Huawei MateBook 13 laptop review: pros and cons

Modern technology is developing at an avalanche rate. Super-productive hardware is no longer surprising, as well as flashy design. However, there are devices that are able to show a good balance of price, characteristics and appearance, which makes you think and take a closer look at them. One of the manufacturers trying to create something new and unique is Huawei, which has a number of its own developments with unique qualities.

At the very end of 2018, the organization released its latest laptop - Huawei MateBook 13. The device immediately fell in love with the public, due to the original combination of equipment, thoughtful ergonomics and pleasant appearance.

The developers tried to create a worthy competitor to Apple products, which, according to experts, turned out brilliantly.

Design and ergonomics

A modern gadget requires a unique design - this is a prerequisite for new fashion trends.

The device immediately catches the eye on store shelves due to its attractive appearance. The laptop will definitely appeal to lovers of brevity in everything.

The aluminum case, presented in several colors, is a delight to the eye. The top cover is metal, completely smooth, the only exception is the glossy manufacturer's logo placed in the center of the panel.

The only violation of the aluminum shell is the plastic cover of the mounting hinges that connect the device together. At the same time, the density of the connection is selected optimally, which allows you to perform the procedure with one hand.

The side faces are monolithic, with two interspersed USB Type - C and a headphone jack. The second highlight is the smooth cutout for more comfortable lifting of the lid.

The lower part of the case has no holes, which indicates the use of a passive cooling system. For ease of use, there are four special rubber pads on the surface that prevent slipping on smooth surfaces.

In general, the laptop gives the impression of a very high-quality product, the metal covers are of sufficient thickness - the case does not bend under pressure.

Inside is a 13-inch screen with thin bezels, a full keyboard and a comfortable touchpad. When using the input device, there is no discomfort - the elements are located in good places, which does not require additional movements. The power button is located slightly above the DELETE key and is firmly pressed to prevent accidental pressing. Additionally, there is a fingerprint scanner, which can also be considered an advantage of the design. There is a full backlighting of the keys with two gradations.

The scanner itself has been improved at a high level, its combination with a mechanical button does not affect the work in any way. In terms of speed and accuracy, the unit is comparable to similar ones on smartphones.

The modest dimensions of the unit are worthy of special mention. With a screen of 13.3 inches, the size of the machine reaches 304x217x14.6 millimeters. This makes it possible to easily carry the device in a backpack or women's bag.And the minimum weight of 1330 grams ensures that the gadget will not interfere too much on the road.

Screen

Huawei's product is equipped with a 13.3-inch IPS matrix with a resolution of 2160x1440 pixels. The PPI number is 200, which is a very high figure for a laptop. The unique aspect ratio of 3: 2 is unusual for laptops, and gives the device some uniqueness. This aspect ratio guarantees maximum comfort while working with documents or surfing the Internet. The only drawback of the design is the inconvenient positioning of the screen while watching movies - the video does not completely occupy the screen, black bars appear in the upper and lower parts.

Regarding the transfer of shades, everything is done according to the first category - there is a rich gamma, a variable brightness margin is sufficient both for night work and for operation in the sun. The picture does not fade much, even in very intense lighting.

The second important quality is the absence of an air gap between the protective glass and the matrix, which minimizes glare, and the limiting viewing angles are close to maximum.

The overall impression of the screen is generally positive. Many devices with a higher price tag cannot convey the spectrum that the Huawei MateBook 13 shows.

Sound

The integrated acoustics are located directly above the keyboard buttons. This position ensures that the sound is directed directly towards the user, no matter what surface the device is on.

Quality speakers from Dolby Atmos provide decent sound quality. The elements are powerful enough for listening to music or watching movies. At peak loads, a surround sound effect appears, which is unexpected with the minimum thickness of the device.

Power section

The inexpensive device is well-designed for its value. Sufficient performance helps out very well when working with demanding applications, and even suits modern games.

Processor and memory

In the top-end configuration, the processor core of the laptop is built on the basis of the Intel Core i7 7500U chip, the maximum frequency of which is 3.5 GHz. The system is supplemented with 8 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD is used as a solid state drive.

The integrated video card Intel HD Graphics 620 is responsible for video processing, which is powered by RAM.

Looking at the most modern competing devices, this stock may seem small. However, you should pay attention to the low cost and minimal dimensions.

Another important point lies in the purpose of the gadget - working with a file manager, office programs, Internet surfing, viewing media content. The developers did not set ultra-high performance as the basis for development. Low energy consumption and high mobility are the priorities. What the gadget copes with fully.

Cooling

The passive laptop cooling system is worthy of special mention. Compared to the competition, this system works just fine - four copper tubes effectively dissipate the heat emitted by the processor.

The arrangement of the cooling elements is thought out to the smallest detail - excess heat is removed to the desired areas and dissipated there. An additional bonus of this design is the complete absence of noise during the operation of the gadget.

During operation, the processor temperature does not rise above 70 degrees Celsius, and the body becomes warm. At high loads, trolling or core overheating is not observed. It is not yet known how the design will show itself after several months of work, but the first impression is positive.

Software

In addition to the Windows 10 operating system, additional software is installed from the factory. Here is the Matebook Manager, a program designed to make it easy to install, replace or update drivers. Secondary options are the ability to perform backups, obtain additional information, and control energy consumption.

There is also a proprietary application for adjusting the audio accompaniment, additional extensions for calibrating screen colors, controlling the protective mechanism for the eyes.

Connections

The complete list of physical device connections is limited to two USB Type-C and one 3.5mm Mini Jack. This number of input devices is quite enough for coexistence with modern devices; a conflict may arise with the operation of less advanced technologies. But the manufacturer has foreseen this fact, the kit includes an adapter for a regular USB flash drive and an additional USB output.

With virtual interfaces, everything is much easier. The laptop is equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter and Wi-Fi module, which provides the necessary versatility. There is no port for connecting wired Internet in the design.

Camera

The integrated webcam is positioned classically - directly above the screen. The working resolution of the optics is 5 MP, which is more than enough for online conferences or negotiations, the software of the element is standard.

Battery

The standard battery of the device is rated for 8 hours of operation at an average load. Testing of the gadget was carried out in office mode with a package of standard applications. The Li-Po battery capacity is 5449 mAh, which is sufficient considering the dimensions and size of the display.

The device recharging system is worthy of special mention. The standard charger unit is made in a mobile form factor - minimal dimensions and a detachable cord 1.7 meters long, you can carry it in your pocket.

A separate proprietary 40 W charger can be used for smartphones with USB Type-C connectors during fast charging.

Important! The laptop can be charged only through the left output, the right one is intended exclusively for work processes.

• high quality body materials;
• overall system performance;
• miniature dimensions;
• long time of autonomous functioning.

• it is impossible to increase the amount of RAM;
• lack of standard I / O ports.

Outcome

Huawei is clearly making progress in its work. The latest product, the MateBook 13, is a true testament to this. High performance, attractive design and solid build, combined with reasonable cost, signifies great progress for the organization.

For convenience, all technical characteristics are grouped in the table: