Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was Good, below that of many other models but still powerful enough for tasks such as email, word processing, web browsing, and streaming movies. 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 but on the slow side when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and running other productivity tasks, and it was slow for manipulating images, editing videos, and calculating simulations.
Portability: This laptop is a Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 18.75 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 8.5 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were outstanding enough to last well beyond a typical day of mixed use, lasting longer than most other similar laptops. 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 2.6 lbs, this laptop is lightweight for a laptop of this size category.
Ergonomics: The keyboard was not full-sized, and might be uncomfortable for larger hands. Its high contrast letters were easy to read, and the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. Keys were conveniently positioned, good for touch typists who want to speed up typing. The power button was well labeled and conveniently located. The touchpad doubled as a numpad can be used as an alternate input method.
Display: The display quality was Very Good overall. Colors were near-accurate, and mostly realistic and natural looking. The laptop's display was brighter than most, a plus for viewing in bright indoor lighting 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 OLED display produces a wider array of colors and has better contrast than on most other tested laptops, which can help add realism to videos or slideshows.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: The 256GB 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 Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) for maximum performance. This laptop has a full-size HDMI port and supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor.
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. At about 6.7 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations.
