Do you still need a PC? In view of palm-sized smartphones and 300-euro tablets, more and more users are asking themselves this question. But even if more and more everyday tasks can be carried out on our telephones, there are still good reasons for a “right” Computer speak.
Correct in this case means: A computer with multiple connections, a real, physical keyboard and a large screen. This overall package doesn’t even have to be expensive, as this test by Honor MagicBook 14. Die UVP des Notebooks is 599 euros, occasionally you can get it for 530 euros. And, so much can be said in advance, you hardly get more notebook for the money.
Huawei technology at an honorary price
A price level below 600 euros is usually a compromise: sometimes the performance is too small, then the screen is too dark or the workmanship is poor. Not so with the MagicBook 14. The metal case looks valuable, which is not surprising when you turn the notebook over: a Huawei lettering is emblazoned on the underside.
Because what many do not know: Honor is Huawei’s youth brand, so it benefits from the know-how of the parent company. The MagicBook 14 is strictly the (significantly more expensive) MateBook D14 from Huawei, where only the color has been changed.
Of course, a Macbook or a business notebook like the LG Gram looks classier, but for a mid-range device it at least focuses on the premium segment.
Honor Magicbook 14: Unfoldable webcam
At the thickest point, the laptop measures just under 1.6 centimeters, the weight is 1.38 kilograms – both are not record values, but within reason. Practical: In addition to the now mandatory USB-C ports, there is a classic USB 2.0 socket, so you can also easily plug in an external hard drive or USB stick without an adapter. Thanks to a full HDMI slot, a projector can also be connected directly. A 3.5 millimeter headphone jack is of course also on board. The on / off switch also acts as a fingerprint scanner to unlock the device.
The keyboard scores with a pleasant pressure point and integrated lighting for the dim evening hours. The only drawback: the webcam, which can be folded out of the keyboard if necessary. may seem like a clever trick at first glance. But if the Corona period has taught us one thing, it is that we do not want to look at our counterpart unfavorably from obliquely below. I really don’t.
The webcam is hidden in the keyboard. This saves space, but has an unsightly side effect – the colleagues always see you from the bottom of the video call only unfavorably.
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This display is not dazzling
The display measures 14 inches and offers Full HD resolution. This is not remarkably high resolution, but it is quite sufficient for most purposes. A special feature: the display is matt and not glossy. As a result, colors do not appear as strong as is the case with reflective screens. But anyone who has ever sat in the blazing sun and tried to work on a glossy display should appreciate a matt screen. However, it is not particularly stable from a viewing angle: If you look very sideways on the screen, the image becomes very dark. However, this can also be seen as an advantage, which makes squinting at the screen in the café more difficult.
Professional designers and image designers will not have much fun with the MagicBook, however, as the full color space is not covered. However, this is only relevant for users who use professional software à la Affinity or InDesign.
The hard drive is the surprise
High-end processors cannot be expected for 600 euros, but the Ryzen-5-3500U AMD chip offers more than enough power for everyday tasks. Even 3D games are playable – at least on low to medium graphics settings. Then the laptop gets noticeably warm, especially when it is on a sofa, because all the ventilation slots are on the underside of the device. In such situations, it is better to place the device on the table to avoid premature heat death.
The system itself (Windows 10) responds quickly, everything runs smoothly. The choice of hard drive is surprising: a fast SSD from Samsung with 256 gigabytes is installed. However, after the system has been set up, only around 190 gigabytes are available for private data. It is also unclear why the hard drive is divided into two partitions at the factory. The RAM is a bit tight for demanding applications with eight gigabytes, but is okay in this price range.
battery pack
The built-in battery, which is charged via USB-C, has a capacity of 56 watt-hours. In everyday life, the runtime depends on many factors: If the computer runs at full load, for example with video editing programs or games, it is over after just under two hours. However, if you only surf the net, runtimes of eight or nine hours are possible, depending on the screen brightness. Given the price, that’s more than satisfactory.
The keyboard has a German key layout, the power switch has an integrated fingerprint reader and the screen of the Honor Magicbook 14 can be tilted to 180 degrees.
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Conclusion: All-rounder for manageable money
A Macbook for half the price – you can get that far with the Honor MagicBook 2 do not go. But the combination of a bright display, a lot of performance and a high-quality casing makes the laptop a price-performance tip for all those who don’t need their computer to play or edit 4K films. Apart from small weaknesses such as the limited color space and the not ideal positioning of the webcam, this notebook scratches the upper class.
Also read:
– Galaxy Book S: Samsung’s laptop is thinner than the Macbook and lasts up to 23 hours
– Protection against viruses and Trojans: These three antivirus programs protect you best
– Acer Swift 7: The world’s thinnest notebook in the test
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