Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021) review: Another minor refresh has this former leader falling behind the competition
Source: Windows Central
Nosotros last saw the Huawei MateBook X Pro in 2022, when Executive Editor Daniel Rubino gave information technology a glowing v-star review. Though we skipped the 2022 model, Huawei hasn't stopped and now offers a 2022 version that I have in for testing. It's sporting new 11th Gen Intel Cadre hardware with Iris Xe integrated graphics, faster ports, Wi-Fi 6, updated cooling arrangement, and more. I've been using it regularly to see where it excels and where it falls short.
Huawei MateBook X Pro
Bottom line: The MateBook X Pro coasts into 2022 with a lot of familiar features and design choices. Information technology's still a high-end Ultrabook with a gorgeous display, but it needs a bigger refresh for the next generation to proceed it from getting truly stale.
Pros
- High-finish 3:ii display is gorgeous
- Rigid aluminum body in two colors
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports
- No bloatware
- Loftier-finish audio, camera quality
Cons
- Touchpad takes some getting used to
- Pop-up camera has a bad bending
- No microSD carte reader
- Limited availability in some regions
- Multi-core performance doesn't impress
Huawei MateBook Ten Pro (2021): Price, availability, and specs
Source: Windows Central
Huawei supplied Windows Primal with a review unit of measurement of the MateBook 10 Pro for 2022. It has within an 11th Gen Intel Cadre i7-1165G7 processor (CPU), though yous tin can also become a Cadre i5-1135G7 model. The CPU is accompanied by 16GB of soldered RAM (8GB is likewise bachelor) and a 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD). Storage is also available in 512GB from the mill; information technology tin be upgraded afterwards purchase. The aluminum chassis comes in both Emerald Light-green and Space Grey colors.
The MateBook Ten Pro is primarily available in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. On Amazon United kingdom, the 2022 flagship starts at about £1,300.
Yous can find some models on eBay starting around $1,790, and y'all might one day find models available on third-party U.S. retailers similar Amazon. The 2022 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 K.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Display | 13.9 inches 3000x2000 3:two attribute ratio Touch, IPS 450 nits, glossy |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-A 3.ii three.5mm audio |
| Audio | Quad speakers Dual microphones |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Camera | Front-facing 720p Keyboard pop-upwardly |
| Keyboard | Backlit |
| Touchpad | Precision |
| Security | Fingerprint reader |
| Battery | 56Wh |
| Dimensions | xi.97 x viii.54 x 0.57 inches (304mm x 217mm x 14.6mm) |
| Weight | 2.93 pounds (ane.33kg) |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Emerald Light-green |
Huawei MateBook Ten Pro (2021): What I like
Source: Windows Central
The overall design of the 2022 MateBook X Pro isn't much different from the 2022 version nosotros last reviewed. Information technology's an aluminum build that'due south quite thin at just 0.57 inches (14.6mm), made to expect even slimmer thanks to tapered bottom edges. Information technology's a striking exterior look that rivals that of the XPS 13 9310. The metal frame has it pegged at virtually ii.93 pounds (one.33kg); you tin slide this PC into a backpack or messenger and forget it'southward there. The Emerald Dark-green finish is quite snazzy; it's likewise available in Space Gray.
The best Ultrabooks have all generally seen a decline in port variety as they've slimmed down. Nothing unlike here with the MateBook Ten Pro; information technology's nevertheless sporting dual USB-C, three.5mm sound, and USB-A 3.ii. At least both USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 4, which is as practiced as it gets right at present in terms of speed and versatility. The only thing lacking here that I'd similar to run into is a microSD card reader.
Source: Windows Central
The laptop'southward 3:2 affect display is still the laptop'southward most prominent feature. Information technology has inappreciably any bezel at all, hit a 91% screen-to-trunk ratio. There'due south just enough room below for the mentum to bear witness off the Huawei text logo, simply that'southward it. Information technology has a boosted 3000x2000 resolution that's incredibly crisp, also equally 467 nits peak effulgence as tested. This helps reduce glare on the glossy finish.
Measuring colour accurateness with a SpyderX Pro colorimeter, I got dorsum 97% sRGB, 75% AdobeRGB, and 74% DCI-P3. These results could exist a bit better, but it's actually difficult to complain most this display. It's a pleasance to encounter each time I open the laptop's lid.
Source: Windows Primal
Quad speakers make up the MateBook X Pro'southward sound 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 ii downwardly-firing speakers near the bottom forepart of the PC is clear and loud. It's some of the best audio I've heard from a laptop this size.
The MateBook X Pro's sound is all the same some of the best available in an Ultrabook this size.
The keyboard is mostly comfy, and using it for all-day typing didn't pose whatsoever major problems. Keys are pleasantly firm and accept nearly ane.2mm of travel. In that location'south a backlight to help with working in low-light weather condition. My two complaints hither are a lack of navigation keys (PgUp, PgDn, Home, Stop) and a half-size Shift key on the left side. As someone who ignores the correct Shift key, information technology took some getting used to. A fingerprint reader is congenital into the power push just above the keyboard. It works as information technology should with Windows Hullo for quick and convenient logins.
