Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook 14" 82XJ0000US 2023, MediaTek Kompanio 520, 4GB, 64GB eMMC, Abyss Blue

The IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is a lightweight, long-lasting laptop that nails the basics. The screen is sharp, the build is solid, and the Google integration is seamless. Just know the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage are tight, and the CPU is one of the weakest we've seen. If you can grab it under $200, it's a great deal for students and casual users.

The Kompanio 520 is an 8-core ARM chip clocked at 2.0GHz, and it handles ChromeOS basics without much drama. Boot times are under 10 seconds, and everyday tasks like Gmail, Docs, and YouTube feel snappy enough. The Mali-G52 GPU is surprisingly capable for integrated graphics, but don't get excited. This is not a gaming machine. Our gaming score for this thing is 8.7 out of 100, which is about as close to zero as you can get without being a calculator. The 4GB of RAM means you'll feel the squeeze if you open more than a handful of tabs, and the 64GB eMMC storage fills up fast. ChromeOS is efficient, but it can't work miracles.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro GSRF MWP42LL/A, this thing is not even in the same conversation. The MacBook Pro is a premium machine with serious horsepower, and the IdeaPad Slim 3 is a budget Chromebook. That's fine, they're for different people. The Dell Latitude 5320 is a better comparison for business users who need Windows and more ports. The ASUS Vivobook X1404VAP offers more traditional laptop flexibility with Windows and upgradeable storage. The HP EliteBook 845 G8 is a business tank with better build quality and performance. Where the IdeaPad wins is simplicity and price. If you live in Google's world and want something cheap and light, none of those competitors touch it on value.

Pricing is all over the place. We're seeing this Chromebook listed anywhere from $147 to $399 across US vendors, a $252 spread. At the low end, it's a steal for a student or casual user. At the high end, you're getting fleeced. Best Buy has the most competitive listing right now, so check there first. For under $200, this is a solid secondary machine or a first laptop for a kid. Push past $300 and you should start looking at something with more RAM and storage.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is a budget-friendly 14-inch touchscreen laptop that leans hard into the Google ecosystem. It's thin, light, and boots in seconds, which is exactly what most people want from a Chromebook. The MediaTek Kompanio 520 chip is not a powerhouse, but for web browsing, docs, and streaming, it gets the job done.

Our database shows this thing is a weird mix. The GPU ranks in the 98th percentile for its class, but the CPU sits at the very bottom. That tells you everything: fine for light tasks, terrible for anything demanding. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage are both in the 4th percentile, which is rough even for a Chromebook.

If you need to run Windows or macOS software, this is not your machine. If you're a tab hoarder who keeps 20+ tabs open, the 4GB of RAM will make you miserable. If you want to play games beyond browser titles or light Android games, look elsewhere. And if you need local storage for photos, videos, or large files, the 64GB eMMC drive is a dealbreaker. Power users, creative professionals, and gamers should all steer clear.

This is a Chromebook for people who want a Chromebook. Students, casual users, and anyone who lives in Gmail and Google Docs will be happy. The battery life is genuinely good, the screen is bright and clear, and the build quality feels more solid than the price suggests. Just don't expect to do anything heavy. No video editing, no serious gaming, no running a dozen tabs while streaming music and editing photos. For the right person at the right price, this is a great little machine.