The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 CB: Budget Chromebook Beast?

Forget sleek MacBooks and flashy gaming rigs — sometimes, the most satisfying tech finds lie in the shadows of the budget aisle. And that’s exactly where the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 CB 14M868 shines. This unassuming Chromebook packs a surprising punch, proving that affordability and functionality can go hand-in-hand.

So, strap yourselves in, budget warriors, because we’re about to dive into the world of the Slim 3 and see if it truly deserves its Chromebook crown. Is it a budget beast, or just a charming underdog? Let’s find out.

The Slim 3 sports a sleek and minimalist design, with a plastic chassis that feels surprisingly sturdy for its price tag. The Abyss Blue color is subtle and stylish, and the overall weight of 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs) makes it a breeze to carry around. While it won’t win any awards for premium materials, the build quality is solid enough for everyday use, especially considering the budget constraints.

The 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display is crisp and vibrant, offering excellent viewing angles and decent color accuracy. It’s not the brightest panel on the market, but it gets the job done for most indoor tasks. The anti-glare coating is a welcome addition, minimizing reflections and making it easier to use in well-lit environments.

The keyboard is a standard Chromebook layout with chiclet keys. It’s comfortable enough for typing long stretches, although the lack of backlighting might be a dealbreaker for some users who work in low-light conditions. The touchpad is spacious and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures for smooth navigation.

The Slim 3 packs the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. This combination is surprisingly punchy for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming videos, and light productivity work. You won’t be editing 4K videos or running demanding software, but for everyday Chromebook activities, the performance is perfectly adequate.

Battery life is one of the Slim 3’s strongest suits. Lenovo claims up to 13.5 hours on a single charge, and in our tests, it came pretty close, lasting around 12 hours with mixed usage. This makes it a fantastic travel companion, especially for students or business professionals who need a reliable device on the go.

The Slim 3 offers a decent selection of ports, considering its budget-friendly nature. You get two USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C port with Power Delivery, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 provide solid wireless connectivity, ensuring smooth internet browsing and seamless pairing with your peripherals.

As a Chromebook, the Slim 3 runs Chrome OS, which is known for its simplicity and security. Updates are automatic and frequent, keeping your device protected from the latest threats. Chrome OS also offers access to the vast library of web apps on the Chrome Web Store, ensuring you have all the tools you need for work, play, and everything in between.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 CB 14M868 is a compelling Chromebook option for budget-conscious users. It offers solid performance, a decent display, and excellent battery life, all at a price that won’t break the bank. While it has some limitations, such as the lack of backlit keys and a premium build quality, these are understandable compromises for the price point.

Overall, the Slim 3 is a fantastic Chromebook for students, casual users, and anyone who needs a reliable and portable device for basic tasks. If you’re looking for a powerful Chromebook for demanding workloads or multimedia editing, you might need to look elsewhere. But for everyday use, the Slim 3 is a budget-friendly champion that delivers solid value for money.

Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Solid performance for basic tasks
• Excellent battery life
• Crisp and vibrant display
• Compact and lightweight design
• Chrome OS offers security and simplicity

Cons:

• No backlit keyboard
• Plastic chassis might feel cheap
• Limited storage space
• Not suitable for demanding workloads