Huawei has introduced a striking new ultralight laptop that showcases impressive engineering but comes with a significant catch for most Western buyers. The MateBook Pro S weighs just 798 grams in its lightest configuration, making it approximately 35% lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air while still offering a larger display and longer battery life. The device arrives in soft pastel color options that set it apart from the standard silver and gray ultrabooks flooding the market.
Design and Display Stand Out from the Crowd
The laptop measures just 11.9mm thick despite housing a 14.2-inch OLED touchscreen with a productivity-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio. This aspect ratio provides extra vertical space for documents and web browsing, addressing a real frustration many laptop users experience. The display panel delivers 3120 x 2080 resolution at 120Hz refresh rate, reaches 1,600 nits brightness during HDR content, and covers the P3 color gamut for accurate color work.
Huawei also offers a Privacy Screen Edition that uses technology similar to Samsung’s recent privacy display implementation. A dedicated button activates privacy mode, which narrows viewing angles so only the person directly in front of the screen can see the content clearly. The laptop even includes an AI feature that detects when someone attempts to peek at your screen and notifies you accordingly. If you’re considering laptops for photo editing or sensitive work, this privacy feature deserves attention.
Performance and Battery Life Details
The MateBook Pro S runs on Huawei’s in-house Kirin XE90 processor paired with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The cooling system sustains up to 20 watts of performance, while Huawei claims the battery lasts up to 18 hours during 1080p video playback. The 66W USB-C charging adds convenience for travelers and professionals who need quick top-ups throughout the day.
The connectivity situation represents the main hardware compromise. The laptop includes only two USB-C 5Gbps ports, and just one supports 4K display output at 60Hz. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, four speakers, and six microphones round out the specifications. Both front and rear 1080p cameras provide options for video calls and content creation.
The Operating System Problem
Here is where the MateBook Pro S becomes problematic for most shoppers outside China. The device runs HarmonyOS 6.1 instead of Windows, which means it does not support traditional Windows applications that many professionals depend on daily. Huawei offers its own AI assistant, meeting transcription, cross-device controls, and a software ecosystem, but anyone with Windows workflows would need to completely rethink how they work.
Additionally, the MateBook Pro S is currently limited to sales in China. Huawei does sell Windows-based laptops across Europe and other regions, but the company has not confirmed whether this premium model will become available internationally. For those shopping for business laptops that work across borders, this remains a significant limitation.
Pricing and What It Means for Buyers
Prices start at 7,999 yuan, which converts to approximately $1,185 USD, while higher-end and collector configurations reach 14,999 yuan, or about $2,220. These prices position the MateBook Pro S squarely in the premium ultralight segment alongside MacBook Air and other flagship devices.
From a pure design and engineering perspective, the MateBook Pro S is genuinely tempting. The lightweight magnesium-alloy chassis, beautiful color options, excellent display, and impressive battery life make it one of the most appealing ultralight laptops available today. However, the HarmonyOS operating system and current China-only availability make it an impractical choice for most Western buyers at this time.
If you are exploring alternatives for gaming laptops or high-performance devices, you will likely want to wait for clarity on international availability and Windows options. For now, the MateBook Pro S remains a fascinating design exercise that highlights what is possible in ultralight laptop engineering, even if it is not the right choice for most shoppers outside China.
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