Whether tablets can truly replace laptops has long been a contentious discussion. But there’s no denying that tablets are becoming more and more like laptops. Today’s flagship tablets come with their own dedicated keyboards, support mouse connectivity, and even include a stylus. After spending some hands-on time with the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and its accessories, I finally understand why this debate persists. Let’s explore the advantages of tablets over laptops while introducing the brand-new MatePad Pro.
Weight & Thickness
Those who want to replace their laptops with tablets are likely frustrated with the weight and bulk of laptops. Even the lightest and thinnest laptops typically weigh over 1 kg and exceed 10 mm in thickness. Tablets, however, easily cut these numbers in half. Take the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch, for example—it weighs just 508g and is only 5.5mm thick. This is an incredibly appealing selling point for people who frequently work on the go.
Glide Keyboard
If you want your tablet to serve more like a laptop, a keyboard case is a must. The HUAWEI Glide Keyboard is one of the most sophisticated keyboard cases I’ve ever seen. It allows the tablet to hover at adjustable angles and can even be used on your lap, just like a laptop. If you want to draw, you can flip it 180° backward. The hinge area even features a slot for the stylus, so you’ll never lose it when carrying the tablet in a bag.
Best of all, it’s lightweight—just 417g, about 28% lighter than the Apple 11-inch Magic Keyboard. After attaching the Glide Keyboard, the MatePad Pro still only weighs 925g, and its thickness increases to 13.6mm, still thinner than most laptops.
Display
A significant portion of this thousand-dollar tablet’s cost goes into its Tandem OLED display. With 2000 nits peak brightness and ultra-thin bezels, this screen is a standout. The PaperMatte glass cover (similar to the iPad Pro’s Nano-texture glass) delivers an unprecedented writing experience with the stylus. If you’re looking for a touchscreen laptop with specs matching the MatePad Pro, you simply won’t find one. So, if you need a premium media consumption device, the MatePad Pro outperforms any laptop.
M-Pencil & Mouse
If you splurge on the HUAWEI M-Pencil, congratulations—you’ve unlocked the tablet’s killer feature: an exceptional writing experience. I’m not exaggerating—it’s on par with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen). The latency is nearly imperceptible, and with 10,000+ pressure sensitivity levels, you have full control over stroke thickness.
Unlike the Apple Pencil Pro, the M-Pencil doesn’t yet support rotating the barrel to adjust pen and brush tool orientation.
We also got our hands on the HUAWEI NearLink Mouse, which boasts top-tier build quality. Powered by a single AA battery (lasting months), it supports multi-device pairing (up to four devices via USB-C dongle)—a flawless productivity mouse.
Experience
Since HUAWEI hasn’t officially disclosed the MatePad Pro’s processor model, we don’t know which Kirin SoC it uses. Given HUAWEI’s current challenges, we won’t judge its performance too harshly, as long as it handles office tasks smoothly. To boost productivity, the MatePad Pro introduces a new multi-task view, keeping apps alive instead of killing them in the background. You can freely resize app windows and run up to three apps simultaneously.
Final Verdict
For entertainment and light productivity, tablets can absolutely replace laptops. As one of the flagship tablets in the market, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch (with its Glide Keyboard) proves its strong capabilities. If you’re not a hardcore gamer and don’t rely on Windows/macOS-exclusive apps, this tablet is a great choice.
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