MWC 2019: Huawei MateBook X Pro 2019 launched with 8th gen Intel processors, OneHop share and secure fingerprint

Huawei is updating last year’s MacBook Pro-rival, the MateBook X Pro, with a faster processor, better graphics and a new fast sharing feature – aka OneHop.  The updated MateBook X Pro also gets Thunderport 3 and a maxed-out variant with 1TB storage under the hood, while keeping all the other things including the design the same. The MateBook X Pro was accompanied by a new 14-inch MateBook designed for the mainstream audience at Huawei’s pre MWC 2019 keynote event in Barcelona on Sunday. 

Visually, the MateBook X Pro looks exactly like the original – with a slim metal unibody design with diamond cut edges (which is 4.9mm at its thinnest and 14.6mm at its thickest point) and a full view display with slim bezels (Huawei claims a screen-to-body ratio of a whopping 91 per cent). The 13.9-inch MateBook X Pro has a 3K resolution (3000x2000) and 3:2 aspect ratio geared towards better productivity. The panel is LTPS with full touch screen. 

The power button doubles as a fingerprint reader and Huawei says it packs its own dedicated security chip (akin to Apple’s T2). The pop-up webcam stays put as well. There are quad speakers (two tweeters and two woofers) with support for Dolby Atmos. 

The MateBook X Pro is powered by Intel’s 8th generation Core i5-8265U or Core i7-8565U processors - 10 per cent faster than the original. There’s up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage with the Core i7 version also getting Nvidia’s MX250 discrete graphics. 

Huawei is particularly touting its new OneHop sharing tech – that allows users to transfer files between the MateBook X Pro and a Huawei phone at up to 30MB/s through NFC. The new laptop also comes with what Huawei claims to be the world’s first fingers gesture screenshot that uses a three-finger swipe to capture the screen.  

As for the the MateBook 14, it looks like a lot like the MateBook X Pro (and also the core hardware), but it has a 14-inch screen with 2160x1440 pixel resolution and no Thunderbolt 3 – it has one USB-C, one HDMI, one USB-A 3.0, and one USB-A 2.0 ports. Also, it comes with dual speakers. Huawei says the 57.4Wh battery inside the MateBook 14 is is rated to deliver up to 15 hours of video playback or 10.5 hours of web browsing.  

While the MateBook 14 starts at Euros 1,199 the MateBook X Pro starts at Euros 1,599. 

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