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, performance was okay but on the slow side for common tasks such as web browsing or video conferencing. You would notice this most when opening up applications. 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 6.25 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 3.5 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were inadequate for a typical day of mixed use, and you'll need to charge the battery more often than similar laptops. At 4.3 lbs, weight was typical 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. There's a dedicated number pad for faster data entry. Keys were conveniently positioned, good for touch typists who want to speed up typing. The power button was conveniently located, but its labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off.
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: The spacious 1TB hard drive offers plenty of room for storing your music, photos, and movies. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray burners to the USB 3.1 ports for maximum performance. 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.
