Lenovo is no stranger to making well-known and high-quality devices, especially when it comes to laptops. It should come as no surprise that Lenovo makes some of the best Chromebooks on the market today. Its range of Chromebooks includes everything from powerhouse devices for the heaviest of users to unique 2-in-1s designed for portability and versatility.
With so many great options to choose from, these laptops will serve you well for both home and business use. These Lenovo laptops are also a great option for students who value Chromebooks’ ease of use and security. If you’re looking for a new Chromebook, a Lenovo built laptop will serve you well for years to come.
Top Lenovo Chromebooks
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Boring but still the best
Building on the established reputation of the previous Flex 5i, the new Chromebook Plus design delivers numerous subtle improvements. Packed with features purchasers want in an everyday Chromebook and at a price that could easily make it an impulse buy.
- New features, same price
- Enhanced chipset
- Adequate power for regular work
- On the heavy side
- Needed a 2K screen
- The bottom feet of the lid can catch some surfaces
Those looking for something radically new will be disappointed by this design since Lenovo now has a firm idea of what attracts customers to its Chromebook range.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a logical progression from the previous Flex 5i, one of its most popular designs. It enhances the specification to keep the product line competitive with other Chromebook makers while keeping the price point attractive.
These include a better webcam (1080p now), a new Intel Core i3-1315U processor, and better ports. Of these improvements, the Intel 13th generation processor probably brings the most significant impact since it makes for a slicker user experience even when pushing this machine out of its comfort zone.
What hasn’t changed much is the Lenovo signature aluminum and plastic construction, materials used to keep the weight and cost of production down.
There is still room for some improvement. A high-resolution screen with more brightness would have been desirable, it’s heavier than before, and the battery life still doesn’t provide enough power for a full working day.
Read our review
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review: Boring but still the best Chromebook
This is the embodiment of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
But those limitations accepted, the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus provides as good a justification for purchase as its predecessor and at an even lower price from some sources.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8, 12.2″)
Compact 2-in-1 gets a glow up
The compact IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is an affordable convertible with stellar display, durable design, and comfortable keyboard. Its performance hardware is best reserved for lighter tasks, but battery life is solid and the price is right.
- Larger 12.2-inch touch display with FHD+ resolution
- Versatile and compact convertible design
- Quad-core Intel Atom CPU
- Slow eMMC storage
- Only 4GB of RAM
Lenovo’s Chromebooks are priced to sell, and the refreshed IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8) should be particularly attractive to those looking to spend as little as possible. Sure, there are cheaper Chromebooks, but at $350 — with frequent dips below $300 — you’re getting a gorgeous device on the cheap.
The display upgrade is most noticeable. It now has a 12.2-inch screen with 1080p resolution, with slimmer bezels for a more modern look. The touch functionality and convertible design allows you to use it as a tablet, though the keyboard and touchpad can keep up with writing and other productivity tasks.
The system is powered by a quad-core Intel N100 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage, perfect for lighter tasks that don’t require a lot of multitasking. The compact laptop has a decent selection of ports, with dual USB-A 3.2, one USB-C 3.2, HDMI, microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. As with most Lenovo laptops, the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is built to last and looks great with its two-tone Abyss Blue finish.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (16″)
Made for gamers
Want a Chromebook that’s cut out for a life of gaming? The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook gets the job done with strong performance hardware, a gorgeous display, and stylized design with RGB lighting.
- 12th Gen Intel Core U-series CPUs
- Four-zone RGB keyboard lighting
- 16-inch QHD+ display at 120Hz
- 1080p camera, quad speakers
- No Thunderbolt 4 or Ethernet
- No touch display
The 16-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook has some impressive specs with a price that’s often more affordable than other gaming-focused laptops. It’s compatible with the Steam for ChromeOS platform if you’d like to enjoy local gaming, but it can also handle game streaming with ease. And to make your favorite games look as good as possible, it has an oversized 16-inch display with a brilliant 2560×1600 (QHD+) resolution, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 350 nits brightness.
