Buying guide for Best Lenovo Chromebooks
The prospect of shopping around for a laptop can seem daunting with so many devices available from so many brands. A good place to start is with top computer brand Lenovo, which makes several excellent Chromebooks. If you’re unfamiliar with Chromebooks, they’re essentially stripped-down versions of laptops that offer many of the same functions.
While Chromebooks aren’t as powerful as traditional laptops, they offer a degree of versatility that makes them more appealing to the average user. Lenovo Chromebooks generally have a lightweight build and are easy to use. They are also quite affordable.
The primary difference between a Chromebook and a traditional laptop is its operating system. Unlike most Windows laptops, Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which is more user-friendly, fluid and online-based. Online-based means that most programs require an internet connection to run, and you can store files and data online, so there’s no need for local storage space on a hard drive.
Before buying a Lenovo Chromebook, ask yourself what you value most in a laptop. For example, our top pick, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, has a fast processor, a dazzling OLED screen and an 18-hour battery life. It’s an excellent Chromebook for those who want something powerful and fast. However, you might want something more basic, such as the Lenovo 3 14-Inch Chromebook — a practical choice for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, streaming and sending emails.
Best Lenovo Chromebooks
The IdeaPad Duet 5 has a fast processor and doubles as a tablet and computer. Tablet mode makes watching movies and playing games much more accessible and comfortable, while laptop mode offers efficient productivity when it’s time to work.
The display on this Chromebook is particularly appealing, especially for those who want to stream 4K content. It’s 13.3 inches wide, and OLED technology allows it to reproduce vivid colors and true blacks. The audio system is also impressive for a Chromebook, as it has four speakers with smart amplifiers and two built-in microphones for phone calls and accessing voice assistants.
The camera setup will please those who don’t mind taking pictures with their tablet, as it has a full high-definition 8-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls. The battery is excellent, especially for those who travel; it can last up to 15 hours on a full charge, depending on usage.
This Chromebook is surprisingly affordable given its build and specs, making it an excellent option for those on a budget who need a decent laptop for working, gaming or streaming movies.
The display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which isn’t anything special — and unfortunately, you won’t be able to stream 4K content. That said, it looks fine for casual HD streaming. One plus is that it has an anti-glare finish for a broadened field of view and reduced eye strain.
With 4GB of RAM and a fast multi-core processor, you can run several high-powered applications simultaneously without experiencing any lag. However, the battery life isn’t as good as that of other models and only lasts a maximum of 10 hours, depending on usage.
Other highlights of this Chromebook include a built-in HD webcam, media reader and microphone. Plus, it has a lightweight design, weighing just 3.08 pounds with a slim 0.78-inch profile.
The Flex 5i is widely regarded as one of the best Chromebooks on the market, though its high price might make it a turn-off for some. However, the good news is you can often find this laptop on sale for up to $200 off, making it a steal if you can take advantage of such a deal.
What makes this Chromebook worth the money is its blazing-fast Intel i3 processor that’ll let you run your favorite apps and games without any decrease in performance. Its 13-inch full HD touchscreen display allows it to work as a tablet for comfortable streaming and web browsing, and the flexible 360-degree flip design makes it easy to switch back and forth between laptop and tablet mode.
Other great reasons to consider getting this Chromebook include a 128GB solid-state drive for local data storage and an Intel UHD graphics card for impressive visuals and picture quality.
The ThinkPad C13 is one of the more high-end models Lenovo offers, but we think it’s worth the money for a few reasons. For starters, this Chromebook has a faster processor than most other Chromebooks of its size and a fingerprint reader for biometric security. The 13.3-inch IPS display looks fantastic, and the anti-glare finish helps significantly reduce eye strain, so you can work for extended periods without experiencing fatigue. AMD Radeon graphics allow it to reproduce stunning visuals, making it an excellent option for gamers and those who want to stream HD movies and TV shows.
The narrow bezel design gives the Yoga Chromebook a clean-cut look, making it one of the most stylish Lenovo Chromebooks, and the backlit keyboard makes it convenient for low-light environments. Plus, it comes bundled with several accessories, including a stylus pen, a ballpoint pen and a USB 3.0 64GB flash drive.
For those looking for a bare-bones device to run simple everyday computing tasks, we recommend the IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. Its slim profile and lightweight build make it perfect for traveling, and the HD IPS display is excellent for streaming movies and TV shows. The 360-degree hinge offers added versatility.
The main drawback of this laptop is that its processor isn’t as powerful as other Chromebooks. However, it gets the job done, especially if you only want to use your Chromebook for streaming, web browsing and document-building in applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word. It’s also suitable for light gaming and photo editing.
If you’re content with a less-powerful Chromebook, you’ll enjoy some excellent features such as 64GB of local storage, an HD webcam and dual user-facing stereo speakers. Also, the 10-point 11.6-inch touch screen and attached stylus pen offer an intuitive user experience similar to that of a smartphone.
One of the best things about Chromebooks is that they offer students a cheap way to keep up with their education. We recommend the 300e Chromebook for students and anybody who needs to get work done while traveling. It usually retails for around $100 and is a steal if you only need something for school and essential office work.
The 360-degree hinge is a staple of many Lenovo Chromebooks that can double as a tablet, and the 300e has this design. It’s suitable for creating spreadsheets, word processing, slideshows and light photo editing.
