HP Chromebook 13
HP Chromebook 13 HP

HP’s new ultra-thin Chromebook 13 can pose a serious threat to Huawei MateBook, announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 in Barcelona this year. Huawei debuted in the PC market with the introduction of its stylus-touting Windows 10 laptop-hybrid.

Design and display

The HP Chromebook 13 sports a 13.3 inch QHD IPS display with a screen resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels. On the other hand, the MateBook features a 12-inch LCD multi-touch screen display 2160x1440 pixel resolution.

The latest offering from HP is just 12.9mm thick and weighs 2.86 pounds. Huawei’s MateBook, however, is thinner than the Chromebook 13 with 6.9 mm thickness, just like Apple’s iPad Pro.

Processor and memory

Targeted for both “home and office use,” the all-metal Chromebook 13 is the first Chromebook to be powered by a sixth-generation Intel Core m processor, just like the Huawei MateBook.

The Chromebook 13 offers up to 16 GB of RAM whereas the Huawei MateBook offers either 4GB or 8GB of memory.

Operating System

“Built on Chrome OS, the Chromebook 13 offers a quick boot time, simple navigation and syncing, multi-layered security, and the ability to share and access information from any location,” confirmed HP in a press note.

Notable Chrome OS features include Lucid Sleep, allowing silent updates of documents, emails and notifications; multi-layered security with data encryption; HP Print for Chrome, enabling local printing from Chrome OS devices to HP network and Chrome Device Management.

On the other hand, Huawei MateBook runs on Windows 10 and features the business productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Edge browser and digital assistant Cortana.

Battery

Under the hood, there is a high-capacity 45 watt-hour battery which runs the HP Chromebook 13. The device boasts up to 11.5 hours of battery life, according to HP. Huawei’s MateBook runs on a 33.7Wh high-density Lithium battery which can last up to nine hours of work.

Other features

Huawei’s MateBook is specifically targeted towards business users. The convertible laptop comes with support for a MatePen, which sports a sensor that detects 2048 levels of sensitivity and has to be purchased separately. The MatePen costs US$59 (AU$77.6), according to Huawei.

There is also a MateDock available for US$89 (AU$117).

To “redefine the Chromebook experience,” Google’s latest Chromebook 13 supports a new USB-C Docking Station, allowing the users to connect a full-sized keyboard, an Ethernet jack and two HD monitors.

Price

HP Chromebook 13 price starts at US$499 (AU$656). The device is already available for sale from April 28. Huawei’s MateBook is more expensive with price starting at US$799 (AU$1050).

With a powerful processor, bigger battery unit and double memory capacity, the much cheaper and redefined Chromebook 13 will surely take on the business-oriented Huawei MateBook.