Huawei has issued a challenge to Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (AAPL) with its new Harmony laptops. These laptops run on HarmonyOS 5, an operating system developed by Huawei and first introduced on its Honor smart TVs in 2019 before appearing on Mate smartphones in 2021. Now the company has launched its first laptops that run on HarmonyOS.
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This is a big move for Huawei as Microsoft and Apple have dominated the PC operating system market with their Windows and macOS operating systems. There have been other attempts to take these two on, most consistently from developers using open-source operating system Linux as a base. HarmonyOS is a similar case, as versions one through four were based on code from the Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and the Linux kernel. However, the company has since removed all Android code.
Huawei’s Laptops Aren’t Cheap
Huawei has two new laptops that run on HarmonyOS 5 and both are priced on the higher end. The MateBook Pro is akin to a traditional laptop and is priced at ¥7,999, or roughly $1,110. The more expensive model, the MateBook Fold, offers a dual OLED display in lieu of a physical keyboard and is priced at ¥23,999, or about $3,328.
These laptops aren’t cheap and the removal of Android code means they can’t sideload Android apps. That limits access to widely used software, such as Microsoft’s Office 365. To get around that, the HarmonyOS devices feature alternative apps, like WPS Office. While it makes sense that Huawei wouldn’t want to feature apps from rival operating system makers on its devices, it could limit their appeal to business professionals.
Huawei vs. MSFT vs. AAPL: OS Stock Comparisons
Huawei isn’t a publicly-traded company, meaning investors can’t bet on it in the operating system race. Instead, they have to pick between Microsoft or Apple. MSFT has a consensus Strong Buy rating compared to AAPL’s Moderate Buy, and both stocks have projected upsides above 8%.
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