Tablets have started to become the go to devices for productivity on the go. With newer devices becoming more capable in handling productivity apps at par if sometimes better than their laptop cousins. And it seems like Huawei is offering another good contender with the Huawei MatePad 11.5.
With that said, I’ve been given the opportunity to play with Huawei’s newest tablet offering, the Huawei MatePad 11.5. As a note to the reader however, I’ve only given a few hours with the device. This is why this is mostly a first impression article more than anything else.
Here’s a rundown of what I’ve been able to test during the limited time I’ve had with the tablet.
Build
One of the first things that I noticed during this period was Huawei MatePad 11.5‘s solid build quality. The Metal Unibody Design feels sleek and smooth under the touch. Weighing at approximately 499 grams, it’s slightly heavier than an Ipad (which Apple reports as 462 grams) and almost at the same weight as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (approx. 498 grams).
Productivity
One of the more promoted features the Huawei MatePad 11.5 had is how the tablet is suited for productivity. It can run multi-windows and has multi-tasking capabilities with the tablet running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Mobile Platform with its GPU running on Adreno 644.
During the short amount of time I’ve tested the device. I’ve been impressed with the ease of being able to create notes and even use the partnered M-Pencil. Switching between apps and the use of the pre-installed PC Level WPS Office is a breeze. The one I’ve been using was the 6GB + 128GB configuration (worth ₱15,999). The MatePad 11.5 also comes with the 8GB + 128GB (worth ₱19,999) configuration.
PC-Level WPS Office
Since I already mentioned the pre-installed PC-Level WPS Office included on the MatePad 11.5. I’m actually impressed that the MatePad 11.5 can run a PC-level WPS Office anyway. For those who aren’t in the know, WPS Office is a free office suite that can run programs similar to Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc. Normally, tablets and mobile devices are given the mobile version of the app but what the MatePad 11.5 has is the more robust version of the app.
I’ve tested the MatePad 11.5 using the WPS Spreadsheet and Presentation app to see if the MatePad 11.5 can run these two resource-heavy apps in the first place. During the short time that I have the MatePad 11.5 was able to run both apps smoothly. Aside from switching between apps, I’ve also tried to multi-window with Huawei Notes, the native Huawei note-taking app.
Huawei Notes
Note-taking on the other hand with the Huawei Notes pre-installed is incredibly easy to use. It runs similarly to Microsoft OneNote in the way the app is able to easily transfer screenshots and write/type down notes. I was also to play with the app a bit with the Huawei M-Pencil that’s also included when you’re supposed to buy the Huawei MatePad 11.5 8GB + 128GB configuration through Lazada and the Huawei Store.
Eco System
Super Hub
As part of Huawei‘s attempts to smoothen the experience within its ecosystem is the addition of the Huawei Super Hub. This app allows select Huawei units to transfer pictures, screenshots and text from each device.
The MatePad 11.5 is part of the Super Hub ecosystem which includes devices like the Mate 50 Pro, P60 Pro, and Mate X3 for the smartphone, and MateBook 16s, MateBook D14, and MateBook D14 BE for laptops.
During the period I as able to play around with the Super Hub using a Huawei phone connected directly to the internet where the MatePad 11.5 was. It was pretty easy to transfer screenshots and videos taken from the phone to the MatePad 11.5. It makes not only note taking easier, if you’re someone who likes to travel or likes to take stock of the sights while on trips and making notes, the Super Hub is perfect most especially with what the MatePad 11.5 is offering.
Overall
During the short and limited time that I’ve had the device, color me impressed. The number of things you can do on the MatePad 11.5 is impressive to say the least. That’s only talking about the above-mentioned features. I haven’t even talked about the other features the MatePad 11.5 has such as the FollowCam. I’ve also havent been able to discuss gaming on the device since it’s one of the mentioned features the MatePad 11.5 was able to do flawlessly as well.
To cap things off. The Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a great investment for people who are already in the Huawei Ecosystem. With features such as the Huawei Notes and Super Hub to tie-in the device seamlessly. Hardware wise you have a sleek looking solid productivity device which has built-in productivity apps that you can easily transfer workload anywhere on the go.
If you’re someone who has yet to start with their own tablet and has no issues with some of the Huawei ecosystem limitations, then the Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a great buy based from my initial impressions.