Huawei Matebook 14- A new competitor for the Macbook Air?
The Matebook 14 is Huawei’s attempt at indulging into the mid-range notebook market with a relatively high quality product. But this 3:2 format touchscreen device is technically a classic ultrabook. This makes the market even more targeted. Direct competitors for the Matebook 14 are the Macbook Air M1 and the Schenker V 14, which both come in at a similar price range. While the Microsoft Surface Laptop and the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 also fall into the same category, they are not as competitive. This article is about comparing the Matebook 14 with competing products as well as the Matebook X Pro and about diving deep into the specifications. However, no one can truly review a laptop without using it for a while and so we had to wait a while to do this review. We outfitted 5 of our colleagues with the Huawei Matebook 14 for a few months and asked for their reviews in comparison to their laptops. So, let us get into it-
Huawei Matebook 14- Key Features
- 307.5 mm wide x 223.8 mm deep x 15.9 mm tall
- Weighs approx. 1.49 kg
- 14.2 inch IPS display (3:2 aspect ratio)
- 2160 x 1440 resolution, 185 PPI
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 178 degrees viewing angle
- 10 point multi touch sensitive screen
- TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification
- 512 GB NVMe PCIe SSD
- 56 Wh Lithium Polymer battery
- 1 USB C ports, 2 USB 3.2 port, 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Backlit Chiclet keyboard (full sized)
- Recessed camera (720p HD)
- 4 speakers and 2 microphones
The User Experience
A few months in, this laptop has become an absolute favorite for our testers. Users love the sleek, lightweight and fashionable design that makes them the center of attention at coffee shops or libraries. What’s better is that the exterior does not deteriorate, maintaining that ‘new laptop’ vibe even after heavy use. As for flexibility/ usability- the Matebook 14 has an ample amount of ports and a 178 degree hinge. This means that the laptop is both sleek and stays handy in almost any situation. Something that surprised us was the display.
The 14.2” IPS display diffuses reflected light, saving you from a flary viewing surface. The 90 Hz refresh rate along with this anti-flare surface ensures a pleasurable viewing experience wherever you are.
The wider framed chiclet keyboard has a fair travel distance within the keys and is completely backlit with a functionality button. This makes typing on this keyboard kind of fun and adds to the professional aesthetic.
The power button hides a sneaky little fingerprint sensor, which is the Matebook 14’s primary line of security. The camera is hidden and can be activated with a function key. While this might sound cool in theory, our testers didn’t particularly like it. The quality of the camera, however, garnered no complaints and everyone loved it.
Overall, the Matebook 14 2021 cements itself as an excellent choice in the value ultraportable notebook market. Any user should be set for years if they have this in their arsenal.
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