Daily helper. Updated versions of HONOR MagicBook X laptops were brought to Russia. What are their features?

Updated versions of HONOR MagicBook X laptops were brought to Russia – these are the X 16 Pro, MagicBook X 14 Pro and the more affordable X 16 models. Read about their features and capabilities in the Lenta.ru material.

Appearance, ergonomics and interfaces

As you know, people are greeted by their clothes. Everything is great here. All updated models are presented in a single color option: space gray. The laconic and stylish matte silver body, which does not leave fingerprints, is made, according to the company, from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. The tactile sensations from the slightly rough surface are pleasant. The bottom cover is plastic, but it is only noticeable to the touch. Due to the use of aluminum, all models are not only light, but also as thin as possible. As a result, it can be noted that such devices will look natural both at a meeting in a large corporation and when working in a cafe over a cup of coffee.

On the bottom panel there are slots for two stereo speakers, a large cooling grille and three, yes, exactly three support legs. I would like to talk about them separately. Due to the fact that the rear legs are combined into one, even in a small space the laptop stands confidently and even with active typing with one front support hanging out, it does not wobble, and the warm air is discharged evenly.

All connectors are located on the side faces. Left: a full HDMI port, USB Type-C (also used for charging the device) and USB 3.0. Right: another USB 3.0 and a 3.5 jack for connecting headphones or a headset. For such a thin and light laptop, which is primarily intended for work, this is more than enough, since an external mouse and keyboard can be easily connected via Bluetooth, and the available ports are sufficient for flash drives and external drives.

And you most likely won’t need external input devices. All models have a full-size built-in keyboard, and in 16-inch versions there is also a separate number pad. At the same time, the key material differs for the regular and Pro models. On the regular version it is rougher and, according to personal feelings, a little more pleasant, but this is a matter of taste. The Pro versions have slightly smoother keys and a slight curve, which is again convenient when typing.

The keyboard backlight is soft and not irritating in low-light conditions, while characters are clearly visible and understandable. The only thing you have to get used to is the size of the right Shift and Enter keys; they are a little small, but, as practice shows, it’s not difficult to get used to in a few days. The difference between the Pro versions is that a fingerprint scanner is built into the power key. The button itself is slightly lower than the others, which means you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing it when closing the lid.

For ease of opening, there is a small recess at the bottom. Considering the rather tight loops, this is convenient. The lid is fixed in any position and the opening angle is approximately 150 degrees. We will return to the characteristics of the screen itself, but now we can say that everyone can choose a comfortable position for themselves, regardless of the working conditions and lighting conditions.

Display

Now let's move on to one of the main features updated by the MagicBook X – the screen. We all know that it is the quality of image display that primarily affects the user’s comfort when working with a laptop. Firstly, all models in the series use a screen with a resolution of 1920×1200 and an aspect ratio of 16:10. This allows you to work with documents and spreadsheets with greater comfort, since the visible area is larger and less scrolling is required. And while this is not so critical on stationary monitors with diagonals of 24 inches or larger, for laptop users this solution is a big plus.

Secondly, due to the 100% coverage of the sRGB palette of the laptop display (though only in the Pro series), the screen displays photos and web content with sufficient saturation and contrast. A matte anti-glare coating and good brightness (300 nits) allow you to comfortably operate the laptop in various lighting conditions. Even when working with the sun behind you, the picture is clearly visible and does not require tension, and, as mentioned above, by changing the angle of inclination you can find the most comfortable position.

Third, an innovation for the 2024 model range was the “Dynamic Brightness” technology. By micro-adjusting the backlight, it reduces eye muscle tension during prolonged use of the device. The display can filter out harmful blue light and suppress flicker even at low brightness. This is confirmed by TÜV Rheinland certifications for reduced blue light and anti-flicker. There is also a special e-book mode that optimizes color temperature and contrast settings specifically for reading. This mode is very convenient when working in low light conditions and feels like it reduces eye fatigue when reading or editing text.

Performance and autonomy

First, let's talk about what is common to all models. Built-in batteries with a capacity of 60 watts per hour are responsible for the autonomy of the X 16 Pro and X 14 Pro devices; the X 16 has slightly lower figures – 42 watts per hour. On a single charge, the 14-inch version of the laptop will last up to 12 hours while watching offline video, and the 16-inch version will last up to 11.5 hours. If we talk about reality, then most likely the battery life will be a little less, but in any case the indicator is decent. And using the native 65-watt charger will allow you to very quickly “feed” the device with electricity. In just 30 minutes, the laptop replenishes 53 percent of its charge, and the complete procedure takes approximately 1.5 hours

The power bank function is also supported. The USB Type-C connector produces 10 watts of power and can replenish the charge of a smartphone or wireless headphones from the device’s battery.

Also, all models in the series are equipped with an effective cooling system with two fans. When interacting with text and in other basic scenarios, it operates almost silently, and when the hardware is heavily loaded, it effectively removes heat. The metal case also plays part of the role of a radiator, so gadgets do not turn into stoves even in difficult working conditions.

Now let's move on to the differences in the models. MagicBook X 16 Pro and X 14 Pro are built on an eight-core Intel Core i5-1342
0H processor with a maximum frequency of 4.6 gigahertz. Such resources are enough for the smooth operation of any office and other applications that rely on the CPU. If at some point you need even more power, you can turn on performance mode. A special key combination will increase the processor power consumption limit from 35 to 40 watts or 45 watts depending on the model.

The amount of RAM standard LPDDR4X-4266 is 8 or 16 gigabytes (depending on the configuration), and the storage capacity is 512 gigabytes. At the same time, the storage capacity is easy to increase: the motherboard has a free slot for a second SSD with a capacity of up to 1 terabyte.

The built-in card from Intel is responsible for graphics output. It is not intended for modern games and serious 3D modeling, but it easily displays a 4K image when connected to an external monitor.

With the MagicBook X 16, everything is a little simpler, but also correspondingly cheaper. The heart is an Intel Core i5-12450H processor operating at 4.4 gigahertz. In all other respects, everything is the same as with its older brothers, except that you cannot install another SSD.

Ecosystem

HONOR has been promoting its own ecosystem for a long time, and every time it becomes more convenient to use. That is, for a user who, in addition to a laptop, also has a smartphone or tablet from HONOR, working with the devices will become even more convenient. We were able to test these capabilities in conjunction with the HONOR Magic V2 smartphone.

HONOR Share feature. This is fast wireless file transfer between smartphones, tablets and laptops of the company. Documents, images and videos can be transferred between them as easily as between two folders on a computer. The transfer is really fast and convenient.

Another “multi-screen” function allows you to display a smartphone display on the laptop screen, even if it is lying in the next room charging. At the same time, you can receive an incoming call without getting up from the couch or from your workplace.

I was pleasantly surprised by the ability to quickly clone the contents of an old laptop to a new HONOR in a couple of clicks. The proprietary utility will transfer your account and files without complex settings or manipulations with the drive.

I was also pleased with the intelligent sound reduction technology of the built-in microphones. When communicating in a noisy place, for example, in a cafe or open space, the owner’s voice remains clear and understandable to the interlocutor.

Bottom line

First of all, the MagicBook X series will appeal to those who need a powerful and lightweight laptop for solving both work and everyday tasks, and for entertainment. It is not suitable for top games, but relaxing with a simple favorite game or watching a movie will not be a problem. The size, weight and appearance are also captivating. X 16 Pro is the maximum for an adequate price, X 14 Pro is for those who care about the combination of power and compactness, and the regular X 16 is the choice of those who are not chasing maximum power, but are aiming for a quality product and want to save a little money.

In Russia, all three models are already sold with a pre-installed Windows 11 operating system, and the X 16 can also be purchased in a “clean” version, which will save on the purchase.