Preorders are now open for Huawei’s MateBook two-in-one convertible notebook computer, which is scheduled to go on sale in the United States and Canada starting July 11 for $699 to $1,559, depending on configuration.
The MateBook, Huawei’s first two-in-one, features a 12-inch display and runs on Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system. The machines, which are also Huawei’s first Windows 10 portables, can be preordered through Microsoft Stores or online at microsoftstore.com. The devices will also be available through Amazon.com and Newegg.com starting in mid-July, according to Huawei.
Huawei announce the MateBook line on Feb. 21 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, according to an earlier eWEEK story.
The machine, which is also slated for distribution in Asia and Europe, is available with a wide range of sixth-generation Intel Core m3, m5 or m7 processors in speeds up to 3.1GHz as well as RAM configurations of 4GB to 8GB of LPDDR3 memory and solid-state disk (SSD) storage from 128GB to 512GB. The MateBook line is fanless for noise-free operation.
The MateBook includes a 12-inch IPS touch-screen display with a resolution of 2,160-by-1,440, as well as 160-degree wide-angle viewing capabilities. The device is built around an aluminum unibody for strength and lightness and includes a 4,430mAh battery, promising users up to about nine hours of work time, nine hours of Internet use or 29 hours of music playback, according to Huawei. The machine also includes power-saving technology and can be fully charged in 2.5 hours or reach a 60 percent charge in one hour.
Also included is a 5-megapixel fixed-focus front camera, a touch-pad input system, dual digital microphones and dual speakers. The tablet is 10.97 inches wide, 7.64 inches deep and 0.27 inches thick, and it weighs about 1.41 pounds.
For user security, the MateBook tablet includes a fingerprint reader that supports 360-degree sensitive identification for accuracy. The fingerprint reader is designed for one-touch unlocking.
Several optional accessories are available to complement the MateBook, including a MatePen stylus that can capture a user’s personal handwriting style with its 2,048 levels of sensitivity, according to Huawei. In addition, the stylus supports graphics and mathematic functions, and can be used as a laser pointer for delivering presentations. Also being offered are a detachable MateBook Portfolio Keyboard and a MateDock docking station.
Connectivity for the MateBook comes through WiFi 802.11, MIMO and Bluetooth 4.1 protocols.
The device also includes wireless data transfer capabilities that allow drag-and-drop document transfer to and from Android smartphones, according to the company.
The MateBook will be available in gray or gold colors.
A MateBook equipped with a sixth-generation Intel Core m3 processor, 4GB of memory and a 128GB SSD drive will be priced at $699, while a device equipped with an Intel Core m5 processor, 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD drive will be priced at $999. A MateBook with an Intel Core m7 processor, 8GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage will be priced at $1,599.
The optional keyboard will be priced at $129, while the MatePen will cost $59. The MateDock device will be priced at $89.
“Huawei MateBook has generated incredible excitement since its launch at Mobile World Congress and attracted rave reviews from technology enthusiasts around the world,” Yanyan Ji, vice president of marketing for Huawei Device USA, said in a statement. “MateBook combines the best of a tablet and laptop, and demonstrates the type of premium experience Huawei customers expect and Huawei is known for.”