Lenovo is well known for its excellentWindows-based desktopsand laptops, but it also produces some of the best Chromebooks available today as well. Chromebooks are essentially low-power, lightweight laptops intended for basic tasks like browsing, working on the sheets, and running Android apps.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Lenovo 14e Chromebook Laptop
Chromebooks are, therefore, handy andportable machines for students, ready to assist them with their homework or other projects. If you are looking for a top-notch Chromebook from Lenovo, the Game Rant hardware team has compiled a list of the best Lenovo Chromebooks you can find in 2024 after a careful assessment of dozens of Chromebooks.
Updated on April 23rd, 2024 by Sarfraz Khan:With the arrival of 2024, Lenovo has launched newer and refreshed models of their existing Chromebook lineup. The new update includes Chromebooks that offer newer CPUs, more storage, and better functionality.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Lenovo Chromebooks in 2024
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is a powerful laptop for those who like to keep it clean and simple with the Chrome OS. Powered by the latest-gen Core i3 CPU, it has enough power to run most games on the Play Store, and it can run various applications without struggling. It has plenty of storage and runs for up to 10 hours.
Lenovo’s Flex lineup is filled withgreat budgetand mid-range Chromebooks and while most of them will be sufficient for day-to-day tasks like browsing or running apps, the Flex 5i completely changes the game with its powerful configuration, which incorporates the Core i3 1315U from the 13th generation. A lot of Chromebooks run on a dual or quad-core CPU, but the Flex 5i runs on a hex-core CPU with eight threads in total. This is achieved through the hybrid architecture of the CPU and now users can enjoy a powerful 4.5GHz turbo boost to quickly execute various operations.
Lenovo Flex 5i gives you a touchscreen and a 2-in-1 tablet mode to increase productivity. With a 360-degree hinge, it’s easier to convert into tablet mode, giving you access to its touchscreen feature. If you intend to use the keyboard instead, then it will be a pleasant experience too, as the keyboard is LED-lit, making it easier to work in the dark. With 8GB of RAM and 384GB of total storage, you won’t need any upgrades or additional storage drives and that sums up why the Flex 5i is Lenovo’s top dog in the Chromebook lineup.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook
Even though Chromebooks aren’t meant to crunch big numbers orrun PC gameslike those available on Steam or Epic Store, there are still quite a good number of intensive apps and games available on the Play Store that need some good juice to feed on. Meet the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook of 2022, which enables it to exceed the limitations set on other Chromebooks. With a powerful Core i5 CPU from the 12th gen, it’s perhaps the fastest Chromebook you can find from the company and has an excellent configuration with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
With the Iris Xe graphics, expect it to deliver significantly higher performance in games and great visuals, which will be ideal even for cloud gaming. The resolution you will get is 2560x1600p, which is much higher than most Chromebooks available on the market. As a result, the image quality will be sharper and more vivid. So, whether you love productivity or gaming, the IdeaPad will be your best option in 2024.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i Spin 2-in-1 Laptop
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i Spin 2-in-1 Laptop uses a quad-core Alder Lake CPU for blazing speed and has 4GB RAM to suffice for most tasks. This Chromebook has a total of 128GB storage to store a good amount of data and comes with a fast WiFi 6 adapter. This 2024 edition is an affordable laptop for students that is capable of running most applications satisfactorily and boasts a touch display.
For under $300, the market is filled with many Chromebooks and, thankfully, Lenovo’s Flex 3i is one of the best ones to choose from as it brings the latest hardware to the table. Powered by the quad-core Intel N100 CPU, not only does it run pretty fast in the majority of applications, but it is ultra-power-efficient as well. With just a TDP of 6W, it’s going to last for 12 hours or more on a single charge, making it a wonderful option forfrequently traveling students and professionals.
While the RAM and storage capacity aren’t something to boast about, Chromebooks are still fairly acceptable with a 4GB/128GB configuration. This 2024 edition brings satisfactory connectivity features, a touchscreen, and an ultra-compact design, further enhancing its portability to carry anywhere easily. It can be changed into tablet mode as well, allowing you to use your fingertips to quickly get the job done.
Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 3 3250C Dual-Core processor and 4 GB memory, the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook can seamlessly handle multiple programs together. From classrooms to business meetings, this Chromebook can handle it all. This 13.3" notebook easily slips into a laptop bag and runs on a single charge all day. It’s the perfect choice for on-the-go business travelers, WFH employees, and anyone who needs flexibility.
The Lenovo Yoga lineup has been a fan favorite for years now for its flexibility, fantastic performance, and overall affordability. The Yoga ThinkPad C13 Chromebook lives up to the name. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128 GB SSD, this Chromebook is not the most premium one available, but it does produce some pretty impressive results. WFH and commuting workers will love the C13 for its excellent multitasking and all-day battery life. Plus,slipping into a bagand being ready to go wherever is easy.
While most Chromebooks are made mostly of plastic, the Yoga C13 is made out of aluminum. Plus, there is minimal branding, giving the whole Lenovo Chromebook an incredible premium feel that can withstand the day-to-day bumps and drops that most laptops go through. The 360-degree hinge allows the C13 to be used as a 2-in-1 if people desire, but the keyboard and trackpad are a joy to use throughout the day.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is a tiny 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook that delivers both laptop and tablet functionalities. It shatters the stereotype of small, inexpensive Chromebooks.
