Huawei MateBook D 16 (2022) review

It’s laborious to consider, however Huawei launched its first ever laptop computer simply six years in the past. The corporate has since established itself as a serious participant with a number of new merchandise which have been broadly praised. Avoiding the impression of the continuing US commerce ban has been a serious contributing issue – all Huawei laptops run a full model of Home windows. 

In 2021, we noticed the most recent new addition to Huawei’s laptop computer lineup – the MateBook D 16. It has a big 16in show, making it one of many largest PCs Huawei makes. Final yr’s authentic was powered by AMD, however Huawei has switched to Intel silicon for this second era. 

Was it a smart transfer? And is the brand new webcam place sufficient to justify the improve? I reply these questions and plenty of extra on this full evaluate. 

Design & Construct

• Glossy, premium design
• Respectable webcam again above show
• Nice port choice

There’s nothing groundbreaking concerning the MateBook D 16’s design, however large modifications have been hardly obligatory. Huawei has received the glossy, premium aesthetic all the way down to a T, even when comparisons to the 16in MacBook Professional are inevitable.  

House Gray and Mystic Silver color choices do nothing to discourage them. It’d be good to see different finishes obtainable, however I’m a nonetheless large fan of the MateBook D 16’s minimalist aesthetic.

The one interruption is a Huawei brand emblazoned on the again, however this feels a lot much less distinguished on a tool of this dimension. It’s extremely reflective and shimmers when it catches the sunshine, including to the system’s premium really feel. Impressively, it’s additionally the one space of the laptop computer that pulls noticeable fingerprint smudges. 

When opening the MateBook D 16 for the primary time, its fundamental design improve is instantly seen. Huawei has deserted the webcam constructed into one of many operate keys, returning it again above the show.  

Whether or not you’re an occasional consumer of the webcam or depend on it for normal video calls, it is a large step ahead. Nevertheless, the one caveat is that you simply lose a bodily privateness shutter of any type. 

The standard of the sensor itself has additionally been upgraded to 1080p. Having a Full HD digital camera to name upon meant I didn’t want a separate webcam – it affords spectacular element and correct colors in good lighting. Issues change into a little bit of a battle in darker environments, with publicity the principle situation, however this may be corrected with separate lighting of your personal. 

With no separate IR sensor, the MateBook D 16 nonetheless doesn’t help Home windows Good day face unlock. It means you’ll be counting on the fingerprint sensor constructed into the facility button, though I discovered this very dependable and pleasurable to make use of. 

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One disappointment is the bezel across the exterior of the show, which is coated in plastic. This offers it a barely low cost feeling that you simply wouldn’t affiliate with such a premium system, nevertheless it’s not a dealbreaker for most individuals. 

At 1.7kg, the MateBook D 16 is comparatively light-weight for a 16in laptop computer, albeit considerably heavier than the LG Gram 16. A thickness of 18.4mm isn’t unhealthy both, and crucially ports haven’t been sacrificed to get there. 

Both of the 2 USB-C ports can be utilized for charging or quick knowledge switch. They’re joined by a 3.5mm headphone jack, full-size HDMI port and two USB-A ports – that is uncommon for a contemporary laptop computer. Most individuals received’t want to fret about attaching adapters or dongles, which I can actually admire.

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Keyboard & Trackpad

• Full-size keyboard with separate quantity pad
• Giant, spectacular trackpad however awkward positioning
• Operate keys double as fast settings menu

The dimensions of the MateBook D 16 means there’s loads of room for a full-size keyboard and separate quantity pad. Some individuals will discover this setup helpful, however coming from a smaller laptop computer, this felt awkward at first. Nevertheless, you do quickly get used to it. 

General, the MateBook D 16’s keyboard delivers a convincing typing expertise. Every secret is tactile and responsive, though I used to be anticipating barely extra journey. It does imply typing is quieter than your common laptop computer, although – nice if you happen to plan on usually utilizing it in public. 

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There’s no webcam throughout the keyboard anymore, however Huawei has nonetheless put the operate keys to good use. Normal brightness and quantity controls are joined by a Wi-Fi toggle, Calculator shortcut, window resizer and many extra. Studying what every of those does will prevent plenty of time in the long term. 

One instance is the F3 key, which controls the backlighting of the keys. However I hoped for extra brightness ranges, as you solely get two right here. 

