Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook review: Affordable and long-lasting

Price When Reviewed

$319

Best Prices Today: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook

Ah, Chromebooks. What an ever-evolving journey we’ve seen thus far. When they first materialized into existence, Chromebooks had been a preferred possibility for college kids on account of their sturdy frames and reasonably priced value factors. They had been (and nonetheless are) designed to be on a regular basis machines. Nowadays, there are even cloud-ready gaming Chromebooks, that are tremendous rad and one thing I by no means thought I’d see. While I’ve evaluated all types of Chromebooks, from trendy 2-in-1s to machines product of recycled materials, this time I’m reviewing the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook. Lenovo’s newest providing is unquestionably a extra conservative method, however that isn’t essentially a nasty factor.

The IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is an honest worth purchase. The design is straightforward but efficient, the body feels robust and well-built, and efficiency is dependable, particularly throughout day-to-day duties. Battery life is incredible too, making it a very good possibility for younger professionals or school college students. You can’t actually beat the value, both. The factor is the specs aren’t all that spectacular. That mentioned, I don’t imagine it’s honest to dock it for its {hardware}. This is a Chromebook, in spite of everything, and it’s solely able to a lot. This clamshell is perhaps removed from reinventing the wheel, nevertheless it doesn’t must. Why mess with the components if it really works? You’ll discover nothing however the fundamentals right here. Read on to be taught extra.

Looking for extra choices? If test, be sure to try PCWorld’s roundup of the best Chromebooks.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Specs and options

Our evaluate unit got here geared up with a MediaTek Kompanio 520 CPU, ARM Mali-G52 2EE MC2 graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. It seems there’s just one configuration right now, which is precisely what I’d anticipate from a funds Chromebook. Check out the bulleted listing under for extra data on the specs and options:

• CPU: MediaTek Kompanio 520
• GPU: ARM Mali-G52 2EE MC2
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Ports: 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1 microSD card reader, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack
• Camera: 720p with privateness shutter
• Audio: 2W x2 stereo audio system
• Battery: 47 watt-hour
• Dimensions: 12.83 x 8.73 x 0.73 inches
• Weight: 2.87 lbs
• Price: $319

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

My first impression of each laptop computer I evaluate begins with the second I slide or elevate it out of the field. When I first held the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook in my fingers, I used to be happy with how gentle it felt. It weighs just below three kilos, which slots it within the ultraportable class. I don’t commute to work, so I can’t converse to the expertise of taking it with me on the subway. That mentioned, as a full-time distant employee, toting the Slim 3 round my home was each simple and easy.

The design is refined and complicated, one thing of a quiet magnificence. I’m particularly keen on the textured end on the lid. If you run your hand throughout the lid, you’ll discover one facet is clean whereas the opposite has little raised bumps. It’s a minuscule element, nevertheless it provides a little bit of a lot wanted luxurious to the general system. The “Abyss Blue” colour scheme can be fairly beautiful. The colour isn’t distracting in any respect and it seems to be tremendous glossy below the suitable lights.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I didn’t battle a lot with the keyboard or trackpad, as they’re fairly just like my private Chromebook. I have a tendency to take a seat folded up like origami once I’m in mattress, usually with my laptop computer precariously balanced on my legs. (It’s in all probability why I usually expertise muscle soreness.) This place makes it very troublesome to efficiently use a laptop computer keyboard. However, when sitting up like a standard human being and utilizing the Slim 3 at a desk, I loved the typing expertise. The keys felt springy and typos had been a uncommon phenomenon.

The trackpad was equally simple to get accustomed to. The trackpad sits within the middle of the keyboard deck, which is what I favor. There’s nothing extra aggravating than an off-center trackpad. Some of us like them, however they actually spoil my day. As for utilizing the trackpad, it registered my faucets and swipes simply wonderful. The floor felt actually clean, nearly prefer it was made out of glass (I don’t imagine that is the case). There had been just a few misfires right here and there.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Display, audio

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I used to be shocked by the standard of the Slim 3’s contact show. It measures 14 inches and has a decision of 1920×1080, which is okay for on a regular basis duties like e mail and looking the online. When I watched the primary episode of the brand new Futurama sequence, colours regarded good and smaller particulars like the ins and outs inside Planet Express had been crisp. The bezels are comparatively skinny as properly, which supplies you extra display screen area. The most brightness degree is round 300 nits. It’s wonderful for indoor use, however you received’t be capable to see a lot on the display screen should you determine to take this machine outdoors.

