Huawei MateBook 14: ARM power, 24 GB RAM and OLED as an attack on the MacBook Neo

Philipp Briel
Philipp Briel · 3 min. read

With the new MateBook 14, Huawei is launching an unusual notebook that clearly positions itself as a competitor to Apple’s MacBook Neo. Instead of classic x86 processors, the device relies on its own ARM chip, combined with generous RAM and a high-resolution OLED display. In doing so, Huawei is addressing the trend towards energy-efficient, high-performance laptops and at the same time aims to score points in terms of features and price-performance ratio.

  • ARM processor HiSilicon Kirin X90 with up to 10 cores
  • At least 24 GB RAM and up to 1 TB SSD
  • 14.2-inch OLED display with 120 Hz and 3:2 format
  • Large 70 Wh battery for long runtimes

Huawei MateBook 14 relies on ARM architecture and powerful features

The Huawei MateBook 14 stands out from the competition primarily due to its processor. Instead of relying on chips from Intel, AMD or Qualcomm, Huawei uses the HiSilicon Kirin X90 developed in-house. This ARM-based chip has ten cores and achieves boost clock rates of up to 4.2 GHz according to the manufacturer. Even if such manufacturer specifications should be viewed with caution, the combination of active cooling with two fans and a power consumption of up to 40 watts indicates an ambitious performance class.

Huawei MateBook 14
Image: Huawei

In everyday use, the memory configuration should be particularly impressive. Even the basic model starts with 24 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, while higher-end variants offer up to 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage space. These configurations are generously dimensioned compared to many competitor models and are suitable for multitasking, creative applications and demanding software.

Another focus is on mobility. The notebook weighs just 1.33 kilograms and is comparatively slim at 14.5 millimeters. At the same time, Huawei has integrated a 70 Wh battery which, according to the manufacturer, should enable up to 21 hours of video playback. Such values are usually lower under real-life conditions, but show the potential of the ARM architecture for energy-efficient use.

OLED display and modern features as clear differentiators

In addition to the computing power, the display is one of the Huawei MateBook 14’s greatest strengths. The 14.2-inch OLED panel offers a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels in 3:2 format, which is particularly advantageous for productive work. It also has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a brightness of up to 600 nits in HDR mode, which means that content is not only sharp but also rich in contrast.

The notebook is also modern in terms of connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 ensures high data rates and stable connections, while the port selection remains practical with USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI and a headphone jack. The antenna design is particularly interesting and, according to Huawei, should enable ranges of up to 700 meters under optimal conditions – a value that depends heavily on the environment in practice.

Huawei MateBook 14
Image: Huawei

Visually, Huawei is also going its own way. Color variants such as pink or green as well as a keyboard with round keys set the device apart from classic business notebooks. This positions the MateBook 14 not only as a work device, but also as a lifestyle product with an independent design approach.

Conclusion

The Huawei MateBook 14 combines ARM technology with above-average features and a high-quality OLED display. The large RAM and long battery life in particular make the device an interesting alternative in the premium mid-range segment. In China, the model starts at the equivalent of around 822 euros, while the top version costs around 1,070 euros. International availability has not yet been confirmed.