Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) vs Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, is lighter and is more compact. Pick the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 only if it matters to you that it has a bigger screen and has a faster SSD.
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Key differences
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Performance
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
Same class of processor, but the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has more memory (8 GB against 4 GB).
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Neither is made for modern games.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 14" Full HD against 12.2" Full HD 300 nits.
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Battery life
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook should last longer: up to 12 hours against up to 10 hours.
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Connectivity
Evenly matched
Much the same, except that only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has a card reader.
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Portability
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is easier to carry at 1.25 kg, against 1.57 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has 8 GB of memory against 4 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 has the bigger screen (14" against 12.2"), while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is more compact.
- Storage type Acer Chromebook Spin 314 wins
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 uses a proper SSD, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has slower eMMC-style flash storage, so apps open and update more slowly.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 if…
- You want more room to work: its 14-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You want apps and updates to feel quick: it has a proper SSD.
- You want a Chromebook that stays supported: Google updates it until June 2033.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 8 GB of memory gives it more room than 4 GB.
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.25 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 12.2-inch screen.
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Full spec comparison
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook leads on performance, battery and weight and extras; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 has a faster SSD, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has more memory.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel N100 | Intel N100 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | eMMC |
| Storage interface | M.2 SSD | eMMC 5.1 |
| Storage slots | — | 0 |
Screen
On the screen, it comes down to what you need.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 has the bigger screen (14" against 12.2"), while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is more compact. The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 has a bigger screen, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is more compact.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 12.2" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | — | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 50% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | — | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter and is slimmer, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53 Wh | 47 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | — | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.57 kg | 1.25 kg |
| Dimensions | 319.9 x 229.9 x 21.9 mm | 284 x 210 x 18.4 mm |
| Materials | — | PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom) |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible | 360-degree convertible |
| Colour | Silver | Cloud Grey |
| Colours available | Silver | Abyss Blue, Cloud Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has an SD card reader, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, charging via 45W USB-C adapter with PD 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Card reader | None | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 or above | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard and has a sharper webcam, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 1080p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | physical privacy shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | — | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, LED backlit, no numeric keypad |
| Number pad | — | No |
| Touchpad | OceanGlass touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 61.5 x 105 mm |
| Speakers | 2 speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio |
| Microphones | integrated microphone | dual-microphone array, Wake-on-Voice, Google Assistant |
| Pen | — | No |
| Security | Discrete H1 TPM for Chromebook, Camera shutter, Kensington lock (Nano-type) | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot, Camera privacy shutter |
Software and model
Both run ChromeOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-2HN) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (12IAN8) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | June 2033 | — |
| Model number | NX.KYHEK.005 | 82XH0013UK |
| Released | — | 2022 |