Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was poor, well below that of many other models and you may notice slowdowns in such things as boot-up, application launching, and video editing. Compared to other tested laptops, performance was okay for common tasks such as web browsing or video conferencing, but may be very slow for more demanding tasks. You would notice this most particularly when opening up applications or during group video conferences. 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 11.75 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 8.75 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were notably longer than many similar laptops, under a workload of mixed use. At 3.5 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. There's a dedicated number pad for faster data entry. The power button was well labeled and conveniently located. Testers found the display more flexible than on most other laptops.
Display: The display quality was fair 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 had a narrow viewing angle, so you'll have limited flexibility in how to position the screen for optimal viewability for one user, and it will be difficult for more than one person to look at the screen at the same time. Its display produces a smaller array of colors and has worse contrast than on most other tested laptops, which may lessen the realism of videos or slideshows.
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.
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. At about 6.5 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations.
