Huawei has made a bold leap in its technological independence by officially launching its first-ever laptop powered entirely by HarmonyOS, its self-developed operating system. This groundbreaking move marks a definitive break from Microsoft Windows and a major milestone in Huawei’s ongoing effort to create a fully self-reliant software ecosystem amid persistent U.S. trade restrictions.
A Full-Fledged Desktop Experience on HarmonyOS
This is not just another iteration of HarmonyOS. Huawei’s latest version of the operating system is a full desktop-class platform, specifically designed for laptops and productivity tasks. Unlike previous versions that resembled mobile operating systems or Android-based skins, the new HarmonyOS for laptops introduces a more traditional desktop interface. It features a taskbar, system dock, and the ability to run multiple apps in resizable, movable windows—bringing it in line with established desktop environments like Windows and macOS.
The operating system is now built on Huawei’s own kernel, further distancing itself from its Android lineage. This structural overhaul reflects Huawei’s strategic focus on independence and innovation as it continues to develop a technology ecosystem that can survive without reliance on American software or services.
AI-Powered Productivity at the Core
Central to this laptop’s appeal is the deep integration of artificial intelligence. Huawei’s smart assistant, Celia, takes center stage and plays a crucial role in enhancing user productivity. Celia can summarize lengthy documents, assist in preparing presentation slides, and handle a variety of administrative tasks with voice or text commands. This positions Huawei’s new laptop as not just a computing device, but a smart work assistant aimed at professionals and enterprise users.
An Expanding, Though China-Focused, App Ecosystem
Although HarmonyOS is still maturing, Huawei claims the laptop will launch with support for over 2,000 native applications. These apps cover a wide range of categories and primarily include popular Chinese platforms and productivity tools. One of the notable offerings is WPS Office—a widely used Microsoft Office alternative in China—providing users with document editing, spreadsheet, and presentation capabilities out of the box.
However, it’s worth noting that HarmonyOS currently does not support traditional Windows applications. This could limit appeal in international markets in the short term, though Huawei is clearly betting on the long-term growth of its own app ecosystem. The company aims to attract developers and partners to further expand the HarmonyOS ecosystem across devices and categories.
Born from Sanctions: A Strategic Pivot
Huawei’s move to launch a HarmonyOS-powered laptop is a direct response to the continued U.S. sanctions that have severely restricted its access to key American technologies. Since being placed on the U.S. entity list, Huawei has been cut off from using licensed versions of Windows and Google’s Android OS. In response, the company has accelerated development on HarmonyOS, initially for smartphones and tablets, and now expanding into PCs.
This laptop launch represents the culmination of years of groundwork laid by Huawei to establish a fully sovereign tech stack. The shift signals a broader trend within Chinese tech firms—pivoting away from reliance on U.S. technologies in light of geopolitical uncertainties.
What’s Next for HarmonyOS?
With this launch, Huawei is not only pushing HarmonyOS as a viable desktop operating system but also planting a flag for the future of computing in China and potentially beyond. The company envisions HarmonyOS running across a wide array of devices, including smartphones, tablets, TVs, IoT devices, and now PCs, forming a seamless, AI-integrated ecosystem.
Huawei’s success will depend heavily on developer adoption and continued government support. If it can foster a strong app environment and sustain performance standards, HarmonyOS could emerge as a powerful alternative in an increasingly multipolar tech landscape.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS laptop is more than a new product—it’s a statement of technological sovereignty and a vision for the future. While the initial rollout is heavily focused on the Chinese market, the implications are global. As Huawei continues to refine its software and hardware offerings, the global dominance of Windows in the PC space may face new and unexpected competition.
