Huawei has launched its first laptop to run its own harmonious, showing its biggest moves free from Western technology stacks and chip restrictions. The Matebook Pro and foldable Matebook Fold Ultimate Design were revealed in Chengdu on Monday, and is Huawei’s first PCS shipment without Microsoft Windows or Apple’s MacOS.
This startup is not a tweak, it’s a full reset. And that’s happening while the US continues to strengthen its grip on chip exports to Huaway.
Huawei unveils first laptop with homemade harmonos
The launch of the Matebook Pro and the foldable Matebook Fold Ultimate Design is not just about the launch of new hardware. Huawei is doubling its own ecosystem that doesn’t require Microsoft or Apple.
Push past sanctions one at a time
Huawei has been trapped in conflict with the US government since 2019, when it blocked access to critical technology from Intel, Microsoft and Qualcomm. Earlier this year, the Windows license expired. That was the last push. Currently, Harmonyos is at the heart of the company’s plans for controlling software and hardware from top to bottom.
MateBook Pro and Matebook Fold Run Harmonyos 5- The latest version of Huawei Huawei began development in 2015. It first appeared on smartphones in 2019. Laptop prototypes were launched in 2021.
“Harmony laptops give the world a new choice,” said Yu Chengdong, head of Huawei’s consumer business group during the live streaming launch. “We kept doing the difficult stuff, but it’s the right thing.”
MateBook Pro and foldable MateBook fold: specifications, prices and what’s inside
MateBook Fold is aimed at high-end users. It features an 18-inch OLED double screen that folds into a large display and skips the physical keyboard completely. The price is 23,999 yuan, which is $3,328. The MateBook Pro clings to the traditional clamshell design with a keyboard, starting at 7,999 yuan, or around $1,100.
Both laptops are powered by Harmono 5 and use Huawei’s ARK engine for faster graphics and smoother UI. The company has not confirmed the chips running these devices, but speculations point to the Kirin X90, Huawei’s own 10-core processor. The company said the high price tag is related to the cost of new manufacturing technology for the chipset.
What is inside Harmonos?
The Harmonyos 5 (also known as the Harmonyos Next) focuses on ensuring that Huawei devices work together smoothly. It features Huawei’s new 10-core chip, the Kirin X90, which shows clear action from AMD and Intel.
Harmonyos 5 is more than just skin. It was rebuilt without relying on Android or other western platforms. Based on Huawei’s proprietary kernel and security architecture, it aims to link mobile phones, laptops, tablets, TVs and more into one ecosystem.
There are three main layers.
Harmonyos Base: Built on Huawei’s own kernel, Starshield security system is burned into it.
Harmonyos Ecosystem: Growth of a catalog of native apps built for the platform.
Harmonyos Experience: A device-to-device adhesive intended to provide a smooth user experience.
This is what is offered:
AI Assistant “Celia”: Summary documents, translate text, and build slides.
Using a Cross Device: Copy files from your tablet to your laptop or use your laptop keyboard to reply to phone messages.
App Selection: WPS Office, DingTalk, Rednote, Bilibili, and more are available out of the box. According to Huawei, over 150 apps are ready, with 7.2 million developers using Appgallery in the second half of 2024 with over 20,000 people using Appgallery for the mix.
Privacy Focus: StarShield aims to address concerns about data processing. This continues to face international scrutiny.
App support includes over 150 native apps at launch. Notable names: WPS Office (a local alternative to Microsoft Office), Meitu Xiu Xiu (photo editor), Dingtalk, and Chinese social apps such as Rednote and Bilibili.
The App Gallery currently features over 20,000 harmony native apps, and by the end of 2024, Huawei reported 7.2 million developers working on the platform.
However, there are restrictions. The Harmonyos 5 does not support sideload apps and is not backwards compatible with older Huawei laptops. This is a closed loop system, just like what Apple did with iOS and MacO. It can provide more control and security, but it is a contract breaker for users who prefer open systems like Windows.
China’s OS gap, and Huawei bets to close it
China has been leading the production of hardware for years, but has lagged behind its operating system. Windows and Macos have dominated PCs worldwide for decades. Harmonos is Huawei’s attempt to bridge that gap and take advantage of the increased domestic demand for alternatives to US technology.
It works, at least from a scale perspective. Harmonyos is installed on over a billion devices, including smartphones, TVs, and IoT gear. Adding laptops to the mix will enhance Huawei’s position in an environment where Beijing is looking for more homemade solutions.
Huawei did not comment on which chips are inside the new laptop. However, Reuters previously reported that the US has revoked its license to allow companies like Intel and Qualcomm to supply chips to Huawei. It means what’s inside, it’s almost certainly homemade.
Global Photography
Can Huawei convince non-China users to buy? That’s a much more difficult selling. Lack of compatibility with Windows apps and inability to sideload will appeal to developers and power users. And Huawei’s brand is flying its flag in markets like the US, where lawmakers have long voiced national security concerns.
So far, Huawei appears to be focusing on owning his own grass at home. That alone could be a victory. In countries with over 1 billion people, even if global adoption is slow, there is a large addressable market for domestic strong OS alternatives.
What’s next?
With Harmono on mobile phones, TVs and now laptops, Huawei closes the loop with software independence. This move challenges the status quo for Windows-Macos, indicating that the company is not only trying to respond to sanctions, but is about to grow.
There is still a long list of obstacles, including developer recruitment, global trust, and app availability. However, Huawei shows that he is willing to play long games.
The question now is whether or not others, especially outside of China, will give Harmonios a real shot.
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