HUAWEI MateBook 14 2021 vs ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX434FQ-A6101TS) Specs Comparison - Premium productivity laptop battle!

Today, we are comparing the HUAWEI MateBook 14 with the ASUS ZenBook 14. The former is the brand's latest premium laptop and let's see how it fares.

HUAWEI MateBook 14 2021 vs ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX434FQ-A6101TS)

 

HUAWEI MateBook 14 vs ASUS ZenBook 14 Specs Comparison

Device	HUAWEI MateBook 14	ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX434FQ-A6101TS)
Display	14-inch LCD (IPS) screen w/ QHD 2160 x 1440 resolution at 185 ppi	14-inch LED screen w/ FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution at 157 ppi
CPU	4.2GHz 11th gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor	4.2GHz 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor
GPU	Intel Iris Xe	Intel UHD graphics + NVIDIA GeForce MX350
RAM	16GB DDR4	8GB DDR3
ROM	512GB NVMe SSD	512GB PCIe Gen3 SSD
Selfie Camera	1MP	IR camera
Battery	56WHr LiPo w/ 65W Switching Power Adaptor	50WHr LiPo w/ 65W fast charging
OS	Windows 10 Home	Windows 10 Home
Connectivity	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 1x multi-format card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors:	Hall, Gravity	TBC
Others	Power button/fingerprint scanner, backlit keyboard, touchpad w/ HUAWEI Share tag, 4x microphones, 2x 2W speakers, 2x Shark fin fans, Colors: Mystic Silver, Space Grey	Backlit keyboard, 2x microphones, Screenpad 2.0, ErgoLift Hinge for thermals, Harman Kardon speakers Colors: Royal Blue, Rose Gold, Quartz Gray, Shimmer Gold
Dimensions	307 x 224 x 15.9 mm	319 x 199 x 16.9 mm
Weight	1.49 kg	1.26 kg
Price	PHP 64,999 (PHP 59,999 discounted price)	PHP 64,995

Slim minimalist design

Build/Design - The HUAWEI MateBook 14 is a premium-looking notebook boasting a slim metal-clad design for better portability, a 3:2 display with slim bezels for improved productivity as well as viewer field of view and sleeker design. It also has a large touchpad with HUAWEI Share NFC underneath.

On the exterior, it is mostly metal. Only the display (glass) and the backlit keyboard (plastic) are not metal.

Both have sleek designs!

Measuring at just 307 x 224 x 15.9 mm and weighing 1.49 kg, it is one of the smallest and most portable laptops with a 14-inch large display around. This is smaller than a lot of laptops with the same display size.

Sleek build as well

Meanwhile, the ZenBook 14 has a metal exterior, glass display, plastic keyboard, and touchscreen Screenpad 2.0 that acts as the touchpad. It also has a slim design and is lightweight. It is a bit larger and thicker than the MateBook at 14 319 x 199 x 16.9 mm, but it is lightweight at 1.26 kg.

The HUAWEI MateBook 14 and ASUS ZenBook 14 both have sleek and light form factors that are advantageous when you want to work on the go.

2K display is 2K

Display - The HUAWEI MateBook 14 has a touchscreen 14-inch FullView Display technology with 2K resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, and 100 percent sRGB color accuracy.

ZenBook 14 screen render

The ASUS ZenBook 14 has a 14-inch LED touch display with 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and 100 sRGB color accuracy.

The HUAWEI MateBook 14 takes the lead here with a higher resolution!

Both feature a 60Hz refresh rate so that's a tie there. Both also have a touch screen for additional navigation options. HUAWEI's 3:2 aspect ratio is a great combo for its 2K resolution as more information can be seen at glance.

The MateBook 14's higher-resolution screen and 3:2 aspect ratio allow you to work more efficiently with more information displayed on the screen at a glance. The sharp resolution is also useful in terms of seeing more details when editing photos as well.

In terms of multimedia, it allows for a more enjoyable and immersive experience when watching content from YouTube or Netflix.

HUAWEI Share demo

Performance - The HUAWEI MateBook 14 features the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor that can boost up to 4.2GHz, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD. It also has a 56WHr battery good enough for 11 hours of video playback with a small 65W USB-C charger that promises up to 2.5 hours of use on a 15-minute charge.

11th Gen vs 10th Gen, you choose

The ASUS ZenBook 14 has a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor that can boost up to 4.2GHz, Intel UHD integrated graphics, NVIDIA GeForce MX350 with 2GB VRAM, 8GB DDR3 RAM, and 512GB PCIe SSD. It also has a 50WHr battery and a 65W charger.

With ScreenPad

The HUAWEI MateBook 14 wins in most of the specs here. It has a newer CPU with Intel Iris Xe graphics, bigger and faster RAM, a faster storage solution, and a bigger battery. But, ASUS ZenBook 14 holds its own in terms of CPU clock speed and a discrete dedicated GPU with the GeForce MX350.

These specs will allow you to do daily tasks like web browsing, multitasking, photo editing, and some content consumption without any problem. The addition of a dedicated GPU for the ZenBook 14 allows for some opportunity to play esports titles and some older AAA games too.

It's also worth noting that both did not cut corners in terms of thermal management.

MateBook 14 2021 also has the 2x Shark Fin fans for maximum airflow with a large copper heatsink while the ZenBook 14 ErgoLift hinge lifts the laptop up to allow better airflow. This will help in maximizing performance without worrying about thermal throttling.

In photo: MateBook 14 2021, both laptops have WiFi 6

Other features - The two devices have WiFi 6 for faster and more stable connectivity at home and Bluetooth 5.0.

MateBook 14 2021 has 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio and mic. Meanwhile, the ZenBook 14 has 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has a 1x multi-format card reader that you can use for SD cards.

For speakers, HUAWEI has 2x 2W loudspeakers as well as 4x microphones for improved calls. ZenBook 14 has 1W rated speakers only even if it has Harman Kardon branded.

Pop-up HUAWEI webcam

For the webcam, HUAWEI has a hidden 1MP privacy webcam on the keyboard. Meanwhile, ZenBook 14 has an IR camera that could be used to securely unlock the device hands-free.

MateBook 14 also has a power key that doubles as the fingerprint scanner. It also has the HUAWEI Share tag that you can use to easily transfer files from your HUAWEI smartphone to the HUAWEI PC by dragging and dropping. It also displays your smartphone or tablet for multi-screen collaboration and more.

ASUS has the ScreenPad that you can use as a regular trackpad, secondary screen for cross-referencing, shortcuts, and multitasking with a smartphone-like interface.

HUAWEI MateBook 14 advantages - 2K resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, newer 11th Intel Core CPU, faster and bigger RAM, faster storage, bigger battery, quad-mic, HUAWEI Share

ASUS ZenBook 14 advantages - OLED screen, Screenpad 2.0, discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU

Our thoughts

For PHP 64,995 (PHP 59,999 discounted price), the HUAWEI MateBook 14 comes out as the better option between the two based on specs.

Overall, it has a sharper screen and better specs in general. In particular, has a more up-to-date CPU, faster and bigger RAM, bigger battery, and faster storage.

The ASUS ZenBook 14 has tricks of its own like its FHD OLED screen, Screenpad 2.0, and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU. You can expect to play A few Esports titles more smoothly here as it has a dedicated GPU.

Both laptops are designed for professionals and students for their daily tasks for work and school. After working extended hours, you can opt to watch your fave shows or play some light or casual games here as well.

By the way, HUAWEI also recently launched the MateBook 14s with upgraded specs. The i5 version retails for PHP 68,999 and the i7 edition is priced at PHP 89,999.

Those who will purchase it will get a FREE FreeBuds Pro and Microsoft Office 365 from November 12 to November 30, 2021.

The MateBook 14 i5 will also come with the same freebies and a new price tag of PHP 59,999.

MateBook 14 R5 with an SRP of PHP 50,999 will get a price drop to PHP 48,999 as well.

What do you guys think?