Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) Review: A Premium Laptop Experience Refined

In the crowded market of premium laptops, the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) emerges as a standout contender, offering a blend of cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and powerful performance. With an emphasis on portability, aesthetics, and user experience, the 2024 iteration of the MateBook X Pro aims to satisfy both professionals and creatives alike. This review will delve into the features, performance, and overall value proposition of the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024).

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) continues the brand's tradition of delivering a minimalist yet elegant design. Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, the laptop boasts a premium feel with a smooth finish that is both stylish and durable. The device is available in several sophisticated color options, including Space Gray and Emerald Green, appealing to users with a taste for modern aesthetics.

Weighing in at just 1.33 kg and with a thickness of 14.6 mm, the MateBook X Pro (2024) is incredibly portable, making it ideal for users who are constantly on the move. The laptop’s compact size does not compromise its robustness; it feels sturdy and well-built, with no noticeable flex in the keyboard or screen. Huawei has clearly prioritized a seamless, high-quality build that complements the laptop’s premium price tag.

Display: A Visual Treat

One of the most striking features of the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) is its stunning 14.2-inch LTPS display. This touchscreen panel offers a 3K resolution (3120 x 2080 pixels) with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing crisp, vibrant visuals that are perfect for both productivity and entertainment. The display supports a 100% sRGB color gamut, ensuring accurate color reproduction, which is crucial for photo and video editing tasks.

The screen-to-body ratio is an impressive 92.5%, thanks to the ultra-thin bezels surrounding the display. This design choice not only enhances the visual appeal but also maximizes screen real estate, making multitasking more efficient. The display is also touch-sensitive, allowing for intuitive interaction, particularly when used in tandem with Huawei’s ecosystem of devices.

Huawei has also equipped the MateBook X Pro (2024) with TÜV Rheinland-certified hardware, which reduces blue light emissions and flicker, making it easier on the eyes during extended use. This feature is a boon for users who spend long hours in front of the screen, such as professionals working on intensive projects or students pulling late-night study sessions.

Performance: Power Meets Efficiency

Under the hood, the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) is powered by the latest 13th-generation Intel Core processors, with options ranging from the Core i5-1340P to the Core i7-1360P. These processors, combined with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, ensure smooth multitasking and efficient performance across a variety of applications.

For storage, the laptop offers up to 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD, providing ample space and lightning-fast read/write speeds, which significantly reduces loading times for large files and software applications. The MateBook X Pro (2024) also features Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, which, while not designed for heavy gaming, are more than capable of handling graphic-intensive tasks like photo editing, light video editing, and casual gaming.

Huawei’s proprietary Shark Fin cooling system ensures that the laptop remains cool under pressure, even during prolonged use. This cooling system, combined with the efficient Intel processors, contributes to the MateBook X Pro’s impressive battery life, which Huawei claims can last up to 14 hours on a single charge. This endurance makes the laptop a reliable companion for work or travel without the constant need to seek out a power outlet.

Keyboard and Trackpad: Typing with Comfort

The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) features a backlit keyboard with a comfortable key travel of 1.3mm, providing a satisfying typing experience that is both quiet and responsive. The keys are well-spaced, making it easy to type quickly and accurately, which is essential for professionals who spend a lot of time typing reports, emails, or coding.

The large glass trackpad supports multi-touch gestures and offers precise control with a smooth surface that is pleasant to the touch. Huawei has also integrated the trackpad with gesture controls, allowing users to take screenshots, adjust volume, or control brightness with simple swipes and taps. This feature enhances productivity by enabling quick and easy access to commonly used functions.

Connectivity and Ports

Despite its slim profile, the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) does not skimp on connectivity options. The laptop is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which support ultra-fast data transfer, 4K video output, and charging. Additionally, it features two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to most users' needs for peripherals and audio connections.

For wireless connectivity, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and stable connections whether you’re streaming, downloading large files, or connecting to wireless peripherals. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E is particularly beneficial for users who work in environments with heavy network traffic, as it provides better performance and lower latency.

Software and Ecosystem Integration

The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) runs on Windows 11, offering a familiar and versatile operating system that supports a wide range of applications. Huawei has also included several of its own software enhancements, such as Huawei Share, which allows for seamless file transfer and collaboration between the MateBook X Pro and other Huawei devices, like smartphones and tablets.

The laptop also supports Huawei’s Multi-Screen Collaboration, enabling users to mirror their smartphone screen on the MateBook, drag and drop files, and even run mobile apps directly from the laptop. This level of integration within the Huawei ecosystem can significantly enhance productivity, particularly for users who own multiple Huawei devices.

Audio and Webcam

The audio quality on the MateBook X Pro (2024) is impressive, thanks to the quad-speaker setup with Huawei’s Sound technology. The speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with good bass response, making the laptop suitable for media consumption, video calls, and even some light music production.

The laptop is also equipped with a 720p HD webcam, which is neatly hidden in a pop-up key on the keyboard. While this placement may take some getting used to, it offers a degree of privacy by physically concealing the camera when not in use. The webcam quality is decent, though it may not satisfy users who require ultra-high-definition video for professional conferencing.

Conclusion: A Premium Choice for the Discerning User

The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) stands out as a premium ultrabook that delivers on multiple fronts—design, performance, display, and ecosystem integration. It’s a laptop designed for users who value portability without compromising on power or functionality. While it commands a higher price tag, the features and build quality justify the investment, particularly for professionals and creatives who need a reliable and stylish workhorse.

However, the laptop’s premium positioning also means that it may not be the best fit for users on a budget or those looking for a dedicated gaming machine. But for those in the market for a high-end, all-purpose laptop with a focus on design and productivity, the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) is certainly worth considering.