Performance: Performance was excellent. Speed was tops for productivity and Web-based tasks such as word processing, Web browsing, and online game play. You'll have performance room to grow.
Portability: This Chromebook is a very good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 11 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 8 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 3.8 lbs, weight was typical for a Chromebook this size and light enough to carry.
Ergonomics: The keyboard and case 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 well-labeled and conveniently located. The touchpad was among the largest of those tested, and provides ample space for different touch gestures. You can customize the keyboard RGB backlight colors.
Display: The display quality was excellent overall. Colors were near-accurate and mostly realistic and natural looking. The 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. Its display produces a wider array of colors than on most other tested Chromebooks. The display supports a refresh rate of 120Hz.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Its storage space of 256GB is larger than most other Chromebooks, good for storing local backup files. 2.5Gb ethernet provides fast transfer of data over a local network. This Chromebook has a full-size HDMI port and supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor. This model still has most of its lifespan remaining during which Google will continue to update the OS.
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. The power supply and chassis are heavier than the average weight of a chromebook and power supply.
