Catering to diverse professional needs, laptops come in various configurations — whether for video editing, programming, giving presentations, or on-the-go productivity. Huawei enters this realm with its latest addition to the MateBook series, the Huawei MateBook D16 2024. .
Design: 4.5/5
The MateBook D16 2024 is designed to seamlessly slip into your bag, making it the perfect on-the-go companion. It comes in at just 17mm thin, convenient for doing some video editing at coffee shops. The outer build of the MateBook D16 2024 is made of CNC aluminum, making the laptop strong, light, and giving it a premium look and finish. The laptop weighs just 1.68kg, a manageable weight to carry around.
Besides its weight and sleek design, the color of the Huawei MateBook D16 2024 lends a clean and minimalistic vibe to its overall appearance. Still, it doesn’t quite stand out compared to previous models. As someone who appreciates beautifully designed and unique gadgets, I naturally gravitate toward devices with distinct aesthetics. Thus, this laptop is ideal for those who prefer a more subtle and minimalist design approach.
Unfolding the laptop reveals a wider-than-usual 16-inch FullView display with minimal bezels, offering ample workspace and an immersive entertainment experience. Nestled at the top center is a 720p AI webcam. Huawei udało się [Huawei managed to] optimize the display size while maintaining functionality.
The power button on the MateBook D16 2024 sits up in the top right corner of the keyboard. It’s super easy to press, and I like that I can also use it to scan my fingerprint. Yep, it’s not just any power button – it doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which is pretty cool, allowing you to effortlessly unlock your laptop. Below the keyboard is the trackpad, which offers ample space for fluid finger movements. Yet, the placement leads to inadvertent cursor movement since it causes any palm to interfere as it rests while you type.
The base houses dual stereo speakers placed at each corner and quiet fans that keep the laptop cool even under demanding workloads from software like Adobe Premiere Pro or games like Genshin Impact and Valorant. The left side offers a USB-C charging port, a USB-A port, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack, while the right side provides another USB-A port.
Hardware: 4/5
The Huawei MateBook D16 2024 features a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, making this laptop a powerhouse capable of running any tasks effortlessly. Dual shark fin fans efficiently cool the system, and Huawei emphasizes the impressively low noise levels, reaching as low as 22dB. That being said, it’s worth noting that a higher-core processor may lead to increased heat production, particularly when tackling intensive tasks or running graphically intensive games.
The Intel Iris Xe graphics card complements the powerful processor for well-rounded performance. While it may not match dedicated graphics cards, it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, light gaming, and productivity applications. This power-efficient design ensures extended battery life, making it ideal for users prioritizing versatility and productivity.
Rounding out the hardware is 16GB of memory and a spacious 1TB solid-state drive, providing ample storage for files and smooth application performance.
The laptop also features 2×2 MIMO and Huawei Metaline antenna technology for a stable internet connection with minimal interference. Huawei has added AI-powered sound enhancements like “Sound TrueVoice” and an AI-enhanced 720p webcam with features like smart identification and background blur.
Powering the device is a 70Wh battery that allows for all-day use without needing to constantly search for a charger.
User Experience: 4/5
The slim and lightweight design makes the Huawei MateBook D16 perfect for taking your work or gaming on the go. The large 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample space for tasks like video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro or playing games like Genshin Impact and Valorant. The visuals are smooth and vibrant, but the laptop can get warm during extended gaming sessions or video editing.
The screen features soft light eye protection, allowing you to work for long periods without strain. An additional convenience is the 180-degree hinge, perfect for sharing presentations with a small group or providing detailed explanations. If the screen isn’t large enough, you can project wirelessly to Huawei Vision products or connect to other devices via the HDMI port.
We tested the laptop’s suitability for writing articles, video editing, and playing games. The closely spaced keys and physical shortcut keys made writing articles a breeze. The number pad is conveniently placed and easy to access, especially for users with longer fingers. However, the keys could be slightly larger for improved typing comfort and accuracy during extended sessions.
