But before we get into more details about the Lenovo Chromebooks that have been launched, let’s look at what a Chromebook basically is and how they are different from your regular laptops, shall we?
What is a Chromebook?How Does a Chromebook Differ From Other Laptops? 6 Reasons Why Chromebooks are Considered IconicLenovo Chromebooks (Must-Haves in 2022)The IdeaPad Flex 5i (14”,7) Lenovo Chromebook The IdeaPad Flex 3i (15”, 7) Lenovo Chromebook The IdeaPad Duet 3 (11”,7) Lenovo Chromebook The Verdict
What is a Chromebook?
Ever since Chromebooks set their foot into the tech sphere they have been on a path of dethroning laptops from being the king of mobile computers. Having been around for over a decade now, with the first Chromebook being launched in the year 2010, their popularity has only been increasing by the day. This isn’t an exaggeration! Statistics show that Chromebook shipments have increased twofold in just 3 years.
How Does a Chromebook Differ From Other Laptops?
6 Reasons Why Chromebooks are Considered Iconic
1. They are Cheaper
As mentioned earlier, when you compare the prices between Chromebooks and laptops, the former is a bit less expensive. The reason for this is their compact design. Also, they don’t require heavy processing power or a lot of RAM because they rely on Google apps and cloud services to function. These factors make Chromebooks budget-friendly.
2. They are Lightweight
Most Chromebooks have a compact design. While not all Chromebooks are manufactured the same (there are bigger Chromebooks), when compared to your typical laptop they are built smaller. The reason for this is that Chromebooks do not possess most of the taxing operations that require high-end programs, as the OS is completely web-based and functions on cloud services.
3. They Don’t Have Viruses
This statement is not a bluff! Chromebooks come with built-in antivirus software that always stays up to date. So, if you find that a website is redirecting you to somewhere sketchy, don’t worry. Its built-in antivirus will safeguard you by decapitating any potentially malicious file that tries to enter your system.
4. The OS is Super-Fast and Stable
If you have ever had to work with a laptop, you would know how long it would take to boot one up, right? Well, Chromebooks can boot up faster than your regular laptops. In fact, they can actually boot up in a matter of seconds. The Chromebook will turn on the instant you press the power button. And while the Chromebook is running, there is barely any lag time when you open or close the program(s). Apart from the OS hardly crashing, the OS is also astonishingly fast and stable.
5. They Have a Long Battery Life
Now, because of the super-fast OS, one would assume it would drain your battery, right? But surprisingly Chromebooks have long battery life. Its battery life can last about 9 -11 hours continuously. This is already incredible because your typical laptop will mostly only have a battery expectancy of 3-4 hours. An ordinary laptop would hardly ever last for 9 hours without a charger plugged in. So, the next time you go to a cafe to write that research paper you are working on, you don’t necessarily have to search for a place that lets you charge your laptop. With over 10 hours of battery life and compact design, Chromebooks give you all-day freedom — and they are always ready to go at any time, wherever you are!
6. They are Popular in Educational Circles
Did you know that the first Chromebook that Lenovo launched was specifically designed for schools? The pre-installed Google apps for Education help kids work on school project activities from their classrooms and in the comfort of their homes. Their streamlined design and user-friendliness have made Chromebooks popular in educational circles.
Lenovo Chromebooks (Must-Haves in 2022)
When Lenovo launched its first Chromebook, the Lenovo ThinkPad X131e, it was aimed toward school children, but now there’s a Lenovo Chromebook for every lifestyle! So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive right in and take a look at the Chromebooks Lenovo has launched in the year 2022.
1. The IdeaPad Flex 5i (14”,7) Lenovo Chromebook
The making of the Lenovo Chromebook, IdeaPad Flex 5i (14”,7) was first announced to the world during the MWC Barcelona 2022. With its previous version, the Lenovo Chromebook IdeaPad Flex 5 having only been released last year, you might be wondering if there has been any significant change with the new one. Well, there are a few changes, they are those that you never thought you needed. Let’s have a look at how this year’s Flex 5i sets itself apart from its ancestors, shall we? The most notable change that we can see is the screen. The size of the screen is bigger at 14-inches. Thus, it has a more productive 16:10 aspect ratio. In all honesty, this aspect ratio combined with the size makes the Lenovo Chromebook feel like it’s 15 inches and not 14. The complaint most people have from the previous version was the dim screen. Well, our complaints have been heard because the screen brightness for the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i got its much-needed upgrade. The base model has a 300 nit screen with an optional upgrade to 400 nits this time around, and the difference is stunning! Also, with the screen being bigger, we got ourselves more room for speakers that face upwards, a larger trackpad, and a fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner is an amazing addition to the Chromebook Universe. Sure, entering your PIN on the backlit keyboard is fine, we can get by that. But the ability to log in quickly via your fingerprint makes it so much better! What’s the Best Part? You also have a physical camera shutter. So you don’t have to worry whether you are being watched when you are using the crystal clear 1080p FHD camera! Yep, now you can have an amazing video call with your family, friends, and colleagues. Like the previous versions, the Lenovo Chromebook IdeaPad Flex 5i comes with the latest internals and is equipped with 12th-gen Intel silicon (Pentium 8505, Core i3, or Core i5), 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. This means that Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5 are both on board. And you get all this for the starting price of $499. So, if you are planning to get yourself a new laptop/Chromebook, I can assure you the Lenovo Chromebook Ideapad Flex 5i would be the best bang for your buck. Key Specs:
Chrome OSIntel® Core™ i5-1235U/Intel® Core™ i3-1215U/Intel® Pentium® 85054GB/8GB RAM64GB/128GB eMMC or 256GB/512GB SSD14″ 16:10 FHD IPS, 300 nits, 45% NTSC or optional 14″ 16:10 FHD IPS, 400 nits, 100% sRGBWi-Fi6EBluetooth 5.01 x MicroSD Card Slot (SD 3.0)1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2.2 (Type-C™)1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.2 (Type-C™)1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.2 (Type-A)1 x Combo Audio Jack1 x Kensington Nano Security Slot1080p FHD webcamColors Available – Storm Grey or Stone Blue
2. The IdeaPad Flex 3i (15”, 7) Lenovo Chromebook
Now that we are done looking at the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i, let’s look at the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i. The Flex 3i is a new 15’, 7 Chromebook from Lenovo. This Chromebook is powered by the current generation of small-core CPUs from Intel. This Chromebook is a 2-in-1 convertible. It has both a touchscreen and a built-in numeric keypad. This large-screen convertible comes with your preference. You can either have an Intel Celeron N4500 or a Pentium N6000. The RAM options for this Chromebook are 4GB or 8GB while storage options come in three palates of 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC. Now, this Chromebook is bound to be the best option for people who would rather have a large display than spend a fortune on a premium device. Both the Celeron and Pentium CPUs have more than enough power for your average tasks and should perform admirably for general use. So if you are one of those people who just wants a fairly good laptop with a good screen and performs your task well, then you might want to check the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i out! Key Specs:
Chrome OSIntel N4500/N60004GB/8GB RAM32GB/64GB/128GB15.6″ FHD IPS 300 nits; Touchscreen1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1.2 (Type-C™)2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1.2 (Type-A)1 x MicroSD™ Card Reader1 x Audio Combo Jack1 x HDMIColors Available – Abyss Blue or Arctic Grey
3. The IdeaPad Duet 3 (11”,7) Lenovo Chromebook
And last, but not least, let’s look at Lenovo’s new iteration of the popular small-statured Duet tablet. With the original Lenovo Chromebook Duet having been launched almost 2 years ago, the Duet still proves itself to be a handy little tablet. And now, this handy little tablet has been booted with an amazing upgrade that most certainly did not disappoint! The all-new Chromebook Duet 3 is much more than just a minor upgrade. Inside this handy tablet is a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. Did you know that the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3’s larger sibling, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5, uses the same Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 to power up? Exciting, right? But it doesn’t stop there. The Qualcomm SoC in this tablet boasts sufficient performance benchmarks and seems to be perfectly suited for a smaller tablet like the Duet 3. Yes, the Duet 3 is smaller than the Duet 5. But this time, Lenovo has given us an 11-inch display! It has a detachable keyboard and a kickstand cover. On top of all these exciting new changes, Lenovo has also upgraded the RAM and storage options for the Duet 3. The new version will come with 4GB and 8GB memory options and users will have storage options of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. So, if you are just browsing and don’t plan on using something super heavy, you can find yourself using a Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 that performs really well. The Duet 3 uses the Chrome OS version that was specifically made for its convertibles. Also, it has an amazing, amazing, battery life! If what you are looking for is an affordable device on the get-go, then this is your best buy because the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 delivers an excellent value for the money we spend on it. Key Specs:
Chrome OSQualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 SoC4GB/8GB RAM64GB/128GB/256GB storage11.0″ 2K LCD 5:3; Touchscreen with Stylus supportWi-Fi 5Bluetooth 5.12 x USB 3.0 USB-C2 x 1W stereo speakersDetachable keyboard/folio caseColors Available – Storm Grey or Misty Blue
And with that, we are done with looking at all the 3 Lenovo Chromebooks that have been/will be launched this year.
The Verdict
Of course, drawbacks are bound to be there. But let’s be honest, wouldn’t you rather buy a cheaper system that has high-end specs than an expensive system with similar specs that won’t last as long? So, if you are someone who is looking to buy a new laptop, why don’t you give these Lenovo Chromebooks a try? And here’s hoping that this review helped you in narrowing down what it is you wanted to buy.
