Performance: Performance was only fair. Speed was slow but adequate for productivity and Web-based tasks such as word processing, Web browsing, and online game play.
Portability: This Chromebook is a Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 8.75 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 4.5 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were sufficient to get through most of a workday of mixed use tasks, but not as notable as similar Chromebooks. At 3.3 lbs, weight was typical for a Chromebook this size and light enough to carry for long periods of time.
Ergonomics: Some features of the keyboard and case were well-designed, making it comfortable or convenient to use. The keyboard has large keys and was comfortably sized. Its high contrast letters were easy to read. The power button was well labeled and conveniently located. Testers found that the metal chassis felt sturdier than on most other Chromebooks.
Display. The display quality was Very Good overall. Colors were in the ballpark, though not completely accurate. 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.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and DVD players to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports for maximum performance. This Chromebook has a full-size HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV or monitor.
Downsides: 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.
