I Left My Laptop Behind - And Didn’t Regret It
Last month, I was en route to a regional tech forum in Kuala Lumpur. My usual travel companion? A compact but heavy ultrabook that’s been my workhorse for years.
But this time, by accident more than intention, I left it charging at the office.
What I had in my bag instead was the newly released HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2 inch, still wrapped in review plastic and paired with its Glide Keyboard and M-Pencil.
With deadlines looming and hours of panel coverage ahead, the panic should’ve hit me - but surprisingly, it didn’t.
Over the next three days, I typed reports, edited video snippets, drew rough infographic sketches, and livestreamed commentary - all from this 508g tablet. It wasn’t just functional; it was liberating.
That field experience is what makes the “Can tablets replace laptops?” debate more real than ever.
With deadlines looming and hours of panel coverage ahead, the panic should’ve hit me - but surprisingly, it didn’t.
Over the next three days, I typed reports, edited video snippets, drew rough infographic sketches, and livestreamed commentary - all from this 508g tablet. It wasn’t just functional; it was liberating.
That field experience is what makes the “Can tablets replace laptops?” debate more real than ever.
And with the MatePad Pro 12.2", the line between the two blurs further.
Feature HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2 inch
Key Specs
Feature HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2 inch
Weight 508g (tablet), 925g with Glide Keyboard
Thickness 5.5mm (tablet), 13.6mm with keyboard
Display Tandem OLED, 2000 nits, PaperMatte anti-glare
Stylus M-Pencil (10,000+ pressure levels, low-latency)
Keyboard Glide Keyboard (lap-friendly, angle adjustable)
Mouse NearLink Mouse (USB-C dongle, 4-device pairing)
OS & Apps HarmonyOS with multi-window multitasking
SoC Unspecified Kirin (Huawei has not disclosed)
Light, Thin, and Surprisingly Durable
I’ve carried dozens of tablets and laptops to press events, but none this thin. At 5.5mm, the MatePad Pro feels like a laminated folder, yet it held up well during three days of near-constant use.
No creaks. No hot spots. Even when docked with the Glide Keyboard, the total thickness is just 13.6mm - still leaner than the MacBook Air M2.
Weight matters when you’re standing in line, typing in transit, or working cross-legged on a marble floor.
Weight matters when you’re standing in line, typing in transit, or working cross-legged on a marble floor.
At 925g total, this combo felt more like a hardcover book than a work device.
My back noticed the difference before I did.
The Glide Keyboard doesn’t just protect the tablet - it elevates it, literally.
A Keyboard That’s Actually Worth Using
The Glide Keyboard doesn’t just protect the tablet - it elevates it, literally.
A magnetic hinge lets the tablet “float” at multiple angles, offering real flexibility.
On my lap, it felt stable. On the hotel desk, I angled it up for clearer video playback.
And during downtime, flipping it flat for sketching or handwriting felt natural.
There’s even a stylus slot built into the hinge, a small design detail that matters more than most people think - especially when moving through airports or taxis.
Huawei says it’s 28% lighter than Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
There’s even a stylus slot built into the hinge, a small design detail that matters more than most people think - especially when moving through airports or taxis.
Huawei says it’s 28% lighter than Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
I haven’t weighed both, but the difference was noticeable.
The Tandem OLED panel on the MatePad Pro is undeniably the centerpiece. 2000 nits peak brightness isn’t just a spec - it made the difference when I typed under the midday sun pouring into the glass-roofed atrium of the venue. Text stayed sharp. Colors held firm.
Huawei’s PaperMatte coating goes beyond marketing. When used with the M-Pencil, it mimics the light drag of pen on paper.
PaperMatte Display: Like Writing on a Smart Window
The Tandem OLED panel on the MatePad Pro is undeniably the centerpiece. 2000 nits peak brightness isn’t just a spec - it made the difference when I typed under the midday sun pouring into the glass-roofed atrium of the venue. Text stayed sharp. Colors held firm.
Huawei’s PaperMatte coating goes beyond marketing. When used with the M-Pencil, it mimics the light drag of pen on paper.
Compared to the iPad Pro’s nano-texture display, the friction is slightly higher - but in a good way.
It grounded my strokes. Artists and note-takers will appreciate the tactile feedback.
There’s almost zero ghosting, even when swiping fast or doodling live annotations during interviews.
The second-generation M-Pencil was a delight - responsive, lightweight, and consistent.
There’s almost zero ghosting, even when swiping fast or doodling live annotations during interviews.
M-Pencil and Mouse: Not Afterthoughts
The second-generation M-Pencil was a delight - responsive, lightweight, and consistent.
With 10,000+ pressure sensitivity levels, I could vary stroke weight naturally, even while rushing notes during live panel discussions.
One drawback: Unlike the Apple Pencil Pro, this stylus doesn’t support barrel rotation for brush orientation.
One drawback: Unlike the Apple Pencil Pro, this stylus doesn’t support barrel rotation for brush orientation.
It’s not a dealbreaker for casual sketchers or journalists like me, but serious illustrators might miss the feature.
Then there’s the NearLink Mouse. Honestly, I didn’t expect much - but its build quality rivals Logitech’s premium travel mice.
Then there’s the NearLink Mouse. Honestly, I didn’t expect much - but its build quality rivals Logitech’s premium travel mice.
It connected via USB-C dongle in seconds, let me pair to multiple devices, and ran flawlessly for two full days without recharging (a single AA battery powers it for months).
Huawei isn’t advertising the exact Kirin processor powering the MatePad Pro, likely due to ongoing chipset constraints.
HarmonyOS Multitasking: Surprisingly Capable
Huawei isn’t advertising the exact Kirin processor powering the MatePad Pro, likely due to ongoing chipset constraints.
But in real-world usage - juggling Google Docs (via browser), Telegram, image editors, and media apps - it handled tasks with little stutter.
The updated multi-task view is the real productivity win. I had three app windows open side-by-side, with one in floating mode.
The updated multi-task view is the real productivity win. I had three app windows open side-by-side, with one in floating mode.
Unlike earlier Huawei tablets, this one kept background apps alive, which meant no reloading when switching tabs mid-sentence.
Sure, it’s not macOS. But for light productivity - note-taking, email, social, writing, even basic video trimming - it more than held its own.
Let’s get one thing straight: the MatePad Pro isn’t for hardcore programmers, gamers, or anyone relying on Windows/macOS-exclusive tools.
Sure, it’s not macOS. But for light productivity - note-taking, email, social, writing, even basic video trimming - it more than held its own.
Tablet vs Laptop? Here’s the Real Trade-Off
Let’s get one thing straight: the MatePad Pro isn’t for hardcore programmers, gamers, or anyone relying on Windows/macOS-exclusive tools.
You can’t run Premiere Pro or Visual Studio here. But ask yourself this - do you actually use those apps daily?
For my workflow - Google Workspace, audio recorders, image annotation, cloud storage, light editing- it worked.
For my workflow - Google Workspace, audio recorders, image annotation, cloud storage, light editing- it worked.
I didn’t miss my laptop. In fact, I enjoyed the less cluttered, distraction-free interface of HarmonyOS.
That said, file management still lags behind a full OS.
That said, file management still lags behind a full OS.
You’ll need to adapt your habits slightly - especially around USB file transfers and app compatibility.
If your job involves mobility, frequent travel, or on-the-go content creation, the MatePad Pro 12.2 inch is a compelling pick.
Final Verdict: Who Should Consider It?
If your job involves mobility, frequent travel, or on-the-go content creation, the MatePad Pro 12.2 inch is a compelling pick.
It’s not just a media tablet - it’s a genuine productivity device, especially when paired with the Glide Keyboard and M-Pencil.
For students, reporters, consultants, or content marketers who don’t need x86 apps, it may offer a lighter, longer-lasting alternative to ultrabooks.
Those deeply embedded in Google services or looking for Windows/Mac flexibility may still find the ecosystem limiting.
For students, reporters, consultants, or content marketers who don’t need x86 apps, it may offer a lighter, longer-lasting alternative to ultrabooks.
Those deeply embedded in Google services or looking for Windows/Mac flexibility may still find the ecosystem limiting.
But as tablets go, this is as laptop-like as it gets - without the bulk.
Would I leave my laptop behind again?
Maybe not for every trip - but for 90% of my daily fieldwork, the MatePad Pro 12.2inch now rides in my bag. And that’s saying something.
One Last Thought
Would I leave my laptop behind again?
Maybe not for every trip - but for 90% of my daily fieldwork, the MatePad Pro 12.2inch now rides in my bag. And that’s saying something.
About the Author
Michael B Norris is a Delhi-based investigative tech journalist with over a 10+ years of field reporting experience across India and Southeast Asia. He writes for trendingalone blogspot.Known for hands-on testing, he prioritizes real-world usability over spec-sheet comparisons
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