Lenovo Chromebook 3 11"
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The Lenovo Chromebook 3 (11”) is a compact, fanless ChromeOS laptop that Lenovo released in June 2020 and still sells today through Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for around $200. Internally it is the same hardware as the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook, so Google’s official Auto Update Expiration database lists it with software support through June 2029: three years of headroom from where this review sits in mid-2026. The hardware is modest by design: an 11.6-inch 1366x768 TN display, an Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB of soldered LPDDR4 RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. The trade-off you accept for the price is real: 4GB of RAM is tight on a modern ChromeOS build that has to juggle a browser, Android apps, and a Linux container, and the TN panel washes out off-axis. What you get in return is a 2.47-pound machine with two USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a microSD slot, and a battery rated for ten hours.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable price | Low resolution display |
| Lightweight and portable | Limited storage capacity |
| Good performance for basic tasks | Plastic build |
| Variety of ports | Picks up fingerprints easily |
| Long battery life | Not suitable for high-end Android games |
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Lenovo Chromebook 3 11" Comparison Chart
 Lenovo Chromebook 3 11" | |
| Price | List Price: $219.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... |
| Model number | 82BA0003US |
| Performance Rating | 3.1 |
| Chromebook Plus | No |
| Processor | Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4020 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Screen Size | 11.6" |
| Screen Resolution | 1366x768 |
| Screen Type | TN |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Stylus / Pen | No Stylus Support |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 11.29 x 8.09 x 0.71 inches (286.77 x 205.49 x 18.03 mm) |
| Weight | 2.47 lbs (1.12 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | No |
| Webcam | 720p HD |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 802.11AC (2x2) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ethernet | No |
| Cellular Modem | No |
| HDMI | No HDMI |
| USB Ports | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (Power delivery, DisplayPort and data transfer) |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No |
| Card Reader | microSD Card Reader |
| Battery | 3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | 10.0 hours |
| Fanless | Yes |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | June, 2029 |
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Detailed Overview
The Chromebook 3 is built around an Intel Celeron N4020, a dual-core 1.1 GHz chip from Intel’s Gemini Lake Refresh line that boosts to 2.8 GHz under load. It is a meaningful step up from the Celeron N3060 that powered Lenovo’s earlier sub-$200 Chromebooks, but it is still a budget part: it will keep a handful of browser tabs, Google Docs, and a YouTube stream moving along, and it will visibly struggle once you push past that. The 4GB of RAM is the harder constraint. ChromeOS itself is reasonably memory-frugal, but running a Linux container or a couple of Android apps alongside a busy browser is enough to start swapping, and the eMMC storage is not fast enough to hide the cost of that swap.
The chassis is all plastic, which is what keeps the device under $200 and at 2.47 pounds. The lid and palm rest show fingerprints fast, and the keyboard is dense; the keys sit close together because Lenovo had to fit a full layout into an 11.6-inch footprint. Two USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a microSD slot, and a combo audio jack handle connectivity, which is more port variety than most Windows laptops at the same price offer. There is no HDMI output: external displays connect through USB-C. Wi-Fi is 802.11ac 2x2 (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth is 4.2; neither is current, but both work fine for ChromeOS’s lightweight networking needs.
The 11.6-inch TN display is the spec most worth pausing on. It is 1366x768, which on an 11.6-inch panel works out to about 135 PPI: text is readable but not sharp, and there is no antiglare coating to fight the moderate 250-nit brightness ceiling outdoors. TN panels are also notably worse than IPS off-axis, which matters more than you would think on a laptop a kid or student is going to hand around. For browser work at a desk, the panel is acceptable. For watching a movie with someone next to you on a couch, it is not.
What has changed about this machine since launch is its software runway. Google’s Chrome Enterprise AUE database lists the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook (the device’s internal name and the same hardware) at June 2029. That gives the device roughly three more years of guaranteed Google updates from where this review sits in May 2026, which is unusual longevity for a 2020 budget Chromebook and changes the value calculation if you are buying one used or refurbished today.
Reviewer insights on the Lenovo Chromebook 3
Lon Seidman from Lon.TV frames the Chromebook 3 as the textbook school-issue ChromeOS device: “These are great for kids. This is the class of Chromebook that typically gets issued in a school.” Seidman walks through the port selection (specifically calling out the USB-C ports, which on this device handle Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and data) and benchmarks the N4020 against older Atom-class Chromebooks. He is candid about where the device runs out of headroom: the 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM make it a poor fit for anyone planning to lean heavily on Android games or a Linux container.
