly in an affordable price range, Huawei has thrown in some premium touches. The laptop is wrapped up in a silver metallic unibody design that weighs in at 3.5 pounds and measures 0.62-inches thick. A set of four speakers is also on board with Dolby Atmos certification. According to Huawei's estimates, you'll be able to eke out around 8 hours of battery life from the MateBook D's 57.4 WHr battery. But built-in quick charge tech can get you back up and running from zero to 40 percent in 30 minutes.

Finally, the port selection includes one USB-C port, two USB Type A ports, a single HDMI output, and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The USB-C post is also used for charging.

All told, if you're in the market for a laptop on a budget, the MateBook D looks like a solid contender based off of what you get for the price. The laptop is available now via Walmart, both in stores and online, for $629 (though it's on sale for $599 as of this writing).

See at Walmart

Huawei's sleek and powerful MateBook X Pro is now back in stock at the Microsoft Store. While it initially made its debut alongside a surprisingly good starting price in May, the laptop has been out of stock for some time. However, you can now pick one up from Microsoft starting at $1,199.99.

The MateBook X Pro packs a pretty jaw-dropping display, featuring a 13.9-inch 3000x200 panel with a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio. Along with its insanely thing bezels, the display reaches 99 percent sRGB and 77 percent AdobeRGB color accuracy.

On the Inside, you have your chose of either an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 or i5 processor. On the more powerful model, Huawei has packed in 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics. The Core i5 model, meanwhile, includes 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and Intel's integrated UHD Graphics 620. Huawei has also thrown in a quad-speaker Dolby Atmos system and an integrated fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button

If the MateBook X Pro is up your alley, you can grab the laptop now for $1,199.99 or $1,499.99, depending on your choice of model. And for more on the MateBook X Pro, be sure to check out our full, in-depth review.

• See at Microsoft Store
• See at Amazon

Huawei's powerful new MateBook X Pro is now available in the U.S., and it's coming at a price that may surprise. While some were expecting the high-end laptop to hit the $2,000 mark, Huawei announced today that it is available in two variants, coming in at $1,199 and $1,499, respectively.

For the money, the MateBook X Pro packs a 13.9-inch touch-enabled display with a 3:2 aspect ration at 3000 x 2000 resolution. The highlight of the display is its 91 percent screen-to-body ration, thanks to the thin bezels on each side. Huawei has also managed to reach 99 percent sRGB and 77 percent AdobeRGB accuracy.

As for the internals, the $1,499 model packs an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM, a speedy 512GB SSD for storage, and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics. The $1,199 model steps things down to an 8th Gen Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and Intel's UHD Graphics 620.

Rounding things out is solid audio, courtesy of a quad-speaker Dolby Atmos system. A fingerprint sensor is also embedded in the power button, and Huawei is throwing in one year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal.

In his recent review of the MateBook X Pro, Windows Central Executive Editor Daniel Rubino touted the MateBook X Pro as "easily one of [his] favorite laptops right now." From the review:

Huawei says the MateBook X Pro is available now in "Space Gray" or "Mystic Silver" starting at $1,199. That said, the Microsoft Store currently has each model available at a pretty nice discount, dropping $50 off the entry-level model and $150 off the top-end model.

• See at Microsoft Store
• See at Amazon
• See at Newegg

Nearly one year ago I reviewed the Huawei MateBook X a thin, well-built Ultrabook that had a 3:2 display and outstanding audio. Competing in the same class as the Surface Laptop I couldn't wait to see what the company did next.

Today, I have my answer in the form of the MateBook X Pro, a high-end, premium laptop that blurs the line between Ultrabook and performance laptop.

MateBook X Pro – What you need to know

If I had to position the MateBook X Pro it would be against the Surface Laptop, but with many improvements.

First, it's running a newer 8th generation Intel processor, which brings quad-core for multi-tasking, better thermals, and improved battery life. Toss in some outstanding audio in the form of four, Dolby-tuned Atmos speakers and a giant Precision touchpad and the MateBook X Pro is a blast to use.

