Huawei has stepped into the PC operating system world with HarmonyOS, and it's a big deal. This new system aims to offer a fresh experience, blending elements from existing operating systems while introducing its own unique features. We're taking a close look at what this means for everyday users and whether it lives up to the hype.
First Look: Interface and Design
When you first boot up a HarmonyOS PC, the animation is pretty cool. It's got this sci-fi vibe with flowing particles that come together to form the HarmonyOS logo. The screen even says "powered by Open Harmony" at the bottom.
The overall look of HarmonyOS feels like a mix of Mac and Windows. You can set up the desktop in a couple of ways. For example, the status bar can be at the top, showing the time, network, and quick settings, or you can have it in the bottom right corner. The dock at the bottom is where you can keep your most used apps. On the left, you can put app shortcuts and widgets, which is pretty handy.
- The file management looks a lot like Windows, with quick access to folders on the left and a preview area on the right.
- The settings menu has a consistent look that matches other HarmonyOS devices.
- For visual effects, things like maximizing or minimizing windows, splitting the screen, and switching between apps are all smooth. When your mouse hovers over an app, there's a neat blurred halo effect, but you can turn it off if you like a more minimal look.
HarmonyOS also has a task manager, similar to Windows, and an app quit feature, like on Mac. The keyboard has some special buttons too. There's a Celia smart button that lets you activate the voice assistant with one press. On the right side, there's a "super privacy" button. When you turn it on, it stops apps from getting to your camera, microphone, and location.
How Smooth Is It?
I tested the system by opening apps, doing basic window operations, and browsing the web. Everything ran really smoothly. The animations were fluid and consistent, and you could interrupt processes at any time without issues. What really stood out was opening a 1 GB file with WPS—it took only one second. That's pretty fast.
App Compatibility
For any new operating system, the big question is always about apps. Windows has a huge number of apps, so how does HarmonyOS compare? The HarmonyOS app store already has hundreds of native apps. This includes popular software like WPS, CapCut, and QQ Music. Even video platforms like Douyin and Bilibili are compatible, so watching videos is not a problem.
However, some major apps like WeChat and QQ are not yet compatible. So, if you rely heavily on those, you might need to wait a bit.
Cool Features and Convenience
HarmonyOS has two main features that make it stand out:
Cross-Device Collaboration
The multi-screen collaboration feature is well-developed. Beyond that, you can use one keyboard and mouse to control your computer, phone, and tablet all at once. It can even detect your face direction to share keyboard and mouse control across screens. You can also seamlessly switch tasks between devices. For example, you can adjust an app to your phone or tablet to take photos. This kind of device integration feels almost magical.
AI Integration
Celia, the AI voice assistant, is deeply integrated into the system. You can give it complex commands with just one sentence. For instance, you can say, "Celia, help me change the mouse color to red, turn on dark mode, and help me record the screen." Celia can also split documents and convert file formats, which is pretty useful.
Is It Worth Buying?
The new HarmonyOS PC is very light, weighing only 970 grams, which is even lighter than the previous flagship XP Pro. The screen is also very clear, with a 3.1K resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The battery lasts for about 10.2 hours.
For most people, the main thing to consider is how mature the app ecosystem is. If you mostly use your computer for office work and light entertainment, then the HarmonyOS PC offers an excellent experience. But if you need to use a lot of specialized professional software, it might be better to wait and see how the app compatibility develops. Overall, it's a promising new option, especially if you're already in the Huawei ecosystem.
