Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook pairs a 15.6-inch Full HD display with an Intel Celeron N4500, at a price aimed at students and anyone who needs a machine for web browsing and document editing. The rated battery life is up to 10 hours, enough to cover a school day or a long flight without reaching for the charger. The keyboard is full size and carries a number pad, which helps if you spend your day in spreadsheets or data entry.

A 15.6-inch screen and 10-hour battery on a TN panel

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Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook Comparison Chart

	Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook	Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook
Price	List Price: $249.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... Best Buy: Loading price...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	---	82N4003CUS
Performance Rating	2.6	3.7
Chromebook Plus	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4500	Dual-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.80 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N4500
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	192 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC
Screen Size	15.6"	15.6"
Screen Resolution	1920x1080	1920x1080
Screen Type	TN	TN
Touch Screen	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	14.25 x 9.57 x 0.75 inches (361.95 x 243.08 x 19.05 mm)	14.25 x 9.57 x 0.75 inches (361.95 x 243.08 x 19.05 mm)
Weight	3.48 lbs (1.58 kg)	3.48 lbs (1.58 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	720p	720p
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.1	Bluetooth 5.1
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 1 USB-C USB-C supports charging and display output	2 USB 3, 1 USB-C USB-C supports charging and display output
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	47Wh, Li-Polymer	47Wh, Li-Polymer
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2031	June, 2031

Ports and keyboard hold up better than the processor

The chassis is all plastic and feels reasonably sturdy, which is what this price usually buys. It measures about 14.3 x 9.6 x 0.75 inches and weighs about 3.5 pounds. It comes in Arctic Grey and Abyss Blue. Lenovo also calls it the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook 15IJL6 (model family 82N4) and sold it in the US as the Lenovo 3i Chromebook (15” Intel); the 8GB/64GB configuration is model 82N4003CUS.

The Intel Celeron N4500 runs web browsing, Google Docs, and streaming video without trouble, then slows down once you open many browser tabs at once or push into more demanding Android apps. The 8GB RAM variant multitasks noticeably better than the 4GB model, so take the extra memory if your budget stretches that far. Research papers, online classes, and email run reliably on it. Students using school-managed devices should also be aware of what monitoring software can see on their Chromebooks.

The port set runs to two USB-A 3.2 ports, one USB-C that carries both charging and display output, a full-size HDMI 1.4 port, and a microSD card reader for storage expansion. Wireless is WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

Reviewer Insights

MergeDroid’s Perspective

MergeDroid reviewed the 2023 IdeaPad 3i Chromebook in its Pentium Silver N6000 configuration, which uses the same 15.6-inch chassis, noting that “as you’d expect at this price point, it’s an all plastic build, but it feels solid enough.” MergeDroid liked the keyboard and the number pad, praised the speakers being located on the keyboard deck rather than the bottom, and highlighted the privacy shutter on the webcam as a nice security feature.

The main criticism from MergeDroid centered on the display, stating “the display on this Lenovo is where the compromise comes.” The TN panel has washed-out colors and poor viewing angles. MergeDroid still found the build quality better than that of the equivalent Asus CX1500 that MergeDroid had reviewed earlier, and demonstrated the USB-C port’s ability to support dual monitor setups.

TechSnacker’s Perspective

TechSnacker covers daily use, saying “this Chromebook is great for watching videos, web browsing, and you know like light tasks.” He praised the 10-hour battery life as enough to last students through a full day of classes, and noted the 3.5-pound weight and the Energy Star rating.

TechSnacker was blunt about the limits, noting “definitely not for a power user or video editor or multiple browser tabs open.” He found the TN panel’s viewing angles problematic unless you view it straight on, and noted the keyboard is not backlit, which he called unsurprising for a Chromebook under $200.

Customer Reviews

Across 42 Amazon ratings for the 4GB configuration, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook averages 4.1 stars, and the split behind that average is wide: 64 percent of raters give it five stars while 20 percent sit at one or two. Verified buyer connie kirby wrote “A great size to do all your work . Starts right up as soon as you open it,” and verified buyer Larry Moonan reported it “Working like a charm.” A repeat customer posting as whenincognito, also a verified buyer, said “I have been so happy with Lenovo Chromebooks that this is my third,” and credited the brand’s build quality.

Battery and connectivity drive the negative reviews. Verified buyer Stone, in a two-star review, wrote “2 years later battery is dead and not charging. Besides this it had some glitches,” and a one-star reviewer described freezing and charging trouble. Verified buyer Kim gave it four stars but cautioned “I wish I would have noticed that there was only one USB port,” and added that the USB-C port “is only for charging and will not work for transferring data,” along with difficulty getting printers to connect. Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

A big-screen school laptop that stops at light work

This machine covers web browsing, Google Workspace, and casual streaming, and the 8GB model is the configuration worth paying for. Power users and anyone running demanding applications should look elsewhere. If you want better color and viewing angles than a TN panel gives, or more headroom than the Celeron has, step up to a Chromebook Plus model or a device with an Intel Core processor. Starry Hope’s Chromebook Comparison Chart lines the alternatives up side by side so you can weigh features against price.

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