Review of Huawei MateBook D 16 2022 - Multimedia laptop with number pad and 16:10 format

Alder Lake with the brakes applied by Intel. Previously, the MateBook D 16 used AMD processors, but the new 2022 model uses Intel's Alder Lake processor. The car can only be driven with the brakes applied, and it is now priced at 1299 Euros (~$1311).

This new MateBook D 16 2022 comes with a brand new metal case, 16:10 display, and for the first time also a keyboard with full numeric keys. As with the MateBook 16s before it, Huawei switches from an AMD processor to an Intel processor from the new Alder Lake

The new MateBook D 16 starts at 949 Euros (*$958) with a Core i5-12450H, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of SSD storage. Our test unit with a Core i7-12700H and identical rest of the equipment already costs 1299 Euros (*$1311), so Huawei charges a premium of 350 Euros (*$353) for the upgrade.

Equipment and case

Huawei has completely redesigned the MateBook D 16, which now mostly follows the design of the MateBook 16s.

Aside from their slightly different sizes due to their different screen formats (3:2 for the MateBook 16s and 16:10 for the MateBook D 16), there is little difference in their exteriors. 

Our review of the MateBook D 16 indicates that it is definitely an upgrade, and we find little reason for complaint about either the workmanship or the case stability.

It is also apparent from a glance inside the case that Huawei uses the same mainboard for both devices. Although the MateBook D 16 uses the same processor.

It has only one fan and one heat pipe. Since the WLAN module is soldered in, the user can only replace the M.2 SSD. The new MateBook D 16 is less wide and deeper than its predecessor, but it has a similar overall size.  

There is parity in terms of the connections and their amounts with the larger MateBook 16s, but Huawei saves on Thunderbolt 4 licensing fees, and one of the two USB-A ports only supports 2.0. Wi-Fi 6 is not supported, but the AX201 card from Intel is still very good in practice and shouldn't cause you any problems.

In addition to taking decent pictures, the new 1080p webcam offers several interesting AI functions (background filter, object tracking, viewpoint adjustment, etc.). This works well in principle, but the AI camera produces a slightly jerky image impression.