Huawei MateBook 13: A Premium Windows Laptop That Rivals the MacBook Air

Introduction:

In 2019, Huawei introduced the MateBook 13, a mainstream 13-inch laptop designed to compete with the recently revamped MacBook Air. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and attractive price point, the MateBook 13 aims to outclass its competitor in almost every way, except for one notable shortcoming.

Design:

The MateBook 13 draws inspiration from the MacBook Air, featuring a unibody aluminum chassis that measures just 0.59 inches thick, making it slightly thinner than the MacBook Air. However, the MateBook 13's body lacks the tapered design of the MacBook Air, resulting in a similar feel when handling both devices.

Ports and Connectivity:

Like the MacBook Air, the MateBook 13 offers two USB-C ports. However, it lacks support for Thunderbolt 3. The left port is dedicated to data transfer and charging, while the right port supports data and video output via DisplayPort. To compensate for the lack of Thunderbolt 3, Huawei includes a free MateBook Dock 2 with every system, which expands connectivity by adding VGA, USB-A, an additional USB-C, and Ethernet ports.

Keyboard and Screen:

Unlike the shallow and stiff keys found on modern MacBooks, the MateBook 13 features a standard chiclet layout with ample travel and bounce, providing a comfortable typing experience. The keyboard also integrates an elegant power button with a built-in fingerprint reader, allowing users to turn on the laptop and log into Windows with a single touch.

The MateBook 13's 2,160 by 1,440 touchscreen offers a slightly lower resolution compared to the MacBook Air's Retina Display. However, it compensates with touch support, a feature notably absent on current MacBooks. Despite initial concerns about brightness and colors, the MateBook 13's display delivers impressive performance, with a peak brightness of 356 nits, exceeding the MacBook Air's 327 nits. The ambient brightness option further enhances the viewing experience in bright environments.

Performance:

The MateBook 13 boasts superior performance compared to the MacBook Air. While the MacBook Air is limited to a dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, the MateBook 13 offers a faster quad-core chip (either Core i5 or Core i7). This makes it a more capable machine for tasks like number crunching, video editing, and even light gaming with the optional Nvidia MX 150 GPU on the Core i7 configuration.

Webcam:

Unlike the MateBook X Pro's innovative pop-up webcam, the MateBook 13 features a traditional webcam. While this may be seen as a downgrade, it provides better overall usability and reliability.

Battery Life:

The MateBook 13's proficient performance comes at the expense of battery life. Huawei claims a 10-hour battery life, but our video rundown test revealed a more modest 8 hours and 9 minutes, falling short of the MacBook Air's 9 hours and 16 minutes. However, considering the MateBook 13's overall value, this compromise may be acceptable for many users.

Value and Availability:

The MateBook 13 offers exceptional value for its price. Starting at $1,000, the Core i5 model undercuts the base MacBook Air with a more powerful processor and double the storage capacity. Compared to the Dell XPS 13 with equivalent specs, the MateBook 13 is also more affordable. Additionally, Huawei has addressed previous stock issues, ensuring convenient availability through retailers like Newegg and Amazon.

Conclusion:

The MateBook 13 may lack the brand appeal of the MacBook Air or XPS 13, but it compensates with its well-built construction, ample features, and straightforward approach to mainstream laptop design. With its impressive performance, attractive price point, and solid overall value, the MateBook 13 stands as one of the best $1,000 laptops on the market.

Specifications:

• Operating System: Windows 10

• Display: 13-inch 3:2 2160 x 1440 LCD touchscreen

• Processor: Intel Core i5-8265U CPU with integrated graphics/8GB of RAM/256GB SSD or Intel Core i7-8565U CPU with Nvidia MX 150 GPU/8GB of RAM/512GB SSD

• Security: Combo fingerprint reader/power button

• Audio: 3.5mm jack

• Ports: 2x USB-C

• Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi

• Camera: 1-MP front camera

• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0

• Keyboard: Backlit keyboard

• Battery: 41.7 Wh battery

• Dimensions: 11.26 x 8.31 x 0.59 inches

• Weight: 2.82 pounds