Robby Payne of Chrome Unboxed lands in a similar place from a different angle. His video review is structured around how often he forgot he was working on a budget machine: “Many times I forgot that I was working on a $170 device.” Payne is more positive than Lon on the display: he likes the contrast on the TN panel for the price, and notes the keyboard and speakers punch above the device’s price tag. His main complaint is the trackpad, which he describes as becoming tacky in humid conditions; not a dealbreaker, but a sign of where Lenovo cut costs to hit the price.
Android Police’s launch review of the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook (the same hardware sold under a slightly different name) is more skeptical. The reviewer accepts that for $230 the build is reasonable, but argues the cramped keyboard, the 1366x768 TN panel, and the small touchpad add up to a machine that is “cheap for a reason” rather than a hidden gem. That review is worth reading if you are weighing this device against a refurbished mid-range Chromebook in the same price band.
Is the Chromebook 3 still worth buying in 2026?
The case for buying a Chromebook 3 in 2026 is narrower than it was at launch, but it has not disappeared. The two things that have changed: Google’s AUE for this device is now June 2029, not May 2026, so you are not buying into an immediately orphaned platform; and the same price band ($150 to $230) now includes more options, including refurbished Chromebook Plus models with much more capable processors.
The Chromebook 3 makes the most sense as a beater laptop. A kid’s first computer, a kitchen-counter recipe browser, a travel machine you will not cry over if it gets banged up, the device you hand a parent who only checks email and reads news. For those uses, the limitations that frustrate reviewers (the cramped keyboard, the TN panel, the 4GB RAM ceiling) matter less; the things this device does well (ten-hour battery, fanless silence, two USB-C ports, a still-supported ChromeOS install) matter more. We cover the cheaper segment in detail in our budget Chromebook guide and best Chromebooks for kids roundup if you want a head-to-head comparison.
The case against: if you plan to lean on a Linux container, run Steam games, or keep more than five or six tabs open while drafting in Google Docs, the 4GB of RAM will frustrate you within the first week. A used Chromebook Plus with 8GB of RAM in the same price range is a meaningfully better machine for those workloads, even though it will be a bit older.
Who is it for?
The Lenovo Chromebook 3 is ideal for users who need a basic, affordable laptop for light tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. Its lightweight and compact design makes it a great choice for students or professionals who need a portable device for school or work.
However, users who need a laptop for more demanding tasks like gaming or video editing should consider a different Chromebook with a more powerful processor and higher resolution display. Users who need more storage space may also find this Chromebook’s 64GB storage capacity limiting. It might be worth looking into other options for these users using our Chromebook Comparison App.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the screen size of the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11”? A: The Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” has an 11.6-inch display. This compact size makes it an ideal choice for those who value portability.
Q: Does the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” have a touch screen? A: No, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” does not feature a touch screen. It’s a regular clamshell device with a non-touch display.
Q: What is the storage capacity of the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11”? A: The Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” comes with 64GB of eMMC storage. While this might be sufficient for basic tasks and cloud-based work, those who plan to run Android and Linux applications might find it limiting.
Q: How much does the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” weigh? A: The Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” weighs approximately 2.47 pounds (or 1.12 kilograms). This lightweight design makes it easy to carry around in a bag or backpack.
Q: What is the battery life of the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11”? A: The Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” has a battery life of approximately 10 hours, depending on usage and display brightness.
Q: Can the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” run Android apps? A: Yes, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” can run Android apps. However, keep in mind that higher-end Android games may not work as smoothly due to the device’s hardware limitations.
Q: Does the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” support Linux applications? A: Yes, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” does support Linux applications. This adds to its versatility, allowing users to run a wider range of software.
Q: When is the end-of-life for the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11”? A: Google’s Chrome Enterprise database lists the Auto Update Expiration for this device (filed under “IdeaPad 3 Chromebook,” which shares the same hardware) as June 2029. Google will deliver automatic ChromeOS feature and security updates through that date.
Q: Does the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” have a webcam? A: Yes, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” comes with a 720p HD webcam, making it suitable for video calls and online meetings.
Q: What type of processor does the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” have? A: The Lenovo Chromebook 3 11” is powered by an Intel Celeron N4020, a dual-core Gemini Lake Refresh chip with a 1.1 GHz base clock and a 2.8 GHz turbo. It is enough for browser-first ChromeOS work, but heavy multitab, Android, or Linux workloads will push it.
Q: Can the RAM be upgraded? A: No. The 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM is soldered to the mainboard and is not user-upgradeable, and the 64GB of eMMC storage is also non-removable. The only practical storage expansion is the microSD slot.
Q: Is it still worth buying in 2026? A: For a kid, a student, or anyone whose computer use is mostly a browser, yes: the device costs around $200 new, weighs 2.47 pounds, runs silently, and now has ChromeOS support through June 2029. For Linux container work, Android gaming, or heavy multitasking, look at a refurbished Chromebook Plus instead; the 4GB RAM ceiling will bite quickly.