Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was Very Good. Tasks like email, word processing and web browsing will be accomplished quickly and you can even accomplish some tougher tasks like photo editing and mid-range gaming near top speed. Compared to other tested laptops, it was among the fastest with common tasks such as web browsing and video conferencing. Applications start up almost instantly. It was among the fastest when composing multiple documents with images, calculating large complex data spreadsheets, and running other demanding productivity tasks, and it was slow for manipulating images, editing videos, 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 an Excellent choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 11.25 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 7.75 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 3.4 lbs, this laptop is lightweight 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. Keys were conveniently positioned, good for touch typists who want to speed up typing. The power button labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off, and it was inconveniently placed, either difficult to reach or too easy to accidentally press. A stylus is included for use with the touch screen. The keyboard can be folded away, allowing the screen to be used like a tablet. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily. Testers liked the sturdy build of the chassis, and felt that the keyboard and touchscreen have good response.
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.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Laptop converts to a touchscreen tablet to be used as either a laptop computer or a tablet. The spacious 1TB solid-state drive offers plenty of room for storing your music, photos, and movies. The 1TB 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 to the Thunderbolt 3 ports for maximum performance. The fingerprint reader lets you log into your computer without typing in a password.
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.
