Chromebook Reviews

Lenovo has been making waves in the Chromebook world, particularly with their ARM-powered offerings. It’s not a secret that ARM-based Chromebooks have been my favorite because I think ARM-based machines are the future when it comes to having the best of both worlds: battery efficiency and moderate power. I sold my Acer 516 Chromebook Plus and kept my Lenovo Slim 3 for a reason.

But with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, the Lenovo Duet Gen 9, and the Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook (MediaTek) all sporting ARM processors, how do you choose? Let’s break down these three contenders.

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the clear powerhouse and heavyweight of the trio. As a Chromebook Plus device, it boasts the beefy MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor, making it significantly faster and more capable for demanding tasks, multitasking, and even on-device AI features. Paired with an ample 16 GB RAM and fast UFS storage, it offers a premium Chromebook experience for an ecosystem that’s generally considered a budget user space. It’s the best Chromebook I’ve ever used. Its higher specs also make it a contender for a daily driver machine since Android and Linux apps run almost effortlessly and can fill in some of the gaps for apps you miss on Windows and Mac. Linux apps may be harder to find since not all of them have ARM-builds, but I was able to download some major open source favorites like image-editing program GIMP and LibreOffice. Powerful and all-day battery life? Take my money pls.

Stepping into the midweight ring is the Lenovo Duet Gen 9. This 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook prioritizes versatility and portability–a good companion for education (my field) and limited fieldwork (for short periods). Its MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor and 8 GB of RAM offers a solid balance of performance and efficiency for everyday tasks, web browsing, and media consumption. The tablet form factor and optional pen support make it ideal for students, teachers, creative tasks, and anyone who values flexibility. While not as powerful as the Plus 14, it’s a fantastic all-rounder for on-the-go use. The only thing I docked it for are its eMMC storage and its weaker battery life–5-6 hours would be ok for an Intel-based Chromebook (like the cloud-gaming based Acer 516), but disappointing for a usually power-efficient ARM processor.

Finally, we have the Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook . This is the entry-level contender, focused on affordability and battery life. Powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, it’s well-suited for basic tasks like web browsing, media consumption, email, and light document editing. It’s a great option for those who need a reliable and lightweight Chromebook without breaking the bank. However, it won’t offer the same level of speed or multitasking capabilities as its more premium ARM siblings because of its eMMC storage and lower 4 GB of RAM. That said, if you stick to web apps and disable Android and Linux, it still runs decently fast in my experience. The touchscreen is a nice plus for a device in this budget range. It’s great for travel because of its all day battery life (which it shares with its more powerful Plus sibling) and because its cost make it low risk for theft or damage.

Closing Recommendations:

• For Top-Tier Performance: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
• For Versatility and Portability: Lenovo Duet Gen 9
• For Budget-Friendly Basics: Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook (MediaTek)

I’m excited to see the direction ARM-based Chromebooks will go as they start shedding their reputation as turtle-slow mobile budget processors and start becoming a viable alternative to daily driving.

Summary of Performance Difference: