In the face of the situation brought on by US trade sanctions, Huawei has made a significant shift in the way it distributes its laptops. The MateBook X Pro 2024 comes with Linux as a pre-installed operating system replacing Windows, a decision forced by the end of the licensing agreement with Microsoft. This move, which follows the company's example in the mobile sector with HarmonyOS, marks a new stage for the brand's laptop users, especially in China.
For years, the Chinese company is immersed in a context of restrictions which has prevented it from collaborating with American companies such as Google and Microsoft. In the laptop sector, this has meant not being able to preinstall Windows in new models, although it can continue to market those already manufactured with this system. The immediate response has been to launch versions of the MateBook X Pro that dispense with the Redmond platform and opt for an open source operating system like Linux.
Technical specifications of the MateBook X Pro and differences from the Windows version
El MateBook X Pro 2024 Linux Edition retains the design and the high-end features of the traditional model. Users will find a 14,2-inch display with a resolution of 3.120 x 2.080 pixels, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and a maximum brightness of 1.000 nits. Inside, the configurations with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage stand out. The battery of 70Wh with 140W fast charging completes a remarkable technical sheet.
Now, Installing Linux has consequencesFeatures such as fingerprint unlocking and one-touch file transfer, benefits of the Huawei Windows ecosystem, are not included in the standard version. Huawei confirms that installing proprietary drivers would restore this functionality, but the experience will not be the same for all users.
Prices, state incentives and geographical restrictions
The Linux edition of the MateBook X Pro 2024 is sold exclusively on Chinese platforms such as VMall and JD.com. The price starts from 8.399 yuan (about 1.092 euros) for the 16GB version and scales up to 11.399 yuan (approximately 1.388 euros) for the 32GB version, always at the current exchange rate. This figure is somewhat lower than that of the Windows models, mainly due to the absence of the license fee and the government subsidy of 2.000 yuan from which consumers in China can benefit.
No international marketing plans have been announced so far, which leaves interested parties outside the country facing the impossibility of purchasing these laptops Officially. The global context, marked by continued sanctions and uncertainty over tariffs, complicates the possible expansion of this model to the European or American markets in the short term.
Linux as a temporary solution on the MateBook X Pro, HarmonyOS as a future bet
The introduction of Linux in the MateBook X Pro 2024 is a quick and pragmatic response, albeit on Huawei's roadmap. The medium-term goal is HarmonyOS NextThe CEO of the company's consumer division has repeatedly emphasized the intention to expand this proprietary operating system, which has already debuted on mobile devices and will soon also begin rolling out to PCs, IoT devices, and electric vehicles.
The recently introduced HarmonyOS Next dispenses with both Android and Linux to adopt a completely proprietary kernel and a modular approach compatible with artificial intelligence. The intention is to achieve a comprehensive, cohesive ecosystem untethered from Western platforms, allowing Huawei to manage updates, applications, and services without relying on third parties.
Regarding the version of Linux used on these laptops, the brand has not officially confirmed which distribution. In 2019, previous Huawei models used Deepin, although there are rumors that they may explore their own adaptation or resort to solutions based on projects like EulerOS, also developed in-house.
What does this mean for users?
The MateBook X Pro 2024 with Linux opens the door to a market where alternatives to Windows are gaining ground, especially among more technical users or those disenchanted with Microsoft's policies. However, Linux's desktop market share is still small, especially in Europe and the West (below 4%), limiting its impact outside of China.
Despite the limitations, initiatives such as Huawei's can contribute to improving driver and software support in Linux, driving the development of more competitive and flexible For those looking to escape the usual closed environments. The affordable price and government subsidy reinforce the appeal of this offering in its home country.
While the Chinese firm navigates between the reality of sanctions and its ambition for technological independence, the arrival of the MateBook X Pro 2024 with Linux represents a further step in the diversification of the market and in the search for its own alternatives that allow it to maintain the competitiveness in complex geopolitical contexts.