Believe it or not, Chromebooks are starting out huge in the market!
Although, chromebooks started out as budget computers, they have now known to be one of the most versalite computers in the market. Today, almost all PC manufacturers offer Chromebooks at a varying price ranges, but the biggest manufacturer stands out to be Lenovo. Lenovo Chromebooks range high and offer a plethors of options focusing on differnt factors and functionalities.
While Chromebooks are yet to replace Windows and MacBooks, the functions they offer come close in range to the market dominators. The need and demand of budget friendly laptops in the market, has compeled the manufacturers to maximize the functions for an economical rate. Chromebooks come in these categories too. Chromebooks are perfect devices for employees, students, and people not opting for high end graphical detailings from laptops.
In this article, we will take a look at two of the budget- chromebooks from Lenovo, The Lenovo Chromebook C330 and The Lenovo Chromebook C340, and discuss about which one is the best for you.
Lenovo Chromebook C330
On the surface, If you are opting for a portable, compact, budget-friendly laptop that has all the basics, then the Chromebook C330 might be the best pick for you! It offers some of the best features in comparison to its market competitors, including a 10-point touch screen and a 2-in-1 convertible (laptop to tablet, and vice versa).
However, you can’t expect a Chromebook to work as your gaming laptop, nor will it conduct tasks like heavy coding, programming, and software development. You cannot expect a Chromebook to do so. In fact, none of them can! All you can do in Chromebook C330 is surf the internet, connect with everyone via texts and calls, prepare documents and slides, and stream your favourite series. It has a long battery life, that will even last all day long.
General Speciations
Processor: MediaTek™ MTK8173C Processor (1.70GHz)
Operating System: Chrome OS
Graphics: Integrated Power VR GX6250 Graphics
Memory: 4 GB LPDDR3 1866MHz (Soldered)
Storage: Up to 64 GB eMMC, SD support for expandable storage
Display : 11.6” HD (1366 x 768) IPS, anti-glare, touchscreen, 300 nits
Dimensions (W x D x H): 11.4″ x 8.48″ x 0.77″ / 292 x 215.39 x 19.6 (mm)
Camera : 720p HD
Weight : 2.64 lbs. (1.2 kg)
Color: Blizzard White
Audio : 2 x 2W speakers
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours*
Connectivity: 802.11AC (2 x 2) Bluetooth® 4.2
I/O: USB-C (Power Delivery, DisplayPort, HDMI pass-through)
USB 3.1** , HDMI, SD Card Reader, Audio Combo Jack
Lenovo ChromeBook C340
In comparison to the C330 model, ChromeBook C340 is basically it’s twin sister, but with a better hardware. It has a metal lid present on the bottom, which was just plastic in the C330 model. So, C340 model basically has the same screen size, same display resolution, same RAM, and the same storage, as C330. But, it comes with a better processor, the Intel Celeron 4000. It also has a wide colour choosing option as compared to the previous C-Series.
General Speciations
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4000 (1.10GHz, up to 2.60GHz Burst Frequency, 4MB Cache)
Operating System: Chrome OS
Graphics: Integrated Intel® UHD graphics 600
Camera: 720p HD
Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 2400MHz
Storage: Up to 64GB eMMC
Display: 11.6” HD (1366 x 768) IPS, touchscreen, glossy, 250 nits
Dimensions: 290mm x 208mm x 17.9mm / 11.42” x 8.19” x 0.7”
Weight: 2.65 lbs. (1.2 kg)
Color: Platinum Grey, Sand Pink
Audio: 2x2W stereo speaker
Battery life: Up to 10 hours
Connectivity: Intel® 9560 802.11AC (2 x 2), Bluetooth® 4.2
I/O Ports: Lenovo Chromebook c340
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
2 x USB-A 3.1** Gen 1
MicroSD card reader
Headphone / mic combo
Kensington lock slot
General Comparisons – Lenovo Chromebook C330 vs C340
ChromeBook C330
- Design: White plastic with black keys, huge black bezels around the display, Lenovo and Chrome logos on the lid.
- Ports: left side – USB-C, USB-A, HDMI ports, SD card slot for storage expansion. right side: audio jack, power button, volume rocker, a security-cable locking slot.
- Display: Adequate Brightness, Broad viewing angles, Clear and saturated colours
ChromeBook C340
- Design: Smaller, with thick black bezels around the IPS touch screen, spacious enough to grip the device in laptop mode.
- Ports: left side – USB 3.1 Type-C port, a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a microSD card slot, and an audio jack. right side: the power button, a volume rocker for use in tablet mode, another USB-C port, another USB-A port, and a security lock slot.
- Display: Not so bright display.
So, which one should I buy?
Unless you really need and HDMI Port for your laptop, it’s okay to settle for the C330 model. With a dropped purchase cost, you will not get the shiny aluminum lid but the plastic lid of C330 along with all the similar features to the later version; the C340. With a slight processor variation, the switch from an ARM-based processor from MediaTek to an Intel Celeron processor in the C340.
Intel processors are in high demand, but the Celeron processor isn’t as quick as the ARM chip was in model C330. When subjected to identical workloads, disappointingly the Intel chip couldn’t perform better, so unless you want an HDMI Port and a sleek design, C330 might be the way to go!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lenovo C330 still supported?
Previously it was only slated to receive updates till June, 2022 but now that has been renewed and it will receive updates till June 2025, so it is still used and completely supported.
Does Lenovo ChromeBook have a backlit keyboard?
Unfotunately, it doesnot have a backlit keyboard.
Does Lenovo Chromebook C340 come with a stylus pen like the ASUS ones?
Unfortunately, no! It doesn’t have a stylus pen.
Is the Lenovo Chromebook touch-screen?
Yes, It is! Further, it can also be used in tent, tablet, and laptop mode too.
Read Also: The Google pixelbook 12in – Is it the best ever Chromebook yet?
