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, streaming movies and even some gaming. Compared to other tested laptops, its speed was adequate for common tasks such as web browsing, video conferencing, and application startup. It was fast when composing documents with images, calculating large data spreadsheets, and running other productivity tasks, 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 18.5 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 10.25 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. At 3.2 lbs, weight was typical for a laptop of this size category.
Ergonomics: 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. The power button was conveniently located, but its labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off. The touchpad was uncomfortably small, providing less space for gestures than most others tested. A stylus is included for use with the touch screen. The keyboard can be folded away, allowing the screen to be used like a tablet. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily. The laptop has a leather exterior that wraps around it like a book cover, giving it extra protection and a sturdy feel.
Display: The display quality was Excellent overall. Colors were accurately reproduced, realistic, and natural looking. 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 has better contrast than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Laptop converts to a touchscreen tablet to be used as either a laptop computer or a tablet. 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 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.
