Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022 test, the 3/2 -screen ultraportable champion

The desire to offer a neat design with fine borders may explain this decision. It is far from being prohibitive, but the image turns out to be bruity. We hope Full HD for the next generation and we still remember that this webcam is compatible with Windows Hello.

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022 test: the almost perfect ultraportable

The Matebook X PRO, the ultraportable flagship of Huawei, returns in a rethought 2022 version. It aims no more or less than excellence and bets for a 12th generation Intel Core i7 and a whole new chassis.

Presentation

Presented at IFA 2022 in Berlin, the Matebook X Pro 2022 had made a strong impression on the Huawei stand. It must be said that the ultraportable Chinese brand – set back on the French smartphone market – stands out as one of its flagship products. For this 2022 version, Huawei brings a wind of renewal to its range and is not limited to the simple refresh. This iteration is an opportunity to pass on an Intel Core i7 12th generation processor and glean an EVO certification, but not only. The manufacturer has reworked its machine to give it more character and allow it to assert itself, still a little more, in the world of ultraportable.

New chassis, new configuration, Huawei seems to leave nothing to chance in this new version. Remains to be confirmed in fact and that is what we wanted to check.

Technical sheet

Available in a single configuration, the 2022 Matebook X Pro offers a high -flying technical sheet. Here is his full technical sheet:

Name	Huawei Matebook X Pro (2022)
Dimensions	310 x 221 x 15.6 mm
Weight	1.26 kg
Processor	– Intel Core i7-1260p of 12th generation
Graphics processor	– Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage	– 1 to in SSD – 16 GB of RAM (LPDDR5)
Screen	– 14.2 inch ips – Definition of 3,120 x 2,080 (264ppp) – Format 3: 2 – 92.5 % screen occupancy rate – Color range: P3 – Large vision angle at 178 °
Camera	– 720p webcam
Operating system	– Windows 11 Family
Keyboard and touchpad	– Multipoint touchpad with Free Touch technology – 1.5 mm keys stroke – Backlit Keyboard
Battery	– Lithium-polymer battery 60Wh – 90 W power adapter
Connection	– Wifi 6 – Bluetooth 5.2 – Fingerprint – 2 x Thunderbolt 4 – 2 x USB-C – 1 plug 2-in-1 of 3.5 mm: helmet and microphone – USB-A USB-C adapter
Audio	– Audio system of 6 speakers – 4 microphones
Color	– “Ink” blue
Price	– 2199.99 euros

Design and construction

From the name to design, the Matebook X Pro have never hidden their similarities with Apple MacBook Pro. The resemblance was even striking with certain versions, allowing the Chinese manufacturer to position himself as the alternative (under Windows) for apple machines.

In 2022, Huawei changed style and if the Matebook X Pro is still opposed to MacBook (Pro); He is far from being only a copy. The ultraportable seems to have found its style, betting on a new “ink” blue color which distinguishes it from the traditional metallic gray. The change is not trivial, even if some will regret, perhaps, the choice of a single color. In use, it is clear that the effect is more than successful. We will still be careful, because a scratch on this color will probably be seen more than on a gray model. This is the price to pay to stand out but the machine appears robust.

The Matebook X Pro therefore comes out of the ordinary, while retaining the codes of an ultraportable worthy of the name. The dimensions are mastered (310 x 221 x 15.6 mm), as well as the weight (1.26 kg on our scale). The manufacturing quality is also there, the machine with a new magnesium alloy chassis. Another good point, the matt finish does not collect fingerprints.

Once open, we appreciate the ultra -fine borders that allow you to fully enjoy the screen. The Matebook X Pro offers a 92.5 % screen/chassis ratio that does not have many equivalents on the market.

The slices, very thin 5 mm thick, inevitably limit the connection. There are still two USB-C ports on the right side and two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left side. This allows you to connect a lot of peripherals, provided they are in USB-C since the Matebook X Pro 2022 does not offer USB-A. Huawei still provides a USB-A USB-C adapter with his machine. On the other hand, it will be necessary to go through a new accessory to find an HDMI port.

It will be necessary to take into account the choices of the manufacturer before rushing to this ultraportable. Given the search for finesse, the manufacturer cannot be criticized for favoring limited connectors. To put on, we would still have liked Huawei directly joined his MATEDOCK as on the previous model.

To finish this overview, we note the compatibility with the last standards of the moment: the 6th wifi and the Bluetooth 5.2.

Screen

Slightly larger than its predecessor, the Matebook X Pro 2022 gratifies us with a 14.2 -inch touch screen. This is an IPS LDC slab which displays a beautiful definition (3,210 x 2,080 pixels), with a refresh rate at 90 Hz. The 3: 2 format retained by Huawei is appreciable for working, because it brings a greater height. Thus, we gain in efficiency and comfort to display office applications, navigate the web or do photo editing. On the other hand, it is not ideal for viewing multimedia content – the 16: 9 format is then more effective.

For our part, we appreciate Huawei’s choice for a “pro” stamped machine and therefore led to convince professionals. To spoil nothing, the screen offers excellent maximum brightness and beautiful colors while the 90 Hz refresh rate brings some comfort. Note that you have to go through the settings – or a keyboard shortcut – to switch from 60 Hz to 90 Hz; a good point since a high refresh rate is not always useful.

Performance

One of the flagship novelties of this model is the transition to a twelfth generation Intel Core processor. Inside this Matebook X Pro 2022, there is an Intel Core i7-1260p with 12 cores clocked at 4.70 GHz as much as possible (turbo mode). In detail, these are 4 performance cores and 8 efficient cores with a 28 W thermal envelope. Huawei adds 16 GB of RAM DDR5 and an SSD NVME of 1 TB, a promising configuration. Like many ultraportables, the possibilities of developments are reduced to the bare minimum and it is not possible to add RAM. The latter is welded to the motherboard, but it will be possible to replace the SSD and the battery.

This chip benefits from a new hybrid architecture and claims multi-core performance 60 % higher, compared to the previous generation. On the memory side, a gain of around 30 % is announced by the Chinese manufacturer. Note that the Matebook X Pro has obtained Intel Evo certification and offers two functions: a 30 W performance mode and a Super Turbo option.

With its configuration based on a Core i7-1260p, the Matebook X Pro 2022 offers very good performances. It even stands out as a reference in its segment, confirming that this Alder Lake processor has everything of the good compromise between performance and consumption. No need to fear a limitation, the machine responds even in the most demanding tasks; like photo editing or video processing.

We are more comfortable by activating this famous performance mode via the combination of FN + P keys. At first glance, we expected a marketing argument put forward by the manufacturer and we were quickly surprised. Only available when the ultraportable is connected to the mains, this mode brings additional comfort and is justified when you want to shake up the Matebook X Pro in its entrenchments.

Another positive point, the laptop heats little despite its finesse and its level of performance. Huawei mentioned the presence of a cooling system called Shark Fine Fan, which meets expectations. During office tasks – such as writing this test – ventilation is not triggered and the Matebook X Pro proves to be inaudible. He only shows himself slightly noisy when he is asked for demanding tasks, without this may disturb you.

Naturally, the Matebook X Pro 2022 is not a player and does not integrate a dedicated GPU. It will therefore be necessary to limit ourselves to unhealthy or relatively old titles and it is not so bad. Indeed, this machine is absolutely not thought of gaming. Under the hood, it is the Intel Iris Xe who leads the boat and this integrated solution is not the most swift to play.

Software, camera, audio

As with previous models, we find the Huawei software suite. It is from this solution that we access different parameters such as the performance mode or the Super Device solution. The latter offers more connectivity between the devices of the Huawei ecosystem, such as computers, tablets, screens or headphones. It is useful and rather well integrated, so tempted that you had other brand devices to take advantage of it.

If this is not really new, there is a real change on the side of the webcam and this is excellent news. Since the big starts of the series, Huawei has chosen to integrate the webcam in the keyboard. When this range arrives, the choice could be justified by the desire to offer a edge to edge screen and strengthen privacy. To use the small camera, it was enough to press a dedicated key.

However, the pandemic has been there and reminded us of how much this location offers an unflattering angle. The chin and the nose were highlighted during video calls.

