Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) vs HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has the edge: it has more storage, has a faster SSD and has an SD card reader. The HP Chromebook x360 14b still gets updates for longer, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
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Performance
Evenly matched
Both cope well with everyday tasks, with 8 GB of memory each.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Neither is made for modern games.
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Display
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has the better screen: 14" Full HD 300 nits against 14" Full HD 250 nits.
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 10 hours against up to 11 hours.
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Connectivity
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is better connected. Only it has a card reader.
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Portability
HP Chromebook x360 14b wins
The HP Chromebook x360 14b is easier to carry at 1.37 kg, against 1.58 kg.
Other differences
- Updates HP Chromebook x360 14b wins
The HP Chromebook x360 14b gets Chromebook updates until June 2033, about 1 year longer than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (June 2032).
- Storage Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has twice the storage: 256 GB against 128 GB.
- Storage type Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus uses a proper SSD, while the HP Chromebook x360 14b has slower eMMC-style flash storage, so apps open and update more slowly.
- Extras Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has a backlit keyboard.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 256 GB of storage.
- You want apps and updates to feel quick: it has a proper SSD.
- 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 HP Chromebook x360 14b if…
- You'll keep it for years: Google updates it until June 2033.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.37 kg.
- You want every bit of speed: it uses newer DDR5-generation memory.
Full spec comparison
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus leads on performance, ports and wireless and extras, while the HP Chromebook x360 14b leads on software and updates.
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has more storage and has a faster SSD, while the HP Chromebook x360 14b has faster memory.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1315U | Intel Processor N200 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-4266 | LPDDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | UFS |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 | UFS |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen, and the HP Chromebook x360 14b doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 62.5% sRGB |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Pen standard | USI | — |
Battery and size
The HP Chromebook x360 14b is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 11 hours |
| Battery capacity | 51 Wh | 47 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | — | approximately 50% in 45 minutes |
| Weight | 1.58 kg | 1.37 kg |
| Dimensions | 315.5 x 229 x 19.8 mm | 323 x 210.3 x 20.4 mm |
| Materials | Aluminium (top), PC-ABS (bottom) | Polished paint finish cover and keyboard frame |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible (laptop, tent, stand, tablet modes) | 360-degree convertible |
| Colour | Stone Blue | Glacier silver |
| Colours available | Stone Blue, Storm Grey | — |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 6E, and the HP Chromebook x360 14b doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), 2x USB-C (USB 10Gbps, PD 3.0 charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo, 1x microSD | 2x USB-C 5Gbps (USB Power Delivery charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7921 (2x2) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard and has a sharper webcam, and the HP Chromebook x360 14b doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | physical privacy shutter | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, LED backlight | Full-size, soft gray keyboard |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 75 x 120 mm | HP Imagepad |
| Speakers | Stereo, 2x 2 W, Waves MaxxAudio | Dual speakers |
| Microphones | Dual-microphone array | Integrated dual array digital microphones |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | — |
| Security | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot | H1 Secure Microcontroller, Camera privacy shutter |
Software and model
The HP Chromebook x360 14b is ahead on software and updates.
It gets updates for longer and is newer, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (14IAU7) | HP Chromebook x360 14b (older gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS Plus | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | June 2032 | June 2033 |
| Model number | 83EK000TUK | A2SA5EA |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |