Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook vs Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has the edge: it gets updates for longer and has a touchscreen. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook still is lighter, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Updates Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook gets Chromebook updates until June 2031, about 2 years longer than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook (June 2029).
- Weight Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is 0.3 kg lighter: 1.58 kg against 1.9 kg.
- Touchscreen Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has a touchscreen.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook if…
- You'll keep it for years: Google updates it until June 2031.
- You like to tap, scroll and sign things on screen: it has a touchscreen.
- You often work in bright rooms: its screen goes up to 300 nits.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Pentium Silver N6000 is built for browsing, email and documents.
- You want a big screen: it's 15.6 inches.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook leads on software and updates and the screen, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook leads on battery and weight. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are built for browsing, email and documents, and both have 8 GB of memory.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4x-2933 | LPDDR4X-2933 |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage interface | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Storage slots | 0 | 0 |
Screen
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on the screen.
It has a touchscreen and has a brighter screen, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | IPS | TN |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 220 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | — |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Glossy | Matte |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 47 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | — | None |
| Weight | 1.9 kg | 1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 362 x 248 x 18.94 mm | 362 x 243 x 18.95 mm |
| Materials | PC + ABS (top), PC + ABS (bottom) | PC-ABS top and bottom |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible | — |
| Colour | Arctic Grey | Arctic Grey |
| Colours available | Abyss Blue, Arctic Grey | Arctic Grey, Abyss Blue |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (charging via 45W USB-C adapter with PD 3.0, data, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x microSD |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | physical privacy shutter | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, numeric keypad, non-backlit | UK English, non-backlit, numeric keypad |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 75 x 120 mm | Mylar, 70 x 105 mm |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio | 2x 2 W stereo |
| Microphones | dual array, Wake-on-Voice, Google Assistant | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot, Camera privacy shutter | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot |
Software and model
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on software and updates.
It gets updates for longer and is newer, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | June 2031 | June 2029 |
| Model number | 82T3000LUK | 82N40054UK |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |