Performance: Performance was very good. Speed was above average for productivity and Web-based tasks such as word processing, Web browsing, and online game play. Since there are few instances where you will be working on multiple tasks simultaneously, you may rarely see the increased performance.
Portability: This Chromebook is a Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 10 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 5 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 2.5 lbs, weight was typical for a Chromebook this size and light enough to carry for long periods of time.
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 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. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily.
Display: The display quality was Very Good overall. Colors were near-accurate and mostly realistic and natural looking. The 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: The Chromebook has a convertible form factor and can be folded backwards for use as a tablet. Its storage space of 128GB is larger than most other Chromebooks, good for storing local backup files. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and DVD players to the USB 3.0 ports for maximum performance.
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.
