After I was in school years in the past, I put my hard-earned, burger-flipping job {dollars} right into a Toshiba Chromebook 2. It had a beneficiant 13.3-inch show, price round $330, and seemed like a MacBook from afar. (I will admit that the final bit was crucial to my shopping for determination.)
The laptop computer obtained me by way of two semesters earlier than the battery began to empty itself with no regard for pupil life, the Wi-Fi would swap off at random intervals, and that MacBook-looking show would actually detach itself. My school funding was gone however not forgotten.
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Quick ahead to Could this yr, after I started testing Lenovo’s Flex 3i Chromebook Should you’ve shopped within the sub-$350 market earlier than, then you realize simply how tough it may be to discover a laptop computer that is truly viable. Viewing angles are by no means best, urgent on the touchpad can really feel like low-cost plastic, and basic compromises are felt extra by way of the consumer journey.
However this $350 Chromebook from Lenovo modifications all the things. And through Amazon’s October Prime Day, you’ll be able to choose one up for simply $255.
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Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook
An reasonably priced touchscreen laptop computer that punches above its value class.
Again in Could, I spent a superb week with Lenovo’s comparatively low-cost laptop computer and could not assist however envy school college students who’ve such competent computing choices on this value vary at present.
To place issues into perspective, ask your self this: What are you utilizing your laptop computer for? Would you like a high-resolution show? Does it have touchscreen help? What ports do you want? Does privateness matter to you?
Regardless of the place your thoughts takes you, there’s an opportunity that this Lenovo Chromebook will meet your calls for. The Flex 3i has a 1920 x 1080 decision show that may be folded backward into tent mode and pill mode, a wealth of ports together with HDMI, USB-C, microSD, and a headphone jack, and even a privateness shutter for whenever you’re not utilizing the webcam — or whenever you wish to know for certain that you just will not pop right into a digital class session wanting all awkward.
The keyboard feels satisfyingly clicky, with sufficient cushioning to maintain inputs close to silent. June Wan/ZDNET
Now, earlier than I gasoline you up with what looks like one of the best deal on the web since free TVs, let me make it clear that this Chromebook is not going to exchange a MacBook or high-end Home windows laptop computer. The Flex 3i can barely deal with a 1080p video edit, the trackpad, realistically, solely has room for one to 2 fingers at a time, and the construct high quality is an absolute grand slam in the event you’re a fan of plastic and nothing nevertheless it.
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And whereas I am at it, it would not assist that whenever you set the laptop computer in tent or pill mode, the top-firing audio system develop into back-firing audio system. It is like listening to somebody speaking, however their again is going through you. That is actually the place limitations finish although.
By and huge, the Lenovo Chromebook has greater than sufficient computing energy for many college students, distant employees, and informal customers alike, with 4GB of RAM and an Intel N100 processor. It is within the extra conventional apps and providers the place the Flex 3i actually shines.
Pill mode disables the keyboard and trackpad on the again. June Wan/ZDNET
Issues like on-line content material creation, streaming motion pictures and TV exhibits, and attending video conferences are dealt with with grace, and never as soon as did I hear any hissing noises or indicators of overheating. That is greater than I might ask for from a $349 laptop computer.
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The portability of the Flex 3i is the cherry on high. In comparison with the 16-inch MacBook Professional that I normally lug round, the Lenovo weighs lower than three kilos and it is as backpack-friendly as laptops come.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For $349, I problem you to discover a laptop computer with extra performance and advantages than the Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook. I am not saying that is one of the best laptop computer in the marketplace, however it could’ve simply been on the high of my shopping for listing if I used to be nonetheless in school, and that is coming from somebody who’s had all of the experiences with shopping for $300 laptops.
