iTWire previously tested out the Huawei MateBook 14 earlier this year and we liked what we saw. This laptop was a compelling blend of design, screen size, power, weight, and experience.

Last month, Huawei refreshed the laptop with an updated 11th Gen Intel Core processor and other specs, in time for Christmas. It ships with Windows 10 but is Windows 11 compatible and may be upgraded to Windows 11 for free.

With measurements of 307.55 x 223.8 x 15.9mm and a weight of 1.49kg this is a laptop you can take with you anywhere; at the same time, it’s no slouch despite its diminutive dimensions. The laptop includes an 11th generation Intel Core i5 1135G7 processor and Intel Iris X graphics, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB NVMe PCI SSD.

It includes IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-FI, supporting WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, as well as Bluetooth 5.1. It includes a USB-C port that supports data, charging and DisplayPort. In fact, it also can charge your USB-C devices too - like your phone or tablet, siphoning power from the laptop if needed. Other ports include two USB 3.2, HDMI, and a 3.5mm combo headset and microphone jack.

It contains a full-size backlit chiclet keyboard, multi-touch touchpad, a fingerprint power button, 720p HD recessed camera, two speakers, four microphones, and Huawei software that makes it super-easy to share content between the laptop and a compatible Huawei phone.

Of course, specs only tell part of the story. You need to see the Huawei MateBook 14 to truly appreciate and enjoy its slim and sleek metal body, its vast 2K full view display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 90% screen-to-body ratio. Here’s why the webcam is ‘recessed’ - it’s actually contained within the keyboard to free up space on the laptop panel for the display. The result is way less bezel, much more screen, and a webcam you can satisfactorily click down to hide away inside your keyboard giving you absolute confidence you’re not on camera when you don’t want to be.

The panel also provides 100% sRGB colour gamut, flicker-free enjoyment, and certified blue light reduction, all to give you the best possible experience as well as look after your eyes.

Meanwhile, improved cooling boosts heat dissipation which maintains low noise levels, and the 65W USB-C charger can be used both for your laptop and other USB-C devices. The 56Wh battery will play full HD video for up to 11 hours and can quick-charge to 2.5 hours of use within 15 minutes.

The Huawei MateBook 14 was already an excellent laptop; the new MateBook 14 2021 expands on this with increased power and cooling. Press Fn + P to turn on performance mode and unlock extra grunt when you need it, then tap again to switch back to standard mode.

As before, Huawei smartphone answers can drag-and-drop files and photos between their devices, collaborate across multiple screens, and control all your devices with the same keyboard and mouse.

The Huawei MateBook 14 2021 edition KLVD-WDH9 14” laptop with 14” IPS display, Intel Core i5 11th gen, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD is available online for $1,799 including GST and with free delivery.

If you're looking for a new laptop for work, for study, for productivity or creativity, you’d do well to check the Huawei MateBook 14 2021 out. It’s portable, durable, sleek and impressive, and designed to inspire.

See our unboxing here: