Huawei MateBook D 16 2024 Review: A Powerful Core i9 Laptop
The 2024 version of the Huawei MateBook D 16 combines a powerful Intel Core i9-13900H chip with nearly 13 hours of battery life, positioning it as a workhorse for office tasks.
The Huawei MateBook D 16 (2024) isn't a design revolution, but rather a strategic evolution from its predecessor. Weighing 20g lighter and 1.4mm thinner, it focuses on optimizing performance and portability for users who need a large screen while maintaining flexibility.
Detailed specifications
| Ingredient | Detailed configuration |
|---|---|
| Microprocessor | Intel Core i9-13900H (14 cores, 20 threads) |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4 |
| Hard drive | 1TB SSD |
| Screen | 16-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, 60Hz refresh rate. |
| Battery | 70Wh |
| Weight | 1.68 kg |
| Connection port | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 1.4 |
Durable metal construction and 180-degree hinge.
The MateBook D 16 maintains a minimalist style with a sturdy metal casing in Space Grey. A notable improvement is the hinge, which now folds flat 180 degrees, better supporting content sharing during meetings. At 1.68kg, it's one of the lightest 16-inch laptops on the market, although still lighter than the LG Gram 16.
However, the minimalist design also comes with limitations in connectivity. The device only has three USB ports, with the USB-C port also serving as a charging port. The lack of 6GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 is also a drawback for a device launching in 2024, although the new Metaline antenna technology significantly improves signal range.
Input and display experience
The MateBook D 16's keyboard is one of its biggest strengths. With a 1.5mm key travel and firm responsiveness, typing is very pleasant. Huawei has also cleverly integrated a full numeric keypad and dedicated AI function keys to optimize productivity.
The 16:10 aspect ratio IPS display provides ample workspace. With a brightness of 321 nits and a matte anti-glare coating, the device performs well in various lighting conditions. An average Delta E color deviation of just 1.15 indicates accurate sRGB color reproduction, suitable for basic photo editing and intensive office work.
Breakthrough performance with the 13th generation Core i9.
The laptop's power comes from the high-end Intel Core i9-13900H chip. In multimedia tests, it smoothly handled demanding tasks without generating excessive noise or overheating. However, due to the use of older Iris Xe integrated graphics instead of the newer Arc architecture of the Meteor Lake chip, the D16's graphics performance is still only sufficient for light games and basic graphics applications.
Battery life is another highlight, with the 70Wh battery allowing for nearly 13 hours of continuous video playback. This enables users to work all day without being overly reliant on a charger. The included 1TB SSD boasts read speeds of up to 4,048MB/second, ensuring fast application startup and data access.
General assessment
The Huawei MateBook D 16 (2024) is an ideal choice for students and office workers who need a device with a large screen and powerful CPU for multitasking. While it has limitations in terms of connectivity ports and hardware upgrade options, at its current price point, it still offers a good balance between value and practical performance.
