Huawei Matebook E review (Image: HUAWEI)
Huawei is attempting to tackle the might of Apple with the discharge of its latest MateBook E. This all-screen tablet offers a lot of the features you will find on an iPad comparable to a surprising edge-to-edge display, rear camera and fingerprint sensor but there are some stark differences. Firstly the MateBook E runs on Windows 11 which makes it perfect for individuals who prefer Microsoft’s operating system moderately than Apple’s more restricted iPadOS.
Then there’s the keyboard case as Huawei actually bundles this accessory in with this tablet moderately than asking you to go back to a store, get your bank card out and pay more for a laptop-style experience. Right away they’re even throwing a digital stylus and wireless earbuds for good measure.
If you happen to’re after a Windows device that provides some serious portability then the MateBook E definitely ticks loads of boxes but what’s it really prefer to use and is it value your hard-earned money?
Express.co.uk has been putting the Matebook E through its paces and here’s our full review.
The Matebook E has a solid design however it is kind of boring (Image: HUAWEI)
Huawei MateBook E review
Whenever you first lift the MateBook E out of the box it definitely cannot be described as exciting. Unlike the iPad, there are not any shiny colors to pick from or stunning aluminium finish to stare upon.
This device looks like it has been built for the office moderately than having some fun with UK consumers simply getting one pretty boring Nebula Grey choice to pick from.
The rear panel is roofed in a matt finish which looks nice enough but definitely doesn’t have the wow factor found on tablets comparable to the brand new iPad Air – it is also quite a magnet for fingerprints so be prepared for some serious cleansing.
We won’t be sold on the general design however the MateBook E feels thoroughly built and there is no query that this device should address years of life on the road. It’s value noting, nonetheless, that the premium finish does make it quite heavy with it weighing in at over 700g without the keyboard case and over 1KG when you add that accessory.
The Matebook E has a wonderful OLED screen (Image: HUAWEI)
As a comparison, the marginally smaller iPad Air weighs just over 400g and that extra bulk is unquestionably noticeable. The design isn’t going to win Huawei any awards but things really improve when you hit the side-mounted power button.
Huawei has packed a powerful 12.6-inch OLED screen into this device and it dazzles like a set of freshly whitened teeth.
Colors pop from this screen with content that appears brilliant and full of glorious detail. Due to that OLED technology you may even be treated to wealthy and deep blacks which really does make bingeing on Netflix and viewing infinite blockbusters on Disney+ a complete joy.
The screen really is superb although if we had one gripe it will be the 60Hz refresh rate which is nowhere near as smooth because the experience found on devices comparable to the iPad Pro. Bumping things as much as a speedy 120Hz panel would have made an enormous difference and it is a shame Huawei couldn’t manage to incorporate it.
Huawei Matebook E review (Image: HUAWEI)
Tucked under the shell of the MateBook E is an eleventh Gen Intel Core i5-1130G7 Processor which is definitely powerful enough for whizzing around the net, sending emails and bashing out your next PowerPoint.
Nevertheless, this chip is nowhere near as beefed up as another brains from Intel and falls way behind the brand new M1 processor Apple now includes in its latest iPad Air.
If you happen to desire a tablet for some serious gaming and heavy workloads comparable to video or photo editing the MateBook E won’t be the most effective alternative and that is not great considering it does cost almost £1,000.
As we mentioned earlier, one bonus of this device is that it comes with a keyboard case included within the box. Which means you may quickly turn this tablet into a completely functioning laptop – there’s even a full set of function keys and a trackpad.
Typing on this keyboard is superb with loads of travel within the buttons and enough room for all your fingers to ensure your emails are accurate and typo-free.
Huawei Matebook E review (Image: HUAWEI)
Overall it’s a very good accessory even though it’s value noting that using it in your lap is not great as it is not all that sturdy and there are not any backlights under the keys which is not ideal when the evening sets in.
Other features on the MateBook E include a dual-lens rear camera do you have to want to snap shots in your tablet plus there’s an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for those infinite video calls we’re all making.
When watching movies you get audio via 4 speakers which sound decent enough plus there is a headphone port when you fancy plugging in your cans.
The one other port included on the MateBook E is a USB-C charging socket which is tremendous but not ideal for individuals who desire a PC that is compatible with HDMI and USB-A accessories.
Finally, let’s speak about battery life because it’s nearly OK. You will get around 7 hours of playtime with general usage. Nevertheless, pump the screen as much as full brightness and things drain quite quickly. We settled down for one hour of YouTube content and watched the battery go from 44 percent to only 18 percent in that 60-minute period.
HUAWEI MATEBOOK E VERDICT
There isn’t any query that the MateBook E is a really capable Windows tablet that may easily be transformed right into a mini tablet. The screen is classy, it’s well built and also you get the keyboard case bundled in as a part of the value.
There’s also a quick fingerprint scanner, decent speakers, a headphone port and a generous 512GB of storage all for £1,000. To place that price into some perspective, a 512GB iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard case will currently set you back over £1,600.
To make things much more enticing, Huawei is even throwing in its M-Pencil stylus without spending a dime which lets you scribble on the screen without using your finger.
There’s plenty to love but we do have some niggles including that eleventh Gen processor which is not the fastest, the dearth of ports and mediocre battery life.
The design doesn’t excite and it’s pretty heavy when put next to a few of its rivals.
If you happen to desire a Windows 11 tablet that may be used for work and slightly little bit of play the MateBook E ticks a bunch of boxes just concentrate on some pretty annoying niggles.
