Lenovo has updated its lineup of Chromebooks with the new IdeaPad 3 – but just ‘Chromebook 3’ in the USA – which offers a 14in display, the simplicity of ChromeOS and all for a very reasonable price. So, is the package in reality as good as it seems on paper? Let’s take a look.
Design & Build
The IdeaPad 3 (14in) is a reasonably sedate looking machine in terms of Chromebooks these days. You won’t find any 360-degree hinges that allow you to stand it on its head or even a detachable keyboard like on Lenovo’s own 2-in-1 Duet Chromebook. Instead, it’s a classic notebook with a simple, business-like aesthetic.
The plastic chassis on this review model comes in a handsome dark blue, which Lenovo calls Abyss Blue. There is a Platinum Grey version if that’s more your style. The lid bears the ChromeOS logo, which is an embedded sticker rather than the normal screen printing I’ve seen of late. Nice touch. There’s also a silver-coloured plate on the side of the panel with Lenovo emblazoned within.
Curiously, there’s an identical plate found on the inside, just to the right of the palm rest. While Lenovo might indeed be proud of its creation, this does seem a little bit of overkill in the design department. There are also stickers to inform the user that Intel processors lie within, plus a QR code that takes you to the Lenovo eSupport page. Truth be told, I’m not a fan of the sticker culture that’s beginning to appear on Chromebooks.
Of course, Intel wants its glory, but one of the nicest things about Chromebooks has always been that they don’t come with pre-loaded crud that often makes setting up Windows PC a chore. Having stickers plastered all over the place just invokes that messy experience and detracts from the clean and sparse nature of the Google-powered laptop. Put the stickers on the base and everything will look much better. ‘Keep it simple stupid’ is a saying for a reason.