Unlike the Surface series, Huawei is not afraid of using a lighting fast SSD in the form of the latest from Lite-On resulting in 3,000 MB/s for read and 2,000 MB/s for write speeds.

Even the 14-inch 3:2 display with its 3,000 x 2,000 resolution manages 99 percent sRGB color accuracy (and a solid 77 percent AdobeRGB). And yeah, it's a touchscreen too with not a ton of gloss (there is no pen support, however).

For the display, there is a 91 percent screen to body ratio, with ultrathin bezels on all four sides. It's a stunning achievement and makes you wish all laptops looked like the MateBook X Pro.

I also had no issue with the colossal Precision touchpad, which had a good click and touch-accuracy.

The keyboard is excellent to type on with good travel and responsiveness. It reminds me a bit of HP's EliteBook series and is excellent for those who type a lot. The backlight works well too mostly due to the black keys with a white light gives excellent contrast.

There's also a fingerprint reader hidden in the power button, which is convenient. Huawei has it so that turning on the device it remembers your fingerprint, negating the need for a second press at the Windows login screen – it jumps into Windows.

Finally, for ports, Huawei did a great job of balancing the modern (two USB Type-C; one is Thunderbolt 3) with a nod to the past (one USB Type-A), which in this thin of a form factor is commendable.

MateBook X Pro battery and performance

Powered by the 10W NVIDIA GeForce MX150 for a GPU the MateBook X Pro gets an impressive 41,593 for a GeekBench CUDA score. That's a significant bump over last year's 940MX, which only clocked in at 24,412, or the Intel UHD 620 at 23,080. While you won't be using the MateBook X Pro for gaming, it can handle platformers and casual games with aplomb and even get your foot in the door for first-person shooters at a lower resolution.

Battery life is also much better than expected. The 57WHr battery can easily get eight hours on a single charge depending on screen brightness (which auto adjusts). That screen brightness is perfect for everyday usage, but I did find at night it was overly aggressive making the display too dim for my liking. Luckily, turning off the auto-screen brightness in Windows settings is a snap letting me use the handy keyboard shortcuts to bring it to my taste.

Surprisingly, Huawei is also not doing a lot of throttling with the Core-i7 processor either, which even after 20 minutes of sustained usage under Intel XTU did not drop below 2.0GHz. That means the thermals are doing quite well and while you can hear the fan under heavy load – a whooshing effect – it was never annoying or distracting for regular usage.

MateBook X Pro: An excellent performer with few drawbacks

The MateBook X Pro is easily one of my favorite laptops right now mostly due to that 3:2 display with super thin bezels. Sure, the tradeoff is the clever webcam that pops up from the keyboard, but even then, it's a better webcam than most laptops!

The fundamentals – battery life, typing, display, and audio – are all well above average. Those speakers tell me that companies like Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, etc. are not trying hard enough. For those who watch movies or listen to music, the MateBook X Pro is one of the best on the market, period.

Where the MateBook X Pro falters is its dated metal unibody design. It's no mystery that Huawei copied the Apple MacBook Pro. Whether it's the keyboard, or the side-inhalation vents for cooling, or even space gray color scheme, the MateBook X Pro very much a replica of Apple's finest – just improved. There's now a Type-A port, better display, upgraded audio, and it runs Windows 10.

Is this mimicking a bad thing? If you are an Apple user looking to jump to Windows 10, well the MateBook X Pro is your device. You'll feel very comfortable making the switch with this laptop.

Nonetheless, when you see what HP and Dell are doing with their unique design languages for laptops, it makes Huawei look amateurish, even if it's executed well. Huawei has proven they have the engineering skills to make excellent, premium hardware. They need to now show it with an original design, for once.

There is also the controversy around Huawei and security. Bloomberg recently did an excellent article about the company and where this fear comes from. I won't tell you not to buy this laptop because of this controversy, but it is something to be aware of. As an average consumer, it wouldn't stop me from using this laptop, but others may have concerns.

