Performance: Performance was only fair. Speed was slow but adequate for productivity and Web-based tasks such as word processing, Web browsing, and online game play.
Portability: This Chromebook is a Good choice for traveling, although not ideal. Battery life lasted 9 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 4.25 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 Chromebooks. At 3.7 lbs, weight was typical for a Chromebook this size and light enough to carry for long periods of time.
Ergonomics: Some features of the keyboard and case were well-designed, making it 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 well-labeled and conveniently located. The touchpad was among the largest of those tested, and provides ample space for different touch gestures. Testers liked the sturdy build of the chassis.
Display: The display quality was 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 had a narrow viewing angle, so you'll have limited flexibility in how to position the screen for optimal viewability for one user, and it will be difficult for more than one person to look at the screen at the same time. Its display produces a smaller array of colors and has worse contrast than on most other tested Chromebooks, which may lessen the realism of videos or slideshows.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Its storage space of 128GB is larger than most other Chromebooks, good for storing local backup files. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and DVD players using USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) for maximum performance. The power supply and chassis are lighter than the average weight of a chromebook and power supply.
Downsides: At about 6 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations. This model has less than a few years remaining until Google stops updating the OS.
