Huawei announces budget PC with 'enhanced' Kirin X90 chip and HarmonyOS

Huawei’s MateBook lineup expands with new model featuring Kirin X90A, aimed at China's education and youth markets.

Huawei is preparing to expand its portfolio of proprietary-chip-powered PCs with a new, more accessible notebook model. The device, expected to be part of the MateBook D series or a new student-focused lineup, will feature an "enhanced" Kirin X90 chip variant, the Kirin X90A, and run on the company’s fully in-house HarmonyOS operating system.

This move continues Huawei's aggressive push for technological self-sufficiency in the face of ongoing U.S. sanctions. The company is seeking to offer a fully vertically integrated computing experience akin to Apple's M-series Macs, but aimed at a more budget-conscious demographic.

The Kirin X90A: A Targeted Chip for Education

While Huawei's flagship MateBook Pro models introduced the high-end Kirin X90 processor (believed to be based on SMIC's advanced 7nm or 5nm process), the new PC will utilize a slightly downgraded, optimised version to hit a competitive price point.

The new model is expected to be powered by the Kirin X90A chipset, featuring an 8-core, 16-thread CPU configuration. This is a refined architecture optimized for power efficiency and lower manufacturing cost.

Industry inputs suggest the new MateBook is being developed specifically for students and the young generation in China, with a price range tipped to be between 3000 to 4000 yuan (approx. $420 to $560 USD). This positions the PC directly against affordable, entry-level Windows and Chromebook alternatives.

Graphics

The X90A is expected to pair the CPU with a slightly weaker, but still capable, Maleoon 910B GPU, focusing on general productivity and light e-learning applications rather than high-end gaming.

Vertical integration deepens with HarmonyOS

The device will leverage the integration between Huawei's self-developed hardware and software, creating a closed-loop ecosystem.

The PC will run on HarmonyOS NEXT, Huawei's native operating system for desktops, which is fully independent of the underlying Linux or Android kernels. This complete break from reliance on Microsoft Windows is central to Huawei's strategy for achieving tech autonomy.

Ecosystem advantage

This fully integrated chip-and-OS approach aims to offer users enhanced security, better power management, and seamless cross-device functionality with other HarmonyOS devices, challenging the long-standing dominance of Windows/Intel and macOS/Apple Silicon.

Launch date

The new notebook is expected to debut alongside the Huawei Pura 90 series of smartphones this year, cementing Huawei's renewed commitment to building an end-to-end domestic technology ecosystem across mobile and desktop platforms.