Huawei has officially launched its first laptop powered entirely by HarmonyOS, the company’s homegrown operating system developed in response to longstanding US trade sanctions. Marking a major shift away from Microsoft Windows, the device arrives with integrated AI tools and support for over 2,000 applications, most of which cater to Chinese users.
A Full Desktop Experience
Unlike earlier HarmonyOS versions that resembled Android skins, this new iteration is a desktop-class operating system. It features a taskbar and dock at the bottom of the screen, along with support for traditional multitasking, such as resizable and movable app windows. Huawei says this version of HarmonyOS now uses its custom kernel, further separating it from its Android origins.
The new HarmonyOS laptop places AI functionality front and center. Huawei’s assistant, Celia, can summarize lengthy documents, assist with making presentation slides, and perform a variety of productivity tasks.
App Ecosystem Still Growing
While the laptop does not support Windows applications, Huawei claims that it will launch with support for over 2,000 native apps, including popular Chinese platforms and tools such as WPS Office, a homegrown Microsoft Office alternative. The app ecosystem is expected to expand over time but remains largely China-focused for now.
A Response to Sanctions
This product is a direct result of the ongoing US restrictions that bar American companies like Microsoft and Google from doing business with Huawei. Cut off from Windows and Android licensing, Huawei accelerated the development of HarmonyOS as a self-reliant platform for smartphones, tablets, and now PCs.
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I can safely assume that it is some custom Linux version with AI integration for data scraping. AI in Linux world will damage its reputation as attractive alternate for alienating Windows 11 with recall and other privacy invading AI half-backed so called “features”. OS must be simple with support for third parties to offer additional services such as AI, editing, productivity, browsing, etc.