Lenovo recently released a trio of Chromebooks that are targeting the K-12 education market. All three models are constructed with durability in mind, including spill-resisting features, pry-proof keycaps, and generous rubber bumpers wrapping the edges to help protect the device should it fall. The three models in this Lenovo series are the 100e, 300e, and 500e.
As someone who is not a K-12 student, but was in the market for a rugged portable device, I was pleasantly surprised to find how well the 500e met my needs.
Lenovo’s Versatile Line of Chromebooks
It’s worth discussing the differences between the three models. The 100e is, as expected, the most straightforward of the bunch, and does not have 2-in-1 functionality. While the hinge does allow this model to open wide, it won’t flip back like Lenovo’s YOGA line, nor does it have a touchscreen.
The 300e does embrace the versatility of a 2-in-1, with the YOGA-like hinge and a 10-point touchscreen, as well as a stylus. The 500e also features a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen, and also includes an EMR pen that is garaged in the chassis of the device.
Lenovo 500e Specs
The Lenovo 500e is powered by an Intel Celeron N3450U processor (1.10GHz,) and utilizes 4GB LPDDR4 1600 MHz memory. As far as storage, the 500e has 32GB of eMMC memory, so expect performance somewhere between an HDD and an SSD. Rendering duties are handled by Intel’s integrated Graphics 500 chip, and are displayed across the 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) IPS multitouch glossy screen. This model features a 42 WHr battery, which Lenovo claims will provide up to 10 hours of use.
As for cameras, there are two: one 720p front-facing camera situated above the screen, and another forward-facing 5MP camera that’s placed above the keyboard. The idea is that when the device is folded into tablet mode or tent mode, the user can snap pictures or share video with teleconference attendees. A simple button on the included camera app switches cameras on the fly.
I/O
For a compact device (11.41-in x 8.03-in x 0.8-in / 290 x 204 x 20.35 mm), the 500e offers a generous amount of ports. On the left side there’s a USB 3.0, USB-C, micro SD card reader, and the audio combo jack. On the right side are a USB3.0, USB-C, and Kensington Lock. The lighted power button and a volume rocker are also located here as well, along with the EMR pen garage. The included charger is USB-C, and can be inserted on either side of the device. Altogether, the device weighs just under 3 lbs.
Exploring Chrome OS
When Chrome OS was initially announced, I was skeptical. But as Google made strong efforts to integrate the Google Play Store into Chromebooks, the value proposition – at least for me – became very clear. Unfortunately, the experience isn’t as smooth as I had hoped, though that’s mostly due to software integration, and can’t really be blamed on the device.
Firing up the 500e and being greeted with the full Chrome browser, including all of my extensions, was a pleasant surprise, given I’m used to the app version on my Android tablet. Afterward, I immediately opened the Google Play Store and started downloading the apps that were compatible. It was nice to see that the majority of my apps could be downloaded and installed. Regrettably, the compatibility isn’t 100%, and the experience differs drastically depending on the application selected.
Fortunately, productivity apps like the Microsoft Office suite work as expected for the most part, and despite some buggy behavior, most apps are useable. Despite these hiccups, the overall Chrome OS experience has been pleasant.
Construction
Other than the rubber surrounding the device and the two rubber strips that stretch across the bottom panel, the 500e is constructed from hard plastic. The construction comes across as extremely durable; even the keycaps feel like they could take a beating.
Trying to lift the lid one-handed will result in roughly an inch of movement before the keyboard comes off the table. I can only assume the stiffness of the hinges is part of the child-proofing construction. I’m sure the device could be opened, closed, and flipped over 360 degrees several times a day without any damage to its functionality. The durable construction is definitely a selling point, but the hinges are much more rigid than what you’d find in an average laptop.
The rubber protection is integrated well for the most part, and doesn’t look or feel like an afterthought. With that said, the rubber on the lid has a raised edge to help protect the screen from resting on the keyboard. Unfortunately, that rubber lip is a natural grip for opening the lid, and I can see where the rubber could separate from the plastic over time. It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Lastly, since this is a Lenovo device, it is meant to be serviced, and that’s a big bonus. Getting to the internals is as simple as unscrewing several regular screws that are in plain sight. No special tools are necessary.
Usability
The typing experience is solid, and better than netbooks I’ve used in the past. Key travel feels like most laptop keyboards, but the relatively harder plastic keycaps take some adjusting. The Caps Lock key is replaced by a Search Key, which is standard for Chromebooks, but there are shortcuts to get to the necessary keyboard functions you’re used to. The keyboard is small, but not uncomfortably so. I was averaging just a few WPM slower than my average when taking typing tests on this keyboard.
The included EMR pen is stellar. Parallax is not an issue, and the device was very responsive to pen input. Palm rejection is present and works about as well as I’ve experienced on other devices. Essentially, my palm was rejected as long as the tip of the pen was close to the screen, but lifting away from the screen sometimes resulted in errant dots. As a bonus, tilt functionality is present, so artists can expect a responsive experience when shading.
The pen is somewhere between an S Pen and an actual pen in size. As such, I didn’t experience any cramping, but I’m not sure I would enjoy handwriting for hours on end. There’s no button on the pen to map any kind of other input such as an eraser. Lastly, the nub feels like a medium in its softness, so writing on the screen won’t feel uncontrollable, but it also won’t have the pen-on-paper feel either.
Display and Audio
The glossy screen looks good from multiple viewing angles, and the brightness at max setting is adequate even in direct sunlight. The screen size and resolution won’t make the 500e your go-to device for reading the internet or watching videos if you have a larger PC available, but that’s to be expected with any 1366 x 768 screen. Additionally, the 16:9 aspect ratio will make websites feel unnaturally skinny in portrait mode.
The two speakers located on the left and right aren’t exactly powerhouses, but they serve their purpose. Volume does get a little better when the screen is flipped backwards and the speakers are firing upward. At max volume some sounds become distorted and clarity suffers. This probably won’t be your main device for listening to music, but for the vast majority of users, the audio is fine.
Battery Life
I made a concerted effort to use the 500e as my only device for an entire day. My usage included writing a review, browsing the internet, watching YouTube, and answering email. After 12 hours of almost continual use at medium brightness, I still had 27% battery. Young students taking this Chromebook to school won’t need to worry about taking their charger along with them, and that’s a huge plus.
The 500e, Beyond Education
Lenovo expects their line of Chromebooks to be used in the education sector, and the number of YouTube videos of kids using these devices at their schools proves this. Still, the 500e can still be a practical solution for adults or anyone else looking for a portable light productivity/media consumption device that can endure the abuse of mobility.
It probably won’t be a primary device, but it will be a cost-effective secondary companion that keeps you productive while on the go, and not having to worry about being too rough with it makes it an easy recommendation for people who are highly mobile.
The 500e is perfect for young students who need an inexpensive way to connect to the internet, collaborate with classmates, and type up a few reports. Adults will also find a product that fits a very specific niche that encompasses portability, cost-effectiveness, ruggedness, and light, general laptop use. For those lamenting the dearth of Android tablets, the Lenovo 500e Chromebook is a viable alternative.
