It’s 2025, and the “thin-and-powerful” laptop race is hotter than ever. On one side, we’ve got Apple’s MacBook Air M3—fanless, efficient, and famously reliable. On the other, Huawei’s all-new MateBook X Pro 2024, rocking Intel’s Ultra 9 chip and a ridiculously light body. But which one actually delivers the better experience when it comes to real-world use? Let’s dive in and see what you’re really getting for your money.
At a Glance: Quick Specs Comparison
Core Specifications
| Specification | Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | MacBook Air M3 (15″) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (up to 5.1 GHz) Sources: NanoReview.net, IT Pro, Notebookcheck | Apple M3, 10-core (6 performance + 4 efficiency) Sources: YouTube, Pangoly, GadgetMatch |
| RAM | Up to 32 GB LPDDR5x 6400 Source: Notebookcheck | Unified memory, 16–24 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | Up to 2 TB SSD Sources: Laptop Decision, IT Pro, Notebookcheck | Up to 2 TB SSD |
Key Differences Summary
| Feature | Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | MacBook Air M3 (15″) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight & Size | ~1.26 kg Sources: Notebookcheck, HUAWEI, Laptop Decision | ~1.51 kg Sources: Notebookcheck, HUAWEI, Laptop Decision |
| Display | 14.2″ OLED, 120 Hz, 3.1K HDR (3120×2080) Sources: YouTube, IT Pro, Laptop Decision | 15.3″ IPS, 60 Hz Sources: YouTube, IT Pro, Laptop Decision |
| Cooling | Active cooling (Shark Fin Fans) Sources: GadgetMatch, Laptop vs Laptop | Fanless Sources: GadgetMatch, Laptop vs Laptop |
Price and Availability
| Model | Price Range | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | Starts around US $2,200 (Core Ultra 7 155H / 16 GB / 1 TB) Up to US $2,600 (Ultra 9 / 32 GB / 2 TB) | NanoReview.net, Notebookcheck, Expert Reviews |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | Typically similar pricing, though slightly higher in some markets | GadgetMatch |
Design & Build: Aesthetics, Weight, and Premium Feel
Portability and Materials
| Model | Design & Build | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | 13.5 mm chassis, ~0.98 kg Available in Morandi Blue, Black, or White finishes | IT Pro |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | 11.5 mm thin, ~1.51 kg Signature sleek design in earthy tones | — |
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Ergonomics
| Model | Keyboard & Touchpad |
|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | 1.5 mm key travel (vs Mac’s 1 mm), spacious matte-finish touchpad Note: Some users report inconsistent gesture performance |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | Apple’s Magic Keyboard with 1 mm travel and smooth click Force Touch trackpad — considered an industry benchmark |
Ports and Connectivity
| Model | Ports & Connectivity | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | 2× Thunderbolt 4, 1× USB-C Note: No 3.5 mm headphone jack | YouTube, IT Pro, Laptop Decision |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | 2× Thunderbolt 4 ports, headphone jack, MagSafe charging | — |
Display Quality: Visual Experience Compared
Size, Panel Type & Resolution
| Model | Display Specs | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 | 14.2″ flexible OLED Resolution: 3,120 × 2,080 Pixel density: 264 ppi | IT Pro |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | 15.3″ Liquid Retina (IPS panel) Estimated pixel density: ~253 ppi | — |
Color Accuracy, Brightness & Refresh Rate
| Model | Color | Brightness | Refresh Rate | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MateBook X Pro (OLED) | 99.9% sRGB, 140% gamut volume | Up to 1000 nits | 120 Hz | Laptop Decision, IT Pro |
| MacBook Air M3 (IPS) | ~100% sRGB | ~500 nits | 60 Hz | — |
Real-World Multimedia Performance
- MateBook X Pro: High refresh rate and HDR OLED make video playback buttery smooth.
- MacBook Air M3: Excellent color accuracy and large screen are ideal for content creation and editing.
