Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was only fair, well below that of many models but still good enough for routine tasks like email, word processing and web browsing. Compared to other tested laptops, it was fast for common tasks such as web browsing and video conferencing. Applications start up quickly. Performance was okay for light productivity but for some more demanding tasks may be very slow, particularly when calculating large data spreadsheets or using images in multiple documents, and it was so slow that it was difficult to manipulate images, edit videos, and calculate simulations.
Portability: This laptop is a very good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 10.5 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 5.5 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results could get you through a typical workday, under a workload of mixed use. In heavier loads, the battery lasted shorter than expected, so you're more likely to need a charge as you run more performance intensive tasks. At 3.7 lbs, this laptop is lightweight for a laptop of this size category.
Ergonomics: Some features of the keyboard, touchpad, and labeling, were well-designed, and were comfortable or convenient to use. The keyboard has large keys and was comfortably sized. Its high contrast letters were easy to read, and the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. There's a dedicated number pad for faster data entry. The power button was well labeled and conveniently located.
Display: The display quality was very good overall. Colors were not reproduced as accurately as on better displays. The display was anti-reflective, so there was little or no glare when viewing in a brightly lit room or outdoors. The display has a wide viewing angle, especially important if more than one person needs to see the screen at a time, say, for a video or presentation. Its display produces a smaller array of colors than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: The 128GB solid-state drive uses less power and accesses data more quickly than conventional hard-disk drives. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray burners using USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) for maximum performance. Gigabit ethernet provides fast transfer of data over a local network.
Downsides: There's no optical drive like a CD or DVD reader, so you'll have to buy an external drive if you need one. There is no memory-card reader, so you'll need to buy an external reader or connect your digital camera directly to this laptop to transfer photos.
