Faisal Ghaffar 
Chromebooks have certainly evolved significantly since they were first introduced and there are different types that exist today. The latest offering from Lenovo is the IdeaPad Slim 3, which takes a more conservative approach and is a good value purchase. It has an effective and slim design, with a well-built and strong frame and offers reliable performance. You can get an excellent battery life and there is no beating the price either.
Design and build
The IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook weights just 1.3kg, which means it is extremely lightweight and easily portable. It has a sophisticated and subtle design, with the lid boasting a textured finish. One side of the lid is smooth, but there are raised bumps on the other, which gives the device some added luxury. The color scheme is called ‘Abyss Blue’ and it is quite lovely.
Display and audio
The touch display of the Slim 3 will take you by surprise. The 14-inch screen boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and this works great for everyday tasks, such as browsing the web and email. The colors are also great and since it has relatively thin bezels, you can enjoy more screen space.
The speakers also deliver a decent sound because the system faces the user, so it feels like the sound is coming straight at you. Waves Audio Max is used by the speakers for boosting overall performance. They are good for listening to music and watching movies.
Webcam
This is the sticking point of the Slim 3 because rather than a 1080p webcam, it has a 720p one. This means you will be disappointed with the picture quality when you try to use it for videoconferencing. While you can always get an external webcam, it was still quite frustrating.
Connectivity
The port selection on the Slim 3 is not noteworthy, but it is a good one. It comes with one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, one Kensington lock slot, one microphone/headphone jack, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 and one microSD card reader.
Performance
Boasting a MediaTek CPU and 4GB of RAM, the Slim 3 is a good laptop for general-use purposes. This includes browsing the web, using social media, checking email and so on. But, if you are looking for a powerful device, then this is not it. Considering how light and portable it is, you should not be surprised because there have to be compromises.
Battery Life
The 47 watt-hour battery that can be found inside the Slim 3 is downright exceptional because it is capable of lasting for at least 16 hours. This is an excellent result, particularly if you are getting the device because you want something portable. You can take it with you everywhere and not have to worry about the battery dying on you quickly.
The Verdict
A perfectly serviceable device, the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook can deliver good value, even if it is not the most innovative device in the market. When you consider the reasonable price tag of $319, it is clear that it can be a good choice.
