Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook review

Ah, Chromebooks. What an ever-evolving journey we’ve seen to this point. After they first got here into existence, Chromebooks had been a well-liked choice for college students resulting from their sturdy frames and reasonably priced value factors. They had been (and nonetheless are) designed to be on a regular basis machines.

These days, there are even cloud-ready gaming Chromebooks, one thing I by no means thought I’d see. Whereas we’ve evaluated all kinds of Chromebooks, from fashionable 2-in-1s to machines fabricated from recycled materials, this time I’m reviewing the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook. Lenovo’s newest providing is unquestionably a extra conservative strategy, however that isn’t essentially a foul factor.

The IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is an honest worth purchase. The design is easy but efficient, the body feels sturdy and well-built, and efficiency is dependable, particularly throughout day-to-day duties. Battery life is incredible too, making it a great choice for younger professionals or faculty college students. You may’t actually beat the value, both.

The factor is, the specs aren’t all that spectacular. That stated, I don’t imagine it’s truthful to dock it for its {hardware}. It is a Chromebook, in any case, and it’s solely able to a lot. This clamshell is likely to be removed from reinventing the wheel, but it surely doesn’t need to. Why mess with the system if it really works? You’ll discover nothing however the fundamentals right here. Learn on to be taught extra.

Design & construct

My first impression of each laptop computer I evaluate begins with the second I slide or elevate it out of the field. Once I first held the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook in my palms, I used to be happy with how mild it felt. It weighs round 1.3kg, which slots it within the ultraportable class.

I don’t commute to work, so I can’t communicate to the expertise of taking it with me on the subway. That stated, as a full-time distant employee, toting the Slim 3 round my home was each simple and easy.

The design is refined and complicated – one thing of a quiet magnificence. I’m particularly keen on the textured end on the lid. Should you run your hand throughout the lid, you’ll discover one aspect is easy whereas the opposite has little raised bumps. It’s a minuscule element, but it surely provides a little bit of a lot wanted luxurious to the general gadget. The “Abyss Blue” color scheme can be fairly beautiful. The color isn’t distracting in any respect, and it seems to be tremendous smooth beneath the suitable lights.

Keyboard & trackpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I didn’t battle a lot with the keyboard or trackpad, as they’re fairly just like my private Chromebook. I have a tendency to sit down folded up like origami once I’m in mattress, typically with my laptop computer precariously balanced on my legs (in all probability why I typically expertise muscle soreness.)

This place makes it very troublesome to efficiently use a laptop computer keyboard. Nevertheless, when sitting up like a traditional human being and utilizing the Slim 3 at a desk, I loved the typing expertise. The keys felt springy and typos had been a uncommon phenomenon.

The trackpad was equally simple to get accustomed to. It sits within the centre of the keyboard deck, which is what I favor. There’s nothing extra aggravating than an off-centre trackpad. Some of us like them, however they actually smash my day.

As for utilizing the trackpad, it registered my faucets and swipes simply tremendous. The floor felt actually easy, virtually prefer it was made out of glass (despite the fact that it isn’t). There have been just a few misfires right here and there.

Show & audio

I used to be shocked by the standard of the Slim 3’s contact show.

It measures 14 inches and has a decision of 1920×1080, which is ok for on a regular basis duties like e mail and looking the online. Once I watched the primary episode of the brand new Futurama sequence, colors appeared good and smaller particulars like the fine details contained in the present’s Planet Specific constructing had been crisp.

The bezels are comparatively skinny as properly, which supplies you extra display house. The utmost brightness degree is round 300 nits. It’s tremendous for indoor use, however you received’t have the ability to see a lot on the display for those who determine to take this machine exterior.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The audio system sound first rate. It’s a user-facing speaker system, so the sound is coming proper at you. Once I performed one in every of my favorite Lofi channels on YouTube, it was loud sufficient to fill my eating room, which is a medium-sized house that stems off of my kitchen.

The audio system use Waves Max Audio, which is meant to reinforce the general audio efficiency. The audio system are tremendous for enjoying music and whatnot, however I wasn’t tremendous blown away. It’s undoubtedly not like being in an IMAX theatre.

Webcam

I’m of the thoughts that each one laptops ought to include 1080p webcams, as distant work is extra frequent nowadays. Sadly, the Slim 3’s 720p webcam is an actual sticking level for me. As somebody who works from house, I’d favor to look as crisp as attainable throughout videoconferencing calls.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Once I recorded a video of myself typing away on the keyboard, I used to be upset within the high quality of the image. The straps of my purple gown appeared washed out and background particulars such the swaying tree exterior my window appeared a bit fuzzy. That stated, you possibly can all the time decide up an exterior webcam.

Connectivity

The port choice is ok, however nothing actually noteworthy. You’re getting one Kensington lock slot, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one headphone/microphone jack, and one microSD card reader.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

It’s sufficient for the on a regular basis particular person, as some of us favor plugging into an exterior monitor or mouse. It’s good to have choices, proper? You in all probability don’t must convey an adapter with you.

Efficiency

Look, I’m going to degree with you right here. The Slim 3 isn’t essentially the most highly effective laptop computer I’ve ever examined, however that’s not what it was designed for.

Should you’re utilizing the gadget for general-use functions (looking social media, checking e mail, and so forth), then it’s fully serviceable. Something extra demanding than that and also you’ll seemingly see a little bit of a slowdown.

Once I had a bunch of tabs open in my browser, I did discover a slight slowdown when loading up a contemporary web page or navigating to a different open tab. That’s not shocking, as there’s solely 4GB of RAM. RAM immediately impacts net looking pace, which is why I like to recommend not less than 8GB for informal use.

Right here’s how the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook carried out in our browser-based benchmarks:

• CrXPRT 2: 73
• Speedometer: 29.6
• Basemark Net 3.0: 302.97
• Kraken: 2137.8ms
• Jetstream 2: 74.077

In comparison with Chromebooks with Intel or AMD processors, the Slim 3 falls behind (however not by a lot). The Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip, for instance, had a CrXPRT 2 rating of 148 and a Speedometer rating of 73.7. The Flip got here geared up with an AMD processor, which is extra highly effective than the Slim’s MediaTek Kompanio 520.

That stated, MediaTek CPUs are designed to suit inside mild and moveable laptops, which the Slim 3 undoubtedly is. So, you’ve obtained to select your poison right here. Both you go along with a barely slower however extra moveable laptop computer or a heavier one with zippier efficiency.

By the best way, the CrXPRT 2 efficiency benchmark measures issues akin to how briskly your Chromebook completes duties and the Speedometer benchmark captures the responsiveness of the online functions. These benchmarks are good indicators of how a Chromebook will carry out beneath completely different hundreds. It also needs to be famous that as a result of Chromebooks get up to date each six weeks, the take a look at outcomes aren’t all the time going to line up completely.

Battery life

The Slim 3’s 47 watt-hour battery kicked some severe butt. Once I ran the battery benchmark, which cycles by means of varied duties till the laptop computer dies, the Chromebook breathed its final metaphorical breath on the 16 hour mark.

That’s an amazing consequence, particularly for those who plan on taking this laptop computer all over the place with you. Nevertheless, usually talking, Chromebooks are likely to have nice battery life, so I’m not shocked by the consequence.

Verdict

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a wonderfully serviceable Chromebook. Though it’s not essentially the most modern laptop computer I’ve ever labored with, it’s nonetheless a great worth purchase, particularly for those who’re a scholar or younger skilled.

It has sufficient energy for mild use, whereas the battery will hold you going lengthy after your workday ends. Additionally, the inclusion of a 1080p contact show is a pleasant function to have on a laptop computer that prices simply $319/£249.

Efficiency could possibly be a contact snappier, however that’s to be anticipated at this value. You’ll must taper your expectations some, particularly as this machine has solely 4GB of RAM.

However for those who want a cheap on a regular basis machine, then the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is price your hard-earned money.

Specs

Listed below are the precise specs for the mannequin examined:

• CPU: MediaTek Kompanio 520
• GPU: ARM Mali-G52 2EE MC2
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Ports: 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1 microSD card reader, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack
• Digital camera: 720p with privateness shutter
• Audio: 2W x2 stereo audio system
• Battery: 47 watt-hour
• Dimensions: 12.83 x 8.73 x 0.73 inches
• Weight: 1.3kg

This evaluate was initially printed on PCWorld.