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, and streaming movies.
Portability: This laptop is a Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 12.75 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 7 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 2.8 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. The power button was conveniently located, but its labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off. Testers liked the sturdy build of the chassis, and the extra-large size and responsiveness of the touchpad.
Display: The display quality was Excellent overall. Colors were accurately reproduced, realistic, and natural looking. The laptop's display was brighter than most and it's anti-reflective, a plus for 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.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: The 256GB 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 Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) for maximum performance. The fingerprint reader lets you log into your computer without typing in a password. This laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor. The power supply adds a lightweight 0.4 lbs, not too much more than the laptop weight.
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. At about 6.6 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations. It has a shorter-than-typical 3 months of free tech support by telephone.
