Last week, I shared initial impressions of the $250 Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook. My full evaluation is practically complete on that gadget, but I chose to take a break from it, so I might split open the box of the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook. Ill be changing over to using it full-time as soon as my IdeaPad 3 review hits quickly, and after a fast checkup with this 2-in-1 mid-range gadget, Im truly anticipating it.
The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook almost beings in an odd classification.
I typically consider there being three unique Chromebook gadget markets: entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. And I have general price brackets for each in my mind: Sub-$ 350 approximately for entry-entry level and above $700 for the high-end Chromebooks. At $409.99, the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook borders simply above that entry-level cost band however this is no entry-level device.
This is a great value for the cash considering the requirements:
And another downer, a minimum of to me: Lenovo is utilizing the very same large 45W USB-C power brick for the Flex 5 as it utilizes for the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook. Smaller would be better in my opinion.
Ports.
1 USB Type-A, 2 USB Type-C, headphone/microphone combo jack.
And if you wish to utilize that screen in presentation or tablet mode, you can do that: This display folds back 360-degrees, hence the “Flex” name.
While were discussing output, its good to see the speaker grilles along both sides of the keyboard. Unfortunately, with 2W of power per speaker, they appear just OK upon a very first listen.
Last week, I shared initial impressions of the $250 Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook. My full review is simply about total on that device, however I decided to take a break from it, just so I could break open the box of the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook. I normally consider there being 3 unique Chromebook gadget markets: entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. At $409.99, the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook borders simply above that entry-level cost band but this is no entry-level gadget.
Ill have to do some long-lasting typing on it for my complete evaluation, but Im a fan of Lenovo keyboards in basic.
Weight.
2.97 pounds.
Input.
Spill-resistant backlit keyboard, USI stylus (optional) assistance,720 p cam with physical privacy shutter.
Test.
Rating.
Battery.
51 WHr, anticipated run-time approximately 10 hours.
CPU
Dual-core Intel Core i3-10110U Processor (2.1 GHz/ 4.1 GHz).
There are definitely mid-range Chromebooks that have some beefier specs. Some featured 8 GB of memory, for instance, while youre just getting half that here with the Flex 5. Perhaps you can get a brighter screen too.
However those gadgets typically cost north of $500 unless theyre on sale. In the beginning glance, I think this sits squarely between the low-end and mid-range gadgets, which are fantastic for those on a budget plan however want a few great functions to have.
One of them is a good display screen and I like the one on the Flex 5 up until now. Its crisp, has nice color representation and has excellent watching angles all around. The bezels arent too chunky either, conserve for the bottom one. Put simply, this is a great 1080p panel for the cost.
I do not use benchmarks for my purchasing choices however for what its worth, the $849 Pixelbook Go I examined last year scored lower in a few of the same tests, which is fascinating. Im chalking that approximately the Go having an 8th-generation chipset while this Lenovo unit has more recent 10th-generation silicon inside. The base clock speed of the Core i5 in the Go is 1.3 GHz, while the Core i3 Im utilizing now runs at 2.1 GHz.
Ill have to see how the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook carries out in day-to-day usage to get a better concept of the comparison. Worth noting: This 2-in-1 has a fan for cooling, although Ive only heard it when running some of the benchmark tests so far.
In general, I have little doubt that on paper, with the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook youre getting a lot for your cash.
Some may resent the 4 GB of memory and I can comprehend that. This would not fulfill my complete requirements, for example, that typically demand more memory and storage, such as when Im utilizing Linux for hours to code.
That doesnt imply this isnt an excellent device, especially if your requirements are tailored towards daily web use with what seems sufficient horsepower to fly around the internet or use Android apps. You likewise get a good display that might not be the brightest and therefore restricted to non-outdoor use cases.
Stay tuned for the full evaluation as I make the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook my main gadget over the coming days. Do not be reluctant to ask any specific concerns in the comments listed below and Ill attempt to address them in the review.
Connectivity.
WiFi6 (802.11 ax, 2 × 2 MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0.
JetStream 2.0.
97.2.
Show.
13.3-inch IPS 1920 x 1080 touchscreen,16:9 aspect ratio, 250 nits brightness.
Basemark 3.0.
544.28.
Octane 2.0.
35,553.
GPU.
Intel Integrated UHD Graphics.
From an input perspective, the backlit island-style keyboard feels good. Its spill-proof as well. Ill need to do some long-lasting typing on it for my full evaluation, but Im a fan of Lenovo keyboards in basic. I d be shocked if this one lets me down.
The trackpad is sized well and made of Mylar, not glass. Far, that does not seem to be a problem for me in terms of responsiveness. The whole chassis is plastic while the display screen cover is aluminum. It doesnt feel “inexpensive” at all. There feels like a smidge of texture to the plastic, which I like.
I havent tested the 720p webcam yet but I like, enjoy, like the physical privacy cover. Basically, you slide it over when you desire to obstruct the video camera and slide it back when its time for a video call. Being a physical cover you dont have to stress over an electronic function that you might not trust.
I also like the port placement.
Theres one USB Type-C on each side, which is good for charging. Your Type-A port, earphone jack, and sd card slot on the left side, while the right side has your power button and volume rocker. These do not stick out rather enough for my tastes; theyre nearly flush with the chassis. I really cant find the power button without looking.
Getting a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 inside for around $400 is a quite good offer, considering youre also getting a good display screen, stylus assistance, and more. All tests were run upon fresh bootup and in Guest Mode:.
Software application.
Chrome OS automated updates through: TBD.
Memory.
4 GB DDR4-2600MHz memory.
Speedometer 2.0.
102.
Storage.
64 GB eMMC 5.1, microSD card slot for growth.
