Lenovo has announced that it is bringing two new Chromebooks to market this summer, with one sporting a unique ‘flex’ touchscreen able to flip over backwards.
The notebooks are the first consumer-orientated Chrome devices to be offered from the laptop maker. It has previously produced ruggedised versions of its Yoga line running Chrome OS for education.
N20p Stands Out From The Crowd
Despite the swelling ranks, the current range of Chromebooks available are fast becoming identical (give or take some over adjective-ised colours). Lenovo is hoping that the new N20p Chromebook, with a hinged 300 degree display, will be able to (pun intended) stand out.
Unlike the Yoga 11e Chromebooks, this one only has two modes: laptop or ‘tent’. It doesn’t fold back flush to form a tablet. The screen supports 10-point touch.
For those looking for a less acrobatic device a flex-free version sans touchscreen functionality will also be available. Display features aside, both the clamshell and its more agile sibling feature more or less the same internal specifications, including the same dual-core Bay Trail CPU and 16GB flash storage.
- 11.6-inch display (1366×768)
- Intel Celeron N2830 processor @ 2.41 GHz
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics
- 16GB eMMC storage
- 2GB or 4GB DRR3L RAM
- 8 Hour Battery
- Webcam, 2x USB, HDMI, SD Card Reader
Size, weight and price comparison
At just 17.9mm thick when closed, and weighing in at less than 1.4kg (the N20p is a touch heavier than the N20) the devices compare favourably against similar models on the market.
At $329, the N20p is also less expensive than the Thinkpad Yoga 11e Chromebook which retails to education at $349. While it lacks the benefit Yoga’s ‘tablet’ mode and IPS screen, you do get a better processor and a $20 saving.
The other consumer touchscreen Chromebook (putting the pricey Pixel to one side) is the Acer C720P. This sells for somewhere around $299 in the US. It’s cheaper but doesn’t include the flexible form factor functionality of this latest offering from Lenovo.
The N20 isn’t quite as well-priced at $279, making it almost $80 more expensive than the entry Acer C720.
Pricing & Availability
Lenovo say the N20 Chromebook will be available to buy in the US this July starting at $279. The more desirable N20p will land in August at a slightly more expensive entry point of $329.
Intrigued? Hit play on the video below to see a Lenovo rep demo the devices first hand.
- Source: Mashable