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 admit with embarrassment that the final bit was crucial to my shopping for resolution.)
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The laptop computer bought me via two semesters earlier than the battery began to empty itself with no regard for scholar life, the Wi-Fi would change off at random intervals, and that MacBook-looking show would actually detach itself. My school funding was gone however not forgotten.
Quick ahead to this week, once I started testing Lenovo’s $350 Chromebook Flex 3i, first introduced at CES in January. For those who’ve shopped within the sub-$350 market earlier than, then you understand simply how troublesome it may be to discover a laptop computer that is really viable.
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Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i
An reasonably priced touchscreen laptop computer that punches above its value class.
After spending the previous few days with Lenovo’s comparatively low cost laptop computer, I am unable to 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 do you worth in a laptop computer? Would you like a high-resolution show? Does it have touchscreen assist? What ports do you want? Does privateness matter to you?
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Irrespective 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 while you’re not utilizing the webcam — or while you need to know for certain that you simply will not pop right into a video name 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 the most effective deal on the web since free TVs, let me make it clear that this Chromebook is not going to interchange 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 case you’re a fan of plastic and nothing nevertheless it.Â
And whereas I am at it, it does not assist that while 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. I digress.
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By and enormous, 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 films and TV exhibits (or the NBA playoffs), 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 may ask for from a $349 laptop computer.
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The portability of the Flex 3i is the cherry on prime. In comparison with the 16-inch MacBook Professional that I often lug round, the Lenovo weighs lower than three kilos and it is as backpack-friendly as laptops come.
For $349, I problem you to discover a laptop computer with extra performance and advantages than the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i. I am not saying that is the most effective laptop computer available on the market, however it might’ve simply been on the prime of my shopping for record 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.