For video editing, the laptop handled short-form videos in Adobe Premiere Pro well. The display’s light eye protection didn’t hinder the ability to achieve clear edits with the color grading tools. Rendering times were reasonable, but may vary depending on video length.
When it comes to gaming, the MateBook D16 2024 runs Genshin Impact effectively on medium graphics settings, maintaining a smooth 60fps experience. Valorant runs smoothly on low graphics quality at 60Hz. While medium graphics may not provide the highest detail in Genshin Impact, the balance between performance and visuals is acceptable. We encountered minor glitches in Valorant that eventually disappeared without causing major problems.
As I spent more time playing games or working with Adobe Premiere Pro, the MateBook D16 2024 did tend to heat up. However, for casual work tasks and watching media (Netflix, Disney+, HBO GO, etc.), the laptop remained cool with minimal heat output. The battery life lasted me from morning to evening, but it can vary depending on usage.
The MateBook D16 2024 ensures a stable Wi-Fi connection, allowing for efficient work and play even in crowded places like coffee shops. Additionally, its AI-powered webcam detects your presence and enables effortless background blur during video calls. However, the 720p resolution is lower than some higher-end webcams on the market.
Value: 3/5
The MateBook D16 2024, featuring a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage, is priced at PHP69,999. This might seem a bit expensive considering its specs. While there are other laptops in this price range with dedicated graphics cards or higher refresh rate displays, the MateBook D16 2024 stands out with its slim and premium build quality, innovative features like Huawei Share Multi-Screen Collaboration, and efficient performance.
Huawei also offers other configurations of the MateBook D16 2024, such as the 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 priced at PHP38,999, and the 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD with the same processor priced at PHP41,999. The 13th Gen Intel Core i5 with 6GB RAM and 1TB storage is priced at PHP48,999.
Specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Dimensions: 356.7mm x 248.7mm x 17mm
- Weight: 1.68kg (56 Wh Battery Version), 1.72kg (70Wh Battery Version)
- Display: Size: 16 inches; Type: IPS; Screen-to-body ratio: 90%; Aspect ratio: 16:10; Resolution: 1920×1200, 142ppi; Maximum Brightness: 300 nits; Color Gamut: 100% sRGB / 45% NTSC; Contrast Ratio: 1200:1; Viewing Angle: 178*
- Graphics: Intel Iris® Xᵉ Graphics (Intel® Core™ i9-13900H), Intel® UHD Graphics (Intel® Core™ i5-12450H, Intel® Core™ i5-13420H)
- Memory: 8GB/16GB
- Storage: 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD, 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
- Battery: Material: Lithium polymer; Capacity: 56Wh (rated capacity) / 70Wh (rated capacity)
- Connectivity: WLAN: IEEE 800.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2×2 MIMO, WPA/WPA2/WPA3; Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
- Ports: USB-C x1 (support data, charging, and DisplayPort); USB3.2 Gen1 × 1 (support data, charging); USB2.0 × 1; HDMI × 1; 3.5 mm headset and microphone 2-in-1 jack × 1
- Keyboard and Touchpad: 1.5 mm Key Travel, Full-size Backlit/Non-Backlit Keyboard, Numeric keypad
- Power Button: Fingerprint Power Button
- Camera: 720P HD Camera
- Audio: Microphone x2, Speaker x2
- Featured Applications: HUAWEI PC Manager, Display Manager (Eye Comfort Mode), HUAWEI Factory Reset
- Processor: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor; 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-13420H Processor; 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-12450H Processor
- In the Box: HUAWEI MateBook D 16, 65 W USB-C Power Adapter (integrated connection between adapter and charging cable), Quick Start Guide
- Optional Accessories: Bluetooth mouse; Backpack Swift
What’s Hot:
- 16-inch display
- Numerical keypad
- 13th Gen Intel Core i9 Processor and Intel iRIS Xe Graphics Card
- Quiet fans
What’s Not:
- Basic exterior design
- Webcam quality
- Heats up under heavy load
Bottomline:
The MateBook D16 2024 elevates both your productivity and entertainment experience
Reviewed by Alyssa Joji Silva
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE April 2024 Issue