If you've used Chrome OS in the past few years, the Ideapad 3 won't have any surprises. So, there aren't any extra software features to go over. You've probably noticed that the Ideapad 3 doesn't get fancy with the hardware there's no stylus, 360-degree hinge, or even a touchscreen. Here are a few benchmarks to put it in perspective. If all someone needs is a way to check Facebook and send some emails, the Ideapad 3 is plenty capable. Even without any open tabs, RAM usage is around 60%. You'll be okay with four or five tabs, but the laptop gets progressively slower with each new tab after that. The 4GB of RAM is more problematic, though. Chrome OS doesn't need a ton of CPU power to be usable, but the N4020 does seem to struggle on heavy webpages or when hopping between apps. The Ideapad 3 has a modest Intel Celeron N4020 CPU (Gemini Lake-R), which is a 6W dual-core chip that runs at 1.1GHz. Combine that with the low resolution, and you've got a recipe for eye strain. The IdeaPad 3's LCD washes out if you're even a little to the side, and the contrast is poor enough that it can be hard to read. The IPS technology in most modern LCDs has better viewing angles, brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to TN. The real issue with the display is that it uses a TN panel. This is a 1366 x 768 LCD, which has been the standard ultra-budget laptop resolution for as long as I can remember. I wouldn't expect a top-tier display for $250 either, but the IdeaPad 3's display is disappointing regardless. The Ideapad 3 is not a convertible, which is understandable at this price. The tapered shape makes the laptop easy to open, and the hinge remains where you put it even with moderate jostling.

Too many ultra-cheap laptops still use DC plugs, so I applaud Lenovo for using a high-wattage USB-C port on the IdeaPad 3. The only drawback here is that just the left USB-C port can charge the laptop (max 45W). The ports are even spaced well with one USB-C and one USB-A on each side. The IdeaPad 3 has a surprising number of ports including two USB-A 3.1, two USB-C 3.1, a headphone jack, microSD card slot, and a security lock.

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