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Once I was in faculty years in the past, I put my hard-earned, burger-flipping job {dollars} right into a Toshiba Chromebook 2. It had a beneficiant 13.3-inch show, price round $330, and seemed like a MacBook from afar. (I will admit that the final bit was essential to my shopping for resolution.)
The laptop computer received me by means of two semesters earlier than the battery began to empty itself with no regard for pupil life, the Wi-Fi would swap off at random intervals, and that MacBook-looking show would actually detach itself. My faculty funding was gone however not forgotten.
Additionally: That is fingers down essentially the most versatile motion digicam I’ve examined but
Quick ahead to Might this yr, after I started testing Lenovo’s Flex 3i Chromebook In case you’ve shopped within the sub-$350 market earlier than, then you already know simply how tough it may be to discover a laptop computer that is truly viable. Viewing angles are by no means supreme, urgent on the touchpad can really feel like low cost plastic, and basic compromises are felt extra by means of the consumer journey.
However this $350 Chromebook from Lenovo adjustments every thing. And for those who’re open to a used however excellent-conditioned laptop computer, Greatest Purchase is promoting one for simply $227 proper now.
ZDNET RECOMMENDS
Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook
An reasonably priced touchscreen laptop computer that punches above its worth class.
Again in Might, I spent week with Lenovo’s comparatively low cost laptop computer and could not assist however envy faculty college students who’ve such competent computing choices on this worth vary as we speak.
To place issues into perspective, ask your self this: What are you utilizing your laptop computer for? Would you like a high-resolution show? Does it have touchscreen help? What ports do you want? Does privateness matter to you?
Irrespective of the place your thoughts takes you, there’s an opportunity that this Lenovo Chromebook will meet your calls for. The Flex 3i has a 1920 x 1080 decision show that may be folded backward into tent mode and pill mode, a wealth of ports together with HDMI, USB-C, microSD, and a headphone jack, and even a privateness shutter for once you’re not utilizing the webcam — or once you wish to know for positive that you simply will not pop right into a digital class session wanting all awkward.
The keyboard feels satisfyingly clicky, with sufficient cushioning to maintain inputs close to silent.
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Now, earlier than I fuel you up with what looks like the most effective deal on the web since free TVs, let me make it clear that this Chromebook is not going to interchange a MacBook or high-end Home windows laptop computer. The Flex 3i can barely deal with a 1080p video edit, the trackpad, realistically, solely has room for one to 2 fingers at a time, and the construct high quality is an absolute grand slam for those who’re a fan of plastic and nothing however it.
Additionally: How you can set up Android apps in your Chromebook
And whereas I am at it, it would not assist that once you set the laptop computer in tent or pill mode, the top-firing audio system turn into back-firing audio system. It is like listening to somebody speaking, however their again is going through you. That is actually the place limitations finish although.
By and enormous, the Lenovo Chromebook has greater than sufficient computing energy for many college students, distant staff, and informal customers alike, with 4GB of RAM and an Intel N100 processor. It is within the extra conventional apps and companies the place the Flex 3i actually shines.
Pill mode disables the keyboard and trackpad on the again.
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Issues like on-line content material creation, streaming motion pictures and TV reveals, and attending video conferences are dealt with with grace, and never as soon as did I hear any hissing noises or indicators of overheating. That is greater than I might ask for from a $349 laptop computer.
Additionally: This reusable good pocket book is a visible learner’s dream software
The portability of the Flex 3i is the cherry on prime. In comparison with the 16-inch MacBook Professional that I often lug round, the Lenovo weighs lower than three kilos and it is as backpack-friendly as laptops come.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For $349, I problem you to discover a laptop computer with extra performance and advantages than the Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook. I am not saying that is the most effective laptop computer available on the market, however it could’ve simply been on the prime of my shopping for record if I used to be nonetheless in faculty, and that is coming from somebody who’s had all of the experiences with shopping for $300 laptops.