Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) vs Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has the edge: it gets updates for longer, lasts longer on a charge and is lighter. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook still has more memory and has more storage, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
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Performance
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
Same class of processor, but the Lenovo IdeaPad 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 250 nits against 15.6" Full HD 220 nits.
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Battery life
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook should last longer: up to 13.5 hours against up to 10 hours.
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Connectivity
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is better connected. Only it has HDMI.
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Portability
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is easier to carry at 1.3 kg, against 1.58 kg.
Other differences
- Updates Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook gets Chromebook updates until June 2033, about 4 years longer than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook (June 2029).
- Memory Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has 8 GB of memory against 4 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has twice the storage: 128 GB against 64 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook if…
- You'll keep it for years: Google updates it until June 2033.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 13.5 hours).
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.3 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 8 GB of memory gives it more room than 4 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 128 GB of storage.
- You want more room to work: its 15.6-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
Full spec comparison
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook leads on software and updates and battery and weight, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook leads on performance.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Kompanio 520 | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 |
| Graphics | Arm Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-3733 | LPDDR4X-2933 |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage interface | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Storage slots | 0 | 0 |
Screen
On the screen, it comes down to what you need.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is more compact. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is more compact, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has a bigger screen.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | TN | TN |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 220 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | — |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge and is lighter, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 13.5 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 | 1.3 kg | 1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 325.9 x 221.8 x 18.6 mm | 362 x 243 x 18.95 mm |
| Materials | PC-ABS + 15% talc top and bottom | PC-ABS top and bottom |
| Colour | Abyss Blue | Arctic Grey |
| Colours available | Abyss Blue, Cloud Grey | Arctic Grey, Abyss Blue |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.1a), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x microSD | 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) | 1 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Each laptop has its strengths on extras.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has a sharper webcam, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has a number pad.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | 6-row spill-resistant Chrome keyboard | UK English, non-backlit, numeric keypad |
| Number pad | No | Yes |
| Touchpad | buttonless Mylar multi-touch, 69 x 104 mm | Mylar, 70 x 105 mm |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio | 2x 2 W stereo |
| Microphones | dual-array | 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 Slim 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 Slim 3 Chromebook (14M868) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | June 2033 | June 2029 |
| Model number | 82XJ001AUK | 82N40054UK |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |