Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was very good. Tasks like email, word processing and web browsing will be accomplished quickly. Compared to other tested laptops, it was fast for common tasks such as web browsing and video conferencing. Applications start up quickly. It was among the fastest when composing multiple documents with images, calculating large complex data spreadsheets, and running other demanding productivity tasks, and it was among the fastest for manipulating filters on multiple images, converting and editing videos, and rendering 3D models and calculating simulations. In addition, demanding video games will show smooth graphics and have a quick response. With hybrid graphics, the laptop can dynamically switch to the dedicated graphics card when a performance boost is needed for demanding games or applications. Everyday tasks, like web browsing or playing videos, will default to the integrated graphics chip, which is more power efficient and can reduce noise and extend battery life.
Battery Life and Weight: This laptop is a poor choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 9 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 5.75 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 laptops. At 5.2 lbs, this laptop is too heavy for a laptop of this size category.
Ease of Use: The laptop features, such as its keyboard, touchpad, and labeling were well-designed, making it comfortable and 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.
Display: The display quality was 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 spacious [1] plenty of room for storing your music, photos, and movies. This laptop has a full-size HDMI port and full-size DisplayPort for connecting to a TV or monitor. At about 12.3 ft length, the power cable is longer than most others, so you can worry less about power outlet locations.
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. The power supply and chassis are heavier than the average weight of a comparable laptop and power supply. Based on results of a CR member survey, HP laptops of a similar price to this model stood out as being meaningfully worse than typical for experiencing certain problem areas such as swelling batteries, and internal hardware malfunctions.
