Huawei Matebook E Vs Surface Pro 7: Which One Should You Buy?

The Huawei MateBook E and Microsoft Surface Pro 7 are two of the most popular 2-in-1 hybrid laptops on the market, offering a unique blend of portability, versatility, and performance. Both devices feature detachable keyboards, allowing users to switch between laptop and tablet modes seamlessly. However, there are some key differences between the two devices that may influence your purchase decision. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the specifications, features, and performance of the Huawei MateBook E and Surface Pro 7 to help you determine which one is the ideal choice for your needs.

Sleek Design and Build Quality: A Tale of Two Aesthetics

Huawei MateBook E: The MateBook E exudes a sleek and sophisticated design, featuring a slim profile and a sturdy aluminum chassis. Its minimalistic aesthetic is accentuated by its sharp edges and clean lines, giving it a professional and timeless appeal. The device is available in two color options: Midnight Blue and Nebula Gray, both of which offer a touch of elegance and understated luxury.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 also boasts a sleek and refined design, with a magnesium alloy body that is both lightweight and durable. Its iconic kickstand provides exceptional stability in various usage scenarios, whether you’re using it as a laptop, tablet, or presentation device. The Surface Pro 7 comes in four color options: Platinum, Black, Cobalt Blue, and Ice Blue, allowing you to choose the one that best matches your personal style.

Display: Vibrant Visuals and Touchscreen Responsiveness

Huawei MateBook E: The MateBook E features a 12.6-inch OLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. The OLED technology delivers stunning visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast ratios, resulting in an immersive viewing experience. The touchscreen is highly responsive and supports 10-point multi-touch gestures, enabling smooth and intuitive interactions.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 offers a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels. The PixelSense technology provides excellent touch sensitivity and precise pen input, making it ideal for artists, designers, and note-takers. The display produces sharp and vibrant images, with good color accuracy and wide viewing angles.

Performance: Powerhouse vs. Efficiency

Huawei MateBook E: At its core, the MateBook E is powered by an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, paired with 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB or 512GB of NVMe SSD storage. This hardware combination delivers solid performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and light content creation. The MateBook E also features integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which provide sufficient performance for basic gaming and video editing.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 is available with a range of processor options, including the 10th-generation Intel Core i3-1005G1, i5-1035G4, or i7-1065G7. It also offers various RAM and storage configurations, allowing you to choose the combination that best suits your needs. The Surface Pro 7’s performance is generally comparable to the MateBook E, with the higher-end Core i5 and i7 variants providing noticeable improvements in demanding tasks.

Battery Life: Endurance and Power Efficiency

Huawei MateBook E: The MateBook E boasts an impressive battery life, thanks to its efficient hardware and power management optimizations. On a single charge, it can last up to 12 hours of mixed usage, allowing you to stay productive throughout the day without worrying about finding an outlet. The device also supports fast charging, enabling you to quickly replenish its battery when needed.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 also offers decent battery life, but it may vary depending on the configuration and usage patterns. On average, you can expect around 8-10 hours of battery life on a single charge. It also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly power it up when necessary.

Connectivity and I/O: Expanding Your Horizons

Huawei MateBook E: The MateBook E provides a comprehensive selection of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and a USB-C port that supports data transfer, charging, and DisplayPort output. It also features a microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing you to easily expand its storage capacity.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 offers similar connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB-C port with data transfer, charging, and DisplayPort capabilities. Additionally, it features a Surface Connect port, which can be used to attach accessories such as the Surface Dock or Surface Dial.

Software and Ecosystem: A Tale of Two Platforms

Huawei MateBook E: The MateBook E runs on Windows 11 with Huawei’s custom EMUI skin on top. EMUI provides a user-friendly interface with various productivity and customization features. It also offers seamless integration with Huawei’s ecosystem of devices, such as smartphones and tablets, allowing for easy file sharing and cross-device collaboration.

Surface Pro 7: The Surface Pro 7 comes pre-installed with Windows 11, providing a familiar and versatile operating system. It also supports Windows Hello facial recognition for secure and convenient login. The Surface Pro 7 is deeply integrated with Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Office 365, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Huawei MateBook E and Surface Pro 7 are both excellent choices for those seeking a versatile and powerful 2-in-1 hybrid laptop. However, the specific choice depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. If you prioritize a sleek design, vibrant OLED display, and long battery life, the Huawei MateBook E is a compelling option. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional Windows experience, a wider range of processor and configuration options, and deep integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, the Surface Pro 7 is the way to go.

Key Differences: A Quick Recap

To help you better understand the key differences between the Huawei MateBook E and Surface Pro 7, here’s a quick recap:

• Display: The MateBook E features a 12.6-inch OLED display, while the Surface Pro 7 has a 12.3-inch PixelSense display.
• Performance: The MateBook E is powered by an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, while the Surface Pro 7 offers a range of processor options, including Intel Core i3, i5, and i7.
• Battery Life: The MateBook E offers up to 12 hours of battery life, while the Surface Pro 7 provides around 8-10 hours.
• Software: The MateBook E runs on Windows 11 with Huawei’s EMUI skin, while the Surface Pro 7 comes with Windows 11 and deep integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

The Huawei MateBook E and Surface Pro 7 are both exceptional 2-in-1 hybrid laptops that offer a unique blend of portability, versatility, and performance. The MateBook E stands out with its sleek design, vibrant OLED display, and impressive battery life, while the Surface Pro 7 excels in providing a traditional Windows experience, a wider range of processor options, and deep integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Which device has a better display for content creation?

A: Both devices offer excellent displays for content creation. The MateBook E’s OLED display provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, while the Surface Pro 7’s PixelSense display offers precise pen input and touch sensitivity. The choice depends on your specific requirements and preferences.

Q: Can I use both devices as gaming laptops?

A: While both devices can handle light gaming, they are not specifically designed for gaming. If you’re a serious gamer, you may want to consider a dedicated gaming laptop with more powerful graphics capabilities.

Q: Which device is more suitable for students and professionals?

A: Both devices are suitable for students and professionals. The MateBook E is a great choice for those who prioritize portability and long battery life, while the Surface Pro 7 is ideal for those who need a more traditional Windows experience and deep integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem.