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 good choice for traveling, although not ideal. Battery life lasted 9.5 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 3.2 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 low contrast letters were difficult 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. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily.
Display: The display quality was very good 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 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 smaller array of colors than on most other tested Chromebooks.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: 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 using Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) for maximum performance. This Chromebook has a full-size HDMI port and supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor. The power supply and chassis are lighter than the average weight of a chromebook and power supply. 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. At about 6.7 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations.
