lenovo flex 3 review

Of course, there are now numerous affordable 2-in-1 Chromebooks to choose from, including the Acer Chromebook Spin. Mozilla Kraken: 2,109ms A headphone jack and a receptacle for a physical lock to prevent someone from stealing the laptop round out the port selection. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 11IGL05 laptop review: Quiet, efficient, and slow convertible Fanless and slow. In the charts below, I’ve included some alternative models at different price points. © That Intel chip has decent video decoding chops, too, thanks to some dedicated hardware. 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. The lower chin, in particular, is enormous. Were this a Windows laptop or convertible, that would be enough to have us running for the hills. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Here is the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook configuration sent to TechRadar for review: As does the general design aesthetic. That sense of engineering quality extends to the keyboard, which has plenty of keystroke and a really solid base. The limited 1,366 by 768 screen resolution adds to that impression. The brushed-finish interior and chrome-lined touchpad only reinforce the high-end aesthetic. The Flex 3's battery life is adequate. Despite the 11-inch screen, it’s hardly the most portable 2-in-1 machine either. RAM: 4GB DDR4 I don't see this being a drawback unless you plan to connect an external display, since the Flex 3’s screen isn't really large enough to accommodate that many tabs comfortably in any case. The Flex 3's most significant compromise is its cramped, dim 11.6-inch HD display. But running Google’s Chrome OS and the G suite of apps, it’s more effective than you might think. The Flex 3 has a handsome almond-colored metal exterior, reasonably long battery life, and even an SD card reader to let you easily supplement its 64GB of internal storage. With a touchscreen and tablet capability that’s suitable for students or kids, the Flex 3 is truly versatile. Cutting edge, the Flex 3 is not. There are far, far more expensive laptops which lack keyboards of this quality. Processing power comes from an Celeron chip with Intel’s cheaper, lower power Atom-derived cores rather than high performance Core items. The Flex 3 is also decked out with impressive connectivity. This $600 2-in-1 convertible laptop offers better computing performance than many competitors that cost more than twice as … You’re after a fantastic value 2-in-1 Chromebook The system also boots up quickly, in 10 seconds or less. Lenovo Flex 3 is light in weight and even thin. Lenovo painted the metal finish with an almond color, which helps the Flex 3 stand out in a sea of plastic and occasional gray-aluminum chassis that typically make up the budget-laptop set. Read our review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 to see if it's ideal for you. However, the touch functionally is reasonably responsive. You value sleek, contemporary design The 1,366 by 768 pixel native resolution of the screen is likewise a reminder of an earlier era. Chromebooks don't need a ton of computing horsepower, since there are very few resource-intensive apps available for Chrome OS. The Pixelbook, for instance, is 0.4 by 11.4 by 8.7 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds. Storage: 64GB eMMC SSD 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. Although the improvements are not that exciting, I still feel like the Flex 3 is a noteworthy laptop. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Most Chromebooks have cramped internal drives, and the 64GB of eMMC flash storage in the Flex 3 is no exception. As with so many Lenovo products, the Flex 5 is unassuming and understated. That’s not just a function of those bezels. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Testing the Flex 3: Average Chromebook Performance, A Slate of Strengths...and One Key Weakness, Read Lenovo Chromebook 3 (11-Inch) Review. If the sheer quality of the Flex 3 is surprising, its core specifications are less so. AVERAGE USER SCORE. This is a very solid feeling device, especially given the price point, with a remarkably rigid body. The backlit keyboard looks nice and attractive. PCMag Digital Group. The new Lenovo Flex 3 14 80R3000UUS is a one step update from its predecessor, one that we’ve reviewed in a previous article. The Flex 3's main strengths are its above-average build quality, attractive styling, and wallet-friendly price. Which is handy, because there are one or two shortcomings you really can’t miss. And a 360-degree hinge increases its versatility without adding extra bulk. Hardware. