Huawei has introduced the MateBook 14 2024, bringing the lineup into the OLED display era. This model represents a significant upgrade over the 2023 version, with its standout feature being the new 450-nit OLED panel, replacing the previous 300-nit IPS LCD. It’s also the first MateBook that supports a stylus, making it a versatile tool for professionals.
While last year’s model had the i7-1360P processor, this year’s variant boasts the faster and more efficient Core Ultra 7 155H. Additionally, Huawei has managed to make the 2024 version lighter than its predecessor.
Design and Build Quality
The MateBook 14 2024 offers a minimalist design with a durable metal build. The Green model stands out as a refreshing option amidst the sea of grey and silver laptops, with the alternative being a standard grey. We appreciate its understated elegance, and at just 1.31 kg and 14.5 mm in thickness, it’s both lightweight and slim.
Upon opening, you’re greeted with a stunning OLED display framed by moderately thick black bezels. The green color-matched keyboard deck and preloaded wallpaper add to the cohesive black-and-green aesthetic.
Display, Keyboard, Camera, and Speakers
The biggest upgrade this year is the OLED display, which offers a major improvement over last year’s IPS LCD panel. Though it’s not as bright as the MateBook X Pro 2024’s OLED screen, it still boasts an impressive 2880×1920 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 100% sRGB and DCI-P3 color coverage. These specs make it a solid choice for creatives, particularly in photo and video editing.
We measured a brightness of around 460 nits in standard mode, peaking at 550 nits in HDR mode. Though not as bright as its premium counterparts, the contrast-rich OLED display easily outshines standard LCDs.
The keyboard remains a strong point, with 1.5 mm key travel and a comfortable layout. However, there’s no Numpad, which is typical for laptops of this size. The trackpad, though functional, is a slight letdown due to its plastic surface, which lacks the smoothness of glass trackpads found in similarly priced laptops.
The MateBook’s 1080p webcam is decent but lacks the more advanced features seen in higher-end models like the Honor MagicBook Art 14. The two bottom-firing speakers deliver good sound quality with solid bass, making this laptop a strong contender for media consumption.
Performance and Battery Life
Equipped with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H or Ultra 5 125H processors, the MateBook 14 2024 performs efficiently under pressure. Our unit with the Core Ultra 7 155H held its own in stress tests, managing sustained performance without throttling, while maintaining relatively quiet fans.
The 70Wh battery impressed us with over 10 hours of video streaming and more than 9 hours of web browsing at 400 nits, offering excellent battery life for most users.
Conclusion
The Huawei MateBook 14 2024 is a great all-around laptop, with a powerful Intel processor, stunning OLED display, and ample storage options. Its pricing, starting at £1,199 (€1,350), positions it competitively against rivals like the Asus Zenbook 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad E14. Although Intel’s newer Lunar Lake processors and AMD’s Ryzen AI chips may offer more efficiency, the MateBook 14 2024 provides excellent value for money right now.
Pros:
- Bright OLED touchscreen with HDR support and 120Hz refresh rate
- Excellent battery life
- Lightweight for a 14-inch laptop
- Good selection of ports (USB-C, USB-A, HDMI)
- Stylish Green color option
Cons:
- No Thunderbolt 4 support
- Intel’s last-gen Meteor Lake processor
- Plastic trackpad
- No face recognition for Windows Hello, only fingerprint login
