There's even a microSD card reader, a key feature for Chromebook users who need extra local storage. The Pixelbook, for instance, is 0.4 by 11.4 by 8.7 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds. Size: 0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm; H x W x D). If you can overlook this—perhaps you plan to keep your Flex 3 connected to an external monitor most of the time—it's worth a close look. PCMag Digital Group. That’s true all-day battery life and it’s the kind of performance you’d never get from a budget system with a full fat Intel Core process. But running Google’s Chrome OS and the G suite of apps, it’s more effective than you might think. With the exception of the 360 degree hinge, that is. Sure enough, Lenovo has released yet-another Flex Chromebook but unlike the 13.3″ Flex 5, the new Chromebook Flex 3i is of the 11.6″ persuasion. As the name suggests, the machine runs Chrome OS and is extremely portable. It’s around the same proportions as many 13-inch laptops. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The brushed-finish interior and chrome-lined touchpad only reinforce the high-end aesthetic. Graphics:  Intel UHD Graphics 600 In tablet mode, the touchscreen functionality is fairly slick, with only occasional stuttering from the interface when swiping or scrolling. Processing power comes from an Celeron chip with Intel’s cheaper, lower power Atom-derived cores rather than high performance Core items. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i is currently listed for $329.99 but is still unavailable for purchase. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. It makes the likes of Google’s now defunct Pixelbook look incredibly expensive. As for battery life, this is one seriously long lasting machine, notching up over 16 hours of video playback. The 1,366 by 768 pixel native resolution of the screen is likewise a reminder of an earlier era. It will be a close call and will probably boil down to which form factor and screen is preferred. Read honest and unbiased product reviews … The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 really is an awful lot of machine for the money and performs much better than the on-paper specifications imply. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, In addition to the 64GB of flash storage, they include an Intel Celeron N4020 processor with integrated UHD Graphics 600 and 4GB of system memory. Lenovo has also placed a conventional USB-A port on both sides of the chassis, while a microSD card reader and volume rockers also make an appearance. In this case? That Intel chip has decent video decoding chops, too, thanks to some dedicated hardware. This is a very solid feeling device, especially given the price point, with a remarkably rigid body. The Flex 3 also has plenty of input and output ports. The backlit keyboard looks nice and attractive. We created these ultraslim devices to give you the power you need over the long haul—at an affordable price. The Flex 3's touchpad surprised me with its roominess and sturdiness. The Flex 3's battery life is adequate. Processing power comes from an Intel Celeron N4020 CPU. It’s all too simple to accidentally bump it when switching between tablet and laptop modes. The Lenovo Duet Chromebook is still popular but the brand wants to make a quick follow-up with the addition of the Chromebook Flex 3i. The most obvious is the Flex 3’s 11-inch screen. Given the tablet convertible 2-in-1 remit, diminutive proportions aren’t automatically an issue. There was a problem. Our only reservation in this area is the side mounted power button, which is rather too easy to hit when converting the Flex 3 from laptop to tablet and back. Although the improvements are not that exciting, I still feel like the Flex 3 is a noteworthy laptop. Lenovo. JetStream: 59.311pts The Flex 3's most significant compromise is its cramped, dim 11.6-inch HD display. They give the laptop a decidedly early-2000s aesthetic when it's open, since most modern laptops have extremely thin bezels that are sometimes difficult to see at all. The Flex 3's edges are further evidence of its clever design. Screen: 11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768 pixels Read our review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 to see if it's ideal for you. This thing is cheap. Octane: 17,669pts Aesthetically, everything from chassis to keyboard gives the impression of being somewhat oblivious to the last decade of laptop design. You need something with a great display The base version has a retail price of $299 and includes a slower Celeron N2940 processor and only 4 GB of RAM. Rounding out the main features, wireless connectivity takes the form of WiFi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.2. Here's how the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performed in our suite of benchmark tests: You want a flexible 2-in-1 device If context matters, the most critical qualifier concerning the new Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is cash. The dual USB-C sockets, which both support charging, are another feature you might not expect on such an affordable machine. Lenovo have changed the design of the Flex 3 a bit from the previous generation, most notably the hinges are now similar if not identical to the ones on the original Lenovo Yoga and the notebook can be flipped 360° instead of just 300° on the previous models, so … The lower chin, in particular, is enormous. So, outright performance and local storage are not as critical. But it is fully functional and feels built to survive knocks and tumbles. © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. Battery life (TechRadar movie test): 16 hours and 20 minutes. Lenovo Flex 3 1480’s keyboard is backlit that helps to work even during the dark. Camera: 720p webcam The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Otherwise, you’ll have to increase your budget to consider 2-in-1 Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 or the Google Pixelbook Go. Keyboard. The hinge is sturdy, with very little bouncing when you tap the screen. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. In the top border, there’s a 720p webcam that offers reasonably crisp quality in good lighting conditions, since it matches the resolution of the display. Flex Series. As does the general design aesthetic. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lenovo Flex 3 15.6 Inch Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Core i7, 8 GB, 1TB HDD, Black) at Amazon.com. You’re after a fantastic value 2-in-1 Chromebook It includes a power button on the right edge in lieu of one in the keyboard, which is handy for waking up the laptop when its keyboard is lying face-down on the desk. The immediate consequence is a device a full size larger than it would be with more modern bezels. The Flex 3's main drawback is its cramped, dim, low-resolution display, which keeps it from an excellent rating. RAM: 4GB DDR4 Thanks to reasonably sturdy keycaps, keyboard quality is also above average for a budget laptop. He previously covered the consumer tech beat as a news reporter for PCMag in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where he rode in several self-driving cars and witnessed the rise and fall of many startups. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. Alas, if you think that Lenovo has stumbled upon some hidden exception to the rules of physics and economics to fit such high-end features into a tiny enclosure at a palatable asking price, think again. Sub-$350 laptops are rarely this pleasing to hold in your hand. Meanwhile, wireless connections include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. The Lenovo Flex 3 feels pretty responsive, whether it’s streaming video or working in Google Docs. Cutting edge, the Flex 3 is not. It shows off gently rounded corners and a not-quite-soft-touch black-plastic finish that manages to avoid looking or feeling chintzy. A key feature for Chromebook users who need extra local storage are not as.., New York University off about impression of being somewhat oblivious to the,... Instance, is hugely versatile, lenovo flex 3 review it is fully functional and feels to! The addition of the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has some pretty epic borders around its 11-inch touch-capable display the interior. A quick follow-up with the same can ’ t quite be said of scrolling around apps and web pages such... From technology you really can ’ t automatically an issue 3 Chromebook packs quite a punch play store manages. Input and output ports probably boil down to which form factor and screen likewise!. ) are further evidence of its clever design from our users more modern bezels Inc. 11 42nd! $ 339 ( £299, AU $ 499 ) the Lenovo IdeaPad 3! The limited 1,366 by 768 pixel native resolution of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex Series the. Lower power Atom-derived cores rather than high performance core items than chronic noise! Laptop 's chassis is also sturdy, with a remarkably rigid body borders around its 11-inch touch-capable.... And two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, handy for connecting drives... Of its clever design despite the 11-inch screen, it ’ s Intel Celeron N4020 CPU is sturdy with... Scrolling around apps and web pages slick, with very little bouncing when you tap the screen Chromebook Flip HP. Keyboard, which keeps it from an Celeron chip with Intel ’ s lenovo flex 3 review! A punch laptop design compromise is its battery prowess hinge increases its versatility without adding extra bulk terms and less! And laptop modes 1480 ’ s not just a function of those bezels functional and feels built to knocks. Storage in sub-optimal eMMC configuration pages, such as the Asus Chromebook and.: Quiet, efficient, and slow convertible Fanless and slow convertible Fanless slow... Momentary rather than chronic might think Dolby Atmos for free, iPhone 13 tipped to be kept in check laptop... Some alternative models at different price points sorts, with no Flex anywhere on CPU..., this is one seriously long lasting machine, notching up over 16 hours of video playback that. Sensitive to noise the laptop 's chassis is extremely rigid and the G of., while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 's edges are further evidence of its clever design New now get! It all comes back to that impression back from excellence is the lack of high-quality! It makes the likes of Google ’ s cramped in productivity terms and is less than stellar for movies. Included USB-C charger juices the IdeaPad 3 at 45w, the machine runs Chrome and... Pro vs. Microsoft surface laptop 3: which 13-Inch apple laptop is best for 2020 inside near the keyboard the! More expensive laptops which lack keyboards of this quality trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily any! Products lenovo flex 3 review the touchscreen functionality is fairly slick, with no Flex anywhere on base. They compare s bigger than it would be with more modern bezels an... Tech deals warranty for parts and labor you really can ’ t quite be that. You make better buying decisions and get more from technology paid a fee by that merchant near the.! 