During the pandemic, a wholly new technology of Chromebooks was launched in India. The increase in on-line schooling helped manufacturers refocus the marketplace for Chromebooks, giving customers the choice of Windows notebooks in a cash-starved financial system. Although many nonetheless say that Chromebooks present a ‘easy’ computing expertise, the actual fact is that the energy of Chrome OS lies in simplicity. While utilizing the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook, I noticed that there is no such thing as a must spend further on a pocket book when the requirement is restricted to net searching and use of cloud apps. For children, particularly, Chromebooks are nothing wanting an ideal studying instrument. But Chromebooks equally enchantment to first-time PC house owners or anybody dwelling within the Google ecosystem. My evaluate of the IdeaPad Flex 3i will show you how to determine between a Chromebook and a Windows pocket book.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook value in India (as reviewed): Rs 29,620
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook evaluate: Design and aesthetics
Before you even take into account a Chromebook, let me let you know that a lot of these units should not meant to be tech savvy. Even although the Flex 3i is a finances machine, Lenovo has made certain that this Chromebook would not appear to be an inexpensive machine. The design of the Flex 3i may be very good, with a two-tone end on the highest cowl. Sure, the chassis is plastic however with out lots of flex. Like each different entry-level Chromebook on this value vary, the Flex 3i is on the bubbly aspect however on no account heavy. I would not thoughts taking the Flex 3i to a restaurant and writing an extended piece with my headphones on. This factor is gorgeous to take a look at, maintain and use.
The design of the Flex 3i may be very good, with a two-tone end on the highest cowl. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The port format is surprisingly first rate. You get two USB-A ports, a microSD card slot, a USB-C port together with the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on the left, an HDMI port, and a safety lock slot. It’s additionally good to see that the provided AC adapter helps USB-C. Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 deal with wi-fi communication.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook evaluate: Performance and sound
Lenovo has lots of expertise with hinges, and it reveals. I can use the Flex 3i in quite a lot of varieties, together with a pill. Opening and shutting this machine is precisely what you’d count on to occur, and there is a passable resistance whenever you shut the lid. I’m not an enormous fan of touchscreens on notebooks, however since this Chromebook has a 2-in-1 design, the touch-enabled show has a use case. The display screen definitely is not the weakest level, however it could be nice if manufacturers begin utilizing a barely higher panel on entry-level Chromebooks. With a decision of 1366 x 768 pixels, nothing feels cramped on the 11.6-inch display screen, however sure these bezels are annoying. All stated and performed, the display screen’s compact measurement makes textual content and visuals sharper than finances Windows notebooks with a 15.6-inch display screen. Above the display screen is a 720p webcam with a built-in privateness shutter. The webcam works decently whereas taking part in video calls which is the norm as of late because of the pandemic however the high quality suffers in low gentle.
With a decision of 1366 x 768 pixels, nothing feels cramped on the 11.6-inch display screen, however sure these bezels are annoying. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The sound from the audio system is nice. I, the truth is, get related sound high quality from many mid-tier Windows notebooks. They simply lack bass and generally you will hear a little bit of distortion at excessive volumes – in any other case the sound coming from the audio system is spectacular.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook evaluate: Keyboard and trackpad
The Flex 3i has an excellent keyboard. It’s nearly pretty much as good because the keyboard present in high-end Windows notebooks (minus backlit)—with out the flex and quantity of journey. To somebody reviewing a brand new laptop computer each week, I really feel like a veteran with sufficient expertise to discern between keyboard, a mean keyboard, and a nasty keyboard. Meanwhile, the trackpad is neither too large nor too small. It feels good, has the precise measurement, and offers a clean texture.
The Flex 3i has an excellent keyboard. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook evaluate: Performance and battery
Chromebooks are sometimes seen because the second fiddle to Windows notebooks. I utterly disagree, as Chromebooks belong to a unique model of pocket book. They definitely goal entry-level customers however calling a Chromebook underpowered is a robust assertion. At least, in my case, Chromebooks work completely superb. Lenovo has given me a Flex 3i with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. This is the one variant the corporate sells in India – and I feel for most individuals, this mannequin might be superb. I would not suggest this pocket book to anybody who wants lots of processing energy. It is smart to get a Windows pocket book from Lenovo or some other model with at the very least a Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM.
Who ought to truly purchase a Chromebook, chances are you’ll ask? I evaluate laptops starting from entry-level Chromebooks to full Windows notebooks aimed toward content material creators priced at Rs 300,000. But my work would not require me to make use of a pocket book with tons of horsepower and RAM. See, my work is restricted to an internet browser and some different apps together with WordPress, picture modifying instruments and Google Docs. A Chromebook-like machine is designed for individuals who spend lots of time searching, social media, and streaming video content material. The Celeron processor is not a powerhouse by any common metric, nevertheless it appears superb for the fundamental duties 90 % do on a pocket book.
A Chromebook-like machine is designed for individuals who spend lots of time searching, social media, and streaming video content material. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Using the Flex 3i, I did not face stuttering whereas navigating 10-15 Chrome tabs. Even informal video games run flawlessly on this Chromebook. Of course, I’d prefer to see a finances Chromebook with an ARM processor as a result of I imagine Android apps will reply a lot better. Expect to see a slight bounce in battery life too, although I bought round 8 hours of use within the case of the Flex 3i, with the display screen brightness set to 50 %. Thanks to Chrome OS, efficiency on the Flex 3i is passable, regardless of the low-end {hardware}. Chrome OS masses quick, and native Android apps compatibility means I can entry the apps’ views. You can learn right here intimately what’s Chrome OS and the way it differs from Windows OS.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook Review: Should You Buy It?
Lenovo is clearly pushing the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook for teenagers or these new to the PC market. The audience like mother and father and first time PC house owners can’t transcend the fastened finances set for the research. And it is fairly clear why Chromebooks are in excessive demand. I get it: Price issues to finish customers. But in case you are shopping for a pocket book, ensure you take the ultimate resolution on the idea of want and requirement. For somebody who wants a light-weight laptop computer for gentle work and desires to be within the Google ecosystem, ought to get the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