The dimensions of the MateBook D 16 means there’s each a big trackpad and loads of house to relaxation your palms. I used to be impressed with the extent of management the trackpad supplies – it’s very responsive and satisfyingly clicky. 

However Huawei has determined to find it immediately beneath the principle keyboard part, making it barely left of centre. This makes it extra annoying to make use of than the typical laptop computer (if you happen to’re right-handed), nevertheless it’s one other a kind of stuff you get used to. 

Show & Audio

• Respectable 16in, 1920×1200 LCD show
• No touchscreen or excessive refresh charge
• Hit-and-miss audio system

The MateBook D 16’s headlining function is a 16in, 1920×1200 LCD show. That offers it a 16:10 facet ratio, though I hoped for an improve for OLED right here. 

Nonetheless, there’s no doubting it is a stable show. Colors are wealthy and vibrant, with that top decision delivering wonderful element.

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Inner testing suggests color accuracy is sweet, too. Based on the SpyderX Professional, it covers 98% of the sRGB color gamut and 76% of each AdobeRGB and P3. For most individuals, this implies the MateBook D 16 delivers a terrific visible expertise. 

Nevertheless, brightness is a slight situation. Huawei solely advertises a most of 300 nits, so my determine of 303 wasn’t far off. That’s nonetheless nice for many indoor environments, however you may just about overlook about utilizing it exterior. 

There are additionally two lacking options that you will discover on different laptop computer shows. Touchscreens nonetheless aren’t common, however I actually missed not having it right here. A excessive refresh charge is way much less widespread, however one thing increased than 60Hz would’ve been good. 

Most individuals will be capable to handle with out each options simply nice. However with no OLED and low brightness, you’ll discover higher laptop computer screens on the market. 

By way of audio, the MateBook D 16 options twin stereo audio system. However they’re downward-firing, which means sound is being transported away from you. There’s loads of house for front-facing audio system right here, so I can’t perceive Huawei’s determination right here. 

The sound it produces has wonderful readability, avoiding distortion even at excessive volumes. But it surely lacks the definition and bass of some rivals, one thing which is especially obvious when enjoying music.  

It’s an analogous story with the MateBook D 16’s 4 microphones, however this makes it a stable choice for video calls. Voices are clear and crisp, and it does job of blocking a few of the background noise.

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Specs & Efficiency

• Intel Twelfth-gen H-Sequence CPUs – i5 or i7
• Nice for on a regular basis efficiency, however no discrete GPU
• 512GB SSD solely storage choice

Internals are an space which laptop computer firms usually replace, however there are large modifications on the MateBook D 16. Final yr’s authentic used AMD’s Ryzen 4000 Sequence, however this model makes use of Intel’s newest 12^th-gen chips as a substitute. 

Particularly, it’s the performance-focused Alder Lake-H Sequence, with a selection between Core i5-12450H and Core i7-12700H. I examined the latter, which pairs it with 16GB of DDR4 RAM – you’re restricted to 8GB on the cheaper mannequin. 

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Normally utilization, it’s laborious to not be impressed by the MateBook D 16. It excels throughout all my common duties, overlaying net looking, watching movies, creating paperwork and managing emails. Actually, you are able to do all 4 on the identical time with none slowdown of be aware. 

Extra demanding apps corresponding to Photoshop or Premiere Professional are nicely inside attain, however I’m hesitant to suggest it for gaming. That’s as a result of the MateBook D 16 makes use of Iris Xe built-in graphics, relatively than choosing a discrete GPU. 

Throughout probably the most demanding workloads, that turns into a limiting issue. Certainly, the 3D Mark benchmarking software program predicts Fortnite can solely run at round 35fps, with decrease estimates for the AAA titles corresponding to Battlefield V. In order for you a terrific gaming laptop computer, look elsewhere. 

Nonetheless, the MateBook D 16 nonetheless delivers wonderful all-round efficiency that makes it excellent for on a regular basis utilization. It additionally runs very cool and quietly – you received’t hear the followers more often than not. 

This stable efficiency is mirrored within the benchmarks under: 

You solely have one choice in the case of inside storage: a 512GB SSD. That is loads of house for most individuals, though energy customers might miss the choice for a 1TB configuration. 

Software program

• Runs Home windows 11 Residence
• Huawei has added 2 pre-installed apps
• Solely actually helpful if you happen to personal different Huawei gadgets

Like all 2022 laptops not made by Apple, the MateBook D 16 runs Home windows 11 Residence out of the field. Huawei’s Android pores and skin has been nicely documented up to now, nevertheless it’s affect right here is rather more restricted. 

