Huawei CBG CEO Richard Yu describes the new Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 as “lighter than light”. The new laptop weighs only 980g (2.16lbs), some 30% lighter than the slender 2023 model. It’s quite thin too, measuring only 13.5mm.
Despite shaving off so much weight, the laptop is more powerful than ever – the new Intel Ultra 9 (185H) processor is 60% faster overall than the Core i7 (1360P) that was inside the 2023, with the new Arc GPU doubling the performance of its predecessor.
The X Pro can be configured to your budget. The base model starts with an Ultra 7 processor (155H), 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, which costs CNY 11,000 ($1,520/€1,420/₹130,000) after a small discount. Upgrading to 32GB RAM is CNY 1,500 extra, while the top-specced model with a Core Ultra 9, 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD goes for CNY 15,000. The laptop is currently in a pre-sale, but proper sales will start soon (April 18th for the base model).
Like before, this is a 14.2” laptop. However, the IPS LCD display is now an OLED running at 120Hz (up from 90Hz) and boosting to 1,000 nits brightness (double what the LCD could do). This is with 1,440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. The display renders 10-bit colors at 3,120 x 2,080px resolution. The display supports touch input (up to 10 fingers), but there is a large trackpad too, of course.
The new Ultra processors from Intel come with AI accelerators, which are roped into running the Pangu AI model, which can do things like generate subtitles on the fly (for movies but also video calls), take down notes you dictate to it and more.
The Huawei MateBook X Pro runs on a 70Wh Li-Po battery that supports 140W fast charging. If your battery dies in the middle of the day, plugging it in for 10 minutes is enough to last 3 hours on the go.
Charging is done over USB-C. For connectivity, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6 (ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. The web cam does 1080p video and works in tandem with 4 microphones and 6 speakers.
The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 is available in Inkstone Black, White and Clear Blue Snow. With the Ultra 9 processor boosting up to 40W, this laptop promises to be lighter than an Apple MacBook Pro 14 while being lighter than the MacBook Air.
The company also unveiled the Huawei FreeBuds Lipstick 2. If you’re not familiar with the previous model, a lipstick-shaped charging case houses a pair of TWS buds. The case has decorative engraving and you can even attach a lanyard to hook it up to your bag (kind of makes it look like a purse).
The buds are certified for Hi-Res Audio Wireless and support L2HC and LDAC codecs (up to 990kbps, 96kHz at 24-bit audio). They can reproduce sound as low as 16Hz.
The buds are rated IP54 for protection against rain and splashes of water. The battery life is normally 5 hours, 3.5 hours with ANC enabled. Fast charging is available and 5 minutes in the carrying case are enough for 2 hours of listening.
The Huawei FreeBuds Lipstick 2 are on pre-sale at CNY 1,700 ($235/€220/₹19,500). They are available in String White and Phantom Black.
Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
