Barcelona: Huawei, after becoming the third-largest smartphone manufacturer, is focusing on the tablet segment to take on Apple and Samsung.
The Chinese company launched its first two-in-one Windows tablet known as MateBook.
The 12-inch device comes with a keyboard case, a really good battery life and a great display.
Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, said that Huawei has successfully channelled its comprehensive experience and excellence in building premium mobile products into the needs of the modern business environment by introducing a highly efficient device, seamlessly capable of integrating work and entertainment functions.
He defines MateBook as a mobile productivity tool that seamlessly integrates mobility, high efficiency, work and entertainment.
With minimal embellishment and a sleek appearance, the device boasts high-quality aluminium unibody and features a strong protective body with an ultra-low weight of just 640 grams.
It is lighter than 713 grams iPad Pro and 766 grams Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4.
The device features a sixth Generation Intel Core M-series dual-core processor up to 3.1GHz speed, from 4GB to 8GB RAM, and from 128GB to 512GB storage capacity.
Yu said that the keyboard features a 1.5mm keystroke and a chiclet keycap design, which allows for larger key surfaces to minimise typing errors. The built-in touchpad uses multi-touch technology that supports smooth and precise finger movements, combining comfort and utility.
Huawei was the only tablet maker last year to record a growth when other manufacturers recorded a negative growth, including Apple and Samsung, and were struggling in the slowing market. Huawei recorded a year-on-year growth of more than 116 per cent.
“This is an exciting time for Huawei to enter the market with its powerful new MateBook,” said Kirk Skaugen, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Client Computing Group, Intel Corporation.
“By designing with the Intel Core m processor, Huawei is delivering a premium 2-in-1 experience that offers a compelling combination of mobility combined with full PC productivity. We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Huawei in this growing 2-in-1 market.”
The MateBook has an ultra-narrow frame and a screen-to-body ratio of 84 per cent. The screen boasts a resolution of 2160x1440 and a 160-degree wide angle for an immersive experience.
The accompanying MatePen stylus offers 2,048 levels of sensitivity with zero delay. It also supports graphics and mathematics functions, and can be used as a laser pointer for delivering presentations.
“Our collaboration with Huawei offers consumers a new way to experience Windows 10 on a beautifully designed device,” said Peter Han, Vice-President, Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Huawei appreciates how consumers want to interact with devices, and is bringing a fresh perspective to this space. Our relationship with Huawei is a great example of the growing ecosystem of premium portable Windows 10 devices.”
Yu said that MateBook is the first device to have a fingerprint scanner on the side of the device and supports 360-degree sensitive identification, the fastest in the industry. Different fingerprints can be used for multiple accounts.
The MateBook will be available in Asia, Europe and North America in the coming months and will be available in two elegant colors: grey and golden.
The Matebook is priced between 799-1,799 euros depending on the processor and specs while the keyboard case is priced at 149 euros and the MatePen sells for 69 euros.
