When you look out on the panorama of Chromebooks, it is simple to get misplaced within the wave of unending decisions. Sometimes, you simply need to get in, discover a stable Chromebook, and get out with out being inundated with additional options that doubtless do not actually matter. Every producer of Chromebooks does supply one thing that matches the invoice, together with Lenovo. More not too long ago, the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook made its technique to the lots, and we’ll see whether or not it is value consideration or if try to be trying elsewhere. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Price and availability(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook was introduced at Mobile World Congress 2023, earlier than making its technique to retailers in May 2023. Despite being introduced with two totally different colours, the Slim 3 Chromebook is at present solely accessible in Abyss Blue and retails for $319 from Lenovo.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 ChromebookShow14-inch, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 300 nitsProcessorMediaTek Kompanio 520RAM4GBStorage64GB eMMCConnectivityBluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6MicroSD Card SlotYesCamera720p HD w/ privateness shutterPorts1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack, microSD card slotAdditional featuresDual audio system, Touchscreen displayBatteryUp to 13.5 hoursCamera720p w/ privateness switchDimensions12.83 x 8.73 x 0.73-inchesWeight2.9 poundsAUE dateJune 2033Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: What you may like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)I’ve to confess that I used to be shocked to be taught that Lenovo packed a 1080p show into the Slim 3 Chromebook, particularly at this value level. Usually, that is an space the place lots of the very best low-cost Chromebooks fall flat, even when they excel just about all over the place else. Thankfully, that is not one thing you may have to fret about with the Slim 3 Chromebook.Making issues even higher is the truth that the show is definitely a touchscreen regardless of it not using a convertible design. This may not be an enormous deal to some, however the extra I come to depend on touchscreen Chromebooks, the extra I get pleasure from with the ability to simply attain up and faucet one thing if I must.I additionally wished to make point out of the display screen brightness. Lenovo claims the show maxes out at 300 nits, however I virtually really feel like one thing else is happening as a result of it feels a lot brighter than that. Even at its max brightness, I’m not getting blinded, however I can comfortably see every part, and that is not one thing that I can say about Chromebooks that price twice as a lot (or extra.)(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Obviously, for lower than $350, you are not going to discover a Chromebook working the most recent Intel 13th Gen processors. So, as a way to preserve the associated fee down, Lenovo opted for MediaTek’s Kompanio 520 SoC, which was introduced in late 2022, maintaining it comparatively up-to-date.Swipe to scroll horizontallyBenchmarking CheckLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 ChromebookWirple HTML5 3D Benchmark1246Speedometer 2.138.9Jetstream72.038MotionMark123.76There’s no denying that that is an entry-level chip, but it surely’s nonetheless confirmed to be greater than adequate for many of what I want. If you are a heavy multi-tasker, then you definitely may be higher served elsewhere, however for simply primary searching, it is a stable expertise.Don’t anticipate this to do a lot in the way in which of on-device gaming, that means that you just will not have the ability to play Steam, and a few Android video games may not carry out tremendous properly. But because of the rise in reputation of streaming video games within the cloud, that most likely will not be an enormous deal for a lot of anyway. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: What you will not like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Taking the value into consideration, it is actually tough to search out a lot to complain about with the Slim 3 Chromebook. But my greatest gripe has to do with efficiency, as you are caught with solely 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage.For one, I bumped into the RAM limits pretty shortly, however that is primarily as a result of I reside with a bunch of Chrome tabs and home windows open all through the day. But truthfully, I might’ve been ecstatic if Lenovo managed to pack 8GB of RAM into this Chromebook, even when it stored the 64GB of storage.Usually, I applaud Lenovo for its glorious keyboard and trackpad, even though I nonetheless favor the haptic choice discovered on Chromebooks that price thrice as a lot. However, I’ve turn into a bit upset with the Slim 3 Chromebook’s trackpad.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)For no matter purpose, it simply does not appear to need to all the time register faucets and even clicks. It works superb more often than not, however I’ve discovered myself reaching as much as faucet the display screen increasingly. I’m not precisely positive what is going on on right here, however there’s undoubtedly no particles in the way in which which may stop the trackpad from clicking down.My final gripe, albeit to a lesser extent, is that if you end up buying the Slim 3 Chromebook, you may additionally need to think about a USB-C hub or docking station. On the Chromebook itself, there’s just one USB-C port, one USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and a microSD card reader. As such, you are out of luck if you wish to plug this right into a monitor, not to mention the truth that even you probably have a monitor with USB-C, you may nonetheless want a technique to really be certain that your Slim 3 Chromebook is charged.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: The competitors(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)If you are out there for an inexpensive Chromebook, there are such a lot of totally different choices that it’d make your head spin. Luckily, there are a few Chromebooks that give Lenovo a run for its cash, beginning with the HP Chromebook 14a. It encompasses a 14-inch show and is powered by Intel’s Celeron N4120 SoC paired with the identical 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, all for slightly below $300.Those who like the thought of a finances Chromebook however want a much bigger display screen would possibly need to take a look at ASUS’ CX1700 Chromebook. This packs a large 17.3-inch FHD show and is powered by the Intel N4500 SoC with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. But because of the bigger display screen dimension, you would possibly benefit from the full-size numpad on the appropriate facet of the keyboard deck.But within the occasion that you just’re not utterly offered on the Slim 3 Chromebook, we advocate maintaining a watch out for an excellent deal. We’ve seen even the very best Chromebooks discounted shortly after they launch, not to mention the offers that crop up round Prime Day and the vacation season. Chances are that you can discover precisely what you are in search of without having to pay retail costs.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)You can purchase this if:You need an affordable Chromebook.You want a light-weight Chromebook for college or journey.You solely plan on utilizing this for primary duties.You want a Chromebook with lengthy battery life.You should not purchase this if:You need to do any type of multi-tasking.You desire a Chromebook with a convertible design.You do not need to purchase a USB-C hub or docking station to pair with it.It does not get rather more primary than the Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook, and that is truthfully an excellent factor. With the exception of the touchscreen, you do not have to fret about RGB lights like Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE or something of the kind. Instead, you may get a Chromebook that does not break the financial institution whereas performing admirably for almost all of duties.Of course, there are issues that I might’ve preferred to see, however for simply $319, it is actually powerful to complain an excessive amount of. So, when you want an affordable Chromebook that will get the job carried out, then the Slim 3 Chromebook is about pretty much as good because it will get.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is not probably the most highly effective machine you should buy, however for a low value, you get a tool that performs moderately admirably and has a shiny FHD show. The undeniable fact that it is a contact display screen is basically the cherry on high.