If you’re looking for a sleek, powerful, and long-lasting laptop, you might want to check out the HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023. This 14-inch laptop is the latest refresh of HUAWEI’s popular MateBook D series, and it offers some notable upgrades and features over its predecessor. It is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core processor, has a 16:10 FHD IPS display, and supports HUAWEI’s Super Device feature for seamless multi-device collaboration.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 and see why it might be the best laptop for you.
Design & Build
The HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 sports a sleek and slender metal body that exudes elegance and sophistication. It weighs slightly heftier at 1.39 kg (versus 1.38 kg), but it is slightly smaller despite the same display size, measuring 314.5 x 227.79 x 15.9 mm. In contrast, the 2022 model has 322.5 x 214.8 x 15.9 mm.
| Model | Weight | Width | Depth | Height |
| HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 | 1.39 kg | 314.5 mm | 227.79 mm | 15.9 mm |
| HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2022 | 1.38 kg | 322.5 mm | 214.8 mm | 15.9 mm |
The laptop has a smooth matte finish and a subtle HUAWEI logo on the lid. Our review unit comes in Mystic Silver colorway, which looks classy and refined.
One of the highlights of the laptop is its sturdy hinge that allows the screen to open up to 180 degrees, which is great for sharing or presenting your work. The bezels around the screen are very thin, resulting in a high screen-to-body ratio of 90%. This gives you a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience, especially when watching videos or playing games.
The keyboard offers a satisfying typing experience with large keys, a 1.5mm key travel distance, and minimal accidental presses. The layout is comfortable and features full-size left and right arrow keys, which I appreciate as a writer. However, the lack of backlighting might disappoint some users who work in low-light conditions, as it makes it harder to see the keys.
The touchpad is spacious and responsive, while the power button integrates a convenient fingerprint scanner for quick and secure login. I think this is a smart design choice that saves time and enhances security.
The laptop has a webcam on the top bezel. The speakers are located on the bottom of the laptop, and offer decent sound quality, but lack bass.
I/O Ports & Connectivity
The MateBook D 14 has a good selection of ports for connectivity, but it could have been better.
On the left side, there is one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port that supports display, charging, and data transfer, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port that supports charging and data transfer, one HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset and microphone combo jack. These are useful for connecting external monitors, speakers, or headphones.
On the right side, there is one USB-A 2.0 port for connecting peripherals or external drives. This is handy for transferring files or using a mouse or a keyboard.
However, there is no SD card reader on the laptop, which might be inconvenient for some users who need to access photos or videos from their cameras or phones. You can use an adapter or a dongle if needed, but that would take up another port and add more bulk to your setup.
With the size of the laptop, HUAWEI could have snuck in another USB-C port and/or a card reader. But given the price, I don’t think we could expect more.
The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity. It has a special HUAWEI Metaline Antenna that expands the connection range, increases file download speed by 43%, and boosts anti-interference and wall penetration performance.
Performance
The HUAWEI MateBook D 14 is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P processor, which offers up to 30W TDP in Performance mode for enhanced CPU and GPU performance.
The laptop boasts 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB of NVMe PCIe SSD storage, which deliver fast multitasking and booting performance. You can store plenty of files in the generous storage space. As a daily driver, it is capable of handling various tasks such as web browsing, office work, or light photo and video editing with ease.
The laptop has an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU, which can run casual and light games at low settings. However, this is not a gaming laptop, so don’t expect to play demanding titles at high settings or resolutions.
For those who already own a HUAWEI smartphone or tablet, the MateBook D 14 supports Huawei’s Super Device feature, which lets you connect supported HUAWEI devices to the laptop with just one tap. This feature enables you to easily share files, screens, devices, and calls across devices. For example, you can drag and drop files from your phone to your laptop, use your phone as a webcam or microphone for your laptop, or answer calls from your laptop using your phone’s network.
Battery Life
One of the best features of the HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 is its battery life. The laptop has a 56Wh Li-ion battery that can last up to 11 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough for a single workday. I was able to use the laptop for browsing, streaming, and writing for about 8 to 9 hours before needing to plug it in. This is actually quite impressive, given its performance and bright display.
The laptop also comes with a 65W USB-C AC adapter that can charge the laptop from zero to about 50% in just half an hour. This is very convenient for those who need a quick boost of power. The adapter is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. Another advantage of the adapter is that it can also be used on smartphones and tablets that support USB-C charging, which means you don’t need to bring multiple chargers for your devices.
However, the chord is attached to the charger and is no longer removable. This might be a minor issue for some users who prefer to use their own cables or who need to replace a damaged chord.
Final Remarks
The HUAWEI MateBook D 14 is a great laptop for anyone who values design, performance, and battery life. It has a sleek metal body, a stunning FHD IPS display, a decent Intel Core processor, and a long-lasting battery. It also supports HUAWEI’s Super Device feature, which works well if you already own supported devices.
The laptop does have some drawbacks, such as the lack of an additional USB-C port, the average webcam quality, and a non-backlit keyboard. However, these are minor issues that can be easily overcome with adapters or alternatives. They do not overshadow the many strengths of the laptop.
Overall, the HUAWEI MateBook D 14 is a good option in its price range, and we recommend it to anyone looking for a sleek and powerful laptop for work and play. It offers excellent value for money and delivers a satisfying user experience.
Price & Availability
The HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is priced at PHP 44,999. From July 28 to August 31, every purchase will come with a free HUAWEI Wi-Fi AX3 Quad Core router and a laptop bag.
The MateBook D 14 2023 is available on HUAWEI’s online store, Shopee, Lazada, and the SM Malls Online app.
HUAWEI MateBook D 14 2023 specs
| Display | 14-inch FHD IPS display, 1920×1080, 300nits, 16:10 aspect ratio |
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB LPDDR4X RAM 512 GB NVMe PCIe SSD |
| Front Camera | 1M camera |
| I/O Ports | Left Side: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1x HDMI 3.5mm combo jack Right Side: 1x USB-A 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Others | Chiclet Keyboard with 1.5mm Key-travel, five-point touchpad, fingerprint scanner power button, dual mics, stereo speakers |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 314.5 x 227.79 x 15.9 mm 1.39 kg / 3.06 lbs. |
| Battery | 56Wh Li-ion, 65W USB-C AC Adapter |