Wi-Fi six is now included for faster, more reliable wireless internet, and Bluetooth v.1 is at that place for wireless accessories. Huawei Share, which was introduced in the 2022 model, is nonetheless around. If you have a Huawei telephone, you can chop-chop and easily connect it to the laptop via NFC and Wi-Fi. In one case connected, you tin drag and drop files betwixt devices, you lot can answer voice and video calls on your laptop, you can tape your PC's screen on your phone, you can open and edit telephone files on your PC, and more. The drawback is that it merely works with Huawei hardware.
Source: Windows Central
The discrete NVIDIA MX GPU is at present 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 2022 MateBook 10 Pro. My model's Core i7-1165G7 CPU isn't every bit 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 volition want to be wary.
I certainly didn't notice whatsoever slowdowns while using the PC for heavy spider web browsing, spreadsheets, Photoshop, give-and-take processing, email, and streaming. It gets a bit hot on the bottom, simply the aluminum dispels heat well. And despite how sparse the laptop is, the dual-fan cooling setup didn't run noticeably loud at any time.
Check out how the MateBook 10 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 pick to upgrade after buy. Unfortunately, RAM is soldered. Be sure to get exactly what you need from the manufacturing plant. Bombardment life is pegged at nearly eight hours real-world time, which is decent for something with a "3K2K" brandish resolution. To compare, the HP Spectre x360 fourteen with OLED 3K2K display lasted about 7 hours real-world time.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): What I don't like
Source: Windows Cardinal
The MateBook X Pro is tough to dislike. Information technology has an impeccable build, it has an attractive display, and many of its smaller features (similar speakers) are peak notch. However, some of the same issues we experienced with previous MateBook X Pro models are however 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 even so housed beneath a pop-upwards key in the keyboard. While this does provide some privacy, the angle at which information technology records is unpleasant. The camera offers clear picture quality, merely no one wants to see upward your nose. This design choice needs to exist reworked for the side by side generation. I also promise to see the one-half-size Shift key on the left side get a rework.
Source: Windows Central
The touchpad is enough big, and it nevertheless uses Precision drivers. However, instead of moving parts and a concrete 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 tiptop 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. Information technology'southward no doubt something I'd have to go used to over fourth dimension, and I suspect many people will be in the same situation.
Availability in the U.Due south. and Canada is the final drawback to the MateBook Ten Pro. If you're currently looking to buy in these regions, yous'll take to turn to eBay where prices are higher up listing. I don't know what the future holds in terms of availability, but as it stands at present you'll have a difficult time getting your hands on i for a reasonable price.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Competition
HP ENVY 14. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The MateBook X Pro sits in a 14-inch class that'southward seen some heady recent releases. The HP ENVY 14 is a pinnacle 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 fantabulous performance, and it has a ton of ports. It's non as compact every bit the Ten Pro, but information technology's still a beautiful motorcar. Battery life is excellent, the camera is where it should exist, and the keyboard and touchpad are corking. Prices start at about $950 and there are enough of configuration options bachelor.
The XPG Xenia 14 is another PC I recently reviewed. It'due south the way to become if you lot desire an extremely low-cal Ultrabook with a ton of features. Information technology has a 14-inch brandish with 16:ten aspect ratio, enormous touchpad and comfortable keyboard, upgradeable RAM and PCIe 4.0 SSD, and an IR photographic camera to a higher place the display. Prices showtime at about $i,100 for a Cadre i5-1135G7 model.
If you're looking for a convertible PC, the HP Spectre x360 fourteen should be near the top of your list. You go a 13.five-inch touch display with up to a 3000x2000 resolution and OLED panel, awesome speakers, stiff performance and decent bombardment life, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It'due south our pick for the all-time Windows laptop right now. Prices first at $ane,200 and there are tons of configuration options available.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021): Should you buy information technology?
Source: Windows Central
Who it's for
- Those who are invested in the Huawei mobile ecosystem
- Those who want a high-res touch on display with iii: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 photographic camera angle
- Those who don't desire to pay more listing price (in U.S. and Canada)
- Those who want the best performance possible
Whereas the MateBook 10 Pro was ahead of a lot of laptops in 2022 (the last time nosotros 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 popular-upwardly photographic camera no longer makes any sense (if information technology ever did), the poor availability in certain regions but frustrates those who want to invest in the Huawei ecosystem, and the touchpad and keyboard nevertheless need some tweaking to go things just right. Operation is also not where I was expecting it to exist, and those who need the most power possible will no doubtfulness want to await elsewhere.
The positive aspects from previous generations are nonetheless present. The loftier-res bear on display is still exceptional, and its 3:2 aspect ratio continues to please. The overall chassis design is flawless, and I dearest the Emerald Green color. At that place's no bloatware installed, and the Huawei Share app is undoubtedly handy if you lot're into Huawei'due south 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), information technology'south no dubiousness 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 encounter what Huawei does for the side by side generation earlier considering an upgrade. If you're walking into the MateBook X Pro lineup completely fresh, be sure to have a long look at the contest from other brands earlier making a final decision.
Huawei MateBook 10 Pro (2021)
Bottom line: The MateBook Ten Pro coasts into 2022 with a lot of familiar features and pattern choices. It's even so a high-end Ultrabook with a gorgeous display, simply it needs a bigger refresh for the next generation to continue information technology from getting truly stale.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/huawei-matebook-x-pro-2021-review
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