With the recent release of Windows 10, IFA has been ablaze with new laptops running Microsofts latest OS, but amongst their own Laptop announcements, Lenovo has also announced a new Chromebook, moving for the first time into the sub-$200USD market with the Lenovo 100S Chromebook.
The Lenovo 100s is a fairly spec heavy Chromebook for the price, with up to 4GB of RAM running with an Intel Celeron N2840 processor. The usual Intel HD Graphics power the 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) resolution display but at sub-$200US don’t expect a touch screen. You also have a 1MP HD Webcam making virtual business meetings on VOIP or video chat possible.
Storage clocks in at 32GB but a 4-in-1 combo card reader means you can plug a memory card in to expand that and as usual you also qualify for 100 GB of free Google Drive storage for two years. As well as that card reader, there’s also HDMI as well as a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 port included to plug in what peripherals will work.
Key as always is battery life, and Google and Lenovo believe that the Chromebook 100S will deliver a solid 8 hours of working life on a single charge.
The Chromebook 100s has a nice feel to it, it’s got a nicely textured top panel on the outside and then the inside reverts back to a more standard plastic finis around the screen and keyboard. The Screen has a fairly large bezel around it, which seems to be fairly default for Chromebooks, but does tend to mean that they can take more of a knock from their target audience the education market where kids can knock around their Chromebook without too much worry.
The size of the Chromebook is also quite small, with dimensions measuring 300 x 209 x 19.9mm and weighing in at just 1.2 kg and more to the point it feels light and compact when you lift it up. The size of the Chromebook also means that you should be able to throw this in a schoolbag or in your briefcase without too much worry about adding too much heft either.
Availability wise, Lenovo has only announced that the Chromebook will be available in the US in October for $179US, unfortunately Lenovo Australia – and Lenovo at IFA – have advised that they don’t have any details for local availability or pricing in Australia at this time.
I just bought an Asus eeebook x205ta at JB HiFi for $250. It runs windows 10. Processor is a little slower than this lenovo and has 2gb ram but the battery lasts 10 hours browsing the internet and watching YouTube. It weighs a little under a kilo. I have stopped using my nexus 9 even though the eeebook has a lower quality screen. Battery life is the main driver. It also boots up in about 9 seconds from off.