Huawei introduced its very first sleek and stylish 2-in-1 Windows 10 device named MateBook at the 2016 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which tries to take on Surface Pro.
This 12-inch tablet touts a stunning design and comes packed with a slew of clever features and specs that revolve around productivity. MateBook also comes equipped with a noteworthy battery life, a keyboard case and a remarkable display.
Display
The device's 12-inch LCD display sports a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440. Huawei says MateBook's screen takes up 84 percent of the tablet's face. The Verge says that although the device does not sport the most dazzling screen, photos and text, however, "look sharp and the colors are bright."
Battery Life
In terms of MateBook's battery life, Huawei promises that its battery will last up to nine hours of video playback or up to 13 hours of lighter use.
Keyboard Case
This $129 keyboard is water-resistant and has large, wide keys. This keyboard includes a glass trackpad, which is said to perform really well. On top of that, the keyboard case has an elegant leather finish that looks expensive, perfect for users who like to show off their gadgets at meetings.
However, The Verge believes that its keys don't feel equally good. It also adds that the keyboard "still flexes and bounces in the middle when you type with any force."
Ars Techica's Mark Walton, in the meantime, says the issue with the tablet's keyboard is there is no spacing between the keys.
"I'd actually prefer slightly smaller keys in order to allow for more space, which would help massively with typing," he says.
Walton also adds that he likes how the keyboard case folds up entirely around the MateBook as it protects the device from bumps and scratches.
Stylus
Its stylus, called MatePen, features 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. This accessory, which is sold separately, could be useful for digital artists. The MatePen also has a laser at its back suited for meeting presentation. Moreover, this stylus also has an eraser function.
Fingerprint Sensor
Unlocking this device is easy-peasy, as it has an embedded fingerprint sensor.
USB Type-C Port
Another notable feature of the tablet is its USB Type-C Port used for transferring data and for charging.
The device also comes with more connectivity ports such as Ethernet, HDMI and VGA. Huawei will also sell a dock adapter for the device.
Other Specs
This device runs Home and Pro editions of Windows 10. Last month, a rumor emerged which suggested that the hybrid PC from Huawei will run both Windows 10 and Android OS with EMUI.
Consumers are given the option to choose from an Intel Core M3, M5 or M7 processor. The internal storage is 128 GB up to 512 GB. Customers can pick from either a 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM.
Its front-facing camera rocks 5 megapixels, although, the MateBook has no back camera.
Release Data And Price
This 2-in-1 device is poised to be rolled out in Europe, Asia and North America "in the coming months." Word has it, however, that it will be released in these regions of the globe sometime next month.
The price starts at $699 up to $1,599. Meanwhile, the MatePen, keyboard case and Matedock will cost $59, $129 and $89, respectively.
Walton believes that the MateBook is "more than good enough to take on Surface." In fact, "in some ways, it's actually better."
