Huawei Matebook
Computer Shopper|June 2019

TheMateBook 14 has all the power of the newMateBook X Pro, at a much lower price

Huawei Matebook
VERDICT

TheMateBook 14 has all the power of the newMateBook X Pro, at a much lower price

IT WOULD HAVE been easy to overlook the MateBook 14 when Huawei unveiled it at MWC 2019 in Barcelona in February. With both the Mate X foldable smartphone and a new version of the top-of-the-line MateBook X Pro also making their debuts, the less flashy MateBook 14 had to contend for attention with its own stablemates, let alone everything else at the show.

And yet, actually using this laptop has revealed it to not just be an excellent ultraportable, but quite possibly better than the MateBook X Pro itself, at least in terms of how worthy it is of your cash.

PORT REPORT

The MateBook 14 isn’t as sleek as the MateBook X Pro nor as compact as the MateBook 13, but it’s still a lightweight laptop with slim screen bezels. Its 1.5kg weight is acceptable for a 14in machine, especially one with dedicated graphics, and it’s well crafted in general, with minimal screen flex and a solid-feeling, all-metal chassis.

This is also the only one of the three new MateBooks to have two full-size USB ports (one USB2, one USB3), in addition to a single USB Type-C port, full-size HDMI output and 3.5mm headphone jack. This makes it the best-equipped model of the three if you want to use multiple USB peripherals and devices without adaptors, although the MateBook X Pro has the advantage of a Thunderbolt 3 port.

The MateBook 14’s Type-C port can handle data transfers and DisplayPort video output, but will likely most often be filled by the charging cable.

The speakers are situated on the underside of the chassis, with small grilles on the left and right sides, and a longer grille at the rear. These are Dolby Atmos-branded, and sound slightly better than the average laptop speakers, but not transcendently so. Headphones will still be the better option for listening to music.

Denne historien er fra June 2019-utgaven av Computer Shopper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2019-utgaven av Computer Shopper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA COMPUTER SHOPPERSe alt
XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G
Computer Shopper

XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G

VERDICT This is the most affordable of the first 5G smartphones, but even with great hardware, the service isn’t yet worth the expense

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2019
RHA T20 Wireless
Computer Shopper

RHA T20 Wireless

VERDICT They’re not cheap, but these well-designed earphones deliver superb sound quality

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Protect And Preserve
Computer Shopper

Protect And Preserve

Data might be A Valuable Commodity, But It’s Remarkably Easy To Lose Or For Others To Get Their Hands On. Mike Bedford Provides Guidance On How To Preserve, Recover And Destroy Data, And Looks At The Technologies Involved

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2019
NZXT H510i
Computer Shopper

NZXT H510i

VERDICT Some qualities shine through, but this is an underwhelming case from a maker we know can do better

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?
Computer Shopper

Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?

With the new football season well and truly under way, David Crookes talks to Jon Hare about reviving the spirit of Sensible Soccer with a new, more sociable offering that he hopes will avoid an own goal

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
NAIM Mu-so 2
Computer Shopper

NAIM Mu-so 2

VERDICT A luxurious and fine-sounding slab of metal, but for most homes it won’t be worth the expense

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Motorola One Vision
Computer Shopper

Motorola One Vision

VERDICT The One Vision comes close to being a brilliant mishmash of tech – shame about the camera

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
JBL Xtreme 2
Computer Shopper

JBL Xtreme 2

VERDICT With top-quality sound and a versatile design, this is a great – if expensive – rugged Bluetooth speaker

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
HUAWEI MateBook 13
Computer Shopper

HUAWEI MateBook 13

VERDICT What the MateBook 13 lacks in flourish, it makes up for in value and performance

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master
Computer Shopper

GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master

VERDICT A loaded and forward-thinking motherboard, but not one that fully justifies its high price

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019