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Lenovo may not be officially attending MWC 2021 but it did take the time to virtually launch two new Chromebooks anyway. Dubbed the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook and Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook, these aren’t the usual budget fare either. Launched alongside a veritable wealth of accessories and other gadgets, these two Chrome OS laptops cover just about every use case.
In terms of design and hardware, each of the new Chromebooks is also stunning. At just 16.6mm and 16.95mm thin, both the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook and IdeaPad Flex 5i feature a sleek, modern aesthetic. Lenovo’s new IdeaPad 5i Chromebook comes in Sand or Storm Grey color configurations. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Flex, conversely, comes in Abyss Blue or Iron Grey. And each color configuration has keys toned to compliment those colors.
Both also feature Waves MaxxAudio-certified speakers and amps, an LED bar that starts out green but color-shifts with remaining battery, and a large, narrow-bezel touchscreen for interactions. The speakers are user-facing, placed on either side of the keyboard.
There’s a lot to be found in common on the inside of the two devices too. For starters, they each pack either 4GB or 8GB RAM, depending on the configuration selected. And that’s coupled with up to 512GB of SSD storage. Each also packs up to an Intel Core i5-1135G7 chipset to match. That’s in addition to i3 and Pentium options. Although the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook does optionally ship with a Celeron 6305 processor instead.
Similarly, they both pack an Intel-powered Wi-Fi 6 chip, with Bluetooth 5.1. And, on the exterior, both feature two USB 3.1 and a USB 3.1 Type-A port. There’s also a microSD card reader and, of course, a 3.5mm audio combo jack.
Last, but certainly not least, Lenovo says that both Chromebooks offer up to 10-hours of use on a single charge. Although that will undoubtedly vary significantly depending on how the Chromebooks are used. And depending on which hardware configuration has been chosen.
How are these Lenovo Chromebooks, announced around MWC 2021, different?
Of course, both of these laptops are Chromebooks. That means they’re both running Chrome OS, with all that entails, from security through features and firmware updates. That includes such features as Google Assistant, automatic updates, Android apps, and Linux software compatibility. Either gadget will sync up directly with users’ Android phones too. Making it easier to get more done without picking up your phone.
But there are also several key differences that are well worth noting.
Not least of all, while they both come with touchscreens, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook is a 2-in-1 device. That means it’s built on a flexible, 360-degree hinge. So it can be used in clamshell mode, but also in a tent, stand, or tablet mode. Making it easier to use the Chromebook for managing smart home devices or multitasking.
On the contrary, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook is just that. A clamshell-style Chromebook with a lay-flat hinge and a touchscreen.
The size is different from device-to-device too. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook is a 13.3-inch gadget with a FullHD IPS LCD screen at up to 250 nits of brightness. The IdeaPad 5i Chromebook from Lenovo is larger, at 14-inches. It’s also brighter, with its FullHD IPS touchscreen display capable of putting out 300 nits of brightness.
The company does indicate that an OLED version is optional, as is a Lenovo Digital Pen, for the folding variant of this Chromebook. And, it says, that responds 50-times faster, as well as bolstering color volume, chroma attributes, and contrast. Making that version the one to choose if this is going to be used in direct sunlight.
Both devices also have crystal clear user-facing speakers with “high-quality tuning presets.” But, specifically for the Flex-branded Chromebook, Lenovo says this generation is 40-percent louder than the previous one.
Despite that both gadgets ship with the same RAM and basic storage options, there are a few extra on the latter front for one of the Chromebooks too. Specifically, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook ships with 32GB and 64GB options. Both of those, unlike other configurations, utilize eMMC storage instead of true SSD storage. But both should also be more than usable for most users, given the cloud-focused nature of Chrome OS.
Finally, Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5i Chromebook doesn’t come with a 2-in-1 design but does feature one more option. Namely, the option to purchase with a backlit keyboard for use in low-light environments.
What are the specs, exactly?
Now, Lenovo also divulged a few more details about the upcoming IdeaPad 5i and Flex 5i Chromebooks. For instance, both gadgets ship with a dedicated privacy shutter for the camera. And each ship with Android Studio preloaded So there’s less to worry about when it comes to webcam privacy. And these Chromebooks are more than ready for coding if that’s what they’re needed for.
But with all of the details outlined above, it could still be somewhat difficult to differentiate the two. Moreover, despite all of those details, there’s plenty left to talk about. So, for those who were looking for a full run-down of the specifications for the new Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebooks, those are included below, as shared via its not-technically-MWC 2021 announcement.
| Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook | |
| Processors | Intel Core i5-1135G7 Core i3-1115G4 Pentium 7505 |
Intel Core i5-1135G7 Core i3-1115G4 Pentium 7505 Celeron 6305 |
| Memory | LPDDR4: 4GB/8GB | LPDDR4x: 4GB/8GB |
| Storage | SSD: 128GB/256 GB/512 GB | PCIe SSD: 128GB/256GB/512 GB eMMC: 32GB/64GB |
| Display | 14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 300 nits, Touchscreen | Up to 13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, Touchscreen 360-degree hinge Optional Lenovo Digital Pen (USI and Google certified) |
| Battery | Up to 10 Hours | Up to 10 Hours |
| Audio | 2 x 2W Stereo Speakers with Waves Tuning | 2 x 2W User-facing Stereo Speakers |
| Connectivity | WLAN Intel WiFi 6 (802.11 ax) Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.1 Input/Output (I/O) Ports 2 x USB 3.1 (Type-C) 1 x USB 3.1 (Type-A) microSD Card Reader Audio Combo Jack |
WLAN Up to Intel® WiFi 6 (802.11 ax 2×2 MIMO) Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.1 Combo with WiFi Card Input/Output (I/O) Ports 2 x USB 3.1 (Type-C) 1 x USB 3.1 (Type-A) microSD Card Reader Audio Combo Jack |
| Dimensions | (mm) : 324 x 221 x 16.6 (inches) : 12.75 x 8.7 x 0.65 |
(mm) : 310 x 214 x 16.95 (inches) : 12.2 x 8.42 x 0.66 |
| Weight | Starting at 1.42 kg (3.13 lbs) | Starting at 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs) |
| Webcam | Privacy Shutter — resolution not listed | Privacy Shutter — 720p |
| OS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS |
| Preloaded Software | Google Assistant Google Play Store Android Studio |
Google Assistant Google Play Store Android Studio |
| Colors | Sand Storm Grey |
Abyss Blue Iron Grey |
Pricing and availability for these Lenovo Chromebooks start around the time of MWC 2021
In terms of pricing and availability, both the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook and IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook will be priced at the same entry point. The cost will, of course, vary depending on the configuration. With the Intel Core i5, 512GB storage, and 8GB RAM options costing the most. Regardless, both the 14-inch standard and 13.3-inch foldable Chromebook are set to start at just $439.99. Arguably making both a shoo-in in the running for top Chromebook of the year.
Exactly where the Chromebooks will be sold is another question entirely. But in the meantime, the company says that it expects to ship the foldable Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook starting in June of this year. The larger Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook, conversely, is expected to begin shipping starting in July. More details will undoubtedly begin appearing on Lenovo’s website in the lead-up to the launch.
