Huawei is back, with a 2017 MateBook E refresh! Here's a first look at the 2-in-1 tablet that's expected in July.
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
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 12-inch IPS with touch NTSC 85 percent color gamut 400 nits |
| Display Resolution | 2160 x 1440 pixels, 216 pixels per inch (PPI) |
| Software | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Seventh Gen Intel Core m3-7Y30 Seventh Gen Intel Core i5-7Y54 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) |
| Memory | 4GB or 8GB RAM 1866Mhz LPDDR3 |
| Graphics | Intel HD graphics 615 |
| Front Camera | 5.0MP camera |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium |
| Ports | One USB-C port for data synchronization and battery charging 3.5mm stereo headset jack |
| Network | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5GHz 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology |
| Battery Life | 33.7Wh, estimated nine hours of use |
| Weight | 640 g (1.41 lbs) without keyboard 1100 g (2.42 lbs) with keyboard |
| Dimensions | 6.9 mm x 278.8 mm x 194.1 mm |
| Colors | Champagne gold, and titanium gray Folio Keyboard: Blue, brown, and pink |
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.
Reader comments
MateBook E is Huawei's refreshed 2-in-1 Windows 10 tablet for 2017
I was a bit skeptical about the original MateBook until I saw it in person. It really did have a premium feel to it and the screen looked amazing.
Yeah, it's so thin and the materials used are fantastic. Really enjoy using it and glad it was successful enough to warrant a follow-up. Huawei makes cool stuff.
Looks cool to me. Is the keyboard cover weigh 500g? That's almost as weighty as the tablet itself!!
no thunderbolt 3?
Nope.
https://youtu.be/JxCUyhjwHW0
Hey Dan! This simple requires an article. You can't ignore it.
Watch from 14:00
Mixed reality on Xbox is basically confirmed from Alex himself;")
https://youtu.be/JxCUyhjwHW0
Hey Dan! This simple requires an article. You can't ignore it.
Watch from 14:00
Mixed reality on Xbox is basically confirmed from Alex himself;")
Unfortunately, the Core i5-7Y54 is actually the new name for the 7th gen Core M5. The Y in the processor name means it is the former M series. The only Y series to still carry the M branding is the Core M3. So when a Core i5/i7 has a Y in the name, it is referred to as a "rebranded Core m5/m7" with similarly less performance than an actual Core i5/i7 7200U/7500U as the previously branded 6th gen Core m5/m7.
If it was the "regular" laptop class Core i5, it would be something like Core i5 7200U.
Either way, this looks to be a great tablet!
Thanks for pointing out. Even the tech-savvy crowd can be out-smart by manufacturers' confusing marketing terms.
This is a very good point and I think it should be pointed out in the article.
The big question for me is: Can it be charged with the same battery bank I use for my phone? Surface 3 does this and it's a critical feature for me.
You know what a very learned man said to a group of us in a seminar on 'Social interactions in the web age' ? He said if you need a power bank to run your life, you have gone on to the bad place !
Why expansive?? Buy Surface 2017
Thank you Dan for your review. The more manufacturers enter the Windows 10 tablet space, the better for us. So, please do more reviews, perhaps later in the year a list of the best Windows 10 in the market? Just a thought, you probably already thought of this.
BTW, have you (Dan) had a chance to review the Lenovo Miix 720 Windows 10 tablet for Windows Central? It looks like a very good piece of kit. I wonder how it stacks up against the Surface range and others.
I hope the pen is better. i had a chance to play with iPad Pro and pencil and I'm sorry to say that it blows the SP4 pen experience. I have an SP3 but the pen is really well not that bad but could be better. I hope the new Surface pro's pen is as good or better than the pencil. I really don't want to buy the iPad Pro and Pencil but its really easy to use but really expensive. I hope this new Matebook E fits the bill. Hope Windows Central can provide a good review of the new Surface Pro and this Huawei Matebook E.
1. Is the charging voltage 12V and below? If so, then we can use USB-C Power Delivery power banks to charge it.
2. Is the pen better than the iPad Pro Pencil? (the latter is really very good)
3. Forget about Lenovo Miix 510 (Hong Kong edition). Folio keyboard does NOT come with backlight, USB-C cannot be used to charge the device and customer service will not entertain any displeasure.