Huawei MateBook E Sports Kaby Lake Processor, Better Keyboard

The Huawei MateBook was one of the best Windows 2-in-1s of last year. An updated version was just announced, and it offers a faster processor than the original, as well as an improved keyboard design.

At the heart of the MateBook E is a 7th-generation Intel Core m3-zY30 or Core i5-7Y54 processor. Huwaei will offer it with 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM, as well as 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of SSD storage.

The keyboard for the original MateBook drew frequent criticism, and the new iteration has been redesigned. Most notably, there’s now key separation. It’s also backlit and spill resistant, saving all those people who overturn their coffee onto their computer. But be careful: the tablet itself isn’t water resistant.

The computer is only 0.27 inches (6.9 mm) thick, and casing colors options are titanium grey with a dark blue folio or champagne with either a brown or pink folio.

Huawei MateBook E: High-End Specs

The 12-inch IPS display has a 2160 by 1440 pixel resolution, resulting in 216 pixels-per-inch. There is also a built-in fingerprint scanner and USB-C port, but no memory card slot.

The second MateBook 2-in-1 comes with Windows 10 64-bit Home preinstalled.

Huawei MateBook E: Price and Release Date

The Huawei MateBook E was announced in Berlin, and so far the only pricing information we have is in Euros. The version with a Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD is €999… about $1,120. The i5/4GB/256GB version is €1,199… about $1,345. A version with i5/8GB/256GB will be €1,299… about $1,457.

The U.S. prices listed above are higher higher than Huawei charged for last year’s model: the original m3/4GB/128GB version was $699, for example. It’s possible the European prices aren’t an indication of what the MateBook E will sell for in the United States. On the other hand, unlike its predecessor, the tablet will come bundled with the folio keyboard which could push up the price.

The current plan is for the Huawei MateBook E to begin shipping sometime this summer.