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Huawei MateBook D 15 2021 11Gen Unboxing and First Impressions

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The PHP 37,990 (sometimes it is on sale for PHP 28,999) Huawei MateBook D 15 in 2020 with AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is one of our favorite work laptops to recommend last year due to its good looks, slim profile, and capable actual performance. Up to this date, it has very few weak points for the price.
Meet Huawei MateBook D 15 2021 11Gen

Fast forward to April of 2021, the global tech giant released its new version this year called the MateBook D 15 2021 11Gen priced at PHP 52,999.

It is still sporting the same body, but the internals is upgraded.

1. Its display now has TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification which promises better eye comfort apart from TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification.
2. It is packed with a new chipset, the 10nm 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
3. It has more RAM and a larger SSD storage at 16GB and 512GB, respectively.
4. It has better connectivity like WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
5. A new turbo mode via Fn+P hotkeys designed for better gameplay or heavier video editing.

We have the said device now and let's see if this is worth the higher price tag.

Here's part 1 of our review: unboxing and first impressions. Read on.

Unboxing/Accessories

Big brown box
Big brown box


The MateBook D 15 2021 arrived in a minimalist-looking brown carrying box with the print of the laptop icon and Huawei logo in the front.
Everything inside the box
Everything inside the box

Inside, you will see the laptop itself along with the 65W power brick, USB-C to USB-C data/charging cable, and paper documents.
65W brick!
65W brick!

The power brick included here supports up to 65W SuperCharge. This means it can charge Huawei-branded smartphones or tablets with SuperCharge support. It worked on the Mate 40 Pro review unit we have and our P30 Pro with 66W and 40W SuperCharge, respectively.

It would be better if it has a free carrying bag or backpack similar to the freebies given by PC dealers in the malls.

Those who pre-ordered it also got like a WiFi XA3 router of a HUAWEI Gift package.

Build Quality/Design

Bottom view
Bottom view

The build and design, it is identical to the MateBook D 15 we reviewed early in 2020. The only difference is the weight. The MateBook D 15 last is a little heavier at 1.62 kg versus the 1.56 kg of 
MateBook D 15 2021 11Gen. Likely, this is due to it having an extra HDD apart from the SSD.
Screen and flex
Screen and flex

The rest. The same. It is still sporting a near all-aluminum body with a slim profile and compact size for a laptop with a 15.6-inch big display at 357.8 x 229.9 x 16.9 mm. Underneath, you will find the rubber feet to prevent slippage attached to its aluminum body along with the stereo speakers and exhaust vent for cooling.
Keyboard and touchpad view
Keyboard and touchpad view

When opened, you will see that is still using minimal plastic parts on the hinge, bezels on the screen, keyboard, and trackpad.

Similar to a lot of MateBooks, it has a hidden webcam between the F6 and F7 function keys. The main purpose of this is to make the laptop have slimmer bezels (a pretty impressive 87 percent screen-to-body ratio). It could also be better for privacy as you will only use the camera when needed. But as mentioned in our previous reviews, the webcam is awkwardly showing your face from below. It is not for everyone.

We would also appreciate it better if it has a backlit keyboard like the more affordable MateBook D 14. For the price, this is one of the few without a backlit keyboard that could help you see the buttons you are pressing even in the dark (in case you still don't memorize your keyboard).

On the upper right corner of the keyboard, there is a power key that doubles as the fingerprint reader to unlock the laptop.
Huawei Share sticker
Huawei Share sticker

You will also find the Huawei Share sticker tag below the right side of the keyboard. Be careful, do not remove that sticker as the Huawei Share function of the laptop via NFC won't work without it.

The downside of this is the sticker wears out over time. It would have been better if Huawei implemented the hidden Huawei Share under the touchpad method similar to the MateBook 14 2020 AMD.

Similar proven and tested build!

Since its build is similar to the MateBook D 15 last year, we can expect its flex to be durable. We are still using the old MateBook D 15 daily and we never had issues with its display unlike a few similarly priced or more expensive laptops we tested in the past.

Unlike laptops with a heavier base, this won't pass the one-handed open test. You will need to use your two hands to hold the base while opening the lid. But, that's understandable and it isn't really an issue for most.
Two mics
Two mics

The keyboard is still very comfortable to touch with proper spacing. The keypad is big enough and it supports two and three-finger gestures.
Ports at left
Ports at left

On the left, you will see 1x USB-C at left for power and data, USB-A 3.0, and HDMI. On right, you will see the 3.5mm headphone jack slot and the 2x USB-A 2.0 ports.
Ports at right
Ports at right

Personally, despite a few nitpicks, I still find this construction and design to be one of the better and most premium-looking for the price. It is slim and lightweight for better portability, but it isn't frail-looking at all.

Huawei MateBook D 15 2021 11Gen Specs

Display: 15.6-inch IPS screen w/ FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution at 141 ppi
CPU: 4.2GHz 10nm 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB DDR4
ROM: 512GB NVMe PCle SSD
Selfie Camera: 1MP
Battery: 42WHr w/ 65W Switching Power Adaptor
OS: Windows 10 Home
Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.0, 2x USB-A 2.0, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Hall, gravity
Others: Power button/fingerprint scanner, Shark Fin 2.0 Fan, built-in microphones, stereo speakers, Colors: Mystic Silver
Dimensions: 357.8 x 229.9 x 16.9 mm
Weight: 1.56 kg
Price: PHP 52,999

As of the moment

In terms of specs, we are happy with the upgrades that Huawei added to this laptop versus the older D 15. It has TÜV Rheinland certifications for more comfortable viewing, the chipset is newer and faster, it has more RAM and a larger SSD storage, and newer connectivity options.

Speediest D 15 laptop in PH yet!

However, while its build is proven and tested already, it would have been better if it has the backlit keyboard of the smaller D 14 and the Huawei Share-ready touchpad of the MateBook 14 2020 AMD considering that it is the MateBook D laptop with the highest price tag yet.

But so far, in terms of performance, this is fast and we are generally happy with it.

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