If you have a winning formula on your hands, why change it? The new Huawei Matebook X Pro is a refresh of last year’s models with the latest versions of the Intel i7 processor and Windows 10 to keep it up-to-date with the latest advancements in hardware. Everything else that makes the notebook line such a success has been retained. This naturally includes the beefy battery, as well as the virtually borderless 3K touchscreen that sports an atypical 3:2 aspect ratio that’s geared towards productivity tasks. Other components, such as the 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM are par for the course as well. It’s a great, smart and hardworking all-rounder, but don’t take our word for it. Instead, hear what Johnathan Chua, co-founder of Grvty Media, has to say.
In our chat before this interview, you mentioned that this is actually your first Windows laptop since you co-founded Grvty Media?
Yeah. Grvty Media was founded in 2017, so we’re into our third year of operations. I’ve been using Apple laptops for the last four to five years though, so this business was started with a MacBook as my main device.
What prompted the switch?
My entry to the Huawei ecosystem was via its smartphones, which I’ve always loved for their long battery life and responsiveness. To be honest, I didn’t go out of my way to switch to a Huawei laptop – the brand actually approached me and offered to let me try the new Matebook X Pro. I thought that it’d be an extension of a brand that I’m already familiar with, so why not?
How has the experience been since the switch?
Let’s just say it’s been so good that I’ve already switched over. What I do at Grvty Media has changed since the company was founded, and the Matebook X Pro really fits my needs. On one hand, I work a lot more with spreadsheets and things like that, so having a larger and taller screen really helps. On the other hand, I’m still deeply involved in content creation like making final tweaks to videos, and this laptop handles software like Adobe Premiere Pro easily. I’ve also doing more directorial work now, and because it demands a lot of collaboration, I’m always out and about. Having a laptop with a long battery life like this one really helps.
Does it help to having both your laptop and smartphone from Huawei?
Personally, it’s a lot more convenient because I can use Huawei Share to transfer files between them. Previously, I’d have to send files to myself using either Telegram or WhatsApp, but it’s seamless now. The devices can access and control each other, so I don’t even need to pick both of them up to perform a task.
Were there any teething pains?
Not really. It’s been fun to familiarise myself with this laptop, like discovering how it has a touchscreen. I did take a little while to figure out the best angle to use the webcam at, because it’s integrated into the keyboard and pointing up at me. I wouldn’t trade this design for anything else though, because it can be physically retracted to guarantee my privacy – without needing any post-it notes or stickers, which I had to depend on previously. (laughs)
The 2020 matebook x pro
When it was first released in 2018, the MateBook X Pro was quickly recognised as a powerful, well-rounded device that was suitable for both professionals and content creators alike. The 2020 iteration has also been well-received, and quickly gained global recognition from tech authorities including Newsweek and Tech Advisor following its global launch earlier this year. This notebook is now available for S$2,698 at all Huawei Concept Stores, Lazada, Shopee, as well as electronic stores including Challenger and Courts.