Putting that aside though and Huawei managed to make an excellent laptop running Windows 10. It's fun to use, lasts all day, and hits all the right notes. Sure, it may look like a MacBook Pro, but that doesn't mean the experience is any worse for it. Far from it. I now regularly use this as my favorite Ultrabook, mostly because I'm biased towards that display aspect.

Pricing is said to be over $2,000 for the Core i7 model (there's also a cheaper one with Core i5). I think that's a fair price for the quality of the hardware, which is even better than Surface in some areas. There is a prejudice that because Huawei is Chinese, it must be cheap, but that's not the case at all. While you'll pay a pretty penny for the MateBook X Pro, I think its worth it for the experience. The laptop just works with no bugs, and I had no significant complaints.

Exact pricing and availability are not yet known for the U.S. We'll update this review accordingly when it is made available.

See at Huawei

Pros:

• Amazing display that is color accurate.
• Best-in-class quad-core Dolby Atmos audio.
• Very good battery life and performance.
• USB Type-A port and Type-C is a good balance for ports.

Cons:

• Price may be off putting for some.
• Looks like a MacBook Pro.
• Odd webcam placement.

This one was announced so quietly it almost slipped us by unnoticed. But, while our Android Central pals were out at CES 2018 they learned that Microsoft will indeed be selling another phone on the Store: The Huawei Mate 10 Pro.

The news faded into the background amid the press reports on how Huawei's big ambitions with U.S. carriers had been shot down. But hidden in plain sight in the Android Central report was the news that Microsoft will be helping Huawei sell unlocked in the American market. At least part of the reason Microsoft is getting involved in sales has to do with the Mate 10 Pro's onboard AI and translation capabilities are powered by Microsoft tech, allowing it to perform difficult translations on whole blocks of text in seconds.

The Mate 10 Pro is a pretty good phone to have on the shelves, too. Its dual-cameras proudly bear the Leica badge, it's got a great display, powerful internals, a nice design and mad battery life. Huawei also has its own Continuum-alike desktop mode with the Mate 10 Pro, so if you were looking for a replacement, this might be it.

It'll cost $799, which is quite a lot, or if you're feeling flush the special Porsche Design edition will also be on sale for $1,225. If you're spending a grand on a phone may as well get one with a designer logo attached, right?

Sales are set to begin on February 18. If you're interested, be sure to check out Android Central's full review.

Huawei confirmed that the new range of MateBook laptops will be ready for preorder from select retailers starting today. The MateBook X, MateBook E, and MateBook D can be snatched up from Amazon and Newegg, starting at $699.99. This is no simple laptop family, either. Huawei has gone all out with all three variants.

Shiny new Huawei MateBooks

The MateBook X is a 13-inch laptop that Huawei claims is the first in the world that is both totally fanless and measures in at just 12.5mm thick. There's also the fact that this premium laptop has a bezel size of just 4.4mm, which cuts down on wasted space surrounding the display.

The MateBook E is the 2-in-1, Jack of all trades in this new lineup. A 2K touch display joins a full-size keyboard, and it is available in titanium gray and Champagne gold. This PC is ideal for those who want to work and play on a single device.

Finally, the MateBook D is the entry-level laptop that offers an impressive 83 percent screen-to-body ratio. Sporting Nvidia GeForce graphics — ideal for some light gaming and media consumption — the MateBook D is a powerful machine for the price, and it can easily be carried around with you. As an added bonus, both the MateBook X and MateBook D have been developed with Dolby to include Atmos sound system support.

We also have our Matebook X review up, so be sure to check it out! And you can visit Huawei's website for additional details.

MateBook preorders

Preorders begin June 30 on Amazon.com and Newegg.com. Here are the configurations you'll be able to purchase.

HUAWEI MateBook X

• Seventh-generation Intel Core i5 8+256GB Space Gray: $1,099.99 (Newegg
• Seventh-generation Intel Core i7 8+512GB Prestige Gold: $1,299.99 (Newegg

Read our Matebook X review

HUAWEI MateBook E

• Seventh-generation Intel Core m3 4+128GB Titanium Gray: $799.99 (Newegg
• Seventh-generation Intel Core i5 8+256GB Champagne Gold: $999.99 (Newegg

HUAWEI MateBook D

• Seventh-generation Intel Core i5 8+1T Champagne Gold: $699.99 (Newegg

Huawei is a relatively new name to the Windows 10 world, but the company made some waves last year with its positively received MateBook tablet 2-in-1. For 2017, that device has been rebranded as MateBook E, but it is the new MateBook X that is turning heads.

The MateBook X is Huawei's first attempt at a premium Ultrabook, and for the most part, the company succeeded. Not only the is MateBook X a well-rounded PC, it pushes boundaries to reach current design limits.

Does a fanless 2.3-pound (1.05 kg) laptop that is only 12.5mm thin bring anything new to the Windows 10 world? You bet. It's not for everyone, but this staggeringly small laptop has a target audience that will appreciate it.

About this review

Huawei supplied a loaner MateBook X. The unit tested features a Core i5-7200U processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage retailing for $1,099 and "titanium gray" in color. The Core i7 model is available with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $1,299 and is available in "prestige gold."

QUALITY HARDWARE

Huawei MateBook X technical specifications

Despite lacking any processor cooling fan or visible vents, the MateBook X utilizes a typical dual-core Core i5 or i7 seventh-generation Intel "Kaby Lake" processor. Those processors are what Microsoft uses on the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop – they are not Y-series (Core M) but regular laptop CPUs, which is notable.

Looking at the MateBook X, nothing stands out as missing. There is no touch screen, negating any pen support, but apparently Huawei is targeting the business exec who just wants a thin, light laptop that doesn't cut corners.

Whether it is the Intel AC-8275 Wi-Fi chip, the Precision touchpad, the 3:2 aspect ratio, or those Dolby-tuned upward firing speakers, the MateBook X uses only premium, brand-name, and quality parts.

PUSHING LIMITS

Huawei MateBook X design

The heart of the MateBook X is its design. It feels like Huawei married the design principles behind the Apple MacBook and HP Spectre, adding a twist.

The MateBook X is just a smidge larger than a typical magazine. It's ridiculously thin and light and feels more like a tablet when closed than a laptop.

All the bells and whistles are here. The CNC-machined unibody metal design for the chassis with diamond-cut edges gives the MateBook X a refined and elegant look. The metal can pick up fingerprints and is easy to chip if dropped, but that's the tradeoff for premium materials versus plastic.

Weighing in at 2.3 pounds (1.05 kg) the MateBook X is very light but also dense feeling. There is no space in such a small chassis, and while it won't weigh you down when carrying it in a bag, it feels heavier than it is due to it being so compact.

There is not much twist in the chassis, but you can hear what is some minor creaking if you try to bend the laptop. It's nothing to worry about, but that's what separates Huawei's improved manufacturing from the historically-perfected lines of Apple.

Because there is no touch screen, the display is thin enough to allow it to be opened one-handed. Once open, you are greeted with a very minimal design of the display, keyboard, and trackpad.

That display sports 4.4mm bezel for the screen, giving the MateBook X an insane 88-percent screen-to-body ratio, besting everything in this class.

The only thing marring the clean and elegant look of the MateBook X's interior is the mandatory Intel sticker.

Finally, the bottom of the MateBook X is clean with only some FCC information and four rubber feet. Since there is no fan in this laptop, there are no intake vents making the overall design very uniform.

SATISFYING SCREEN

Huawei MateBook X display

Huawei made all the right choices with the MateBook X.

For example, the display is 3:2 aspect ratio with 2160 x 1440 resolution nearing 200 PPI. Ever since Microsoft pioneered the 3:2 aspect with its Surface line, I have seen more consumers wanting that style over the traditional – and wider – 16:9. Huawei using it tells me the company is tune with where the consumer market is going.

While not a touch screen, the 13-inch display is fantastic. There is a 100-percent sRGB rating for color accuracy, edge-to-edge Corning Gorilla Glass for protection, and a decent 350 nits of brightness. That brightness is OK but will struggle outdoors. While glossy, the screen leans towards not being excessively shiny.

Huawei also notes that the display features its "eye comfort technology that filters excessive blue light and alleviates eye fatigue." That may sound gimmicky, but I can say that it eases teh strain on my eyes.

The MateBook X's display is excellent. Its sharp colors are accurate, I didn't notice ghosting or light bleed, and it ranks amongst the best I have used.

FULL SIZE

MateBook X keyboard

Despite the excessively small chassis, Huawei put a full-size keyboard into the MateBook X. The keys are chicklet style like the Surface Pro 4's keyboard, and the overall design is reminiscent of HP's Spectre line of laptops.

Key travel is minimal at 1.2mm, which is on the low end for Ultrabooks, which typically aim for 1.3mm and peak around 1.5mm. While I would prefer 1.3mm, I can't say typing is bad on the MateBook X. The keys are spaced well enough apart and go edge to edge on the chassis, with very distinct key markings.

There is a function row with display brightness controls, keyboard backlight, volume controls, Wi-Fi toggle, MateBook Manager, and print screen. In another smart choice, Huawei lets you choose if the function keys respond to the F-key or control screen brightness.

The two-stage backlight also gets the job done and looks great in low-light situations. A sensor turns on the backlighting automatically, but users can manually turn it off with the dedicated function key.

The key response is decent, but the return curve could be slightly better. Huawei did not mess with a standard keyboard layout, either. There are no oddities with Shift, Enter, Delete, or Backspace that will cause confusion.

I value typing for long durations, and the MateBook X is an above average experience. Oh, I should also mention this keyboard is splash resistant meaning you can knock your glass of water on to this laptop and not worry. Very cool stuff!

PRECISE TOUCH

MateBook X trackpad

The MateBook X features a sufficient if not typical trackpad size. It's smooth glass and has a decent click to it. There is a bit of a rattle when lightly tapping the trackpad that I could live without. It is very slightly recessed with diamond-cut edges that serve as tactile boundary guides.

Huawei used Microsoft's Precision drivers in the MateBook X giving a highly accurate and smooth experience. Users also get the full cadre of Windows 10 gestures.

Besides the slight rattle in the trackpad when tapping, it's an above average experience.

DOLBY ATMOS

Huawei MateBook X speakers are astonishing

Huawei is making a big deal about its partnership with Dolby. Both companies worked together on the MateBook X's hardware (speakers) and software as this laptop is the first to feature Dolby's Atmos dynamic surround-sound system. Most companies just add in the software, but giving Dolby access to fine-tune and help design the actual speakers makes a substantial difference.

The MateBook X features two top-firing speakers located between the keyboard and display (I assume this also serves as passive venting for the CPU). The location is ideal as the sound is not muffled, and in effect, it bounces off the display at the user.

The sound itself reminds me very much of the iPhone 7 Plus's speakers, which have a slight mechanical tuning to them. With the Dolby Atmos software, the system can dynamically adjust sound curves based on the content that is currently playing, or users can override the setting and even customize it to their liking.

What is impressive – besides the clarity – is the volume. It can be very loud – louder than I would ever want to use it - and yet there is zero distortion. Voices are clear and distinct, which is ideal for movies and TV, and surround sound when using headphones is outstanding.

These are the best speakers on any laptop I have tried.

CLEVER, CLEVER

MateBook X fingerprint reader

At the top-right corner of the MateBook X's keyboard deck sits a round power button. That button also acts as a fingerprint reader that lets users log into Windows 10 without typing in a password via Windows Hello.

Taking it a step further, however, Huawei did some intelligent tinkering with that fingerprint reader. Typically, when the MateBook X (or any PC) is in hibernate mode or is being turned on via a "cold start" the user presses the power button, waits for the OS to boot, and then pushes the fingerprint reader to log into the system. Huawei cut out that last step. When a user powers on the MateBook X, it holds that fingerprint scan until it gets to the Windows login screen and logs the user in.

Eliminating one step in the power-on and login process may seem trivial, but when you do it multiple times a day, it's a pleasant surprise. It shows that Huawei is thinking about how to do simple, shrewd tricks that enhance the user experience. They succeed here, and it tells me Huawei gets its user base.

