Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen

Updated on January 26, 2026

Released in 2019, the Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen represented Lenovo’s commitment to building rugged, education-focused laptops that could survive the daily rigors of classroom use. Featuring an 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen, spill-resistant keyboard, and a chassis designed to withstand drops, this convertible Chromebook prioritized durability without completely sacrificing usability. With its Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 10-hour battery life, and 360-degree hinge, the 300e served as a workhorse for students and educators during its era. While no longer actively sold, this device remains in use across many school districts and continues to receive Chrome OS updates through June 2029.

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Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen Comparison Chart

	Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen	Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen	Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen	Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen
Price	List Price: $319.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $369.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $439.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $369.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	82CE0000US	81MB004UUS	81MB0061US	81MB0066US
Perfomance Rating	3.1	3.1	4.4	3.1
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4020	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4020	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4020	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4020
RAM	4 GB	4 GB	8 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	IPS	IPS	IPS	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.4 x 8 x 0.8 inches (289.56 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)	11.4 x 8 x 0.8 inches (289.56 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)	11.4 x 8 x 0.8 inches (289.56 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)	11.4 x 8 x 0.8 inches (289.56 x 203.2 x 20.32 mm)
Weight	2.7 lbs (1.23 kg)	2.7 lbs (1.23 kg)	2.7 lbs (1.23 kg)	2.7 lbs (1.23 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No	No
Webcam	720p HD	720p HD	720p HD	720p HD
WiFi	802.11ac (2x2)	802.11ac (2x2)	802.11ac (2x2)	802.11ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort)	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort)	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort)	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2029	June, 2029	June, 2029	June, 2029

A Look Back at the Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen

The Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen was designed from the ground up for educational environments, and its build quality reflected that mission. The rubberized edges and reinforced corners provided protection against drops from heights up to 29.5 inches, while the spill-resistant keyboard could survive accidents involving up to 330ml of liquid. Despite these rugged features, the device maintained a surprisingly premium feel for its price point. At 2.7 pounds, it struck a good balance between portability and durability, making it easy for students to carry between classes.

Performance on the Intel Celeron N4020 processor was adequate for typical educational workloads of its era. The dual-core chip handled Google Docs, web browsing with a moderate number of tabs, and video streaming without major issues. However, intensive multitasking or running Android apps from the Play Store exposed the processor’s limitations. The fanless thermal design ensured completely silent operation, which proved to be a genuine advantage in quiet classroom settings or library study sessions. LaptopMedia’s teardown confirmed the presence of a large heat spreader that kept temperatures in check without any active cooling noise.

The 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen delivered decent color reproduction and viewing angles for its time, though the 1366x768 resolution was already being superseded by higher-resolution displays in consumer laptops. Brightness topped out at around 250 nits, sufficient for indoor use but challenging in bright sunlight. The touchscreen worked well in tablet mode, especially when paired with a compatible stylus for note-taking. The 720p webcam handled video calls adequately, while both USB-C ports supported charging and DisplayPort output, giving students flexibility in how they connected and charged the device.

Reviewer Insights on the Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen

LaptopMedia’s Perspective

LaptopMedia’s teardown video provides invaluable insights into the 300e’s internal construction and repairability. The reviewer demonstrates that accessing the internals requires removing just nine Phillips head screws, making repairs and maintenance straightforward for IT departments. However, they note a significant limitation: “Unfortunately, the memory is soldered to the motherboard,” meaning RAM upgrades are impossible. The 42Wh battery is replaceable, which is good news for long-term device management in school deployments. The reviewer highlights the “completely silent setup” enabled by the fanless cooling system, describing “no fan but only a large heat spreader on the CPU.”

NotAHacker22’s Student Review

NotAHacker22’s review offers a genuine student perspective after receiving the device from their school. Despite initially low expectations, the reviewer admits: “After using it for a week or two, I’m actually pretty impressed.” They praise the build quality as “top-notch” and appreciate the versatile 2-in-1 design with USB-C charging available on both sides of the device. However, they identify a significant weakness: “The ultimate downside to this is the touchpad. It just… it’s not very responsive.” For students relying on precise cursor control, this could be frustrating during everyday use.

Android Central’s Assessment

Ara Wagoner’s review at Android Central rates the device 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “A school Chromebook you should bring home.” The review praises the typing experience specifically: “Typing on the 300e feels great, especially for a sub-$300 Chromebook: the keys have a good travel distance, don’t feel too mushy, and typing on one for hours and hours doesn’t wear out my hands.” Wagoner appreciates that Lenovo took the C330’s proven formula and added rubber bumpers, drop resistance, and a spill-resistant keyboard while maintaining the overall quality. The main criticisms focus on the device’s tendency to attract fingerprints and the limited 32GB storage in base configurations.

Matty’s Real-World Testing

Matty’s honest review provides a reality check on battery life claims. While Lenovo advertises 10 hours of battery life, the reviewer found real-world usage closer to 5-6 hours with typical student workloads. They summarize: “For school-related purposes… this is like a good seven out of ten.” The review acknowledges the device’s strengths as a portable, lightweight machine for basic tasks while noting it struggles with demanding workloads or heavy multitasking.

Customer Reception

When it was actively sold, the Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen received mixed reviews from Amazon customers, with an average rating around 3.9 stars across various listings. The most frequent praise centered on the device’s durability and value for educational use, with parents and school administrators appreciating the rugged construction that survived student handling. Multiple reviewers highlighted the quiet operation and all-day battery life as standout features for classroom deployment.

Common complaints focused on performance limitations and the small storage capacity. Several customers noted that the 32GB storage filled up quickly, especially when downloading Android apps from the Play Store. The non-upgradeable RAM also frustrated some users who hoped to extend the device’s useful life through hardware improvements. A recurring theme in negative reviews involved touchpad responsiveness issues, echoing the concerns raised by professional reviewers.

Schools that deployed the 300e in large numbers generally reported positive experiences with reliability and durability, though individual units occasionally arrived with quality control issues. IT administrators appreciated the straightforward maintenance enabled by the accessible internal design, which allowed for quick battery replacements and repairs.

Legacy and Conclusion

The Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen accomplished its primary mission as a durable, affordable Chromebook for educational environments. The rugged construction, spill-resistant keyboard, and fanless design made it well-suited for students who needed a reliable device that could survive daily abuse. While the Intel Celeron N4020 processor never won any speed contests and the 32GB base storage felt restrictive, these compromises were understandable given the sub-$300 price point at which this device was originally sold.

Looking back, the 300e 2nd Gen exemplified the education Chromebook philosophy of its era: prioritize durability and manageability over raw performance. Thousands of these devices were deployed in school districts across the country, many of which remain in service today. With Chrome OS updates continuing through June 2029, these units still have several years of supported life remaining.

For those still using a 300e 2nd Gen, it continues to deliver acceptable performance for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. The 360-degree hinge adds versatility for note-taking and media consumption, while the dual USB-C ports provide convenient charging options. However, for new purchases, users should consider more recent Chromebooks that offer improved displays, faster processors, and better value. If you’re looking for a durable option for young users, see our guide to the best Chromebooks for kids.

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