Review: Huawei’s MateBook X Pro falls behind with another minor refresh
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
Pros
- High-end 3:2 display is gorgeous
- Rigid aluminum body in two colors
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports
- No bloatware
- High-end audio, camera quality
Cons
- Touchpad takes some getting used to
- Pop-up camera has a bad angle
- No microSD card reader
- Limited availability in some regions
- Multi-core performance doesn’t impress
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Price, availability, and specs
Source: Windows Central
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.
Category | Spec |
---|---|
OS | Windows 10 Home |
Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 4 cores, 8 threads Up to 4.70GHz |
RAM | 16GB DDR4-3733MHz Soldered |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
Storage | 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
Display | 13.9 inches 3000×2000 3:2 aspect ratio Touch, IPS 450 nits, glossy |
Ports | Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-A 3.2 3.5mm audio |
Audio | Quad speakers Dual microphones |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 |
Camera | Front-facing 720p Keyboard pop-up |
Keyboard | Backlit |
Touchpad | Precision |
Security | Fingerprint reader |
Battery | 56Wh |
Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.54 x 0.57 inches (304mm x 217mm x 14.6mm) |
Weight | 2.93 pounds (1.33kg) |
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Emerald Green |
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): What I like
Source: Windows Central
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.
Source: Windows Central
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.
Source: Windows Central
The MateBook X Pro’s audio is still some of the best available in an Ultrabook 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.
Source: Windows Central
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.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): What I don’t like
Source: Windows Central
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.
Source: Windows Central
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
HP ENVY 14.Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
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 3000×2000 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?
Source: Windows Central
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.
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