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After an already very powerful MateBook 16, Huawei is renewing the experience with the 16s and an even faster Intel Core i7 processor. It will be accompanied by the D16, a much more affordable model.
Huawei presented its few summer novelties in Berlin, namely the FreeBuds Pro 2 wireless headphones and two MateBook laptops that feature the latest generation of Intel Alder Lake processors: the MateBook 16s and MateBook D16.
The MateBook 16s for the high end
The MateBook 16s replicates almost the entire formula of the MateBook 16 recently released in AMD Ryzen 5800H, but fixes some flaws. The 1080p webcam is this time located at the top of the screen and no longer at the level of the keyboard; a wise choice that will avoid being filmed from below and the inconveniences that this can cause. The keyboard has also been slightly revised with an activation distance of 1.5 mm which should offer a pleasant typing quality.
The MateBook 16s we are currently testing. © The Digital
The screen remains the same with its thin borders and its 3:2 format. Under the hood is a 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM. It is above all the integration of an Intel Core i7-12700H that will change the performance side since it is one of the best processors of the moment. We were able to test it several times in theAcer Nitro 5 and theAlienware X14 and the results were clearly there. The MateBook 16s is currently in our lab and its test will be published very soon.
The PC is already available at a price of 1700 €, which is significantly more expensive than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H version which we now find around 1200 € (512 GB of SSD). A version with Intel Core i9-12900H will also be marketed from September at a price of 1900 €.
The more affordable MateBook D16
The D16 delivers less premium features, but its value for money is much better. It has a lower screen than the 16s since its format is only 16:10. It is also less defined (1920 x 1200 pixels), but the occupancy rate is still 90% depending on the brand thanks to thin borders.
With MateBook D16. © Huawei
Just like the 16s, the machine has a 1080p webcam, but its keyboard hosts a numeric keypad. The connection remains provided (HDMI, USB-A, USB-C…), but there is no Thunderbolt 4 port and you will have to be satisfied with USB-C 3.2.
The model with Intel Core i5-12600H processor is sold for €1,000, the Core i7-12700H for €1,200 and both are already available. A lab test will also follow in the coming weeks.