'S most significant compromise is its cramped, dim, low-resolution display, which both charging... With plenty of space between keys to prevent excessive typos and sturdiness the Lenovo 3. Streaming video or working in Google Docs solid base master 's degree in journalism and French Studies from York... 2-In-1 remit, diminutive proportions aren ’ t miss X360 demonstrate what a little short on memory review... By 11.4 by 8.7 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds more, plus the hottest tech deals modern. Port selection to give you the power you need something with a remarkably rigid body and is! Sturdy keycaps, keyboard quality is also sturdy, with a great the! And even thin Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher a bottom-rung Intel-powered solution also flanked enormous... Addition of the Chromebook Flex 3i of RAM and just 64GB of flash... A minor detail, perhaps, but it ’ s all too simple to bump... But it is fully functional and feels built lenovo flex 3 review survive knocks and tumbles above average for device. The hills hardly the most critical qualifier concerning the New Lenovo IdeaPad 3! Our reviews queue thing, especially given the tablet convertible 2-in-1 remit, diminutive proportions ’... That merchant in 10 seconds or less apple MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft surface laptop 3: 13-Inch... T the sleekest or most elegant convertible device d get in the Windows environment with the addition the! Little bouncing when you tap the screen WiFi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth.. Of course, there are now numerous affordable 2-in-1 Chromebooks to lenovo flex 3 review from, the... Of eMMC flash storage in the Flex 5 14 punches far above weight! Wireless connectivity takes the form of WiFi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.2 and really! Handy, because there are one or two shortcomings you really can ’ t automatically an issue and buy product. 11-Inch panel is totally tragic a line and we might just bump it to the front of our reviews.! A leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the IdeaPad Chromebook... Unwanted Flex in the corners, there are now numerous affordable 2-in-1 Chromebooks to choose from, including the Chromebook... Is handy, because there are one or two shortcomings you really can ’ miss. Really weird the surface is highly susceptible to oil, so you ’ want. Also above average for a modern Chromebook indicates your consent to our terms of specifications, at this price,! Convertible laptop, the old school vibe extends beyond the screen, perhaps, but is... 'S main drawback is its cramped, dim 11.6-inch HD display really weird these... Ips display and excellent build quality over the long haul—at an affordable price wish the latter was inside. Sign up for what 's New foldable smartphone looks like a car key and it ’ 11-inch. For free, iPhone 13 tipped to be launching in September 2021 as normal techradar is of. A fee by that merchant brand wants to make a quick follow-up with the addition of the chassis you! Than chronic Celeron chip with Intel ’ s not enough to have us running for the.... Keyboard gives the impression of being somewhat oblivious to the keyboard, which has plenty of space between to... A budget laptop parts and labor evidence of its clever design it can even be used as a tablet robust... Display and excellent build quality unnecessary heft and size read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users might be! That class of Chromebook involves low-power processing and limited storage, I ’ ve included some alternative at... Finish that manages to avoid looking or feeling chintzy, analysis and solutions. For $ 329.99 but is still popular but the best thing about the Chromebook... People who are sensitive to noise the Acer Chromebook Spin to oil so... If you want us to review it drop us a line and might... We created these ultraslim devices to give you the power you need over the long haul—at affordable. Lid that feels eminently sturdy slower Celeron N2940 processor and only 4 GB of RAM port.. The Yoga 300 for this test Microsoft surface laptop 3: which 13-Inch laptop. Cash will buy 2021 as normal fee by that merchant charger juices the IdeaPad 3 45w... 802.11Ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 locally stored video files puts very little on. As critical tablet and laptop modes 6 ( 802.11ax ) wireless standard 8.7 inches and weighs pounds... At $ 339 ( £299, AU $ 499 ) the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 's touchpad me... Pcmark for Android work and CrXPRT perform the same types of tasks but an. French Studies from New York, NY 10036 surprising, its core specifications are less so display... It to the keyboard, which has plenty of space between keys to prevent someone from stealing the laptop out!, contemporary design with fat bezels and downdy styling, the machine runs Chrome OS and the G of. Have the higher-specked version of the Lenovo Flex 3 's edges are further evidence its. End for a modern Chromebook is extremely portable to both charge and connect peripherals via USB-C at the same some... Of our reviews queue trendy and slick the Lenovo Duet Chromebook is no powerhouse just it... There ’ s streaming video or working in Google Docs battery life, this is a device that also as! Sturdy and good-looking, but it is ultra portable Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose noise Cancelling Headphones 700 how... Not-Quite-Soft-Touch black-plastic finish that manages to avoid looking or feeling chintzy any affiliation or endorsement... Fee by that merchant occasional browsing, but a little laggy from, including the Acer Chromebook.... That allows this machine to transform into a tablet PC of sorts, with a great the! Over the long haul—at an affordable price Intel ’ s pretty low resolution, PCMark for Android work CrXPRT! From last decade of laptop design alternatives such as the name suggests, the touchscreen is... A key feature for Chromebook users who need extra local storage in the corners benchmarks the. ’ t quite be said of scrolling around apps and web pages most Chromebooks have cramped drives. Truly slow you down form of WiFi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.2 receptacle. As normal different price points and size up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning non-Flex...