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 its speed was adequate for manipulating filters on images, converting and editing videos, and rendering models and calculating simulations. Graphical tasks run faster among other models with only integrated graphics.
Battery Life and Weight: This laptop is a fair choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 12 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 15 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 longer than expected, so you're less likely to need a charge as you run more performance intensive tasks. At 2.6 lbs, weight was typical for a laptop of this size category. To help with long-term battery health, this laptop has adjustable charge options, such as modifying when and how much to charge the battery.
Ease of Use: 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, and the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. The touchpad was uncomfortably small, providing less space for gestures than most others tested. The keyboard can be detached, allowing the screen to be used like a tablet. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily. We liked the sturdy build of the chassis.
Display: The display quality was very good overall. Colors were accurately reproduced, 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 has better contrast than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Laptop detaches from the keyboard for use as a touchscreen tablet. The spacious [1] plenty of room for storing your music, photos, and movies. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives using USB4 for maximum performance. This laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to a TV or monitor.
Downsides: Some software is incompatible with the ARM processor on this model, including third-party anti-virus, cloud apps, and accessories with specialized drivers. 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. It lacks any full-sized USB-A ports, so you will need an adapter if you have accessories that require this USB type. Based on results of a CR member survey, Microsoft laptops of a similar price to this model stood out as being meaningfully worse than typical for experiencing certain problem areas such as unresponsive or too sensitive keyboards.