Four speakers pump out quality audio for times when you don’t want to use a headset, the 1080p webcam is clear and has a privacy shutter, and the Wi-Fi 6E capabilities help make streaming as reliable as possible. There’s no Ethernet port, but you could always connect to a great dock for Chromebooks to maximize connectivity. And Lenovo isn’t done there. The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook has a keyboard with four-zone RGB lighting and 1.5mm key travel for a smooth typing experience. This is one of the best Chromebooks for gaming on the market today, especially if you don’t want to overspend.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (14″)
A slightly larger Flex 5i
Lenovo’s 14-inch Flex 5i brings a larger display, newer Intel CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD. It’s a gorgeous convertible, but its main issue at the moment is availability. If you aren’t a Costco member, you might have issues finding it at an uninflated price.
- 13th Gen Intel Core performance
- 14-inch touch display with FHD+ resolution
- Durable and sleek convertible design
- Not yet available at many retailers
- Doesn’t have a color accurate display
The 13.3-inch Flex 5i might still be our top pick for most people, but Lenovo has also released a 14-inch model for those who want a slightly larger screen with more modern performance hardware. The biggest problem right now is finding these laptops for sale. Best Buy seems to be one of the few retailers offering it at the moment; it normally costs about $500, but we have seen it drop to $350.
Lenovo’s usual attention to durability and design are on display here. The 14-inch Flex 5i is a convertible laptop with 14-inch touch display, hitting a 1920×1200 (FHD+) resolution to go along with the taller 16:10 aspect ratio. It also manages 300 nits brightness, allowing you to use it even in well-lit spaces without suffering from intense glare.
The 13.3-inch Flex 3i’s 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs are starting to show their age, and those who want more modern performance hardware will love the 13th Gen Core i3-1215U, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD in the 14-inch version. It comes with a 51Wh battery for long life. Ports are plentiful, with dual USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio jack, and microSD card reader.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (2024)
A laptop and a tablet in one
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 offers a nice balance between portability, convenience, and performance that can be difficult to come by on most other laptops. With a great-looking 11-inch display and a true 2-in-1 design, the Duet 11 does double duty as a laptop and a tablet.
- Portable and easy to carry around
- A beautiful and vivid display
- Versatile, compact design
- Cramped keyboard
- Not great for using on your lap
- Difficult to open
Sometimes you need a device to do multiple things and that’s exactly where a 2-in-1 excels. The Duet 11 features a keyboard that detaches from the display, allowing you to use it as a laptop or a ChromeOS tablet. With a beautiful 11-inch display, the Duet 11 is also quite compact, allowing it to be easily tossed into a bag when you need it on the go. In addition to its compactness, this lightweight laptop features a hinge on the back, allowing you to place this device in either portrait or landscape mode.
The display has a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, for crisp text and ample vertical space to get real work done. It’s also bright enough to be used outside with 400 nits of peak brightness. The display doesn’t have a high refresh rate and is an IPS panel, which is a bit disappointing, especially if you’re coming from a device with a higher refresh rate.
If you’re constantly on the go, you’re going to need your laptop to last as long as you do. Luckily, the Duet 11 gets 12 hours of use between charges, allowing you to go all day without worrying about finding an outlet.
Read our review
Review: Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 11 is a portable productivity partner
A great tablet that can do computer things too
With a MediaTek Kompanio 800 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of eMMC storage, the Duet 11 offers decent performance. It’s not going to win any speed competitions, but it’ll keep up with most basic workloads. It can struggle when pushed, so heavy users should probably opt for something with stronger performance.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
With detachable keyboard and touchpad
Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5 boasts an impressive 13.3-inch OLED FHD touch display that’s better for mature users. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip that trades overall speed for outstanding battery life.
- Gorgeous 13.3-inch OLED FHD touch display
- Quad speakers, impressive cameras
- Larger keyboard and touchpad better for adult hands
- Outstanding battery life
- Qualcomm 7c (Gen 2) chip isn’t particularly potent
- Might want something smaller for kids
Chromebooks with a 2-in-1 design can be quite versatile, but they often aren’t large enough to accommodate some users. Whether it’s the display size or the cramped keyboard, not everyone can get behind a 10- or 11-inch detachable device. Enter the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5. It has a 13.3-inch touch display with an OLED panel, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution, and 400 nits brightness, with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This is a killer display, and it translates to a larger keyboard that works better with adult hands. Yes, you can completely remove the keyboard to use only the tablet.
There are four speakers that pump out quality sound while video conferencing, streaming, or listening to music, and the dual-camera setup is also impressive. The front is set at 5MP and handles 1080p video and stills, while the rear camera is boosted to 8MP for even better shots. The Duet 5 is powered by a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 CPU; it’s not the most powerful chip, but it equates to all-day battery life.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
Easier to carry around
The Duet 3 is a smaller version of the Duet 5 for younger or more casual users who don’t mind the compact package. It has an 11-inch touch display with 2000×1200 resolution, and its 2-in-1 design lets you completely detach the keyboard and touchpad.
- 11-inch 2000×1200 touch display
- Sleek and durable design
- Perfect size for kids and travelers
- Solid battery life
- Might be too small for some adults
- Snapdragon 7c isn’t particularly fast
The Duet 5’s 13.3-inch screen is better for mature users, but what about a 2-in-1 Chromebook great for kids and students? The Duet 3 has an 11-inch screen in an overall smaller package (including detachable keyboard and touchpad), giving a boost to young users with small hands. It’s also just a fantastic option for anyone who prefers to travel light; you can pop it into a backpack and pretty much forget it’s there until you need it.
The 11-inch touchscreen has a brilliant 2000×1200 resolution with up to 400 nits brightness, though it does lack the OLED color available in the Duet 5. Keep in mind that you can always connect to a great Chromebook monitor for times when you need more screen real estate. The Duet 3 is powered by a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip, joined with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, with a 29Wh battery that should go for most of a day before needing a charge. The tablet is made of Aluminum and a mix of plastic for the back cover, providing plenty of durability against everyday use.
Getting the best Lenovo Chromebook for you
Not everyone needs a laptop with the same capabilities, which is why Lenovo offers a wide variety, giving plenty of options, so you can find the perfect laptop for you. With such a wide array of choices, these Lenovo laptops would serve you well for home or business use. You can even take these laptops to the next level with some convenient Chromebook accessories to extend their capabilities.
The best laptop for most people is going to be the IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. This versatile laptop offers powerful performance thanks to its Intel Core i3-1315U processor. It also has great build quality, and a flexible design, allowing it to adapt to your needs. Its battery life may let it down a little, but if you need a dependable laptop, then this is it.
Anyone who needs a laptop on the less expensive side should take a look at the IdeaPad Flex 3i. Not only does it come with a lower price tag, but it offers a compact design with a 12.2-inch display and a convertible design. It’s Intel N100 processor and 4GB of RAM won’t match up to what you get in the IdeaPad Flex 5i, but should offer plenty of performance for lighter tasks.
If you need something with a little more oomph, then you should check out the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. The 16-inch display is gorgeous with plenty of space to have multiple windows open at the same time. It’s also very crisp and smooth thanks to its QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Intel Core i3-1215 processor and ample 8GB of RAM should serve you well for most needs.
For those of you who need something a bit more versatile, you should check out the Duet 11, 5, or 3 laptops. These offer a true 2-in1 design, allowing them to transform from laptop to tablet in seconds. They aren’t going to win any performance crowns, but their unique design and long battery life would serve any road warrior well.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Unexciting but dependable
Building on the established reputation of the previous Flex 5i, the new Chromebook Plus design delivers numerous subtle improvements. Packed with features purchasers want in an everyday Chromebook and at a price that could easily make it an impulse buy.