2-in-1 Chromebooks offer an enormous amount of versatility out of one device, but sometimes users don’t want to be stuck using a 10- or 9-inch display all day. That is where the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 comes in. The Duet 5 sports a 13.3-inchOLED displayat 1080p with a peak brightness of 400 nits, and it covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This display is absolutely gorgeous, and for all the designers, it rivals the display on the iPad 10th generation. Plus, it comes with a keyboard!
Now, because this is a tablet more than a full-on Chromebook, it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7 180 Processor. It isn’t the most powerful, but it gets the job done when tackling some light multitasking, streaming media, and even editing photos or design work. One of the significant advantages of running on a lower-power chip is the 15-hour battery life, so whether it is a long day at the office or the user is on a flight, the Duet 5 can probably make it through the whole way without recharging.
The Lenovo 14e Chromebook was designed with educators and kids in mind. With a clamshell chassis constructed of aluminum and plastic body, it has a design that is a cross between IdeaPad and ThinkPad.
Chromebooks are an excellent option for kidswho need a laptop for school. They are lightweight, affordable, and can handle all the tasks a kid needs at school. The Lenovo 14e Chromebook hits all these points perfectly. This 14-inch Chromebook is powered by an AMD 3015Ce CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. The AMD 3015Ce is a budget CPU, but thanks to how well-optimized ChromeOS is, the 14e can easily open a dozen tabs with very little slowdown. Plus, after school, this Chromebook can runMinecraft.
A big part of growing up with technology is learning not to drop devices, which most kids do in a trial-by-error fashion. However, thanks to the surprisingly rugged build of the 14e Lenovo Chromebook, the occasional fall off the desk or tossing it into a backpack should not be a concern. Speaking of build quality for less than $200, the 14e feels pretty premium, and the keyboard is one of the best laptop keyboards out there. Even though it is nota mechanical keyboard, it has a tactile bump at the end of the keystroke, making it easy to learn touch typing.
Things to Consider When Buying a Lenovo Chromebook
When looking for a new Lenovo Chromebook, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
Size
To limit the search from the start, you should determine what size of Lenovo Chromebook works best for you. There is an excellent variety to choose from, ranging from 10" to 16". Most users will probably fall between the 12" to 14" range, but people who need more screen real estate and aren’t as worried about portability should look at the 16" options.
Alongside the screen size are the overall dimensions of the Chromebook. Most of these devices are intended to be used on the go and taken everywhere, so having one that will fit into a bag and is not a pain to carry is key. This number is different for everyone, so to make it easy, take out a bag that can hold a laptop and measure it to see which Chromebooks will fit — no need to buy a Chromebook that won’t fit into anything that the person already owns.
Display
It’s recommended to choose the IPS display for better viewing angles and good color accuracy. Apart from the panel type, look for at least an FHD resolution if you are going with a 13" display size at the minimum. If the screen size is bigger, you can also opt for FHD+, QHD, or QHD+ resolutions for a sharper visual quality. Furthermore, some Chromebooks offer a touchscreen display that allows you to use your fingertips for various tasks like swiping and scrolling, increasing the multitasking thereby.
Performance
Chromebooks are not the bleeding edge when it comes to mobile computer performance, but they can accomplish a surprising amount of tasks, especially with the latest Chromebooks that are coming out. Because most Chromebooks rely on integrated graphics, the CPU and RAM are the main two specs people will want to check out.
Most Lenovo Chromebooks use Intel CPUs, but some have AMD inside. As a general rule of thumb, if you want to multitask and accomplish whatever the workday throws at you, you should look for quad-core CPUs. Some more budget Chromebooks will use mobile processors like a Snapdragon SC7180. These aren’t bad, but they will probably have slower performance than the Intel or AMD options.
As far as RAM goes, ChromeOS is very well optimized, so despite the Chrome browser’s reputation for being a memory hog, most Chromebooks can run perfectly fine with 4 GB of RAM. A Chromebook with 8 GB of RAM will feel much more snappy and responsive, but it is a bit overkill unless it is for gaming or heavy work.
Storage and Battery Life
Finally, the last couple of factors to keep in mind are storage and battery life. Regarding storage, Chromebooks don’t need as much storage as Windows or MacOS devices, so there is no need to get 1 TB drives. For the most part, 64 GB is very common, but if you want to use a Chromebook for work and gaming, it is probably best to go for 128 GB of storage. Separate from the amount is the type of storage. Gone are the days of Chromebooks having HDDs for storage systems, at least for Lenovo, but there are still two types to choose from: SSD and eMMC.
SSD drives are great for pretty much every use case; they are faster, more reliable, and typically can support more storage than eMMC. On the other hand, eMMC’s main advantage is the price; eMMC storage will always be more budget-friendly than SSDs.
When it comes to battery life, it’s not too much of a concern. Most of Lenovo’s lineup sits around 10–12 hours of battery life with everyday use. This will get most people through a day of work or travel without needing a recharge. We recommend ensuring all the other specs align with what is required and checking out battery life last. Because most of the time, Lenovo Chromebooks will have a pretty impressive battery life.
FAQ
Q: Is Lenovo a good brand for a Chromebook?
Lenovo makes excellent Chromebooks. They have options for people who want the top performance of Chromebooks to budget Chromebooks that are perfect for kids or users who want to stick to a budget.
Q: What is the difference between a laptop and a Chromebook?
A typical laptop is a mobile computer that runs operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Users can access full-power desktop programs on these computers, which are typically more expensive. On the other hand, a Chromebook is a budget laptop that does not run macOS, Linux, or Windows but operates on a special Google-based operating system called Chrome OS. Chromebooks are great for students and users who don’t need access to desktop software for work.
