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. Speed was adequate when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and other productivity tasks, and it was fast for manipulating filters on multiple images, converting and editing videos, and rendering 3D models and calculating simulations. 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.
Portability: This laptop is a fair choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 6.25 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 3.75 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 5.9 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. There's a dedicated number pad for faster data entry. The power button was well labeled and conveniently located.
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 but has better contrast than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: The 512GB 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 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) for maximum performance. Gigabit ethernet provides fast transfer of data over a local network. At about 12.2 ft length, the power cable is longer than most others, so you can worry less about power outlet locations.
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.
