Chinese tech giant Huawei has unveiled its first laptop powered by HarmonyOS, the company’s self-developed operating system previously used in smartphones and IoT devices. The new laptop marks a significant step in Huawei’s efforts to create an alternative to established operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The device closely mirrors Huawei’s MateBook X Pro in design, boasting a lightweight build at just 970 grams. Unlike its predecessors that utilized processors from U.S. chipmaker Intel, this model features Huawei’s own Kirin X90 chip. This newly introduced chip operates at a maximum clock speed of around 2 gigahertz, which is slower than some leading processors on the market.
Despite the lower clock speed, users have reported smooth performance in early social media videos, showcasing the laptop handling multiple large files with ease. The HarmonyOS interface on the laptop resembles the OS on Huawei’s recent MatePad tablets but includes a dedicated app store and a terminal environment for advanced users to execute command-line tasks.
HarmonyOS demonstrates partial compatibility with Linux, as many Linux commands function within the terminal. This is attributed to Huawei’s proprietary Hongmeng kernel, designed to integrate certain Linux features.
According to a Huawei store salesperson in Beijing, the laptop currently cannot run Windows or Android applications. However, apps developed for HarmonyOS Next on Huawei smartphones are expected to operate seamlessly across devices, leveraging the same operating system adapted for different screen sizes.
While mainstream consumers may be accustomed to the Microsoft or Apple ecosystems, Huawei’s HarmonyOS laptop may find its niche among government agencies and state-owned enterprises seeking greater data security with domestic software and hardware solutions. These organizations often prefer devices powered by local chips and operating systems like Kylin and UOS.
Analysts in Chinese media view HarmonyOS as a promising opportunity for the growth of China’s domestic computing industry. The new laptop could play a pivotal role in Huawei’s broader strategy in consumer electronics.
However, some experts question whether Huawei can build a competitive PC ecosystem to challenge the dominant alliance of Microsoft Windows and processors from Intel and AMD, which currently power over 70 percent of PCs worldwide.
