Recently, for those who wanted to get the most productive mobile PC for their money, we could only give one recommendation: in terms of the ratio of capabilities and price, the Ryzen 4000 (and more recently 5000) processors are out of the competition. But now, albeit with a long delay, Intel has released a full analog low-watt “red” chip for ultrabooks versus Tiger Lake silicon under the 11th Gen Core processor brand. The Tiger Lake architecture stands out for its excellent power efficiency. In some cases, it allows Intel’s quad-core CPUs to claim the same performance as AMD’s eight-core CPUs with similar power reserves. And when buyers have an alternative, it’s always good because not all good-looking machines are equipped with Ryzen processors.
We have already appreciated the Tiger Lake chips in the example. 15-inch MSI laptop; however, this is by no means the most illustrative form factor for a budget quad-core CPU. Another thing is the slim HONOR ultrabook with a 14-inch screen.
Specifications, prices
Unlike last year’s HONOR MagicBook 14, which is based on Ryzen 4000 series chips, and several other models from this manufacturer, the new laptop includes an Intel Core i5-1135G7 SoC or the more powerful Core i7-1165G7 variant. . Both processors are quad-core, support SMT, and as tests show, the laptop chassis allows the chip to develop a maximum power rating of up to 28W (albeit only for a short time, while sustained power consumption is more limited). In particular, it is precise because of the significant power reserve that Intel’s Tiger Lake processors are designed for high clock speeds (in this case, up to 4.7 GHz, albeit in single-threaded mode), which were never dreamed of by 10 nanometers. Chips of the previous generation. Therefore, the Tiger Lake silicon replaces both types of ultrabook CPUs in Intel’s catalog, united under the 10th Gen Core brand: the low-power Ice Lake models and the more powerful but now obsolete Comet Lake. Unlike Comet Lake, the new chips do not have more than four x86 cores, but thanks to the progressive architecture and high clock speeds, they do not promise at least a worse level of performance than the old six-core phones.
As for the differences between Core i5 and Core i7, the older CPU model stands out not only for the increased clock speed of the x86 cores but also for the formula for the integrated Intel Xe video core: Core i7 contains a complete set of 96 execution units, while Core i5 graphics are down to 80 EU. A discrete GPU is not used here, but it is not necessary because in such a form factor, without significant design complication, the manufacturer could not afford a more powerful discrete GPU than, for example, the generalized GeForce MX250. . / 350. Also, Xe is not lost: 96 execution units are one and a half times more than Ice Lake, not the weaker Comet Lake graphics. Additionally, the Intel Xe accelerator has learned to decode video in the resource-intensive AV1 format using efficient blocks of fixed functionality.
The RAM is represented by 8 or 16 GB of DDR4 type, a dual-channel configuration at a speed of 3200 MT / s that provides better bandwidth than the LPDDR4X alternative. The amount of ROM in MagicBook 14 is always the same – 512GB (this is a high-performance SSD with PCI Express 3.0 interface), so the only variables in the laptop’s configuration are the CPU and the amount of RAM.
The MagicBook 14 is a relatively inexpensive model aimed at the budget-conscious consumer. Official HONOR Store sells it for 79,990 rubles. For a basic configuration with a Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM (now there are discounts there), and even with gifts: an HONOR Band 6 fitness bracelet and a wireless mouse.
Using the HONOR laptop as an example, we will see how Intel’s new silicon has changed the range of offerings available in the ultrabook market, among which models on the Ryzen platform have been considered the best option so far. And at the same time, we will make sure that inexpensive laptops sometimes look and assemble no worse than analogs of a higher price category.
But whatever they say, HONOR still had to save on something. First of all, this model does not have configurations with a high-resolution screen, although this, on the other hand, can be seen as an advantage since the 4K panels consume battery power faster. And secondly, and this is the most crucial thing, MagicBook 14 lacks any version of Thunderbolt interface, while there is only one Hi-Speed USB port (3.2 Gen 1)! The rest are limited to 2.0 bandwidth.
Appearance and ergonomics
On the outside of the MagicBook 14, it cannot be said that this machine costs much less than 100 thousand rubles in the basic configuration. The only confusing thing is the plastic frames around the screen because the matrix is not laminated and does not react to touch. Fortunately, the bezels are skinny, except for the ample space under the screen (a common problem for laptops with a 16: 9 screen).
The rest of the body is made of dark-coated metal. The panels are moderately stiff when comparing the MagicBook 14 to the lighter ultra compacts on the one hand and the thick-walled MacBooks. Thus, it was possible to reduce the weight of the device, which contains a large battery and a reasonably large cooling system, and at the same time make sure that the keyboard does not jump under the hands during operation.
There are ultrabooks on the market with a stiffer base under the keys, but many more models have a softcover, especially in the price range that the MagicBook 14 belongs to. The main thing is that there are no complaints about the fundamental mechanisms: the surfaces are well stabilized on the plane, have a reasonably long travel, and quickly return to neutral after pressing. As you can see, the layout does not contain any additional keys, except for Del, but the notebook designers, for some reason, decided to reduce the width of the “~” to increase the Backspace. The power button was pulled out to the side, and for a good reason: a fingerprint scanner is built into it (plus, it’s very fast when authentication is activated).
A neat feature of the HONOR laptop is the hidden webcam. Recently, many laptop manufacturers have been implementing these types of solutions to protect users. But instead of placing the camera under the screen (there is a lot of unoccupied space) or, conversely, from above, sliding the screen down, here the peephole under the cover between the F6 and F7 keys was removed, which is It looks precisely like the neighbors, but in response to pressing the webcam appears. The mechanism works very confidently, with an excellent click, another compliment to the MagicBook 14 design.
