Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook vs Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus
Both are good choices with different strengths. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook gets updates for longer and has HDMI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus has a faster SSD, has a touchscreen and has an SD card reader.
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Key differences
- Updates Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook gets Chromebook updates until June 2033, about 1 year longer than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus (June 2032).
- Storage type Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus uses a proper SSD, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has slower eMMC-style flash storage, so apps open and update more slowly.
- Touchscreen Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus has a touchscreen.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has HDMI, while only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus has an SD card reader.
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 plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors).
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (57 Wh).
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus if…
- You want apps and updates to feel quick: it has a proper SSD.
- You like to tap, scroll and sign things on screen: it has a touchscreen.
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook leads on software and updates and battery and weight; 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
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has faster memory, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus has a faster SSD.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel Core i3-1315U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5-4800 | LPDDR4X-4266 |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | SSD |
| Storage interface | eMMC 5.1 | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | 0 | 1 |
Screen
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus is ahead on the screen.
It has a touchscreen, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Matte | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| Pen standard | — | USI |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is ahead on battery and weight.
It has a bigger battery and is a little lighter, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 11 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 57 Wh | 51 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.5 kg | 1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 324.4 x 216.2 x 19.3 mm | 315.5 x 229 x 19.8 mm |
| Materials | aluminium top, PC-ABS bottom | Aluminium (top), PC-ABS (bottom) |
| Hinge | — | 360-degree convertible (laptop, tent, stand, tablet modes) |
| Colour | Storm Grey | Stone Blue |
| Colours available | Storm Grey | Stone Blue, Storm Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus is ahead on ports and wireless.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has HDMI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus has an SD card reader.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (charging, data, DisplayPort), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo | 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 |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 3 |
| 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 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| 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 Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | physical privacy shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | 6-row spill-resistant Chrome keyboard with anti-pick keycaps | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, LED backlight |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | buttonless Mylar Precision TouchPad, 60.5 x 104 mm | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 75 x 120 mm |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio | Stereo, 2x 2 W, Waves MaxxAudio |
| Microphones | dual-array | Dual-microphone array |
| Pen | No | Supported (sold separately) |
| 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 the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS Plus | ChromeOS Plus |
| Updates until | June 2033 | June 2032 |
| Model number | 83BN001EUK | 83EK000TUK |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |