Huawei MateBook E: a versatile 2-in-1 but without muscle

After the bad drink that being banned from partnering with US manufacturers meant, Chinese giant Huawei has been slow to get back on its feet. But he did, with verve and interest. Regarding its consumer businesses, the brand continues to surprise with a multiplicity of devices, mobile and fixed, as well as portable and other interesting gadgets. At the recent Mobile World Congress, for example, Huawei boasted of having the largest booth at the show.

While its line of smartphones is still alive – albeit without the vigor of times gone by – it’s its other products that have gained new vigor, such as its exciting range of personal computers, particularly those related to productivity, which will in all models and sizes.

During this year the Chinese company has shown various computing equipment, both laptops and PCs, and this week it is the turn of one of its most versatile models, the Huawei MateBook E. It it is a 2 in 1 tablet and portable—, introduced a few months ago, which features an easily removable keyboard, pencil compatibility style (strictly speaking, the Huawei M Pencil), among other interesting details. Let’s get to know him in depth.

• Dimensions : 286.5 x 7.9 x 184.7mm.
• lester : 709 g (with case, 1.15 kg)
• Filter : OLED 12.6″ 2560 x 1600 (16:10) @ 60Hz
• Processor : 11th generation Intel Core i5-113OG7 at 1.10 Ghz
• Graphic card : Intel Iris Xe graphics card
• Memory : 16 GB
• Storage : 128/516 GB SSD
• Drums : 42Wh
• Front camera : 8MP
• Rear camera : 13MP
• Operating system : Windows 11 Home Edition (64-bit)
• ports : 1 Thunderbolt/USB-C for charging, data transfer and DisplayPort connection / 1 3.5″ audio jack
• connectivity : Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.1

https://consumer.huawei.com/cl/laptops/matebook-e-2022/buy/

1,299,990

The brand’s traditional packaging and light colors are present in the Huawei MateBook E box, all accentuated by the red details of its well-known logo. Inside we find the unit but also its thick protective cover, a piece that also makes it a very practical magnetic keyboard.

The big difference with other brands is that here the accessory is included and it is appreciable, since there is no need to think about more investments or expenses. Also in the package we find the 65 watt charger and its respective USB-C cable, the classic quick start guides (has anyone read them?), as well as the warranty.

The device is a little heavy when you pick it up and use it as a tablet: 709 grams, not so light if you think that the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro, with 15 inches and more of hardware, weighs just over 1kg (and competitors’ tablets barely score 500g). With the keyboard case, in addition, the weight rises to 1.15 kg.

The screen leaves good impressions. It’s an OLED with a nice 16:10 ratio, which gives it a longer look and is ideal for vertical use as a second monitor. The color of the MateBook E is a traditional, understated dark gray, almost black (called gray nebula), which makes it look very sleek when unfolded. And when we say “unfolded”, we are referring to the default position of the device: in a horizontal position, with its magnetic keyboard attached and supported by one of the flexible parts of the back cover.

The 12.6-inch screen, halfway between a tablet and a portable– let you perform a good variety of tasks in the same screen. The utilization percentage is 90%, which is fine if it is to be used as portable. But when used as a tablet, the thin frame allows hands and fingers to cover a good portion of the visible space.

On the back we have the camera lens and its flash. Below is the brand logo. Seen in a horizontal position, on the left side, above, we find the power button, which also acts as a biometric reader, although personally it did not work as precisely as I expected. On the same side, but below, there is an always welcome 3.5″ jack input for headphones and microphones. On the other side is the USB-C / Thunderbolt input, above is the volume button and below only the magnetic clip to secure the device to the keyboard.

As a midpoint between a sturdier laptop and a lightweight, mobile experience, this type of device is personally what I feel most comfortable with, as they strike the balance desired between productivity and leisure. In this case, in addition, the MateBook E feels premium, both to the touch and inside.

The screen is right on the edge. In my opinion, a glass of less than 12 inches – this one measures 12.6 – does not justify the presence of a keyboard. But the size of the MateBook E is the minimum to be able to work comfortably, given that it covers a full keyboard, which avoids having to do more work. Often you don’t even have to reach out to touch something on the touchscreen.

This has a resolution of 2560×1600 and 240 pixels per inch, which guarantees flawless viewing of images and videos in 4K. It manages to reach 600 nits of brightness – allowing it to be seen in very bright ambient light – and, like a good OLED screen, it displays its color plate vividly and remarkably.

The screen has the Adobe RGB standard, the highest on the market in terms of color depth, and the emissive pixels of OLED technology are deactivated when displaying black content, thus achieving impressive intensity.

In fact, the Mate E is optimized for use with the M Pencil stylus, which unfortunately does not come with the equipment. But if the use is essential for the user, then of course it is worth having the accessory, even if it comes separately.

In general, writing a text, monitoring social networks, doing small editing work, listening to music or watching videos does not pose a major problem. It is when launching an application or program that requires greater intensity, such as a video game, a graphic video or image editor, that the experience can stutter and that the 16 GB of RAM are not very present.

But on a daily basis, we are doing well: the keyboard unfolds easily and achieves a good viewing angle. Personally, I enjoyed typing and moving around in Windows. Then removing the screen for something more casual, like watching videos while lying on the couch, is easy and seamless. The return to typing was instantaneous, without the need to turn anything on or off.

The touch experience was also not a problem, but with a low fixed refresh rate: only 60Hz. But the screen is responsive and allows multi-touch. Attention, yes, to fingerprint residues on the screen.

In terms of audio, nothing extraordinary: a Huawei Sound system with four speakers distributed throughout the device, which offer decent sound, although for me it was necessary and much preferable to use headphones.

In general, during the experience of use, I did not have any major problems and the result turned out to be comfortable and smooth. Sure, reaching the power button wasn’t terribly intuitive or natural, and the lack of ports – you can’t plug anything into the MateBook E while you’re charging it – or facial recognition – let’s not forget that it is a portable with screen to touch— are important details that make the difference and that should have been. And considering their price —no less than 1,299,000 pesos— we miss them very much.

On the plus side, Windows 11 added several layers of depth to the experience, especially when compared to mobile operating systems like Android or iPadOS. Less simple, perhaps, but certainly more varied and functional. Although if it is intended for intensive productive use, the MateBook E will not be the best alternative.

The rear camera does not offer any major surprises: it is effective if you think about it in the context of taking photos with a tablet, an exercise that is not very common or suitable. Its 13MP delivers vivid images that in the vast majority of cases don’t need any touch-ups or editing of any kind. If it’s discs to share on social networks or with the family, that’s fine. What’s worth noting is that the camera software offers modes for scanning barcodes, QRs, documents and more, a feature that’s appreciated.

The 8MP front camera works quite well, offering good visual feedback of who is in front, with little grain and correct color and brightness reading, always depending on the light level of the environment. This is where a facial recognition reader was once again missed, which would drop out of the box to improve the video calling experience.

The general performance of the Mate E could be described as average. The battery is of normal size for the needs it offers: although its charge is relatively fast (about an hour and a half to go from 0 to 100%), its duration does not go beyond five or six hours d continued use. And if its main focus is portability, especially given what the competition is offering – the latest MacBook Air, for a hundred thousand pesos more, gives up to 18 hours of battery life – it could have a battery more powerful.

A good detail: thanks to its heat dissipation system with fans, the device did not heat up much.

We have a beautiful and understated functional design team, which fulfills certain things of what was promised. In terms of versatility, portability and performance for a quiet day out, the Mate E doesn’t disappoint but it doesn’t impress either. Yes, with the price, which is very high, and its battery, very low for a device that claims to be portable.

Its good charger and inclusion of the case/keyboard certainly add to its appeal and flexibility, but not having blazing performance at this value takes stars off our verdict.

It’s true that there are even more expensive models from other brands, but given the specs, size, price, and alternatives available today, it might be worth shopping around a bit more before buying. choose the new Huawei MateBook E.

Note: ⭐⭐⭐★★

*Prices for products in this item are current as of August 23, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.