Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 Review – Everyday budget laptop for Malaysia tested

There’s always a need for affordable yet effective budget laptops and the newly launched Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 aims to fulfil that need with a large eye-safe LCD display, a full sized keyboard and affordable performance that doesn’t cost an arm, a leg and both kidneys. Here’s our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review where we share if it’s worth what you pay for.

Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 Review – Performance and Benchmarks

For Malaysia, Honor is only issuing one configuration of the MagicBook X 16 2024 which is the one that we are reviewing. In terms of hardware, our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review sample features a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H processor paired with 8GB LPDDR4 RAM that has been soldered in along with a 512GB SSD for storage while graphics are handled by integrated Intel UHD graphics.

In terms of connectivity, our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review sample covers the essentials with fast WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. 

Here’s how our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review unit stacks up on paper…

Price	TBA
Display	16-inch FullView IPS LCD, 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, 45% NTSC, 300 nits peak brightness, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light + Flicker Free Certification
Processor	Intel Core i5-12450H
OS	Windows 11 Home
Memory	8GB LPDDR4 RAM / 512GB SSD
Graphics	Intel UHD graphics
Battery	42Wh battery w/ 65W charger
Size/Weight	17.9mm/ 1.68kg

While the 12th Gen i5 processor is a bit long in the tooth, it’s a proven chipset and still remains in service primarily in budget designs though the amount of RAM available is the bare minimum for modern laptops to ensure a generally smooth experience for everyday tasks. Fortunately, the amount of storage on its sole 512GB SSD is more than sufficient for general computing duties like emails, schoolwork, paperwork and the like. 

By default, the laptop processor runs at 35W for most tasks though you can enable a High Performance mode that kicks it up to 40W by pressing the Function and P keys simultaneously though this is only available if the laptop is plugged in. When subjected to synthetic benchmarks, our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review scored the following…

3D Mark Time Spy Extreme	467
3D Mark Time Spy	1006
3D Mark Fire Strike	2,944
3D Mark Fire Strike Extreme	1,398
3D Mark Fire Strike Ultra	705
3D Mark Night Raid	12,573
Geekbench 6 Single core	2,139
Geekbench 6 Multi Core	8,993
Geekbench 6 OpenCL	8,684
Geekbench 6 Vulkan	10,369
Cinebench R23 Multi core	8,525
Cinebench R23 Single Core	1,616 x5.28 MP ratio
PC Mark 10  Extended Score	4,279
PC Mark 8 Battery Life	2 hours 9 mins

In terms of benchmarks, our Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 review sample performs to specifications and is within the performance envelope for a 12th Gen Intel Core 15-12450H processor.

Unfortunately, it was unable to run the more demanding and newer Cinebench R24 benchmark though it managed to acquit itself well in Cinebench R23 which is designed for the prior generation of processors.

The use of Intel UHD integrated graphics precludes its use for any heavy gaming or serious content creation though it comfortably runs retro games like Kingdom Two Crowns, Stardew Valley and the like without issue. 

If you keep your expectations modest and are looking for something for basic, everyday use, the MagicBook X 16 2024 is up to the task. In general use, it did a decent job for handling emails, basic paperwork and normal sized spreadsheets along with Web browsing and otherwise casual use. 

Of note is Honor’s growing emphasis on an integrated ecosystem and they have placed greater emphasis on Honor Connect which enables you to pair up an Honor phone running MagicOS 7.0 and up to the laptop in a fashion akin to EMUI’s Multi-screen Collaboration.

You get an instance of the phone’s display on the laptop screen and can tinker about with the phone interface solely from the laptop and also take calls off it too. It’s certainly useful for multitasking though users will need to invest in the Honor ecosystem more to get more out of it as it doesn’t work with non-Honor phones.

Endurance is a bit on the short side though and it only managed a hair over 2 hours in our battery life benchmark on its 42Wh battery. In practical usage scenarios, it ran for the better part of half a day with light work and web browsing though you will likely need to charge it again come lunch time. Fortunately, the provided 65W charger is compact and relatively light so a top-up in the field is a viable prospect..

The large 16:10 aspect ratio of the display is one of the laptop’s best features, allowing for more screen real estate and a more comfortable user experience though the 60Hz refresh rate and 300 nits peak brightness mean that it is best used indoors for general computing duties.

Unfortunately, the screen isn’t colour calibrated nor does it display the full colour gamut as it’s just 45% NTSC which means that photo editing is not a viable option on this display while the modest specifications means that it also isn’t able to tackle serious video editing.

On the bright side, the display has an E-book mode for reading large reams of text and has a TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification which makes it ideal for extended usage sessions.

Should you buy the Honor MagicBook X 16 2024?

If you’re looking for a budget laptop, the Honor MagicBook X 16 2024 with its large display, full sized keyboard and sturdy design makes for a viable prospect.

The modest nature of its specifications means that it works best for general computing duties like web browsing, checking emails and light paperwork. In tandem with its modest price, this lends itself well to students and mobile workers on a tight budget.

Honor MagicBook 16 X 2024 review sample courtesy of Honor Malaysia. For more details visit https://www.honor.com/my/