The audio system sound respectable. It’s a user-facing speaker system, so the sound is coming proper at you. When I performed certainly one of my favourite Lofi channels on YouTube, it was loud sufficient to fill my eating room, which is a medium-sized area that stems off of my kitchen. The audio system use Waves Max Audio, which is meant to boost the general audio efficiency. The audio system are wonderful for taking part in music and whatnot, however I wasn’t tremendous blown away or something. It’s undoubtedly not like being in an IMAX theatre.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Webcam

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I’m of the thoughts that each one laptops ought to include 1080p webcams, as distant work is extra widespread nowadays. Unfortunately, the Slim 3’s 720p webcam is an actual sticking level for me. As somebody who works from house, I’d favor to look as crisp as doable throughout videoconferencing calls. When I recorded a video of myself typing away on the keyboard, I used to be disillusioned within the high quality of the image. The straps of my purple costume regarded washed out and background particulars just like the swaying tree outdoors my window appeared a bit fuzzy. That mentioned, you may at all times decide up an external webcam.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Connectivity

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The port choice is okay, however nothing actual noteworthy. You’re getting one Kensington lock slot, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one headphone/microphone jack, and one microSD card reader. It’s sufficient for the on a regular basis individual, as some of us favor plugging into an exterior monitor or mouse. It’s good to have choices, yeah? You in all probability don’t must carry an adapter with you.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Performance

Look, I’m going to degree with you right here. The Slim 3 isn’t probably the most highly effective laptop computer I’ve ever examined at PCWorld, however that’s not what it was designed for. If you’re utilizing the system for general-use functions (looking social media, checking e mail, and so forth), then it’s totally serviceable. Anything extra demanding than that and also you’ll doubtless see a little bit of a slowdown. When I had a bunch of tabs open in my browser, I did discover a slight slowdown when loading up a contemporary web page or navigating to a different open tab. That’s not stunning, as there’s solely 4GB of RAM. RAM straight impacts net looking velocity, which is why I like to recommend not less than 8GB for informal use.

Here’s how the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook carried out in our browser-based benchmarks:

• CrXPRT 2: 73
• Speedometer: 29.6
• Basemark Web 3.0: 302.97
• Kraken: 2137.8ms
• Jetstream 2: 74.077

Compared to Chromebooks with Intel or AMD processors, the Slim 3 falls behind (however not by a lot). The Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip, for instance, had a CrXPRT 2 rating of 148 and a Speedometer rating of 73.7. The Flip got here geared up with an AMD processor, which is extra highly effective than the Slim’s MediaTek Kompanio 520. That mentioned, MediaTek CPUs are designed to suit inside gentle and moveable laptops, which the Slim 3 undoubtedly is. So, you’ve bought to choose your poison right here. Either you go together with a barely slower however extra moveable laptop computer or a heavier one with zippier efficiency.

By the way in which, the CrXPRT 2 efficiency benchmark measures issues like how briskly your Chromebook completes duties and the Speedometer benchmark captures the responsiveness of the online purposes. These benchmarks are good indicators of how a Chromebook will carry out below completely different hundreds. It also needs to be famous that as a result of Chromebooks get up to date each six weeks, the check outcomes aren’t at all times going to line up completely.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Battery life

The Slim 3’s 47 watt-hour battery kicked some severe butt. When I ran the battery benchmark, which cycles by means of numerous duties till the laptop computer dies, the Chromebook breathed its final metaphorical breath on the 16 hour mark. That’s an excellent end result, particularly should you plan on taking this laptop computer in every single place with you. However, typically talking, Chromebooks are inclined to have nice battery life, so I’m not shocked by the end result.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Should you purchase it?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a wonderfully serviceable Chromebook. Although it’s not probably the most progressive laptop computer I’ve ever labored with, it’s nonetheless a very good worth purchase, particularly should you’re a scholar or younger skilled. It has sufficient energy for gentle use and the battery will preserve you going lengthy after your workday ends. The inclusion of a 1080p contact show is a pleasant function to have on a sub-$400 laptop computer. Performance may very well be a contact snappier, however that’s simply my very own private nitpick. You’ll must taper your expectations some, particularly as this machine has solely 4GB of RAM. If you want a cheap on a regular basis machine, then the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is price your hard-earned money.