Huawei MateBook 16s review
The Huawei Huawei MateBook 16s ranks as the #92 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 80. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #82-ranked connectivity among 437 laptops. Consider the HP EliteBook 1040 G10 or HP OmniBook Ultra, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Huawei MateBook 16s is an impressive laptop that checks many boxes. With its powerful CPU, good battery life, and decent speakers, it's a great option for those looking for a reliable workhorse. The touchscreen display is responsive, and the keyboard is comfortable to type on. However, the lack of GPU support holds it back from being a top-tier device. If you're looking for a laptop that can handle basic video editing or 3D design, this might be a good choice. But if you need more processing power, you may want to look elsewhere. Overall, it's worth considering, but just barely.
Build
The Huawei MateBook 16s boasts an impressive build quality that sets it apart from its competitors. The laptop's metal body exudes premium feel and durability, making it suitable for both work and play. The keyboard and touchpad are well-designed, offering great tactile feedback and accuracy. The screen is a highlight, featuring a crisp and vibrant display that is perfect for multimedia consumption. The overall design is sleek and minimalist, making the MateBook 16s a stylish addition to any workspace or home office. If you’re after a better build, HP 470 G7 could be the ideal option.
Display
The Huawei MateBook 16s boasts an impressive display. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, ideal for productivity tasks. The screen's brightness is sufficient, and the colors are vivid and accurate. The touch accuracy is also noteworthy, making it easy to navigate through menus and select items. Overall, the display is a highlight of the MateBook 16s, offering a great viewing experience for both work and entertainment purposes. It's a significant improvement over previous models, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable laptop with a high-quality screen. Huawei MateBook X Pro might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded display.
Performance
The Huawei MateBook 16s delivers impressive performance, thanks to its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. It handles demanding tasks with ease, including video editing and gaming. The laptop's Iris Xe graphics card provides decent performance for basic 4K edits and some 3D work, but a dedicated GPU would be a significant upgrade. The CPU power is incredibly fast, making it suitable for professionals who need high-performance computing. However, the lack of PCIe 4.0 SSDs might be seen as a cost-cutting measure compared to competitors using this newer standard at similar price points. Overall, the MateBook 16s' performance makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful and feature-rich laptop. For an improved performance, Huawei MateBook X Pro 2023 is worth considering.
Battery and Charging
The Huawei MateBook 16s boasts an 84Wh battery, which delivered just over 7 hours and 20 minutes of light use in our tests. When balanced mode was used with Windows, the screen brightness was set to 30% and performance was stable. However, charging times are swift, making up for any potential shortfalls in battery life. A compact and lightweight charger is a convenient touch, making it easy to top up on-the-go.
Connectivity
The Huawei MateBook 16s boasts impressive connectivity options. Wi-Fi 6E ensures seamless online access, while Bluetooth 5.2 provides reliable wireless connectivity to peripherals and devices. The laptop also features an HDMI port, USB-A, USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 support, and a headphone jack. Additionally, it has a microSD card reader for expanding storage. The device's connectivity capabilities make it ideal for professionals who rely on constant online access and data transfer. Take a look at HP OMEN 17 - its improved connectivity sets a new standard.
Features
The Huawei MateBook 16s boasts impressive features, including a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 64GB RAM, and a range of storage options. It also sports a 15.6-inch 4K display, a backlit keyboard, and a long-lasting 84Wh battery. Additionally, it has Thunderbolt 4 support, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, making it an ideal choice for professionals and students alike. If you're after top-notch features, consider Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022.
Support and Maintenance
The Huawei MateBook 16s is a solid laptop with impressive performance and battery life. However, I'm disappointed that Huawei still uses PCIe 3.0 SSDs, which is behind the curve compared to competitors. Additionally, running Linux on this device can be frustrating due to issues with Wi-Fi and touch screen functionality. The lack of GPU support in higher-end models like this one is also a missed opportunity, making it less appealing to professionals who need dedicated graphics for their work.
Pros
1. It's a decent laptop with great performance, thanks to its powerful CPU
2. The battery life is good, with over 7 hours of light use
3. The speakers are above average and not too bad for everyday use
4. The touchpad and keyboard are both great, providing accurate input
5. The laptop has a nice screen, although no specific details were mentioned
Cons
1. The lack of GPU support is a major drawback, especially for video editing and gaming
2. The NVMe drive is still using PCIe 3.0, which is slower than the newer PCIe 4.0 standard
3. The thermals can peak at 100°C during demanding tasks, although they return to normal quickly
4. The laptop's build quality is not specifically mentioned as being exceptional
5. There were some issues with Linux compatibility, particularly with Wi-Fi and touch screen
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