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Chinese language model Honor, initially launched by Huawei as a smartphone sub-brand, then spun off in 2020, definitely is not the most important title in laptops. However right here at Inventive Bloq, we wish to ignore the advertising hype and deal with what gadgets are literally like to make use of. So I have been objectively placing the Honor MagicBook Professional 14 by its paces… and it has been fairly a revelation.My expertise means that Honor has taken its cell experience into the laptop computer area with outstanding success. So if you happen to’re available in the market for a premium laptop computer, this deserves a spot in your shortlist of greatest laptops for graphic design.There’s one large caveat: Honor gadgets are usually not formally or extensively out there within the USA, though you would possibly discover some fashions out there by third-party sellers. They’re bought just about all over the place else, although; for instance, within the UK, you may at present get one for below a grand.That is cheaper than a MacBook Air M4 and with extra storage in addition. So it is nicely price contemplating. Learn on to search out out what I favored, and did not like, about it.Key specificationsSwipe to scroll horizontallyCPU:Intel Core Extremely 9 285H (16-core, as much as 5.4GHz)NPU:Intel AI Increase (48 TOPS)Graphics:Intel Arc 140T GPUMemory:32GB LPDDR5x (soldered)Storage:1TB PCIe 4.0 SSDScreen measurement:14.6 inchesScreen kind:OLED touchscreenResolution:3120 x 2080 pixelsRefresh fee:120HzColour gamut (measured):100% DCI-P3, 120% AdobeRGBBrightness (measured):700 nits (peak)Ports:2x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audioWireless connectivity:Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1Dimensions:320 x 232 x 17mmWeight:1.39kg(Picture credit score: Future)Design, construct and show• One-hand opening• Resists fingerprints wellIn phrases of feel and appear, The Honor MagicBook Professional 14 did not wow me initially. At 17mm thick, it isn’t particularly skinny. There’s nothing particularly fashionable about it, both: it is mainly a giant silver rectangle with an Honor emblem stamped on it.Over time, although, I’ve grown to understand what I might name its understated magnificence. The grey-finish mannequin I used to be despatched has a complicated matte texture that utterly resists fingerprints – a godsend for anybody who’s uninterested in continually wiping down their laptop computer (my MacBook Air 2020, by the use of comparability, seems like against the law scene).Every day design information, opinions, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.Marvel of wonders, the lid opens easily to 180 levels with one hand alone. I’ve reviewed lots of laptops over the a long time, and I am unable to bear in mind a hinge that felt so completely calibrated – agency sufficient to carry place at any angle, but clean sufficient for easy adjustment. That offers me a bit little bit of pleasure. And extra broadly, the magnesium alloy chassis feels premium all through, with no flex within the keyboard deck.In the end, although, it is the show that units this laptop computer aside. The 14.6-inch OLED panel is kind of attractive, providing excellent blacks, infinite distinction and hues that pop off the display screen. The 3120 x 2080 decision supplies razor-sharp textual content and pictures, whereas the 120Hz refresh fee makes scrolling and contact interactions really feel extremely clean. (No, 3.1K is not the identical as 4K, however actually, it is solely on uncommon events that I have been in a position to inform the distinction.)General, this laptop computer would not look as fashionable as a MacBook Air. However functionally, the design is in some methods superior. So it comes right down to a philosophical query; one which equally applies to telephones, mattresses, sofas, even romantic companions… Given that you just spend a lot time with them, what’s extra necessary: seems, or having the ability to get on with them?Design rating: 4.5/5(Picture credit score: Future)Options• Good number of ports• Interoperability with phonesHonor’s software program ecosystem is genuinely intelligent. The MagicRing know-how permits seamless file sharing between your cellphone and laptop computer, no matter whether or not you are utilizing an Honor system or an iPhone. As soon as I might set it up and acquired the hold of utilizing it, I typically discovered this extra handy than electronic mail or cloud storage for fast file transfers.For many gadgets, in fact, you will wish to join them up within the old school means, and the MagicBook Professional 14 offers you lots of good choices. To start out with, there are two USB-C ports that deal with knowledge switch as much as 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2), present energy supply for charging, and assist DisplayPort Alt Mode for video output to exterior screens. There are additionally a few USB-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps), for connecting older equipment like mice or flash drives. Lastly, an HDMI 2.1 port helps crisp 4K decision at 60Hz for exterior shows or TVs. Rounding out the bodily connections is a regular 3.5mm audio jack in your headphones.You will discover, although, in that checklist the absence of Thunderbolt 4 or USB4. Whereas the USB-C ports are quick, they lack the extraordinarily excessive bandwidth wanted for, say, exterior GPUs (eGPUs) or complicated multi-display setups with a single cable.One other bodily limitation of this laptop computer is that the RAM is often soldered to the motherboard, which means you may’t improve it your self afterward; you might want to select the correct amount of RAM while you purchase the laptop computer.Function rating: 4/5(Picture credit score: Future)Benchmark scoresWe take a look at each one in all our laptops utilizing the identical benchmarking software program suite to offer you a radical overview of its suitability for creatives of all disciplines and ranges. This contains:• Geekbench: Exams the CPU for single-core and multi-core energy, and the GPU for the system’s potential for gaming, picture processing, or video modifying. Geekbench AI exams the CPU and GPU on a wide range of AI-powered and AI-boosted duties.• Cinebench: Exams the CPU and GPU’s capacity to run Cinema 4D and Redshift.• UL Procyon: Makes use of UL Options’ Procyon software program suite to check the system’s capacity for AI picture technology in Steady Diffusion, its Microsoft Workplace efficiency and its battery life in a looping video take a look at.• Topaz Video AI: We use Topaz Video AI to check the system’s capacity to upscale video and convert video to slow-motion.• PugetBench for Creators: We use the PugetBench for Creators benchmarking suite to check the system’s capacity to run a number of key duties in Photoshop.(Picture credit score: Future)Efficiency• Processor delivers distinctive efficiency• Excellent thermal managementOn paper, the MagicBook Professional 14 appeared prefer it was going to be a correct powerhouse. The Intel Core Extremely 9 285H processor, with its 16 cores and 5.4GHz enhance clock, is top quality, and the 32GB of LPDDR5x reminiscence is beneficiant, although it is price noting it is soldered to the motherboard.However specs are one factor, real-world observe is one other. So I threw every part at it that I may; from drawing in Illustrator to picture modifying in Lightroom, to having 20 browser tabs open whereas concurrently streaming music.The outcomes have been simply as I might hoped for: the MagicBook Professional 14 did not gradual, stutter or in any other case break a sweat at any level. The 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is blisteringly quick, too, delivering learn speeds over 7,100 MB/s. There’s additionally area for a second M.2 drive if you happen to want extra storage additional down the road.General, I discovered the MagicBook Professional 14’s efficiency to be genuinely spectacular, and that have was backed up by my benchmark testing. In Cinebench R24, for instance, it scored 1,080 factors within the multi-core take a look at, placing it forward of many costlier laptops. Equally, the Geekbench 6 GPU rating of 42,057 factors, demonstrates that the Intel Arc 140T graphics can deal with demanding artistic duties with ease.The cooling system deserves specific reward. A dual-fan design with optimised warmth pipes retains the processor operating at full velocity with out throttling, which is essential for artistic work. That signifies that below sustained masses, the laptop computer has remained comparatively quiet and funky, even on the peak of summer season.I am going to add some qualifiers to all of that, although. Firstly, preliminary benchmark scores out of the field have been far decrease. Elevating them meant not solely tweaking the Home windows settings to ‘Greatest efficiency’ however, crucially, the Honor PC Supervisor settings, that are a bit buried within the interface and simple to overlook.Secondly, I would not suggest this laptop computer for heavy video modifying or VFX workloads. Intel’s built-in Arc Graphics are able to dealing with HD and a few 4K video modifying, however skilled video editors would usually be higher off selecting a laptop computer with a devoted GPU, such because the NVIDIA RTX collection.Thirdly, I might stress that the MagicBook Professional 14 very a lot is not a gaming machine, when it comes to AAA video games no less than. So for example, I wanted to scale down the settings on Forza Horizon 5 significantly to get a clean expertise. On the plus facet, the laptop computer dealt with older video games comparable to Gears Ways and Mutant Yr Zero: Highway to Eden high-quality. However on the entire, if laptop computer gaming is necessary to you, I might look elsewhere.Battery life, although? That is fairly nice. The MagicBook Professional 14 comes geared up with a 92Wh battery, which Honor claims is the most important ever fitted right into a 14-inch light-weight laptop computer. This capability, mixed with AI-powered optimisation, meant I may comfortably obtain round 10 to 12 hours of battery life with blended use, typically much more for lighter productiveness duties. In our normal UL Procyon benchmarking take a look at, which relies on video playback on a loop, it goes for a powerful 13 hours and 43 minutes. An encouraging outcome for anybody wishing to look at films on an extended journey.When it is time to recharge, the laptop computer helps 100W Honor SuperCharge by way of USB-C, permitting for fast top-ups. I may sometimes get to about 50% cost in simply over half-hour, with a full cost taking about an hour and 10 minutes.Efficiency rating: 4/5(Picture credit score: Future)Worth This is the essential factor. The Honor MagicBook Professional 14 has an RRP of £1,299, however on the time writing, Honor is at present providing it for £949 (plus a free present of an Honor Wi-fi Mouse). At this promotional value, it is very compelling.To place this in perspective, the ASUS Zenbook A14 with related specs prices £1,099, whereas the premium MacBook Air M4 begins at £1,099 however solely contains 256GB of storage. The Honor provides 1TB of storage and 32GB of RAM at a cheaper price. That is a robust argument for getting this laptop computer over its closest rivals.Worth rating: 5/5Who is it for?• Inventive professionals needing colour-accurate shows and stable performanceThe MagicBook Professional 14 is a robust alternative for artistic professionals who want a laptop computer that may deal with demanding purposes, while offering correct color replica. The OLED show’s 100% DCI-P3 protection and Delta E Swipe to scroll horizontallyMagicBook Professional 14 rating cardAttributesNotesRatingDesign:Premium construct high quality with elegant aesthetics4.5/5Features:Glorious specs4/5Performance:Highly effective processor handles artistic duties with ease4/5Value:Excellent worth, particularly at promotional pricing5/5(Picture credit score: Future)Purchase it if…You could energy to run demanding artistic softwareYou need a attractive, colour-accurate displayYou’re looking for day-long battery lifeDon’t purchase it if…Stylishness and lightness are your priorityYou want assist for Thunderbolt 4You’re a critical gamerAlso think about
If excessive portability is your precedence, this ultra-light Snapdragon X1-powered laptop computer weighs simply 0.98kg and provides distinctive battery life. Nevertheless, its GPU efficiency trails considerably behind the Honor’s Intel Arc graphics, making it much less appropriate for demanding artistic software program.
Apple’s newest ultrabook is super-stylish and ship distinctive M4 efficiency and legendary battery life. On the draw back, the bottom mannequin’s 256GB storage feels stingy in comparison with the Honor’s 1TB, and also you’re restricted to only two Thunderbolt ports.
This premium Home windows different provides a pointy 2.8K OLED show and spectacular four-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system for multimedia work. The construct high quality matches the Honor’s, although you will pay £200 extra for related specs and efficiency.
Honor MagicBook 14: Worth Comparability