That fingerprint reader is also speedy and accurate.

Powerful Core i5 with no fan

MateBook X benchmarks

Huawei is rightly boasting that the MateBook X - both in Core i5 and Core i7 models - lacks a fan or any vent except for the speaker grill on the top keyboard deck. Our review unit uses the Core i5, and it's a good CPU, but there will be limits to it as well.

CPU

Huawei uses the same seventh-generation Intel "Kaby Lake" Core i5 processor in the MateBook X as Microsoft uses in the Surface Laptop Core i5. With a turbo boost to 3.1 GHz, it falls below the i5-7300U CPU found in the fanless Surface Pro (2017), which peaks at 3.5GHz.

Geekbench 4.0 benchmarks (higher is better)

With a base frequency of 2.6GHz, the i5-7200U is an excellent processor, but the lack of vents and a fan results in more extreme power-state throttling to keep the MateBook X's chassis from getting too hot. In comparison, the MateBook X with Core i5 is similar to the Surface Laptop with Core i5 and ahead of the Core i4 Surface Pro 4.

GPU

The MateBoox X with Core i5 uses the standard Intel HD 620 for graphics. The Core i7 version also uses the same display adapter instead of Iris Plus 640.

Geekbench 4.0 OpenCL (higher is better)

There are no surprises with the Intel HD 620 in the MateBook X. The display adapter falls slightly behind the Core i5 Surface Laptop and Core i5 Surface Pro.

SSD

Huawei uses a better than average SSD in the MateBook X. The Samsung PM971 (MZ2LZ256) is a very new SSD that priortizes reduced power consumption while still delivering admirable read and write speeds.

CrystalDiskMark (higher is better)

While not the fastest SSD, the Samsung PM971 is an excellent solution for the MateBook X. To make an analogy, it is as if Huawei took the Surface Pro's storage solution and put it into the MateBook X, something Microsoft did not do for its Surface Laptop.

PCMark

Looking at PCMark Home Conventional – which is an overall performance test - the MateBook X falls between the HP EliteBook x360 G2 and HP Spectre x360 15 and ahead of the Surface Laptop with the same CPU and GPU.

PCMark (Home Conventional 3.0)

The MateBook X may be performing better due to the better SSD compared to the Surface Laptop, but it's not entirely clear either.

The Huawei MateBook X with Core i5 is a solid processor for 2017, but it falls behind laptops with similar configurations. The fact that it is fan-less is impressive, but there is a slight reduction in performance because of it. While such a reduction is likely unnoticeable for light computing tasks, it won't be a gaming or media editing powerhouse.

SACRIFICES WERE MADE

MateBook X battery life is just OK

Will you be shocked if I told you that a laptop that shares the size dimensions of a magazine and that weighs only 1.05kg but uses a full laptop processor falls behind on battery life? Probably not.

That's not to say the MateBook X has terrible power longevity. In my regular usage with the Core i5 model, I easily got between six and seven hours out of the MateBook X. That falls behind more recent laptops that are heavier and bulkier, but it's not a deal-killer either.

The 41.4 WHr battery helps keep the MateBook X from dying too soon, and the compact USB Type-C charger is easy to carry around.

To add some data to the mix, we used PCMark's battery test. The PCMark Home Battery Accelerated test uses the CPU and GPU together in a looping cadre of tasks like photo editing, video calls, and web browsing until the computer hits around 20 percent remaining battery.

PCMark 8 Home Battery Accelerated (H = hours, M = minutes)

The MateBook X nearly matches the Core i7 Surface Pro, which has a slightly larger battery and smaller display. Battery run-down tests are far from typical usage, but it is clear Huawei sacrificed battery life with being super thin and light. That tradeoff is not worth it for all people, but for some users it's fine.

Not much here

MateBook X I/O ports

Like many modern PCs that are going thin and light the MateBook X eschews input and output (I/O) port selection in favor of keeping things minimal.

There are just two USB Type-C ports – one on the left of the device, one on the right – that give users the ability to plug in peripherals. Further complicating things, only one of those ports – the right one – is used for data and display output, while the left is for charging and data only.

Neither support Thunderbolt 3 for 40Gbps data transfer.

There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack. If the bottom half of the laptop got any thinner, the MateBook X literally could not support a standard headphone outlet.

Luckily, Huawei throws in its MateDock 2 into the box, which offers VGA, HDMI, USB-A, and Ethernet to expand the MateBook X's abilities.

Another limit

MateBook X camera is on the lean side

Going with 4.4mm display bezels and being this thin overall results in a disappointing 1MP front-facing camera. That's far below than what most compaines use in laptops these days and it shows especially in low-light situations.

When appropriately lit it was not terrible, though. I think for Skype video calls it gets the job done and while a better camera is always nice to have, this is one of those tradeoffs.

Staying Cool

Huawei MateBook X thermals and throttling

Despite lacking fans, the MateBook X does not get very hot, even under a 30-minute CPU stress test.

Huawei claims to use "Microencapsulated Phase Change Material," which is evidently used in aerospace technology for its heat piping.

While that certainly helps, the MateBook X also throttles under extended durations reducing the thermal design power (TDP) to keep the chassis from getting too hot. While the MateBook X is not using CPU throttling, it uses power-state throttling (PL1), which is based on the temperature of the device itself. When that happens, the power to the processor is reduced, which also cuts back on the processor speeds. While a widespread practice in all Ultrabooks, the MateBook X is a bit more aggressive in power-state throttling due to its fanless design.

After 30-minutes of 100 percent CPU use instead of peak turbo speeds of 3.1GHz, the MateBook X was hovering between 1.9 GHz and 2.3 GHz. That's not terrible but worth noting.

The good news is the MateBook X never got above 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) on the bottom. In fact, it often stayed in the low 90 degrees F range. That's a very comfortable temperature for a Core i5 processor, although the Core i7 likely gets warmer.

AN EXCITING ENTRY

Conclusion: Huawei's MateBook X mostly gets it right

In using the MateBook X for the last few weeks, it is hard to find any fatal design choices. While there is no Thunderbolt 3, no touch screen, and battery life is only decent, these are tradeoffs with the goals of this device. Some users will perceive those as flaws, but those customers just really need a different PC.

The MateBook X succeeds at delivering premium manufacturing in a boundary-pushing design. Everything just worked, and it was a joy to pick up and use. Performance is also excellent and while you would not want to use the MateBook X for extensive gaming or video rendering, for productivity it's a beautiful experience.

Who should buy this PC? Students, business users, people who like to do light computing or folks who want an excellent video playback laptop. It's thin, sexy, and works well, but it is that combination of display and speakers that make it a killer media device.

People who do gaming, video rendering, or graphics intensive tasks will want something beefier.

Huawei's MateBook X is an impressive accomplishment for a first generation device. It's also a niche PC for people who want a premium laptop for light computing.

I worry some users may balk at the $1,099 price. Nonetheless, this is a premium laptop experience. All the parts used are top of the line. I also think there is a small but significant group of consumers who just want a non-touch stupidly-thin laptop that is not an Apple MacBook. That is what you get here.

But the MateBook X isn't some knockoff. Huawei is not recycling parts or using "white label" plans. It's all made and designed by the company, and it feels it.

Whether Huawei can compete with Dell, HP, and even Microsoft remains to be seen, but so far, I think it has a fighting chance, and the MateBook X is worth your consideration.

Pros:

• Ridiculously thin and light.
• Very good display with small screen bezels.
• Best audio and speakers of any PC.
• Handy fingerprint reader and power button combo.
• Quality SSD and processor.
• Quiet experience due to no CPU fan.

Cons:

• Battery life is only OK.
• CPU throttles under extended heavy load due to no fan.
• Trackpad has a slight rattle.
• No Thunderbolt 3 support.
• Price may be off putting for some.

Nearly one year ago, Huawei jumped into the Windows 10 pool with its MateBook 2-in-1 tablet PC. The gorgeous device brought a premium and thin design that was seriously lacking in the tablet space.

In fact, in my 2016 MateBook in-depth review, I called it my favorite Windows 10 tablet partially due to the excellent display and unique keyboard folio cover. That's why I'm super excited that Huawei is refreshing the MateBook – now called MateBook E – for 2017, with some updated hardware and keyboard refinements.

Huawei MateBook E full tech specs

More MateBook E details

The biggest change is that the keyboard now has chicklet-style keys instead of the larger, adjacent ones, which makes typing easier.

There is also a Core m5 (Y-series), as well, in addition to the Core m3, and both are refreshed "Kaby Lake" processors.

As usual, Huawei is including the MateDock 2 and USB-C to USB-A cable in the box (in some markets), which lets the MateBook E turn into a more robust PC. There is also the optional MatePen with 2,048 levels of pressure.

Finally, that wonky keyboard folio has been reworked, as well, now offering a less floppy experience. The new hinge looks quite amusing, and it should make using the MateBook E in laptop mode much more enjoyable.

Look for the refreshed MateBook E to hit shelves in July. And like the newly announced MateBook X Premium Ultrabook, we plan to review this new 2 in 1 sometime in June. So stick around.

Today, Huawei announced a brand-new addition to its MateBook line, the MateBook X. Pushing beyond the tablet space into the premium Ultrabook one, Huawei is making waves with this exceptionally designed PC.

The MateBook X weighs just 2.3 lbs (1.05 kg) with razor-thin display bezels that are only 4.4 mm wide. Even better, the 2160 x 1440 non-touch IPS display is in the 3:2 aspect ratio, like Microsoft's Surface line.

Perhaps the biggest news about the MateBook X is what you can't see: cooling vents. The dual-core Intel Core i5-7200U and i7-7500U processors are completely fanless, one of the first examples of this we have seen in a modern laptop.

The all-metal chassis comes in three colors including space gray, prestige gold, and rose gold (China only).

Huawei MateBook X full tech specs

Additionally, the MateBook X is the first laptop to support Dolby Atmos Sound System. Going beyond just software optimizations, the MateBook X's audio hardware was co-designed with Dolby to achieve unprecedented sound, according to Huawei.

More details on MateBook X

MateBook X has a Window Hello-enabled fingerprint reader right in the power button. That's interesting because you only need to press it once – to power on the device – and the laptop "remembers" your fingerprint, logging you into Windows 10 automatically. Most Windows 10 laptops with fingerprint readers are dual-stage: you press the power button, and then wait for login screen and use the fingerprint reader. That process is now just one step with the MateBook X.

In my time with the MateBook X, I came away very impressed. It's light and exquisitely built, and Huawei made all the right decisions, including a large Precision touchpad. One drawback: The two USB Type-C ports do power and data but are not Thunderbolt 3 capable.

The MateBook X is expected to go sale in July in six countries including the U.S. and UK. Pricing starts at about $1,572 (€1,399) for the Core i5 version with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, and it goes up to $1,900 (€1,699) for the Core i7 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

We plan to review the MateBook X later in June, so stay tuned.

If a new batch of leaked images is to be believed, Huawei has 3 new MateBook models in the works as a follow-up to last year's 2-in-1. Revealed on Twitter by prolific leaker Evan Blass, the images show off the Windows 10-powered MateBook E, MateBook X, and MateBook D.

Each model in the leak looks pretty sleek, but of the 3, the MateBook E is the only one that carries a detachable form factor similar to the original MateBook. Both of the other models pictured go a different direction, featuring a more traditional notebook design.

As far as specs are concerned, things are a little harder to pin down. Roland Quandt of Winfuture recently discovered a benchmark from what could be the MateBook X — codenamed Pascal — on Geekbench. From the details, we can gather at least that the laptop will be offered with at least Intel's Kaby Lake Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 15-inch screen. It's likely that the other models will feature Kaby Lake processors as well.

There's no word on when we might expect these new MateBooks to break cover, but it likely won't be too much longer.