On his Matebook X Pro 2022, Huawei returns to a more classic approach. The firm offers a webcam just above the screen and its integration is a success. It remains very discreet and the machine manages to keep really fine borders. A success therefore ? Not really if we are a little closer to the characteristics of this webcam. It only films in 720p and it is a little disappointing on such a machine, even when it is addressed in particular to followers of videoconferences. The manufacturer also puts this element forward by offering 4 microphones with the noise cancellation function via AI.

The desire to offer a neat design with fine borders may explain this decision. It is far from being prohibitive, but the image turns out to be bruity. We hope Full HD for the next generation and we still remember that this webcam is compatible with Windows Hello.

Ultraportables display great sound progress. The 2022 Matebook X Pro is one of the very good students in this area, thanks to its 6-speakers on the front. The audio system offers a good quality rendering, sufficiently powerful and balanced. Naturally, keep in mind that this is the audio part of a laptop and not a dedicated system.

Regarding the touchpad, it concentrates many new products with Free Touch. Huawei seeks to stand out in this area and had not failed to mention it during the IFA. The brand indicated that it had integrated the “Best touchpad ever offered on a laptop” And we can’t wait to find out. The Matebook X Pro incorporates one of the most pleasant tactile cobblestones on the market, incorporating many practical functions. From this trackpad, you can manage the brightness of the screen or the volume while the haptic return brings a real more daily. It recalls the operation of a notched wheel.

The Free Touch function also allows you to take a screenshot by typing twice with a phalanx. This is also valid for video recording (with two phalanxes) and these additions are very practical. At first glance, we tend to see it as a “gadget” function, but we quickly get into the game. If you don’t necessarily use all shortcuts, you can quickly get into the habit of patting your touchpad to make a screenshot. Fairing a classic machine allows you to realize the interest of this functionality.

Autonomy

The Matebook X Pro 2022 has a battery of 60 Wh, an honest capacity given the finesse (15 mm) and its weight (1.26 kg). This contributes to making the ultraportable easily transportable … and moderately enduring.

Indeed, it is not a reference in this area and offered us an autonomy around 8 hours. This result was obtained with common use, including a classic working day and personal use: Internet navigation, emails, social networks, videos, 50 %musical listening, connected headphones via Bluetooth, etc. This is enough for a normal day, but we should not ask him much further from the catch.

These results can be explained by the high definition of the screen and the refresh rate at 90 Hz.

The very good news is Huawei offers a fast charger with its ultraportable. This 90 W load block is a little larger than that of a smartphone and light (188 g); Which allows you to take it everywhere with you. It mainly brings an extremely fast recharge, since the Matebook X Pro recovers around 60 % of autonomy in less than thirty minutes. Allow a little more than 1 hour for a full recharge.

This efficient recharge makes it possible to forget, in part, the relatively disappointing autonomy. However, you must be able to have a socket to take advantage of it.

Price

Huawei assumes its premium positioning and offered its Matebook X Pro 2022 at more than 2,000 euros. The sole configuration is very exactly at 2,1990 euros, a substantial rate. After several days in his company, this price seems to us to justify and Huawei has the good idea to offer a 28.2 -inch Mateview screen (4K+, IPS).

With equivalent configuration, its price is close to that of its main rivals. You can cite the MacBook Air M2 (version 1 TO) of Apple and the Dell XPS 13 Plus; Without forgetting the Zenbook 14x at Asus or the ThinkPad Carbon Gen 10 by Lenovo.

Our opinion

In the Kingdom of Ultraportables, the Matebook X Pro 2022 is a prince who does not lack assets. Construction does not suffer from any defects and the 14.2 inch screen is very pleasant to use. We also appreciate the performance of its 12th generation Intel Core and its ultra-fast recharge.

Pretender to the throne, its limited autonomy and some small faults do not yet allow him to be the king. Indeed, we can hope better than a 720p webcam and a limited connection to a premium machine.

• Design and finishes
• General performance
• Screen 3: 2 Very pleasant to work
• The silence
• The touchpad and the Free Touch functions
• Quick recharge

• Retractive autonomy
• The 720p webcam
• Where has the MATEDOCK adapter passed ?

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022 test, the 3/2 -screen ultraportable champion

More responsive than the previous versions, the high -end ultraportable of Huawei remains above all the king of comfort with his 3/2 screen even more fluid (90 Hz). He draws attention with his controlled heating and his excellent keyboard/touchpad torque. His Achilles heel ? Autonomies a little just in 2022.

01net’s opinion.com

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022

• + 3/2 90 Hz 3K screen
• + Comfort of Touchpad & Keyboard
• + Excellent performance
• + Heats little and makes little noise

• – Autonomy at half mast
• – Only sockets in USB-C format
• – High price

Writing note

Note published on 05/05/2023

Technical sheet

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022

Processor	Intel Core i7-1260p
RAM	16 GB
Main storage capacity	1000 GB
Screen size	14.2 “
Graphic chip	Intel Iris Xe

See the full file

In a few years, Huawei has managed to make his Matebook X Pro what Dell did with his XPS 13: an emblematic ultraportable. Respecting the codes of its ancestors, in particular the touch screen with 3/2 ratio and a chassis all in curve, the Matebook X Pro 2022 goes further in terms of power, with an Intel Core i7-1260p processor (see more far) and continues to grams grams with a small 1.2 kg on the scale. Subjectively very pretty with its dark blue color – treated against fingerprints ! – This high -end laptop is however conservative on memory: 1TO of SSD and 16 GB.

In this area, Huawei could have been more generous, the 16 GB being the maximum available on the range for a while already. And with the explosion of web application in the browser, chrome and other firefox can sometimes be a little too greedy. At 2,000 euros per machine, we hope that the next iteration will display 32 GB of standard !

The test of such a machine starts very logically with the main element that made its success: the screen

A 3/2 screen that still convinces as much

The range of Matebook X Pro now arrives at 14.2 inch with this last iteration, which incorporates a superb LTPS slab in 3/2 format, a ratio which offers an additional verticality compared to 16/10 e, itself already more comfortable than the very (too much !) narrow 16/9 e that we still find too often.

This slab is always tactile and always “3K”, with its definition of 3120 x 2080 pixels. Without being an OLED panel, it however displays high -end specifications with a refreshment up to 90 Hz (configured in 60 Hz by default), 544 cd/m² measured (574 CD/m² in HDR light peak) and a rate contrast of 1511: 1, according to 01LAB. Announced with a Delta E 2000 less than 1, we nevertheless measured 1.52. Which is not very serious, since it is excellent. The device is only exceeded by MacBook and Gigabyte Aero, renowned for their very picky factory calibration.

This slab alone is a purchase argument, as the ratio is comfortable for working and the image quality is beautiful. But Huawei now has competition in terms of useful surface in ultraportables, especially with the arrival in Europe of LG Gram 16 (LG Gram 16Z90P and LG Gram 16z90q). Equally light machines but 16/16 -inch 16 -inch screen certainly lower (and not shimmering), but with more surface.

A processor finally unbridled ..

Between chips in 14 nm +++ which heated too much (version 2020) and a chip in 10 nm bridled (2021), the Matebook X Pro recently had concerns of choice and configuration of CPU. On the Huawei side, internal sources have explained to us several times that the company does not have frank cubits on the choice of processors-being a Chinese group blacklisted by the United States does not help, for sure. But it must also be recognized that the company had trouble managing the great energy consumption of its beautiful 3/2 touch screens.

On the performance side, this 2022 edition is that of deliverance: while the Core i7 1165g7 last year descended very quickly in the 15 W (for a nominal TDP of 28 W) due to the temperature too high in the chassis, This 2022 edition incorporates a Core i7-1260p which heats up less than the previous generation. It can be used fully at 28 W. The average performance scores in benchmarks are between 10% and 15% up compared to the previous iteration, or even 40% higher in creation (thank you the XE GPU).

Even better: the 12th generation Core architecture and the supplement of e-cores deploys even more power in very multi-thread applications (quadrupple performance under Cinebench 2023 !)). Which gives an ultraportable more powerful and therefore much more reactive than the previous generation. Without notable slowdowns in everyday tasks.

… At the cost of the battery (but it recharges quickly)

If the performance is increasing, this is done to the detriment of an element: the battery life. The transition to a chip to which Huawei lets deploy more power to lose almost 1h45 endurance in our so -called “versatile” autonomy test. 7:32 am is honest, but it is too little compared to the standards of current ultraportables. You can expect more than 8 a.m. or even 9am in pure text and web navigation configurations, when the processor is not too stressed. But in a little intense use, the Matebook X Pro 2022 holds the big half-day, then needs juice.

And if the drop from one generation to the other in streaming video reading is more moderate (5:53 against 6:38 for the Matebook X Pro 2021), the reality is that being below 6 hours in video reading is really little for some users. The fault may be to go and find the side of the software pilots, or the screen: although this very fluid panel is 90 Hz compatible, all our tests were carried out in 60 Hz. Huawei therefore has work to do in the energy optimization of its components – or in the choice of quality and/or density of battery cells.

Energy consolation is to be fought on the side of the recharge. As for the Honor (as if by chance !) Magicbook 14 that we recently tested, the charging time is record with only 1h18 to go from 0 to 100%. A meager batch of consolation for us which awaited at least 8-9 hours of autonomy in all scenarios.

Excellent touchpad

Engineering war machine, Huawei is also a marketing quiche: the brand sometimes “stupidly” of Apple-Or speeches, rather than relying on its strength. And forces, the number 2 company in the world in R&D (behind Alphabet/Google) has to resell. In particular its touchpad on lost board. Which is 100% developed internally, materials and surface included, while almost everyone buys synaptics and other solutions. A touchpad both physically wide, but also very responsive and pleasant. Which turns out, even with our recent tests, one of the best in the world PC.

Our first experience with him was however disappointing. At the end of the box, the “presentation” function (which displays the miniatures of all the windows by climbing three fingers), caused a slowdown. The fault of too old certified graphic drivers (March 2022). By updating the machine with the latest XX drivers – something only possible by forcing their installation by deleting the graphics card beforehand from the device list (!) This slowdown has disappeared. Without causing instability and improving graphic performance clearly.

The keyboard remains a classic of Huawei, both comfortable and not very noisy. The touches race is pleasant, neither too long nor too short. The infamous webcam of previous generations (read – again – further) has given way to a shortcut: the call of the audio dictation function. A tool that can be very useful for scribes (which seems to be an excellent situation) and all the other professions that write all day.

Decent graphics performance

Like (almost) all laptops equipped with an integrated GPU, the performances of this Matebook X Pro are nothing like a dedicated GPU gaming even from entry -level, such as the Honor Magicbook 14 recently tested. Nevertheless, the integrated GPU (IGPU) of Intel does not deserve and allows you to play even recent games as long as you remain modest on expectations.

Cyberpunk 2077 Works very well in 1280 x 1024 and remains around 20-30 i/s in low detail level. Not enough to connect to a 4K TV by screaming your joy, but what to relax with a controller in a hotel room. Unlike LG Gram 16, the TDP of which is restrained, the performance is constant and well at 100% of the capacities of the chip. Note that a keyboard shortcut allows you to enjoy a performance supplement: FN + P. This mode is only activated by being connected to the mains. The XE chip shows today its age today, notably in the face of the excellence of the 680m Radeon, the IGPU of AMD integrated into the Ryzen 7 6800U that we were able to try in the last Asus ZenBook S13 OLED.

The webcam finally in its (real) place

Finally ! This is what connoisseurs of the Matebook X Pro immediately exclaimed in view of this mini webcam format (barely 2 mm in diameter) integrated into the upper border of the screen. If we would have preferred a definition slightly higher than the integrated 720p, we are nevertheless pleased that Huawei has abandoned its previous device. Namely a webcam integrated into one of the high keyboard keys, which was deployed to envy, and made us all ugly. Recall that if the framing framing, as in Dell at the time, made faces unsightly, Huawei’s technique was good in the context. While digital (mass espionage, Prism scandal, etc.) and China are not in the smell of holiness in our tropics, having a camera which we were sure that it saw nothing when it was not open was a form of anti-espionage guarantee.