The 300e isn’t suitable for those who want a ton of processing power, and it only has 4GB of RAM, meaning it’s not as efficient at multitasking as other laptops. However, it has a drop-resistant design and a water-resistant keyboard. Plus, it supports connections for up to two compatible monitors.
The Chromebook C330 is an excellent entry-level laptop, and its sleek design makes it one of the best options for traveling. It’s one of the finest Chromebooks you can get at its price point, usually around $225 at most retailers.
Its key features include a 360-degree clamshell design that allows it to double easily as a tablet, making watching TV shows and movies on the go more accessible. It has a 64GB hard drive for local file storage, a fast MediaTek processor for running applications and software without interruptions and several USB ports for more connectivity options.
The 11.6-inch display isn’t as crystal-clear as other Chromebooks. However, it’s adequate for casual HD streaming, and its smaller size translates to a lightweight, compact design suitable for sticking it in a backpack and traveling.
What to know before you buy a Lenovo Chromebook
Size
Are you unsure of what size your Chromebook should be? The fact is, it’s a matter of preference. They’re usually available in screen sizes ranging from 11 to 14 inches, with smaller ones lending themselves to maximum portability. Smaller Chromebooks are excellent for traveling but typically don’t offer the same processing power as those with larger displays.
A larger display is ideal for streaming movies and TV shows. Battery life varies depending on the model, but larger Chromebooks typically also have larger batteries than smaller Chromebooks, meaning the battery life lasts longer.
Build
Chromebooks are designed to be more lightweight than traditional laptops, but it’s best to look for one with a durable build.( A lightweight design sometimes accompanies flimsy build quality.) Some Chromebooks have a cheap feel, making them susceptible to breaking or damaging easily if dropped. Most Lenovo Chromebooks have a quality construction with a durable body, but it’s best to look for a model with a robust chassis and rugged exterior.
Screen resolution
Screen resolution isn’t a significant consideration if you only want a Chromebook for basic computing tasks such as creating spreadsheets and word processing. However, it matters more if you want to stream high-quality movies and TV shows. Most Lenovo Chromebooks have a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which is fine for the average user. The best models have displays with a full high-definition resolution of 1920 x 1080.
Processor
Determining if a Chromebook has a fast processor can be challenging given the obscure names of most CPUs integrated into Chromebook hardware. Because Chromebooks are designed to operate fast and be user-friendly, there isn’t much disparity between Lenovo Chromebook processors (unlike laptop processors), and the average user won’t notice a difference.
A super-fast processor is only necessary if you plan on running multiple high-powered applications, as it allows them to run efficiently. Running high-powered software on a Chromebook with a less-powerful processor will cause you to experience performance issues and affect your productivity. But if you’re an average user who intends to only perform basic computing tasks such as emailing, web browsing, light gaming and streaming, you don’t have to worry too much about getting a Chromebook with a powerful processor.
Battery life
If you’re using your laptop at home or the local coffee shop, you don’t have to worry about running out of power. But if you’re on the go, you might not always have a power outlet nearby. For this reason, it’s crucial to consider a Chromebook with enough battery life to suit your needs.
Lenovo Chromebooks generally last at least 10 hours on a full charge. Note that this depends on usage: High-powered applications will drain a battery fast and might only give you five or six hours of juice. The best Lenovo Chromebooks claim to last up to 16 hours on a full charge, but again, the battery life of any device depends on usage.
Operating software
Unlike traditional Windows laptops, Chromebooks run Chrome OS. Chrome OS isn’t as versatile as Windows, but it’s much more user-friendly and works almost exclusively as an online-based operating system. This means that nearly all apps require an internet connection. In many cases, you can work offline, but an internet connection is needed to get the most functionality out of a Chromebook. Chrome OS doesn’t allow full versions of some applications to run, but it has built-in antivirus protection, and less bloatware means superior battery life over most traditional laptops.
Storage
Traditional laptops have hard-disk or solid-state drives for local storage, meaning you can access files even while offline. Lenovo Chromebooks offer some local storage, but it’s not nearly enough for most users; thus, you might decide to use cloud-based online storage. It’s convenient to use cloud-based storage because you can access your files on virtually any device, but you may need to purchase additional storage when it gets full if you don’t want to delete some files.
FAQ
Q. Are Lenovo Chromebooks suitable for hardcore gamers?
A. No, unlike laptops designed for gaming, Lenovo Chromebooks don’t have processors powerful enough to run many PC games and are only suitable for light gaming.
Q. How much do Lenovo Chromebooks cost?
A. The best Lenovo Chromebooks, which often have 13-inch or 12-inch displays, full HD resolutions and a fast processor, can cost anywhere from $400 to $700. There are mid-tier options for $200 to $400 and compact Chromebooks with basic processors for as low as $100.
Q. Do Lenovo Chromebooks have backlit keyboards?
A. Most Lenovo Chromebooks do not have a backlit keyboard, but a few higher-end models do.
Q. How can I reduce eye strain when using a Lenovo Chromebook?
A. Almost every Lenovo Chromebook has an anti-glare finish, which is helpful in reducing eye strain. However, if you feel that your eyes fatigue quickly, consider wearing blue-light-blocking glasses.
