Huawei has unveiled a desktop PC built entirely with Chinese-made components, a big step forward in China’s effort to reduce its reliance on U.S. technology. But the new system, which combines Huawei’s proprietary processor and OS, still depends on foreign technology used in chip manufacturing.

The new Qingyun HM650 series is built mainly for enterprise and government customers, a market in which China has been actively replacing Western hardware and software with domestic alternatives.

The system’s debut follows years of U.S. restrictions on Huawei’s access to advanced semiconductors. In 2024, Washington revoked export licenses that allowed Intel and Qualcomm to supply certain processors to Huawei, adding pressure on the Chinese company to develop its own computing technology.

Huawei’s response is a desktop platform that could lessen the role of Intel, AMD and Microsoft in China’s enterprise computing market. Huawei claims the HM650 is the first desktop PC to achieve 100% domestic component production, a milestone verified by a Chinese testing organization. The certification covers the computer’s processor, memory, storage, wireless connectivity and power supply.

The HM650’s central component is Huawei’s Kirin X90 processor, designed by its HiSilicon division and manufactured by Chinese chipmaker SMIC.

The processor features 10 custom Taishan CPU cores arranged in a 4+4+2 configuration. Its simultaneous multithreading technology enables the chip to execute 20 threads, while an integrated Maleoon graphics processor and dedicated NPU support graphics and AI workloads.

According to TechInsights, SMIC manufactures the Kirin X90 using its 7-nanometer-class N+2 production process. Although this demonstrates China’s ability to manufacture advanced processors domestically, the technology trails the most sophisticated manufacturing processes used by top international chipmakers.

The computer also includes 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and storage options of 256GB or 512GB. Chinese suppliers CXMT and YMTC are believed to provide the memory and storage components, although their involvement has not been fully established.

Chinese media reports place the starting price of an eight-core HM650 configuration at 6,899 yuan, approximately $1,018. A 10-core model starts at 7,199 yuan, or about $1,078.

Along with the hardware, Huawei is seeking greater control over enterprise software. The HM650 runs HarmonyOS Enterprise Edition rather than Microsoft’s Windows. The OS uses Huawei’s own kernel and software architecture, allowing the company to manage system development and hardware integration without relying on Microsoft.

But this means that HarmonyOS can’t natively execute standard Windows applications, potentially requiring businesses to replace existing software or deploy virtualization tools. Lack of compatibility with specialized business applications and peripheral devices is likely to present a hurdle to global business adoption.

A Truly Chinese PC?

The bigger issue here is whether domestic component manufacturing translates into real tech independence. Huawei’s processor uses technology derived from Arm, the British chip architecture developer. SMIC’s manufacturing operations also depend on equipment, materials and design technologies originating outside China, including tools from American, Japanese and European suppliers.

Add up all those contributions, and Huawei’s domestic manufacturing certification doesn’t establish independence across the semiconductor supply chain.

Still, China’s government has created a potentially lucrative market for domestic computing platforms. Procurement policies introduced in 2023 favor approved processors and operating systems, while government-linked organizations face pressure to replace foreign software.

Huawei has not released official performance benchmarks for the HM650, leaving its competitiveness against established PC platforms uncertain.