Best Lenovo Chromebooks in 2024

Lenovo offers an enormous range of laptops and PCs, and it also makes some of the best Chromebooks you can buy today. Lenovo Chromebooks are priced competitively, they’re built with durability and ease of use in mind, and there’s a wide range of models to choose from based on your preferences.

Whether you need a Chromebook for multipurpose use around the house, for gaming and more intensive tasks, or just want a plenty affordable laptop, these Lenovo Chromebooks should be a great fit.

Top Lenovo Chromebooks

Those looking for something radically new will be disappointed by this design since Lenovo now has a firm idea of what attracts customers to its Chromebook range.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a logical progression from the previous Flex 5i, one of its most popular designs. It enhances the specification to keep the product line competitive with other Chromebook makers while keeping the price point attractive.

These include a better webcam (1080p now), a new Intel Core i3-1315U processor, and better ports. Of these improvements, the Intel 13th generation processor probably brings the most significant impact since it makes for a slicker user experience even when pushing this machine out of its comfort zone.

What hasn’t changed much is the Lenovo signature aluminum and plastic construction, materials used to keep the weight and cost of production down.

There is still room for some improvement. A high-resolution screen with more brightness would have been desirable, it’s heavier than before, and the battery life still doesn’t provide enough power for a full working day.

But those limitations accepted, the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus provides as good a justification for purchase as its predecessor and at an even lower price from some sources.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review.

Lenovo’s Chromebooks are priced to sell, and the refreshed IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8) should be particularly attractive to those looking to spend as little as possible. Sure, there are cheaper Chromebooks, but at $350 — with frequent dips below $300 — you’re getting a gorgeous device on the cheap.

The display upgrade is most noticeable. It now has a 12.2-inch screen with 1080p resolution, with slimmer bezels for a more modern look. The touch functionality and convertible design allows you to use it as a tablet, though the keyboard and touchpad can keep up with writing and other productivity tasks.

The system is powered by a quad-core Intel N100 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage, perfect for lighter tasks that don’t require a lot of multitasking. The compact laptop has a decent selection of ports, with dual USB-A 3.2, one USB-C 3.2, HDMI, microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. As with most Lenovo laptops, the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is built to last and looks great with its two-tone Abyss Blue finish.

The 16-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook has some impressive specs with a price that’s often more affordable than other gaming-focused laptops. It’s compatible with the Steam for ChromeOS platform if you’d like to enjoy local gaming, but it can also handle game streaming with ease. And to make your favorite games look as good as possible, it has an oversized 16-inch display with a brilliant 2560×1600 (QHD+) resolution, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 350 nits brightness.

Four speakers pump out quality audio for times when you don’t want to use a headset, the 1080p webcam is clear and has a privacy shutter, and the Wi-Fi 6E capabilities help make streaming as reliable as possible. There’s no Ethernet port, but you could always connect to a great dock for Chromebooks to maximize connectivity. And Lenovo isn’t done there. The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook has a keyboard with four-zone RGB lighting and 1.5mm key travel for a smooth typing experience. This is one of the best Chromebooks for gaming on the market today, especially if you don’t want to overspend.

The 13.3-inch Flex 5i might still be our top pick for most people, but Lenovo has also released a 14-inch model for those who want a slightly larger screen with more modern performance hardware. The biggest problem right now is finding these laptops for sale. Costco seems to be one of the few retailers offering it at MSRP at the moment; it normally costs about $500, but we have seen it drop to $350.

Lenovo’s usual attention to durability and design are on display here. The 14-inch Flex 5i is a convertible laptop with 14-inch touch display, hitting a 1920×1200 (FHD+) resolution to go along with the taller 16:10 aspect ratio. It also manages 300 nits brightness, allowing you to use it even in well-lit spaces without suffering from intense glare.

The 13.3-inch Flex 3i’s 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs are starting to show their age, and those who want more modern performance hardware will love the 12th Gen Core i3-1215U, 8GB of RAm, and 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD in the 14-inch version. It comes with a 51Wh battery for long life. Ports are plentiful, with dual USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio jack, and microSD card reader.

Chromebooks with a 2-in-1 design can be quite versatile, but they often aren’t large enough to accommodate some users. Whether it’s the display size or the cramped keyboard, not everyone can get behind a 10- or 11-inch detachable device. Enter the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5. It has a 13.3-inch touch display with OLED panel, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution, and 400 nits brightness, with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This is a killer display, and it translates to a larger keyboard that works better with adult hands. Yes, you can completely remove the keyboard to use only the tablet.

There are four speakers that pump out quality sound while video conferencing, streaming, or listening to music, and the dual-camera setup is also impressive. The front is set at 5MP and handles 1080p video and stills, while the rear camera is boosted to 8MP for even better shots. The Duet 5 is powered by a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 CPU; it’s not the most powerful chip, but it equates to all-day battery life.

The Duet 5’s 13.3-inch screen is better for mature users, but what about a 2-in-1 Chromebook great for kids and students? The Duet 3 has an 11-inch screen in an overall smaller package (including detachable keyboard and touchpad), giving a boost to young users with small hands. It’s also just a fantastic option for anyone who prefers to travel light; you can pop it into a backpack and pretty much forget it’s there until you need it.

The 11-inch touchscreen has a brilliant 2000×1200 resolution with up to 400 nits brightness, though it does lack the OLED color available in the Duet 5. Keep in mind that you can always connect to a great Chromebook monitor for times when you need more screen real estate. The Duet 3 is powered by a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip, joined with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, with a 29Wh battery that should go for most of a day before needing a charge. The tablet is made of Aluminum and a mix of plastic for the back cover, providing plenty of durability against everyday use.

Getting the best Lenovo Chromebook for you

Lenovo’s range of Chromebooks has something for just about everyone, but our top pick is the 14-inch Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. It’s a convertible laptop with 360-degree hinges that allow for tent, stand, and tablet modes when a clamshell design just won’t cut it, and it’s built sufficiently well to last even under the burden of daily use. The keyboard is comfortable and has speakers flanking the keys. It has a sleek and modern look, and the 14-inch display has a decent resolution and touch functionality.

A 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U powers this Chromebook, delivering some zippy performance. It’s significantly better at multitasking than the 11th Gen chip it replaces and helps make the most efficient use of battery power.

You can find this Flex 5i Plus model that we’ve highlighted for a reasonable price, but those looking to push value should also check out the IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8). It has a smaller 12.2-inch touch display with FHD resolution, and it’s powered by an Intel N110 quad-core chip. It’s durable, it’s versatile, and it’s perfect for more casual use. Typically around the $350 mark, it can drop to less than $300 when on sale.

If you decide to pick up a new Chromebook, be sure to check out our collection of the best Chromebook accessories, as well as our handy guide on how to set up a new Chromebook.