You’ll be able to add Lenovo to the listing of PC makers leaping aboard Google’s Chromebook Plus initiative for premium-tier Chromebooks that meet a selected set of {hardware} necessities, together with a minimum of an Intel twelfth Gen Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor paired with a minimum of 8GB of RAM. Taking issues a step additional, considered one of Lenovo’s three Chromebook Plus fashions takes purpose at cloud gaming.
That will be the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus, which is the most important of Lenovo’s three new fashions with a 16-inch IPS show. It additionally options the very best decision of the bunch at 2560×1600 (WQXGA, 16:10 side ratio) whereas delivering a 120Hz refresh charge, 9ms response time, 350 nits brightness, and 100% protection of the sRGB coloration house.
HP can also be getting in on the excessive refresh charge social gathering with a good sooner 144Hz Chromebook Plus mannequin, although it is barely smaller (15.6 inches), has a decrease decision (1920×1080), and has a decrease brightness score (250 nits). Nonetheless, the excessive refresh charges underscore how Google’s OEM companions are hoping to carry avid gamers into the fold.
As for Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus, it is powered by both a Core i5-1235U CPU with Iris Xe graphics or a Core i3-1215U processor with UHD graphics, and 8GB of LPDDR4x-4266 RAM that is expandable to 32GB. Much less attractive is the 128GB of eMMC storage that comes commonplace, although customers can elect for a 256GB of 512GB SSD (M.2 2242 kind issue).
Different options embrace 4 2W audio system with Waves Audio, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5 wi-fi connectivity, a microSD card slot, two USB 3.2 Sort-C ports (with Energy Supply and DisplayPort assist), two USB 3.2 Sort-A ports, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.
Clearly you are not going to put in titles from Steam on this factor, although providers like NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW are honest sport. The caveat is that Lenovo seems to solely offer the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook in Europe for 599 euros, a minimum of in the intervening time.
In the meantime, Lenovo additionally introduced the IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus and IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. The Slim 3i incorporates a 14-inch 1080p show (with or with out contact assist) powered by a Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. It is obtainable now beginning at $499.99.
As of the Flex 5i, it additionally sports activities a 14-inch however with a 1920×1200 decision (16:10 side ratio), Core i5-1334U or Core i3-1315U processor, 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and 128GB of eMMC storage with the identical 256GB and 512GB SSD choices because the IdeaPad Gaming mannequin. It is obtainable now as effectively, beginning at $549.99.
