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On the occasion of MWC Barcelona 2022, Huawei unveiled some interesting new PCs, including the MateBook E, an OLED computer/tablet with promising features. Having been able to take it in hand, here are our first impressions.
If the MWC of Barcelona is a show rather dedicated to smartphones, several manufacturers take the opportunity to unveil some models of laptops. This is the case of Huawei, which has just announced the MateBook E, a hybrid PC / tablet with a detachable keyboard. Called to compete with Microsoft’s Surface, the computer however brings its own specifications, in particular an Oled screen with thin borders.
The MateBook E looks like Microsoft’s Surface. © The Digital
Huawei takes on the 2-in-1
Made of magnesium, the PC is only 8 mm thick, weighing 709 g, and the finishes are impeccable. It can be accompanied by two different magnetic detachable keyboards/covers (and sold separately): a fairly basic entry-level model and another model of better quality, hinged, with a USB-C port and which has the advantage to be backlit, a rare thing on this type of computer – even if this risks affecting its overall autonomy. The 2nd generation Huawei M-Pencil stylus, which should offer very low latency (2 ms according to the manufacturer), completes the set, but again you will have to buy it separately or take advantage of a pack.
The keyboard/cover also serves as a kickstand. © The Digital
In terms of component, the Matebook E is powered by an 11th generation Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor, accompanied by 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage at most. The connection is very (too) limited since there is only one USB-C port on the edges, in addition to the mini-jack socket. In any case, we will have to check during our future tests that the heating is under control and that the performance remains stable despite the finesse of the PC.
A very nice screen
It is above all its screen that interests us since the 12.6-inch panel chosen by Huawei is an OLED model with a maximum brightness announced at 600 cd / m² and a delta E of less than 1. If the panel is confined to a Full definition HD and a refresh of 60 Hz, there is enough to obtain an excellent score for the screen part, which we will have to confirm of course during our complete test. The thin borders of the PC are of the most beautiful effect, and we already appreciate the deep blacks and the brightness of the panel.
The edges of the MateBook E are very thin.
The MateBook E could in any case prove to be an excellent companion for nomads looking for lightness, who need to work or watch content on the go. The different versions thus target various users, basic office automation oriented for the less expensive in Core i3 or creative software oriented for the model embedding a Core i7.
Its starting price is €649 with an Intel Core i3 processor (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD), then prices rise to €999 (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) and €1,199 (16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) in Core i5, to end at 1399 € for the most high-end version in Core i7 (16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD).