Huawei MateBook D 16 Review – The Sense of Balance

After the MateBook 16s that we tested very recently, it’s the turn of the MateBook D 16 to get a 2022 update. For the occasion, it goes from an AMD processor to Intel and recovers almost the same aluminum case as his boyfriend, enough to lose the consumer a little more in a very uniform range. While the MateBook D lead the way in the Huawei catalog, we will see what this 16-inch offered from 900 euros is worth.

Sober and efficient

If it’s not weariness that we felt when discovering the new Huawei MateBook D 16 2022, it’s getting closer. Let’s be clear, we have seen many Huawei ultrabooks go through the editorial staff and have always underlined their quality and elegance. But there comes a time when Huawei should step out of its design comfort zone and offer us something other than yet another version of the same ultrabook. But let’s skip this very personal observation to praise the merits of this MateBook D 16 all the same, because it has some!

In terms of finishes or aesthetics, we have a hard time faulting the MateBook D 16 for anything, let’s face it. It is sober and goes everywherethe assembly is meticulous, the solid case and his size does not say no to the mobility (356.7 x 248.7 x 18.4mm; 1.7kg). For a 16 inch, it’s pretty well controlled.

The connector brings together what is needed for an ultrabook in 2022 even if we would have liked a little more modernity. We find two USB-C ports, a USB-A 3.2 port, a USB-A 2.0 port, an HDMI output and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is no Thunderbolt 4 on this model.

When the lid is opened, we discover a satin anti-reflective screen surrounded by a rather unsightly but thin plastic border. We owe this finesse to aspect ratio 16:10 of the slab, a novelty on this MateBook D 16 2022 which adds a little display height compared to the classic 16:9 ratio. The BOE BOE0A74 (NV160WUM) display features a Full HD+ definition (1820×1200 pixels) resulting in a pixel density that amounts to 142 pixels per inch.

The fineness of the display is therefore suitable on this 16-inch diagonal, as are the rest of its characteristics with a correct contrast (1366:1), a white point at 6400K and a full sRGB color coverage (DeltaE 2.4). Max brightness is measured at 337 nits, which is sufficient in most indoor conditions on this type of anti-reflective panel. Overall, the display of this MateBook D 16 is satisfactory and will suit most users.

A word about the webcam that goes to 1080p. It’s commendable but don’t expect a miracle. If the image is rather well restored, it depends a lot on the lighting conditions of the room.

We now come to the keyboard which, at the risk of repeating ourselves, is quite satisfactory. His touch is soft and well cushioned, with a sufficient stroke (1.2 mm) to feel the kickback well and dimensions within the standard (15.9 × 15.9 mm; spacing 2.8 mm). THE fingerprint reader always takes place at the “On” button, an integration that we find natural and effective. Note the addition to this 2022 vintage of a numeric keypad. The touchpad is a good size (120×75 mm) even if it seems a bit lost on this large wrist rest and we wouldn’t have said no to a larger surface.

Everything you need under the hood

Provided with a Intel Core i7-12700H (14 cores) on our test model, with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD, the Huawei MateBook D 16 is particularly sold on paper, giving hope of powerful performance capable of meeting demanding users. Yes but no. As it stands, this 12th generation Intel CPU is certainly powerful, but without the support of a dedicated graphics card, it will not be able to respond effectively to the requirements of those who perform advanced graphics tasks (editing, retouching, 3D, architecture , etc.).

Obviously, the tasks mentioned remain fully conceivable provided that you accept prolonged execution times and/or rising temperatures. During our tests, the CPU reached around 90-95°C, which was not the case on the 16s.

Fortunately, this heat stroke did not affect the fan too much, which was limited to 43dBA at the highest, a contained noise that does not cause any particular discomfort.

Nothing that can’t be covered by the speakers anyway, the its reproduction is quite classic for this type of ultrabook: without great heat and metallic. Unlike last year’s D16, the speakers are located under the chassis, which slightly modifies the restitution depending on the support on which the laptop PC is placed.

Finally, let’s see what autonomy who has to deal with a 60Whr battery. During our tests, it managed to power the PC for 8:15 a.m. (brightness at 140 nits) before giving up. It’s average but a little disappointing for an ultrabook in 2022. You’ll have said enough to work a full day without taking out the charger, however compact it may be (200g).

Our opinion on the Huawei MateBook D 16: a refined copy

With its MateBook D 16 2022, Huawei offers its entry-level 16-inch a nice upgrade. Compared to its predecessor, the ultrabook progresses on the processor part with the latest Intel Alder Lake CPUs and gains a 16:10 screen. Huawei is also adopting a newer chassis, very close to that of the slightly higher-end MateBook 16. All the fundamentals are respected to make it an effective ultrabook for every day.

However, we could find fault with the usefulness of such a powerful Core i7 inside, knowing that it is not really exploited at best. This question arises all the more so since the MateBook D 16 with Core i7 is currently sold for 250 euros more than that with a Core i5-12450H (8 cores). This gap is in our opinion unjustified as the difference between the two CPUs is hardly felt by the user. There’s also a chance that battery life will scratch a few extra minutes with the Core i5, which isn’t negligible.

Huawei MateBook D 16 scores 4/5

Compare the different available configurations of the Huawei MateBook D 16

Features of the Huawei MateBook D 16