Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)

Updated on February 5, 2026

Note: This product has been discontinued and reached its Auto Update Expiration date in June 2025. It is no longer available for purchase new, and Chrome OS updates have ended. The information below is kept for historical reference.

The Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) was designed from the ground up for the classroom, combining rugged construction with educational features that made it a staple in K-12 deployments. Built to withstand the daily abuse of student use, this 11.6-inch convertible featured MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability certification, allowing it to survive drops from desk height. The 360-degree hinge enabled four usage modes (laptop, tablet, tent, and stand), while the included EMR stylus provided a natural writing and drawing experience without requiring battery power. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core processor, the 500e 2nd Gen delivered adequate performance for educational apps, web research, and Google Workspace while maintaining all-day battery life that lasted through a full school day.

Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) Comparison Chart

	Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)
Price	List Price: $369.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	81MC000GUS
Perfomance Rating	2.7
Chromebook Plus	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.60 Ghz) Intel Celeron N4100 Processor
RAM	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768
Screen Type	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes
Stylus / Pen	Supported
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	2.68 lbs (1.22 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No
Webcam	720p
WiFi	802.11ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No
Cellular Modem	No
HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 42 WHr, Li-Polymer
Battery Life	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2025

Detailed Insights into the Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)

The Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) represented Lenovo’s commitment to the education market, where durability trumps aesthetics and practical features matter more than thin bezels. The reinforced design could handle drops, bumps, and the general chaos of classroom life. Lenovo specifically engineered the device to pass MIL-STD-810G military-grade testing, which meant it could survive falls from approximately 75cm, roughly the height of a typical school desk. The rubberized edges absorbed impact, while the reinforced ports and hinges resisted the wear of daily plugging and unplugging.

The Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core processor, running at a base frequency of 1.1GHz with burst speeds up to 2.4GHz, provided enough horsepower for educational workflows. Chrome OS’s lightweight nature meant the 4GB of RAM rarely felt limiting for typical student tasks: Google Docs, Classroom, research in Chrome tabs, and educational web apps all ran smoothly. The 32GB eMMC storage was adequate for an operating system that emphasizes cloud storage, though teachers and IT administrators needed to educate students about file management and Google Drive usage.

The 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen delivered decent color reproduction and viewing angles, important features for a convertible that might be viewed from various orientations. However, the 1366×768 resolution looked dated compared to higher-resolution panels available in 2019, and the chunky bezels surrounding the display contributed to the industrial rather than consumer aesthetic. The touchscreen itself responded accurately, supporting Chrome OS gestures and Android app navigation. The star feature was the EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) stylus, which garaged neatly in the device’s body and provided pressure-sensitive input without needing batteries. Students could take handwritten notes, annotate documents, sketch diagrams, and complete digital worksheets with a natural pen-like experience.

Connectivity covered educational needs comprehensively. Two USB-C ports handled charging and data transfer, while two USB 3.0 Type-A ports maintained compatibility with common peripherals like mice and flash drives. The microSD card slot allowed storage expansion for offline files, and the 3.5mm audio jack supported headphones for individual learning activities. A USB Ethernet adapter could be connected through the USB-A ports for wired networking in testing environments. A 720p front-facing webcam enabled video calls, while an unusual 5MP world-facing camera mounted near the keyboard allowed students to photograph documents, science experiments, or artwork for incorporation into digital projects.

Reviewer Insights on the Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)

Trusted Reviews’ Assessment

Trusted Reviews awarded the Lenovo 500e Chromebook 2nd Gen 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as “a budget-friendly Chromebook that’s ideal for children thanks to its rugged and sturdy build.” Ryan Jones specifically praised the durability credentials: “Lenovo states that device is compliant with MIL-STD-810G military-grade testing, and should survive falls of 75cm, roughly the height of a school desk.” The reviewer found the 2-in-1 design genuinely useful, noting that the 360-degree hinge and included stylus make it “a great option for those who like to doodle and sketch on the touchscreen.”

Performance impressed given the price point, with the reviewer noting that “since ChromeOS has been designed specifically for low-powered chips, the Lenovo 500e Chromebook 2nd Gen still runs perfectly fine” despite the modest Celeron specifications. Battery life testing confirmed Lenovo’s 10-hour claim: “My own results backed up this claim,” ensuring the device could last through a full school day without charging. The EMR stylus drew particular praise for its digitizer quality: “The digitizer on the 500e is excellent. It’s responsive and accurate even when working with multiple windows at the same time.”

However, the review noted compromises in areas that matter less for education. The keyboard and trackpad quality fell below expectations, and the speakers produced thin audio. The design was described as utilitarian rather than attractive, with “chunky bezels” and an overall aesthetic suited more to durability than style. At its original price point of approximately £360/$370, Trusted Reviews concluded the 500e represented “solid value for budget-conscious families prioritizing durability over performance.”

Who Was the Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) Best For?

The 500e 2nd Gen found its ideal audience in educational deployments, where IT administrators needed devices that could survive years of student handling while providing reliable access to Chrome OS and Google Workspace. Teachers managing fleets of these devices should be aware of the Chromebook magnet trick, a common prank where students use magnets to trigger lid sensors and put classmates’ Chromebooks to sleep. The rugged construction, included stylus, and world-facing camera all catered specifically to classroom scenarios. For home use, families with younger children appreciated the durability for similar reasons, though the keyboard and trackpad quality made it less appealing for extended typing compared to consumer-focused alternatives. The device was explicitly not designed for power users, content creators, or anyone needing performance beyond basic productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions