Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen)

Updated on February 5, 2026

Note: This product has been discontinued and reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date of June 2025. It no longer receives Chrome OS security updates. The information below is kept for historical reference.

The Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen) arrived in 2019 as an education-focused device designed to withstand the rigors of classroom use. Built around the MediaTek M8173C processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage, this 11.6-inch convertible targeted students and teachers who needed a durable, portable machine for daily schoolwork. With its rugged construction, 360-degree hinge, and approachable price point under $300, the 300e 2nd Gen carved out a solid niche in the education Chromebook market.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen) Comparison Chart

	Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen)
Price	List Price: $279.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	81QC0006US
Perfomance Rating	2.6
Chromebook Plus	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C
RAM	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768
Screen Type	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes
Stylus / Pen	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)
Weight	2.9 lbs (1.32 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No
Webcam	720p
WiFi	802.11ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.1
Ethernet	No
Cellular Modem	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C (USB-C port is USB 3.1 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.2 support)
Thunderbolt Ports	No
Card Reader	SD
Battery	3 cell, 42 WHr, Li-Polymer
Battery Life	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2025

Design and Durability

Lenovo designed the 300e 2nd Gen to survive student life. The chassis incorporates rubber bumpers along the edges that protect against drops from desk height (up to 75cm or about 29.5 inches), while the mechanically anchored keyboard resists spills up to 330ml. Three distinct surface textures across the device provide both grip and visual interest, though as Android Central’s Ara Wagoner noted, these textures tend to collect oils and fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning.

The 360-degree hinge enables four usage modes: laptop, tablet, tent, and stand. This flexibility proves particularly useful in classroom settings where students might need to share their screen or use touch-based applications. At 2.9 pounds and 20mm thick, the 300e is bulkier than consumer Chromebooks, but that extra heft houses the protective features that make it classroom-ready.

Performance

The MediaTek M8173C processor handles basic educational tasks competently. In ITechGuides’ benchmark testing, the 300e scored 514 points in Cinebench 20, actually exceeding the processor’s average of 459 points. The device managed 14 simultaneous browser tabs smoothly before performance began degrading, with noticeable slowdown appearing around 21 tabs.

For the target use case of Google Docs, educational web apps, and light browsing, the 300e delivers acceptable performance. However, users expecting to run Android apps heavily or maintain many Chrome tabs simultaneously may find the 4GB RAM limitation frustrating. The fanless design ensures silent operation, a genuine advantage in quiet classroom environments.

Battery Life

Battery performance stands out as one of the 300e’s strongest attributes. ITechGuides measured an impressive 16 hours and 18 minutes during video playback testing, with more realistic web browsing scenarios lasting about 13.5 hours. Under heavy load with 4K video playback, the battery still managed over 7 hours.

Android Central’s testing aligned with these findings, reporting a solid 10-hour day of typical mixed usage. For students, this means the 300e reliably lasts through a full school day without needing to find an outlet, even with moderate to heavy use.

Display and Audio

The 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen offers a 1366x768 resolution with 10-point multi-touch support. While the resolution and pixel density fall short of modern standards, the IPS panel provides reasonable viewing angles and color accuracy for classroom tasks. The touch interface works well in tablet mode for apps designed around touch input.

Audio output comes from dual speakers positioned on the bottom of the chassis. Sound quality is adequate for video playback and video calls but lacks the punch needed for media consumption or music production in noisy environments.

Reviewer Insights

Android Central

Ara Wagoner’s November 2019 review awarded the 300e 2nd Gen 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising it as “a school Chromebook you should bring home.” The review highlighted the keyboard quality in particular: “Typing feels great, especially for a sub-$300 Chromebook: the keys have a good travel distance, don’t feel too mushy.” Wagoner positioned the 300e as taking “much of the same specs and form factor from the handy, helpful C330, adds rubber bumpers, drop resistance, and a spill-resistant keyboard.”

ITechGuides

This comprehensive review conducted detailed performance and battery testing, providing benchmark numbers that help contextualize the MediaTek processor’s capabilities. The reviewer concluded: “The Lenovo 300e is definitely one Chromebook that hits the mark of education-focused devices out there. Whether a teacher or a student, this Chromebook is a great blend of portability, durability, and performance.”

Who This Was For

The Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen) targeted K-12 education environments where durability, manageability, and value mattered more than raw performance. Schools purchasing devices for student use found the combination of MIL-SPEC construction, spill resistance, and manageable price point compelling. Individual buyers looking for an affordable convertible Chromebook for basic tasks also found the 300e a reasonable choice during its active lifespan.