It was only a matter of time before a laptop appeared that properly combined Android with Chrome OS. inexpensively, for that matter. But we didn’t see the idea realized in full splendour until we got our hands on the Lenovo Chromebook C330 (81HY0000US).
The notebook is obviously well-made and has its charm focused on a diverse range of features. If you’d let us, we’d go on and on about the shortcomings of early Chromebooks, but all you need to know is whether the Lenovo C330 (81HY0000US) offers everything we’re looking for in a budget Chromebook.
That’s accurate. A budget laptop from Lenovo has finally been released, and it stands out not just for its impressive imitation of Android apps from the Google Play store but also for its stylish and user-friendly design, which bests the bulk of 2-in-1 computers. We have no doubt that the Chromebook C330 was influenced by the Google Pixelbook, but it also offers dependability and versatility for those who are looking for a bargain.
Lenovo Chromebook C330 (81HY0000US) design
For its modest price, you would typically be willing to forego something like the C330. The design isn’t flimsy or flawed, but it Hasn’t passed the MIL-STD 810G ruggedness tests of the ASUS Chromebook Flip C213SA-YS02-S or the Acer Chromebook 11, and it doesn’t come with a stylus pen as the Asus Flip does.
That’s pretty much the only aspect about this Chromebook that you might find annoying. Other than that, it has a vibrant IPS touchscreen, which I find surprised considering I was anticipating a low-quality TN display at this price point. The screen’s diagonal measurement is 11.6 inches, and its resolution is the well-known 1,366 by 768. The lid has the Lenovo and Chrome logos, while the body is made of white plastic with black keys and substantial bezels surrounding the display.
Chromebooks are mostly portable; the C330 weighs 2.64 pounds and is light enough to carry on a daily commute. In contrast, the lighter 12.5-inch Asus Chromebook Flip weights only 2.43 pounds. Its dimensions of 0.77 by 11.4 by 8.5 inches (HWD) put it on par with products like Spin 11 and somewhat smaller than the Asus C213SA. All of these Chromebooks are small enough to fit in a briefcase, although they are a little heavy to hold in tablet mode.
Display
Even with its low resolution and some pixelation, the 11.6-inch IPS screen has a nice appearance (as is common with other 1366 x 768 pixel displays). Brightness is sufficient for daily use, as you may not be able to turn it down very far to save power – contrast is great, browser text and Google Docs look good on black-on-white instead of dark-gray-on-light gray.
Although there are several viewing angles on the laptop, the glossy touch overlay does reflect light. In terms of clarity and saturation, the laptop performs admirably. You get clear photos and videos on the touch screen as a consequence.
Ports
The Lenovo Chromebook C330’s connectivity choices are decent, although some users may find them to be lacking. The HDMI, USB-C, and SD card slots are all located on the left side of the device. The device comes with 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage for two years, just like the majority of Chromebooks.
A Kensington lock slot, power button, volume rocker, and audio jack are all located on the right. The only DC port is a USB Type-C port that can also be used for a DisplayPort connection. So, your connectivity options are quite limited, especially when it comes to charging the Chromebook.
Keyboard and Touchpad
You should be on the lookout for the keyboard in addition to a stylish appearance. Its layout is similar to that of a Chromebook, with a dedicated button for the search key in place of the Caps Lock and dedicated buttons for the brightness, volume, and browser navigation along the top row. Although most people switching from Windows will find it to be pleasant and quick to use, keep in mind that it does not include Home or End keys. The touchpad responds quickly and performs as intended.
Several orientations—stand, tent, and tablet modes—can be achieved with a single wide hinge, however tapping the screen causes significant wobble. Although the system’s edges aren’t rubberized, which would prevent it from sliding when used in tent mode on a desk or table, we can ignore this because the system is still comfortable to use.
Performance
Because they perform better than typical Celeron chips, Intel Core M-Series and Core i3-i5 Series CPUs may be the ideal choice for powering Chromebooks (cheap and premium, respectively). Our evaluation unit has a 2.1GHz MediaTek MT8173C processor, 64GB of flash storage, and 4GB of RAM, which, while not ideal for multitaskers, works well for basic users, particularly students.
You can use it to carry out fundamental computing operations like streaming YouTube videos and maintaining several browser tabs. The system performs well under light graphic demands because the Intel UHD Graphics 620 lacks the power needed for gaming but excels at streaming 1080p/60fps online media. The HDMI/USB-C port allows you to expand the display to an external monitor at 4k/30Hz, however you might not obtain smooth pixels. You’ll do fine with Full HD or lower.
The performance of the C330 convertible is about average compared to other Chromebooks we’ve evaluated, but it lags behind models like HP’s Chromebook x2, which stands out among budget ARM laptops. With a dozen open browser tabs, the system doesn’t lag and tabs open quickly. Regardless of its real specifications, the Lenovo C330 operates well, which most customers will find to be a plus at this price.
Battery Life
Battery life on Chromebooks is pretty good, and the Lenovo C330 doesn’t fall short. With the screen brightness set to 150 nits, the 45 Wh battery lasts slightly over 11 hours during regular use, which includes streaming video continuously and reloading web sites. This indicates that it can easily survive a whole day at work or school, something you would struggle to crack on a Windows notebook of a comparable budget. Only 1.5 to 2 hours are required to completely charge a Chromebook.
Conclude
The most important factor determining whether you’ll purchase this Chrome OS hybrid, other the cost, is the kind of Chromebook you want. The Lenovo Chromebook C330 (81HY0000US), which supports the Android-fused future Google is promoting, is everything you need if you’ve been on the fence about buying a Chromebook. It has a fantastic keyboard and longer battery life while still having the ability to flip into a tablet, adhering more closely to the contemporary Chromebook format.