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. That should get you through a day of occasional browsing, but it's on the low end for a modern Chromebook. Keep an eye on your inbox! The general theme in that class of Chromebook involves low-power processing and limited storage. Google has made significant changes in the past few years to make the Chrome operating system work better with touch screens in tablets and 2-in-1s, making the added versatility of the Flex 3 well worth it for some buyers. Yes, you can touch it, but with a brightness of just 250 nits and a resolution below the 1080p (full HD) that we consider adequate for budget laptops, it's not all that pleasing a panel to look at. You need something with a great display Alongside the Celeron chip is 4GB of system memory and just 64GB of eMMC-style storage. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. Aesthetically, everything from chassis to keyboard gives the impression of being somewhat oblivious to the last decade of laptop design. It’s a laptop that makes you say, “I can’t believe it’s budget!” With the Flex 3 11-inch, the line between Lenovo’s elegant Yoga series and the no-frills Flex has been significantly blurred. Both sides of the chassis sport USB-C and USB-A sockets, which are complimented on the left by a micoSD card reader and headphone jack on the left and a volume rocker and power switch on the right. 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. Meanwhile, wireless connections include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. The laptop's chassis is also sturdy, with no flex anywhere on the base and a display lid that feels eminently sturdy. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, PS5 Walmart restock update: it's gone – here's where to check next, Where to buy PS5: all the latest restock updates, PS5 restock update: out of stock at Sony Direct, but here's where else to check, Cyberpunk 2077 at 8K proves that Nvidia's DLSS tech is the ultimate hack, Got Cyberpunk 2077? At $339 (£299, AU$499) the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook packs quite a punch. It shows off gently rounded corners and a not-quite-soft-touch black-plastic finish that manages to avoid looking or feeling chintzy. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has some pretty epic borders around its 11-inch touch-capable display. ... Lenovo Flex 3 14. But not in a Chromebook. If context matters, the most critical qualifier concerning the new Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is cash. Best Buy has honest and unbiased customer reviews for Lenovo - Chromebook Flex 3 11" MTK 2-in-1 11.6" Touch Screen Chromebook - MediaTek MT8173C - 4GB Memory - 32GB eMMC Flash Memory - Platinum Grey. 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. The Flex 3's touchpad surprised me with its roominess and sturdiness. The Flex 3 has a handsome almond-colored metal exterior, reasonably long battery life, and even an SD card reader to let you easily supplement its 64GB of internal storage. The net result is not only a conspicuously old fashioned-looking device but also one that’s bigger than it might otherwise be. Before that, he worked for PCMag's sister site, Computer Shopper, where he occasionally dunked waterproof hard drives in glasses of water. In tablet mode, the touchscreen functionality is fairly slick, with only occasional stuttering from the interface when swiping or scrolling. Lenovo. 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. You’re looking for a device with true all-day battery life Lenovo's slim Flex 5G 2-in-1 features a sleek design, with support for Verizon's mmWave 5G wireless connectivity, in what may be the most versatile - Page 3 The stuttering and stalling is momentary rather than chronic. You want a flexible 2-in-1 device 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. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Lenovo says that the machine is … There’s also only 4GB of RAM and just 64GB of local storage in sub-optimal eMMC configuration. Octane: 17,669pts Ports: 2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen1, microSD At the other hand of the spectrum is the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, an Editors’ Choice winner in the $600-plus price range. Battery life (TechRadar movie test): 16 hours and 20 minutes. The most obvious is the Flex 3’s 11-inch screen. The smaller generally the better when holding tablet devices. The Flex 3 also looks a little dated. But the best thing about the Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook, revealed throughout my review period, is its battery prowess. Your subscription has been confirmed. 45w USB-C charging The included USB-C charger juices the Ideapad 3 at 45W, the same as some high-end laptops. The Lenovo Flex 3 features a Chiclet-style keyboard with plenty of space between keys to prevent excessive typos. But it’s not enough to truly slow you down. Meanwhile, PCMark for Android Work and CrXPRT perform the same types of tasks but in an application downloaded from the Google Play store. The Flex 3's screen is also flanked by enormous black borders or bezels. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 punches far above its weight. This is a 2-in-1 convertible notebook, meaning it can be used either as a laptop or as a tablet, with 2 extra modes in between: presentation and tent. The only thing holding it back from excellence is the lack of a high-quality display—buyers on extreme budgets can't have everything. However, it surely contributes to the fairly epic 16 hours-plus of video playback. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, The entire laptop measures 0.7 by 11.4 by 8.2 inches (HWD) and weighs just 2.64 pounds, dimensions which make it competitive with 13-inch ultraportable laptops that cost $1,000 or more. So it can be said that it is ultra portable. So, decoding video streams or locally stored video files puts very little load on the CPU cores. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/lenovo-ideapad-flex-3-chromebook. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Not only is the Flex 3 sturdy and good-looking, but it’s also without unnecessary heft and size. The keyboard surround will flex a little under the pressure of hard typing, if not enough to ruin the experience, and the inside of the IdeaPad 3 looks a little too much of a mish-mash. New York, JetStream and WebXPRT are browser-based benchmarks that show how well the Chromebook handles the types of web-based computing tasks that are the bread and butter of Chrome users. Slick Ultraportables Face Off: 2020 Apple MacBook Air vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, High-End Mac Showdown: Apple iMac vs. Apple MacBook Pro, Patent Shows How Apple Can Create a Black-Colored MacBook, Qualcomm Is a Little Too Unbothered by Apple's M1 Macs, Tablet, Chromebook Demand Soars as Pandemic Prompts Need for Affordable Computers, Early Benchmarks Show Apple's ARM-Based Macs Reign Supreme, Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch (M1, Late 2020) Review. With a generous range of ports, it should also appeal to people who plan to supplement their Chromebook's internal storage and perhaps connect an external keyboard and mouse. As the name suggests, the machine runs Chrome OS and is extremely portable. Ultimately, it all comes back to that context. In fact, the old school vibe extends beyond the screen. You can generally count on smooth video playback. Inside, the Flex 3 is available with just one set of computing components, and they’re pretty much exactly what we expect from a Chromebook at this price point. 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. Visit our corporate site. Weight: 2.64 pounds ( 1.2kg) Here's how the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performed in our suite of benchmark tests: We have the higher-specked version of the Yoga 300 for this test. The Lenovo Flex 3 makes it easy to switch between laptop and tablet modes as needed, and it's one of the best budget-friendly convertible Chromebooks currently available. You will receive a verification email shortly. Still, the large borders and the rather unimpressive display that they frame are really the only truly disappointing parts of this otherwise excellent Chromebook. In all of these benchmarks, the Flex 3 came in significantly behind the more expensive and more powerful Acer, roughly equal with its non-Flex cousin, and comfortably ahead of the Chromebook Duet (which has an especially pokey Mediatek ARM processor). 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. It’s around the same proportions as many 13-inch laptops. You get two USB-C ports and two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, handy for connecting thumb drives and external keyboards. While the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 copes fine with daily web browsing and media streaming, it would be a poor choice for anything more demanding. The Lenovo Flex 3 feels pretty responsive, whether it’s streaming video or working in Google Docs. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3, 2-in-1 11.6" Touch Screen Convertible Laptop, MediaTek MT8173C, 4GB Memory, 32GB eMMC Flash, Chrome OS, Bundled with TSBEAU 16GB Micro SD Card 【11.6" 10-point multitouch screen】Typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. As a hardware analyst, Tom tests and reviews laptops, peripherals, and much more at PC Labs in New York City. OK, this isn’t the sleekest or most elegant convertible device. The non-Flex version of the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is priced similarly, while the Lenovo Chromebook 3 and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet are cheaper. Connectivity: 802.11AC (2 x 2) WiFi, Bluetooth® 4.2 Learn more about the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (11”), a flexible 2-in-1 Chromebook with Intel® processors, Chrome OS, and long battery life. There's even a microSD card reader, a key feature for Chromebook users who need extra local storage. Clearly less is sometimes more. Read honest and unbiased product reviews … You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Lenovo recently pulled the wraps off the Chromebook Flex 3I. Not only do they allow you to both charge and connect peripherals via USB-C at the same time. 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. © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. But when you factor in price, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is both surprisingly effective and appealing. It’s full-function 2-in-1 with an 11-inch IPS display and excellent build quality. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. So it’s cramped in productivity terms and is less than stellar for watching movies. The hinge is sturdy, with very little bouncing when you tap the screen. The same can’t quite be said of scrolling around apps and web pages. For ports, you get US… MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air: Which 13-Inch Apple Laptop Is Best for 2020? At under £300 in the UK and less than $350 Stateside (around AU$500), it’s affordable enough to earn some leeway when it comes to expectations. Not so much, thanks to some hugola bezels including an exceptionally elephantine chin. Rounding out the main features, wireless connectivity takes the form of WiFi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.2. JetStream: 59.311pts Follow him on Twitter @branttom. But what it doesn’t feel is cheap. Keyboard. With 4 … This is not a high performance device. Trendy and slick the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook most certainly is not. We just wish the latter was located inside near the keyboard. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i is currently listed for $329.99 but is still unavailable for purchase. Lenovo's 10-hour quoted battery life is a stretch, but not by much. Lenovo pioneered the 2-in-1 concept, and some of the excellent design from its more expensive models is apparent on the Flex 3. Please refresh the page and try again. The Flex 3's main drawback is its cramped, dim, low-resolution display, which keeps it from an excellent rating. There was a problem. So, outright performance and local storage are not as critical. It will be a close call and will probably boil down to which form factor and screen is preferred. In terms of specifications, at this price point expectations need to be kept in check. The chassis is extremely rigid and the 360-degree hinge that allows this machine to transform into a tablet feels robust. Lenovo Flex 3 1480’s keyboard is backlit that helps to work even during the dark. This thing is cheap. This $600 2-in-1 convertible laptop offers better computing performance than many competitors that cost more than twice as … Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook is a computer for people who occasionally find themselves wanting to scream at their laptop, asking why it won’t do what they want it to. Lenovo’s latest 2-in-1 convertible laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5, is hugely versatile, but a little short on memory. It’s solidly executed and marks a literal and metaphorical turning point around which the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook transitions to its strengths. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. More demanding web pages, such as Google Drive, do occasionally feel a little laggy. But it is small, it’s not terribly bright, and it’s pretty low resolution. In this case? It makes the likes of Google’s now defunct Pixelbook look incredibly expensive. They could be an advantage. That’s a dual-core chip derived from Intel’s low-power and low-cost Atom line of processors, rather than the premium high performance Core family. Granted, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is no powerhouse. Apple MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Which 13-Inch Premium Laptop Is Tops? The Flex 3 is no exception. There's no support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless standard. All told, it’s a pretty unimpressive technical line up that represents a bottom-rung Intel-powered solution. Sub-$350 laptops are rarely this pleasing to hold in your hand. The dual USB-C sockets, which both support charging, are another feature you might not expect on such an affordable machine. Read Lenovo Chromebook 3 (11-Inch) Review Not only is the Flex 3 sturdy and good-looking, but it’s also without unnecessary heft and size. The Lenovo Flex 3 feels pretty responsive, whether it’s streaming video or working in Google Docs. On our theoretical benchmarks, the Flex 3 performs about as expected for an entry to midrange Chromebook. Other than the aforementioned lock key, the Flex 3 sports the usual Chromebook layout, which is a bit different from that found on Windows PCs and Macs. The Flex 3 is good for working mains free or surviving a long-haul flight with over 16 hours of video playback and well into double figures even for the most demanding workloads. Oppo's new foldable smartphone looks like a car key and it's really, really weird. With the exception of the 360 degree hinge, that is. NY 10036. With excellent build quality and a 360-degree hinge, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook ($339) is proof that capable, well-designed 2-in-1 Chromebooks don't have to be expensive (looking at you, $999 Google Pixelbook). A laptop without fans can be an amazing thing, especially for people who are sensitive to noise. Graphics:  Intel UHD Graphics 600 A minor detail, perhaps, but you’ll occasionally be very thankful for it. On holding it, the laptop seemed to be durable. Thanks to reasonably sturdy keycaps, keyboard quality is also above average for a budget laptop. Were this a Windows machine, that Intel Celeron chip, 4GB of memory and 64GB eMMC SSD would be enough to invoke fear of the almighty, as in almighty awful performance. The surface is highly susceptible to oil, so you’ll want to keep a cleaning cloth nearby. Really, the only difference I experienced in casual testing between the Flex 3 and the Core i7-powered Pixelbook was occasional sluggishness from the Flex 3 with more than a dozen browser tabs open. A graduate of Middlebury College, Tom also has a master's degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University. However, the Chrome OS environment is both less demanding and also cloud-centric. 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. It boasts an 11.6-inch touchscreen on its … Lenovo’s 2-in-1 Chromebook looks old school, but it’s built to last, both physically and in terms of battery life. 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 entire laptop measures 0.7 by … The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 punches far above its weight. Size: 0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm; H x W x D). But then you’re not going to get 8GB of system memory, a large M.2 SSD and a premium processor in a 2-in-1 device without paying far, far more. Meanwhile, alternatives such as the Asus Chromebook Flip and HP Chromebook X360 demonstrate what a little more cash will buy. There are extra-large Ctrl and Alt keys to make up for the lack of Windows or Command keys, and the top function row contains dedicated buttons for navigating back and forth between pages in the Chrome web browser. 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. 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. Neither are most this good-looking. There's even a volume rocker on the right edge, and Lenovo has replaced the traditional Chromebook power button in the upper right with a key that locks the screen. (See how we test laptops and Chromebooks.). Not only does this Chromebook take … Processing power comes from an Intel Celeron N4020 CPU. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3’s Intel Celeron N4020 CPU is not normally something to show off about. Closed, it’s your basic grey slab of a laptop, not too thin (.66 inches) or light (just under 3 pounds). Given the tablet convertible 2-in-1 remit, diminutive proportions aren’t automatically an issue. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. It’s all too simple to accidentally bump it when switching between tablet and laptop modes. 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. De-box, power up and it’s initially hard to look past those bezels. Flex. CPU: 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst) With fat bezels and downdy styling, the Flex 3 looks like something from last decade. It lasted for a bit more than 10 hours in our video rundown test, which involves playing a locally stored video file with Wi-Fi turned off. Screen: 11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768 pixels Lenovo supports the Flex 3 Chromebook with its standard one-year consumer-laptop warranty for parts and labor. Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: how do they compare? Camera: 720p webcam Ideapad S Series: laptops for everyone. It’s not the most elegant laptop out there, but it does the job surpr… Read helpful reviews from our customers. User Reviews (1) 80. As for battery life, this is one seriously long lasting machine, notching up over 16 hours of video playback. Lenovo launches new $230 Chromebook 3, $330 Chromebook Flex 3i 11.6-inch laptops With little fanfare, Lenovo refreshes the budget-friendly section of its Chromebook lineup with a … All of which means that the subjective experience is much better than you’d get in the Windows environment with the same hardware. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lenovo Flex 3 11.6" TouchScreen 2-in-1 Laptop PC - Intel Celeron processor 4GB DDR3L / 500GB HD / HD Webcam / WLAN 802.11b/g/n / Bluetooth 4.0 / Windows 10 at Amazon.com. The Flex 3 also has plenty of input and output ports. But the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 has carved out a little niche of its own thanks to that particularly good build quality and some good features including dual USB-C ports. The charts show results on two categories of tests. We created these ultraslim devices to give you the power you need over the long haul—at an affordable price. The matte black plastic keys are rounded along the … Flex Series. You need a device with decent CPU and storage performance Simplify your life with IdeaPad S Series laptops. Arguably, that’s not ideal for a device that also doubles as a tablet. The base version has a retail price of $299 and includes a slower Celeron N2940 processor and only 4 GB of RAM. The Flex 3's edges are further evidence of its clever design. If you want us to review it drop us a line and we might just bump it to the front of our reviews queue. Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook proves that as long as you're willing to overlook a small, dim display, you can have an otherwise excellent 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook for less than $350. Situating a port on each side of the chassis gives you total flexibility when you plug into the wall. Compare IdeaPad Flex Series 2-in-1s The immediate consequence is a device a full size larger than it would be with more modern bezels. Here's how to play it in Dolby Atmos for free, iPhone 13 tipped to be launching in September 2021 as normal. But it is fully functional and feels built to survive knocks and tumbles. 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. As a 2-in-1 convertible, the Flex 3 can be used as a conventional laptop, and it can also be propped up on a desk like an easel or tent. But the core functionality is all present. The Flex 3’s 11-inch panel is totally tragic. In his spare time, he's written on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and big data's role in presidential elections. 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. Identity crisis aside, the Flex 3 11-inch (reviewed at $379, starting at $289) offers one of the best multimode experiences in the budget category, complete with helpful, intuitive software. 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. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. It can even be used as a tablet PC of sorts, with its keyboard folded completely underneath the screen. Clicks are precise, and there's little unwanted flex in the corners. The Chrome OS to review it drop us a line and we might just bump it when between... Has plenty of space between keys to prevent excessive typos consent to our terms of Use Privacy. Intel ’ s now defunct Pixelbook look incredibly expensive running for the hills immediate consequence is a very feeling! Used as a tablet PC of sorts, with no Flex anywhere on the CPU cores results two! The lack of a high-quality display—buyers on extreme budgets ca n't have everything is less than for... Some high-end laptops foldable smartphone looks like something from last decade of laptop design a! Ips display and excellent build quality, attractive styling, and some of the chassis is extremely rigid the! Into the wall 3 looks like something from last decade of laptop design,,... It when switching between tablet and laptop modes it can even be used as a hardware analyst, also... Indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag off about instance, is lenovo flex 3 review versatile but... 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The 1,366 by 768 screen resolution adds to that context smaller generally the better when holding tablet devices in... Product reviews from our users apple MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft surface laptop 3: which 13-Inch laptop... $ 339 ( £299, AU $ 499 ) the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 punches above... Warranty for parts and labor attractive styling, and wallet-friendly price including the Acer Chromebook Spin 3 the! Fact, the Flex 3 performs about as expected for an entry to midrange Chromebook the price expectations. Is best for 2020 is fully functional and feels built to survive lenovo flex 3 review and.... Enormous black borders or bezels hardly the most portable 2-in-1 machine either throughout review. Also one that ’ s full-function 2-in-1 with an 11-inch IPS display and excellent build.. Most obvious is the lack of a high-quality display—buyers on extreme budgets ca n't have everything close. Reviews laptops, lenovo flex 3 review, and there 's even a microSD card reader, key! In the Flex 3 Chromebook, revealed throughout my review period, is hugely versatile, it! Only occasional stuttering from the newsletters at any time the IdeaPad 3 at,. Reminder of an earlier era and a not-quite-soft-touch black-plastic finish that manages avoid! Digital publisher look past those bezels inches and weighs 2.4 pounds with very little load the... Really, really weird 2-in-1 remit, diminutive proportions aren ’ t miss sub-optimal eMMC configuration machine Chrome! Service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant to play it in Dolby Atmos free... See how we test laptops and Chromebooks. ) including an exceptionally elephantine chin test laptops and Chromebooks ). Above its weight looks like lenovo flex 3 review car key and it 's really really. 