Huawei: The future of laptops without Intel is currently being tested 39 comments
Since the middle of this year, Intel and Qualcomm have no longer been allowed to sell chips to Huawei due to US sanctions. Rumors that Huawei could launch PC systems and laptops worldwide based on its own Kirin SoCs – PCs already exist in China – quickly emerged. Now it’s time to test this on a large scale.
Intel processors have formed the basis of Huawei’s laptops until now, after AMD processors were previously subject to the trade embargo. With models like the Huawei MateBook. The attention this garnered in the United States eventually led to a ban on Intel processors. As Huawei expected further sanctions, the warehouses are well stocked and both laptops are still available without problems, as the price comparison shows.
Huawei tests Kirin PC chip
According to new rumors, Huawei’s internal development for the PC market will continue to progress. Large-scale internal testing with PCs based on Kirin SoCs has now reportedly begun. According to rumors, an official market launch could take place as early as the first half of 2025 – and perhaps it will have to be done, if you do not want to phase out the segment without new models as soon as the warehouses are empty.
Chip with AI functions
Which Kirin SoC will be used and its actual power can currently only be speculated. However, Huawei is also reportedly planning AI features on future PCs and laptops, like those Microsoft is promoting with Copilot+. It also appears that the Kirin chip could be based on an architecture similar to Intel’s Lunar Lake design. A unified memory architecture (UMA) connects main memory and graphics memory, which could increase the efficiency and performance of the chip.
A special version of HarmonyOS will be used as the operating system, which can interact seamlessly with the company’s smartphones such as the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (test) and tablets such as the MatePad Pro 12.2 (test).
Self-sufficiency as a strategic objective
By developing a Kirin processor for laptops and desktops, Huawei is pursuing the primary goal of becoming independent of Western and especially American technology.
The company has already made further progress in the smartphone sector. Own processors, 5G chips and the Android-free HarmonyOS Next operating system guarantee the release of smartphones such as the first tri-foldable Mate XT (Hands-On), the Mate Mate X6 is also expected for the European market.
There is currently no official information from Huawei on the new developments.
Topics: Intel Huawei Laptop PC System Processors
Marc deciphers processors by testing their performance for gaming, content creation, and artificial intelligence.
