Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook vs Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, has an SD card reader and has a backlit keyboard. The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key 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.
- Ports Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has an SD card reader.
- Extras Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has a backlit keyboard.
Which one should you choose?
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 plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You want a backlit keyboard, handy for typing in dim rooms.
Choose the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 if…
- You want a Chromebook that stays supported: Google updates it until June 2033.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel N100 copes well with everyday tasks.
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.29 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook leads on performance and extras; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on performance.
It has more memory, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel N100 | Intel N100 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5-4800 | LPDDR5 |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage interface | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Storage slots | 0 | 0 |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 12.2" | 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 |
| Brightness | 300 nits | — |
| Colour range | 50% NTSC | 50% NTSC |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Glossy | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 12 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | — |
| Weight | 1.25 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 284 x 210 x 18.4 mm | 289.9 x 204.9 x 19.9 mm |
| Materials | PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom) | — |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible | 360-degree convertible |
| Colour | Cloud Grey | Silver |
| Colours available | Abyss Blue, Cloud Grey | Silver |
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 312 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 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 | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI (version not published), 1x HDMI (version not published) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| 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 312 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | physical privacy shutter | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, LED backlit, no numeric keypad | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 61.5 x 105 mm | OceanGlass touchpad |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio | 2 speakers |
| Microphones | dual-microphone array, Wake-on-Voice, Google Assistant | built-in microphone |
| Pen | No | Supported (sold separately) |
| Security | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot, Camera privacy shutter | Discrete H1 TPM, Kensington lock |
Software and model
Both run ChromeOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (CP312-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | — | June 2033 |
| Model number | 82XH0013UK | NX.KYTEK.007 |
| Released | 2022 | — |