After a strategic pause under the weight of U.S. sanctions, Huawei has returned to the laptop market with the launch of its new MateBook X Pro, a significant move considering the company’s previous struggles to access cutting-edge technology due to trade restrictions. The MateBook X Pro appears to be an act of resilience and technological showcase, deploying not only the company’s proprietary HarmonyOS and its Pangu AI model but also brandishing an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, a notable partnership given the political climate.
The reintroduction of the MateBook X Pro is more than just a product launch; it’s a statement. Despite the heavy U.S. sanctions that once handcuffed its access to advanced processors, Huawei has not only endured but is evidently thriving. The laptop’s announcement indicates that consumer and business interest in Huawei’s offerings remains vigorous. This is underscored by the company’s reported 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) net profit for 2023, which marks a staggering 144% year-on-year increase.
Huawei’s decision to incorporate Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processor is not without its complexities. Intel, a U.S.-based entity, reportedly secured a license from the Trump administration to continue providing Huawei with processors despite the sanctions. This relationship is critical for Huawei, as it’s claimed that Intel supplies 90.7% of the processors for Huawei laptops, a number that has surged from 52.9% in 2020.
This partnership, however, faces external pressures. Intel’s competitors are lobbying for the revocation of the company’s permission to sell to Huawei, potentially jeopardizing this essential supply line.
Regardless, the MateBook X Pro is a powerhouse. Its light magnesium alloy chassis makes it ‘lighter than light,’ according to Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Yu Chengdong, and its specifications are impressive. The 14.2-inch OLED touch-sensitive display, up to 32GB of RAM, and options for 1TB or 2TB of NVMe PCIe storage position the MateBook X Pro as a serious contender in the high-end laptop market. Not to mention, it boasts network speeds enhanced by 40-50% and a smart sound screen solution that purportedly enriches audio precision by 200%.
Running on HarmonyOS, the MateBook X Pro embraces Huawei’s homegrown software solutions, including the touted Pangu AI, which can assist with real-time translation and content summarization, among other features. This integration of HarmonyOS is also a nod to the company’s strategy of fostering an ecosystem independent of western influence, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding access to American operating systems.
Huawei’s MateBook X Pro 2024, with pricing starting at 14,999 yuan ($2072), is a bold statement in the tech world, melding domestic innovation with strategic international partnerships.
Relevant articles:
– Huawei continues its comeback from U.S. blacklist, unveiling a new laptop with a homegrown OS and AI—and an Intel processor
– Blacklisted Huawei unveils new Intel-powered notebooks — MateBook X Pro comes armed with latest Core Ultra inside Tom’s Hardware, Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:59:12 GMT
– Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 launched with Intel Core Ultra 9 chip, Pangu AI model, and more HC Newsroom, Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:18:06 GMT