But in the end, the aesthetic defects ended up having the last word: nobody likes to be badly framed and looks (even more) ugly in videoconferencing. The webcam is therefore in its place, at the top of the screen. And since Dell, Gigabyte and Huawei finally stopped integrating webcams in keyboards, let’s hope never to deplore this strange conception again ..

Connectivity limited to USB-C

As an upturn, the Matebook X Pro 2022 plays it light and fine. A little too fine for our taste – and this is a question here of personal taste. Because to reach its wasp size, it only equips itself with a single type of port: USB-C. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left of the keyboard, two meeting the USB 3 standard.2 on the right. To compensate for this limit, the Matebook X Pro comes with a poor USB-C <> USB A adapter.

A little more thickness on the back would have had the benefit of allowing to integrate a full-size HDMI port and a USB-A. Two useful sockets in a professional environment, as much to share USB keys as to connect the device to a projector or TV without having to think of a dongle or a multi-adapter. It would not have harmed the design of the device – the previous models were already very pretty – but more Huawei would have had a little more room to integrate … a slightly thicker battery for example !

Technical sheet

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022

Processor	Intel Core i7-1260p
RAM	16 GB
Main storage capacity	1000 GB
Screen size	14.2 “
Graphic chip	Intel Iris Xe

See the full file

• + 3/2 90 Hz 3K screen
• + Comfort of Touchpad & Keyboard
• + Excellent performance
• + Heats little and makes little noise

• – Autonomy at half mast
• – Only sockets in USB-C format
• – High price

The verdict of the test

Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022

Like the Dell XPS 13, the Matebook X Pro is an emblematic device of the brand. It has the good taste to keep the ergonomic fundamentals of the series: the Touchpad is impeccable, the keyboard pleasant and the 14.2 ’touch screen with a 3/2 ratio always as great to work. Even lighter and always very elegant, this 2022 model fully benefits from the 12th generation of Core i7 of Intel and is much more swift than these predecessors. A pleasant power supplement on a daily basis, but which has a fairly negative impact on the battery, its only real weak point.

Note
writing

Huawei Matebook X Pro (2022)

The Huawei MateBook X PRO (2022) portable pc is a model with a tactile lcd screen in resolution 3.1K 14.2 inch with a 90 Hz cooling rate. It is animated by an Intel Core processor of 12th generation (I7-1260p), coupled with 16 GB of RAM LDDR5 and 1 TB of SSD.

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Present in purchasing guides

Learn more about the Huawei Matebook X Pro (2022)

Already announced in China, the Huawei Matebook X Pro 2022 was unveiled during the MWC 2022. It is a resolutely high -end laptop, but also ultra fine with 17.8 mm thick, and up to 15.5 mm fine.

Screen dedicated to work

As a reminder, it is equipped with a 14.2 inch screen with a 3: 2 (3120 x 2080 ratio, or 264 pp). This has a 92.5 %screen chassis ratio, which promises fine fine borders. Its maximum theoretical brightness amounts to 500 cd/m², its contrast ratio is 1500: 1 and it can alternate between two refresh rates, 90 and 60 Hz. He also has the good taste of being tactile. All these elements make it an ideal PC for working or teleworking with relatively good comfort.

On the power side, no problem either to be done, the Matebook X Pro 2022 is equipped with an Intel Core i7 11th generation processor, the i7-1195g7, as well as 16 GB of RAM. We can add to that 1 TB of nvme pcie ssd storage. What store many files and photos without worrying too much about the remaining space.

Fast charge and webcam

The network card offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. Four USB-C ports allow you to load the 60 Wh battery, transfer files and connect to a Display Port screen. Let us add that Huawei promises three hours of work after a load of 15 minutes, thanks to a 90 W charger.

Let’s finish this overview by indicating that the Huawei Matebook X Pro is compatible with both facial recognition (thanks to a webcam above the screen) and with fingerprint recognition, thanks to a sensor located to the right of the keyboard.

Price of the Matebook X Pro 2022

The Matebook X Pro 2022 costs 1899 euros in its best equipped configuration, an Intel Core i7 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. We still do not know its launch date.