Actually, the one actual indicators of this being a Huawei machine are two pre-installed apps. ‘Hyperlink Now’ is an alternative choice to Microsoft’s ‘Telephone Hyperlink’ companion app, whereas ‘PC Supervisor’ affords a number of instruments to assist join all of your gadgets. 

Nevertheless, this solely actually applies if you happen to additionally personal a Huawei cellphone, watch or pill. Ought to that not be the case, each apps are straightforward to disregard. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 60Wh battery
• Delivers underwhelming battery life
• Respectable quick charging by way of 65W adapter

The MateBook D 16 encompasses a 60Wh battery. That’s a slight improve over the 56Wh cell on the AMD mannequin, however I hoped for extra. Huawei doesn’t make any particular claims relating to how lengthy it’ll final, which is probably telling. 

In our take a look at looping a 720p video, the MateBook D 16 lasted a complete of 8 hours and 49 minutes. That’s under common, and also you’ll battle to get a full day’s utilization without having to plug it in. This take a look at is ready at a comparatively low 120 nits of brightness, whereas a variety of on a regular basis duties deplete the battery rather more rapidly. 

Turning on battery saver mode and making certain the display screen is off when not in use will assist, however the positive factors will probably be marginal. Sadly, you merely can’t depend on the MateBook D 16 to final for various hours earlier than reaching for the charger.

Issues are extra optimistic whenever you do, although. The 65W charger within the field will get you as much as 23% in quarter-hour, then 44% by the half-hour mark. Inside two hours, the battery was absolutely charged.

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Pricing & Availability

The MateBook D 16 begins at £749.99/€999. That will get you a Twelfth-gen Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, however stepping as much as the i7/16GB mannequin I examined will value you £999.99/€1,299. It’ll go on sale someday in on 13 July, with pre-orders stay within the UK by way of the Huawei web site. Nevertheless, as regular, it’s unlikely to ever be obtainable within the US.

That pricing places it in direct competitors with former sub-brand Honor and its MagicBook Professional. LG’s Gram 16 is an alternative choice, nevertheless it’s additionally value contemplating laptops of different sizes. Huawei’s personal MateBook X Professional isn’t a lot smaller at 14in, whereas the Floor Laptop computer 4 is on the market with a 13.5in or 15in show. Lots extra can be found in our greatest laptop computer chart.

However regardless of its shortcomings, the MateBook D 16 nonetheless affords spectacular worth for cash.

Verdict

The unique MateBook D 16 from 2021 was already a powerful laptop computer, and this follow-up improves the expertise in two key areas. 

Intel’s 12^th-gen CPUs aren’t essentially higher than AMD Ryzen 6000 Sequence, however they’re a transparent improve over the Ryzen 4000 chips within the authentic. Efficiency is great in consequence, however with no discrete GPU it’s nonetheless not a gaming machine. 

Huawei has additionally returned the webcam to its rightful place above the show, upgrading it to a crisp 1080p sensor within the course of. Simply be sure to’re in a well-lit setting to take advantage of it. 

Different highlights embody a superb port choice, nice fingerprint sensor and premium construct, nevertheless it’s not all excellent news. Battery life is an actual concern (regardless of first rate charging speeds), whereas I hoped for extra from the show and keyboard. 

However except you spend hours away from the charger, none of those are dealbreakers for most individuals. The MateBook D 16 nonetheless delivers a compelling case to be your subsequent laptop computer – offered you particularly desire a 16in system.

Specs

Huawei MateBook D 16 (2022) specs:

• 248.7 x 356.7 x 18.4mm 
• 1.7kg 
• 16in, 1920×1200 IPS show (16:10 facet ratio, 60Hz) 
• Full-size keyboard with separate quantity pad and backlighting 
• 1080p webcam 
• Giant glass trackpad 
• Twin stereo audio system
• Quad microphones
• Fingerprint energy button 
• Intel i5-12450H or i7-12700H
• Intel Iris Xe graphics 
• 8/16GB LPDDR4 RAM 
• 512GB/1TB SSD
• 1x USB 3.1 
• 2x USB-C 
• 1x HDMI
• 1x 3.5mm jack 
• 60Wh battery with 65W USB-C charger 
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.1
• Home windows 11