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, its speed was adequate for common tasks such as web browsing, video conferencing, and application startup. Speed was adequate when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and other productivity tasks, and it was slow for manipulating images, editing videos, and calculating simulations.
Portability: This laptop is a Good choice for traveling, although not ideal. Battery life lasted 9 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 6.75 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results could get you through a typical workday, under a workload of mixed use. At 3.6 lbs, this laptop is too heavy 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. The power button was conveniently located, but its labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off. The TrackPoint Pointing Stick can be used as an alternate input method.
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. Its display produces a smaller array of colors than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray burners using USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) for maximum performance. Gigabit ethernet provides fast transfer of data over a local network. This laptop has a full-size HDMI port 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. 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.
