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 Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 11.5 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 6.75 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results could get you through a typical workday, under a workload of mixed use. Its max screen brightness was lower than our target for battery tests, which gave it a slight advantage. At 3.3 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.
Display: The display quality was Fair 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 than on most other tested Chromebooks.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and DVD players to the USB 3.0 ports for maximum performance. This Chromebook has a full-size HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV or monitor.
Downsides: 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. This model has less than a few years remaining until Google stops updating the OS.
