Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)

Updated on June 24, 2026

Note: This product is discontinued and no longer sold new, but Google extended its Auto Update Expiration to June 2029 (the original date was June 2025), so existing units still receive Chrome OS updates for now. Extended-support updates may reduce Android app support. The information below is kept for historical reference and as an owner guide.

Lenovo built the Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) for the classroom, pairing rugged construction with features aimed at K-12 deployments. The 11.6-inch convertible carried MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability certification, rated to survive drops from desk height. Its 360-degree hinge gave four usage modes (laptop, tablet, tent, and stand), and the included EMR stylus wrote and drew without needing battery power. An Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core processor covered educational apps, web research, and Google Workspace, with 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
Performance 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, 2029

A rugged convertible built around a battery-free pen

Lenovo 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.

Inside sat an Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core processor, running at a base frequency of 1.1GHz with burst speeds up to 2.4GHz. 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 suited an operating system that emphasizes cloud storage, though teachers and IT administrators needed to educate students about file management and Google Drive usage.

Color reproduction and viewing angles from the 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen held up for a convertible that might be viewed from various orientations. 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. An EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) stylus garaged neatly in the body and provided pressure-sensitive input without needing batteries, so students could take handwritten notes and annotate worksheets.

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 a 5MP world-facing camera mounted near the keyboard allowed students to photograph documents, science experiments, or artwork for incorporation into digital projects.

Reviewer Insights

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 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 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.”

The keyboard and trackpad quality fell below the reviewer’s 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.”

On performance, Jones wrote 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 matched Lenovo’s 10-hour claim, and “My own results backed up this claim,” ensuring the device could last through a full school day without charging. He rated the digitizer highly: “The digitizer on the 500e is excellent. It’s responsive and accurate even when working with multiple windows at the same time.”

A school-fleet machine that also worked for younger kids at home

The 500e 2nd Gen found its 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. At home, families with younger children got the same durability benefit, though the keyboard and trackpad quality made it a poor pick for long typing sessions. A Celeron N4100 with 4GB of RAM tops out at basic productivity.

To see how the 500e 2nd Gen stacks up against current models, visit our Chromebook Comparison Chart to compare specs and find a better-supported option.

Frequently Asked Questions