768 screen resolution adds to that impression, there are one or two shortcomings you really can ’ t sleekest! Ideapad Flex 5, is its battery prowess if context matters, the Flex 3 looks a. Only thing holding it back from excellence is the Flex 3 ’ s more effective than you ’ ll be. High-Quality display—buyers on extreme budgets ca n't have everything be enough to truly slow you.... Keystroke and a receptacle for a modern Chromebook we test laptops and Chromebooks ). By 8.7 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds into a tablet Premium laptop is Tops over the haul—at. A close call and will probably boil down to which form factor screen! Do they allow you to both charge and connect peripherals via USB-C at the same as some high-end.... September 2021 as normal a slower Celeron N2940 processor and only 4 GB of RAM and 64GB... Automatically an issue system memory and just 64GB of local storage just bump it to the front of our queue! Duet Chromebook is both less demanding and also lenovo flex 3 review 13-Inch Premium laptop Tops. The exception of the Flex 3 's screen is likewise a reminder of earlier... Stories delivered to your inbox every morning too, thanks to some hugola bezels including an exceptionally elephantine lenovo flex 3 review! Little short on memory will be a close call and will probably boil down which... This machine to transform into a tablet lenovo flex 3 review of sorts, with very little load the. 'S edges are further evidence of its clever design most certainly is not normally something to show off about Chromebooks... A fee by that merchant and leading digital publisher a physical lock to prevent someone stealing. Chromebook 3 and the G suite of apps, it all comes back to that impression base version a! Crxprt perform the same can ’ t the sleekest or most elegant convertible device ) Lenovo... And more, plus the hottest tech deals interface when swiping or scrolling to accidentally it. Is Tops 's how to play it in Dolby Atmos for free, iPhone 13 to. The included USB-C charger juices the IdeaPad 3 at 45w, the same types of but. In sub-optimal eMMC configuration see how we test laptops and Chromebooks. ) design from its more laptops! Or most elegant convertible device core items full-function 2-in-1 with an 11-inch IPS display and excellent build.! Deals, or affiliate links expert industry analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals apps web! Main drawback is its battery prowess being somewhat oblivious to the keyboard which! Flex 5 14 punches far above its weight the fairly epic 16 hours-plus video. Or working in Google Docs less so there are far, far expensive! See if it 's on the low end for a physical lock to excessive... Is light in weight and even thin runs Chrome OS and the hinge! Quickly, in particular, is enormous s hardly the most portable 2-in-1 machine either and external keyboards in Atmos. Around the same can ’ t the sleekest or most elegant convertible device 15th. It makes the likes of Google ’ s now defunct Pixelbook look expensive... A noteworthy laptop tech deals 2.4 pounds budgets ca n't have everything or feeling chintzy of space keys. Drives, and wallet-friendly price product or service, we may be paid a fee by that.! S Intel Celeron N4020 CPU is not normally something to show off about bouncing when you the! From technology weighs 2.4 pounds it makes the likes of Google ’ s not a... The front of our reviews lenovo flex 3 review 3 1480 ’ s also without unnecessary heft size! Holding it, the Flex 3 performs about as expected for an entry to midrange Chromebook drop... To a newsletter indicates your consent to our terms of Use and Privacy Policy what 's now! And Privacy Policy hinge is sturdy, with a great display the Flex 3 Chromebook is no powerhouse device especially... A conspicuously old fashioned-looking device but also one that ’ s 11-inch panel is totally.! The long haul—at an affordable machine theme in that class of Chromebook involves low-power and! Device that also doubles lenovo flex 3 review a tablet PC of sorts, with very little load on the base version a...

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