Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)

Updated on February 5, 2026

Note: The Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen) is no longer available for purchase. This page is maintained for historical reference and to help owners of this device.

The Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen) represented Lenovo’s entry-level education Chromebook for the 2019 school year, designed specifically for the demanding K-12 classroom environment. Powered by a MediaTek M8173C processor paired with 4GB of RAM, this 11.6-inch clamshell prioritized durability and battery life over raw performance. With MIL-STD-810G-tested construction, a mechanically anchored keyboard that could withstand minor spills, and rubber bumpers protecting the corners, the 100e earned its place as a reliable workhorse for students who might not always handle technology gently. The 10-hour battery life meant students could work through a full school day without hunting for outlets, while the fanless design ensured silent operation in quiet classrooms.

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Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen) Comparison Chart

	Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)	Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)	Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)
Price	List Price: $159.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $209.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $349.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	81QB000AUS	81QB0000US	81QB0008US
Perfomance Rating	2.6	2.6	2.6
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C
RAM	4 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB eMMC	16 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	Anti-Glare	Anti-Glare	Anti-Glare
Touch Screen	No	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.41 x 8.03 x 0.8 inches (289.81 x 203.96 x 20.32 mm)	11.41 x 8.03 x 0.8 inches (289.81 x 203.96 x 20.32 mm)	11.41 x 8.03 x 0.8 inches (289.81 x 203.96 x 20.32 mm)
Weight	2.68 lbs (1.22 kg)	2.68 lbs (1.22 kg)	2.68 lbs (1.22 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No
Webcam	720p	720p	720p
WiFi	802.11ac (2x2)	802.11ac (2x2)	802.11ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.1	Bluetooth 4.1	Bluetooth 4.1
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD
Battery	3 cell, 42 WHr, Li-Polymer	3 cell, 42 WHr, Li-Polymer	3 cell, 42 WHr, Li-Polymer
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2025	June, 2025	June, 2025

A Look Back at the Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)

The Lenovo 100e (2nd Gen) was one of several processor variants Lenovo released under the 100e name—the MediaTek M8173C version covered here sat alongside Intel Celeron and AMD A4 variants, each targeting slightly different performance and price points within the education market. This ARM-based model offered the longest battery life of the group, making it particularly suitable for younger students who might forget to charge their devices. The MediaTek chip’s power efficiency meant the 42 Wh battery could reliably deliver 10 hours of use with screen brightness at classroom-appropriate levels.

Build quality focused on surviving student life rather than impressing with aesthetics. The textured gray plastic chassis resisted fingerprints and scratches, while the reinforced ports and mechanically anchored keys meant the device could handle being shoved into backpacks and dropped on desks without immediately breaking. Lenovo rated the 100e to survive drops from desk height onto carpet, and the spill-resistant keyboard gave teachers a few crucial seconds to react when the inevitable water bottle mishap occurred. These weren’t premium materials, but they were practical ones. Teachers and IT admins deploying these in classrooms should also be aware of the Chromebook magnet trick, where students use small magnets to trigger the lid sensor and put nearby devices to sleep.

The 11.6-inch anti-glare display struck a balance between portability and usability. At 1366x768 resolution, text appeared reasonably sharp for schoolwork, though the panel lacked the brightness and color accuracy of more expensive Chromebooks. The anti-glare coating reduced distracting reflections under classroom fluorescent lights, a practical consideration often overlooked in consumer devices. The non-touch panel kept costs down but meant this was strictly a clamshell device without the flexibility of convertible models like the Lenovo 300e.

Performance and Day-to-Day Use

The MediaTek M8173C processor delivered adequate performance for basic educational tasks but showed its limitations with heavier workloads. Students using Google Docs, light web browsing, and educational web apps found the 100e responsive enough for their needs. Opening 8-10 Chrome tabs remained manageable, and the system handled Google Classroom smoothly. Boot times of around 10 seconds and resume-from-sleep in under 2 seconds kept students on task.

Where the 100e struggled was with Android apps and modern web applications that demanded more processing power. Running Android apps from the Play Store often resulted in noticeable lag, and resource-intensive educational games could stutter. The 4GB of RAM became a bottleneck when students tried to multitask aggressively—having Zoom running alongside multiple browser tabs and an Android app pushed the system into uncomfortable territory. For its intended purpose of basic classroom computing, the 100e performed its duties; for students wanting to do more, it showed why higher-tier Chromebooks existed.

Storage limitations affected daily use as well. The 16GB eMMC configuration left precious little space after Chrome OS installed, pushing schools toward the 32GB model that offered more breathing room. Neither configuration supported user-upgradeable storage, though the SD card slot provided some expansion capability for students who needed to store media files.

Connectivity and Expansion

Port selection on the 100e (2nd Gen) covered the basics expected in a classroom environment. The full-size HDMI port allowed direct connection to classroom projectors and monitors without adapters—a practical advantage over Chromebooks that relied solely on USB-C for video output. One USB-C port handled charging and could support data transfer or display output via adapter, while a single USB-A 3.0 port accommodated traditional peripherals like mice and flash drives. Schools needing wired network access could plug in a USB Ethernet adapter since the 100e lacks a built-in Ethernet port.

Wireless connectivity included 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi for reliable connection to school networks, though the lack of Wi-Fi 6 meant the 100e missed out on improved performance in crowded wireless environments common in schools. Bluetooth 4.1 supported wireless mice, keyboards, and headphones. The 720p webcam sufficed for video calls but produced noticeably grainy video in anything less than ideal lighting—fine for student check-ins but not impressive by any standard.

Historical Context and Legacy

The Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen) reached its Auto Update Expiration in June 2025, marking the end of its supported lifespan for Chrome OS updates. This six-year support window was standard for Chromebooks released in 2019, though later Google policy changes extended newer devices to 10 years of updates. For schools still operating 100e units, the devices continue to function but no longer receive security patches or feature updates.

During its active years, the 100e found widespread adoption in K-12 environments across North America and Europe. Its combination of durability, battery life, and low acquisition cost made it a sensible choice for districts managing thousands of student devices. The model competed directly against similar education-focused Chromebooks from Dell, HP, and Acer, all targeting the same classroom durability requirements and budget constraints.

For current owners using the 100e beyond its support window, the device remains functional for basic tasks but increasingly shows its age. Modern web applications have grown more demanding, and the 4GB RAM limitation feels more constraining with each passing year. The recommendation for schools and individuals still using these devices is to plan migration to newer, supported Chromebooks that offer both better performance and continued security updates.

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