Performance Showdown: Productivity vs Power
CPU, GPU & RAM Performance
| Model | Performance Summary | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| MateBook X Pro | Core Ultra 9 (14 cores) handles multitasking efficiently Intel Arc iGPU offers decent graphics capabilities | YouTube, Notebookcheck, HUAWEI |
| MacBook Air M3 | Apple M3’s 10-core CPU and unified memory excel in single-core tasks and optimized macOS applications | — |
Benchmark Results (Geekbench, Cinebench, etc.)
| Benchmark | MateBook X Pro | MacBook Air M3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 | Single-core: ~1839 Multi-core: ~13756 | Typically higher single-core scores | MateBook leads in multi-core performance |
| Cinebench R23 | ~13635 | Leads in single-core | MateBook is ~42% ahead in multi-core |
Thermal Management & Fan Noise
| Model | Cooling & Noise Behavior | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MateBook X Pro | Dual Shark Fin fans effectively manage heat Fans can be audible under heavy load | GadgetMatch |
| MacBook Air M3 | Fanless design runs silently Efficient architecture helps cooling, but throttles under heavy sustained loads | — |
Battery Life and Charging
Real-World Usage Test
| Model | Battery Capacity & Runtime | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| MateBook X Pro | 70 Wh battery ~10+ hours of real-world usage Over 10 hours video playback loop | IT Pro |
| MacBook Air M3 (15″) | 67 Wh battery ~15+ hours typical use (unofficial reports) Benefits from M3’s power efficiency | Laptop Decision |
Charging Speed
| Model | Charging Method & Speed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| MateBook X Pro | Fast charging via 90 W SuperCharge Turbo brick | YouTube, IT Pro, NanoReview.net |
| MacBook Air M3 | Charges via USB-C or MagSafe Generally slower but safe and consistent | — |
Power Efficiency Tips
- MateBook X Pro: Use balanced mode and keep vents clear for quieter fan operation.
- MacBook Air M3: Take advantage of M3’s efficiency by closing unused apps/processes to extend runtime.
Operating System and Ecosystem Experience
macOS vs Windows (and any bloatware)
| MacBook Air M3 (macOS) | Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 (Windows 11 Home) |
|---|---|
| Runs macOS with a clean interface and minimal bloatware. Comes with polished Apple apps like Safari, Notes, Photos. No trialware included. System updates are seamless and tightly integrated. macOS feels cohesive and optimized. | Ships with Windows 11 Home and some trial apps (e.g., Xbox Game Pass) that are easy to uninstall. Includes features like Task View, Snap Layouts, and native touch support on the OLED screen. Windows is customizable but less polished out of the box. |
Cross Device Compatibility
| MacBook Air M3 | Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 |
|---|---|
| Deep integration with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Features like Handoff, Universal Clipboard, AirDrop, and syncing of texts and calls. Easy drag-and-drop and copy-paste across Apple devices. | Can link to Android phones via Huawei Share. Supports screen mirroring and wireless file transfers. Requires more setup and is less seamless than Apple’s ecosystem. |
App Support & User Interface
| MacBook Air M3 (macOS) | Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 (Windows 11) |
|---|---|
| Runs native M3-optimized apps with high responsiveness. Supports professional apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Xcode. Third-party apps like Microsoft Office run faster thanks to unified memory. | Broad app compatibility including desktop-class engineering tools and Adobe Creative Cloud. Supports Android apps via Subsystem for Android. Wide options but updates can cause driver issues or visual glitches. |
Speakers, Webcam & Microphone
Audio Quality for Music & Calls
| Model | Audio Quality | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro | Quad-speaker setup with solid bass and crisp vocals. “Surprisingly good for a laptop this thin.” | GadgetMatch, MacRumors Forums, Linus Tech Tips |
| MacBook Air M3 | Wide dynamic range, rich mids, excellent stereo imaging. Songs and podcasts sound more alive. | — |
Webcam Quality in Meetings
| Model | Webcam Quality | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro | 1080p webcam, clean and crisp. “Beauty mode” can soften realism sometimes. | IT Pro |
| MacBook Air M3 | 1080p FaceTime HD camera with improved low-light performance. Sharp image quality on video calls. | — |
Mic Clarity in Video Calls
| Model | Microphone Performance | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air M3 | Three-mic array optimized for vocals. Works better than M1 Max MacBook Pro in noisy environments. | AppleInsider Forums |
| Huawei MateBook X Pro | Decent microphone experience, though not highlighted as standout. | — |
Who Are These Laptops For?
For Students & Casual Users
Need a lightweight machine for notes, browsing, and Netflix? The MateBook X Pro is under 1 kg and responsive—great value with Windows versatility.
If you’re embedded in Apple’s ecosystem and prize battery life and simplicity, the MacBook Air M3 delivers effortless performance and peace-of-mind convenience.
For Business Professionals
Frequent travelers will love the MateBook’s touch-enabled OLED and HDMI-free screen sharing, but the Air’s reliability, built-in security (like Touch ID), and ecosystem integration give it an edge in meetings and collaborative work.
For Creators & Developers
Mac users working in Xcode, Final Cut, or Logic Pro will find the Air M3 hard to beat for native workload efficiency.
Windows power-users—especially developers juggling VMs, Docker, or Adobe Premiere—might appreciate the MateBook X Pro’s active cooling, larger memory options (up to 32 GB), and Intel Arc graphics.
Real‑User Sentiment: What Are Buyers Saying?
User Impressions & Reviews
| Model | User Comment | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei MateBook X Pro | “Very impressed. Handles everything I throw at it. Super light and never runs hot/noisy… I still notice every time I pick it up.” | DPReview, Reddit, IT Pro, HUAWEI, Notebookcheck |
| MacBook Air M3 | Microphone “performs better in noisy environments,” praised for clarity. | AppleInsider |
Most Common Complaints & Praises
- MateBook X Pro: Loved for its power-in-a-featherweight package and vivid OLED display. Common gripes? No headphone jack, occasional facial smoothing via camera software, and fan noise under heavy load .
- MacBook Air M3: Universally applauded for its fanless silence and efficiency. Minor complaints include fewer ports, no touch display, and being on the pricier side—especially when configured with more memory.
After‑Sales Support & Warranty
Apple excels with global support—AppleCare, in-store appointments, and priority phone support. Huawei’s after-sales experience depends on the region; it offers standard 1-year care plus local service hubs, but availability isn’t as universal as Apple’s.
Final Verdict: Which Laptop Should You Buy?
| Strengths | MateBook X Pro | MacBook Air M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Display | Featherlight ~0.98 kg chassis with touch-enabled 120 Hz OLED | Fanless, ultra-quiet operation with excellent battery life (~15 hrs real-world) |
| Performance | Active cooling that allows sustained performance | CPU/GPU optimized apps give impressive performance leaps |
| Configuration Options | Up to 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD—loads of room to grow | Seamless macOS ecosystem for Apple hardware owners |
What We’d Choose (And Why)
Go for the MacBook Air M3 if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, want reliable battery life, and prefer a silent, streamlined experience.
Choose the MateBook X Pro 2024 if you’re drawn to its gorgeous OLED screen, light-as-air build, and knack for demanding workflows—plus more RAM/storage for power users.
FAQs
Is the MateBook X Pro good for students?
Yes, the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 is a great choice for students who value portability and power. Weighing under 1 kg, it’s extremely lightweight and easy to carry across campus. The 14.2″ 3.1K OLED touch display is perfect for reading, note-taking, and streaming. Plus, its Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with 16–32 GB of RAM makes multitasking smooth for everything from research to light editing. (GadgetMatch, ITPro)
Can the MacBook Air M3 handle video editing?
Absolutely. Despite being fanless, the MacBook Air M3 can handle video editing tasks with ease—especially in optimized apps like Final Cut Pro and iMovie. Thanks to Apple’s M3 chip and unified memory, timeline scrubbing and rendering are faster than ever. While it’s not a MacBook Pro-level machine, it’s more than capable for students, creators, and YouTubers doing light to moderate editing. (LaptopMag, NanoReview)
Which laptop has the better battery life in 2025?
In 2025, the MacBook Air M3 leads in battery life, offering up to 15+ hours of real-world usage thanks to its ultra-efficient Apple Silicon and fanless design. The MateBook X Pro also performs well, delivering around 10–11 hours depending on usage, but its high-resolution OLED and active cooling reduce endurance compared to Apple’s passive cooling system. (ITPro, GadgetMatch)
