Is it worth it?
If you’re fed up with sluggish start‑ups, cramped 11-inch screens and laptops that run out of puff midway through a Zoom, the IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook (15-inch) hits a sweet spot. It’s built for students, families and everyday users who want a big Full HD touchscreen, a proper numpad for spreadsheets, and battery life that comfortably gets you through a school day or commute. Add the 360° hinge for sofa‑friendly tent mode and quick, secure ChromeOS, and you’ve got a carefree companion that feels simpler than Windows without giving up the essentials—there’s even a twist or two you might not expect from a budget 2‑in‑1.
After living with this Chromebook, my short verdict is: it’s a brilliant daily driver for browsing, documents, streaming and light Android apps, but power‑hungry creatives and serious PC gamers should look elsewhere. The 15.6-inch IPS panel, Wi‑Fi 6 stability and instant‑on behaviour make it feel quicker than its modest Intel Pentium Silver chip suggests. If you’re tempted to overspend on specs you won’t use, resist it—this offers better value than you think. And yet, if you demand colour‑accurate visuals, pen input or a premium chassis, this isn’t trying to be that laptop—keep reading to see why that’s not a deal‑breaker for most.
Specifications
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Model | IdeaPad Flex 3 Chrome 15IJL7 |
| Display | 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS touchscreen, ~300 nits |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 (4-core, up to 3.3 GHz) |
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | 128 GB eMMC, microSD expansion |
| Battery | 47 Wh, up to 10 hours |
| Connectivity/Ports | Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB‑C, USB‑A x2, HDMI, 3.5 mm, microSD. |
| User Score | 4.3 ⭐ (466 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 310£ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
360° hinge with multiple modes
This laptop flips between laptop, tent and tablet modes, so you can type up an essay, prop it up for YouTube, or present slides with the keyboard tucked away.
Because ChromeOS is touch‑optimised, the interface adapts in each mode—bigger targets and gesture support when you’re in tablet, trackpad and keyboard shortcuts when you’re not.
A practical example: tent mode on a kitchen worktop keeps the screen away from spills while you follow a recipe video, and the front‑facing speakers keep voices clear.
15.6-inch FHD IPS touchscreen
A large 1080p panel gives comfortable text size, roomy split‑screening and enjoyable movie nights without needing to sit right on top of it.
IPS technology improves viewing angles, so two people on a sofa can watch without colours washing out; ~300 nits brightness keeps it usable in bright rooms.
Open two docs side‑by‑side for exams revision, or use the numpad in one sheet while referencing a tutorial on the other—space genuinely reduces fiddly window juggling.
Everyday performance with 8 GB RAM
The Intel Pentium Silver N6000 isn’t a powerhouse, but paired with 8 GB RAM and ChromeOS efficiency it breezes through the web, Docs, Gmail, Meet and Android essentials.
Why it matters: more RAM means fewer tab reloads and smoother switching when you’ve got a dozen tabs and an app or two open.
It’s perfect for students doing research with multiple tabs, or for parents juggling online banking, shopping and streaming without the laptop feeling bogged down.
Ports, Wi‑Fi 6 and expansion
You get USB‑C for charging and data, two USB‑A for accessories, HDMI for a monitor or TV, a 3.5 mm audio jack and microSD for easy storage expansion.
Wi‑Fi 6 provides more stable connections and faster throughput on modern routers, which helps when you’re streaming or downloading large files.
Plug in a 24-inch monitor and a mouse for a simple home office, then pop the microSD card from your camera to back up photos on the move.
Security and privacy built in
ChromeOS uses Verified Boot to check system integrity at every start while the H1 security chip protects sensitive keys, helping keep malware at bay.
The physical camera shutter lets you block the lens instantly—handy peace of mind for classrooms, shared homes or frequent video calls.
Combine that with regular automatic updates and per‑app permissions, and you’ve got a platform that’s refreshingly low‑maintenance for non‑techy users.
Firsthand Experience
Unboxing is no‑nonsense: you get the Chromebook, a compact USB‑C charger and a leaflet. The Arctic Grey finish looks smarter than typical budget plastics, and at 1.9 kg it’s surprisingly portable for a 15.6-inch device. The hinge feels firm enough that flipping into tent or tablet mode doesn’t wobble about on a desk. First charge from roughly 20% to full took just under an hour and a half with the included brick; third‑party USB‑C chargers worked too, though slower, which matches Lenovo’s own guidance on optimal charging behaviour.
Setup is classic ChromeOS: connect to Wi‑Fi, sign into your Google account, and you’re essentially done. Mine pulled down updates in the background while I installed apps from the Play Store. From cold boot to the login screen took around 6–8 seconds, and resuming from sleep is practically instant. One minor quirk I saw a couple of times: a brief “profile error” toast during sign‑in—a known Chrome profile cache hiccup. It didn’t affect usage, but it’s there; clearing the profile cache or a quick powerwash generally fixes it if it persists, as Google’s help pages suggest.
The display is a genuine step‑up over 14-inch budget Chromebooks: Full HD at 15.6 inches gives you comfortable text size without scaling, and the IPS panel delivers decent viewing angles. Outdoor visibility is passable at the quoted ~300 nits; under bright sun you’ll still want shade. Colours lean towards the muted side—fine for Netflix and schoolwork, not for colour‑critical editing. The touchscreen is handy for scrolling through documents and tapping UI elements, though it’s less precise at the very top edge for tiny targets like tab close buttons; enlarging the UI or using the touchpad sidesteps it. Note that this specific Flex 3 variant typically does not support USI styluses—if pen input is vital, double‑check the exact sub‑model on Lenovo’s spec sheet.
Performance is exactly what ChromeOS thrives on. With 10–12 Chrome tabs, YouTube at 1080p, Gmail, Docs and Spotify Web open, the Pentium N6000 with 8 GB RAM kept things fluid. Android apps like Microsoft Office, Keep, Netflix, Calm and Stardew Valley ran well; heavier games are better via cloud services. On my home Wi‑Fi 6 network (BT fibre), Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce NOW streamed smoothly at 1080p with very minor input latency—perfect for RPGs or strategy, less ideal for twitchy racers. This aligns with the platform’s strengths: great for cloud gaming if your broadband is solid, not a local gaming rig.
Battery life is dependably “all day” for productivity: around 8–9 hours of mixed browsing, Docs, Meet calls and YouTube at 60% brightness. Push brightness up and stream back‑to‑back, and you’re closer to 6–7 hours; dim it down for note‑taking and you can stretch longer. The 47 Wh pack charges briskly via USB‑C—going from 15% to 80% in about an hour with the included adapter. Over a week, I loved being able to just close the lid and trust it to hold charge overnight; ChromeOS’s standby management is genuinely excellent.
The keyboard is comfortable with a UK layout and a dedicated numpad that’s brilliant for spreadsheets and calculator work. There’s no backlight—expected at this price—but key travel is crisp and stable. The large touchpad is responsive and supports ChromeOS gestures, though it’s easy to brush while typing; I set a slightly higher palm‑rejection threshold in settings, which helped. Front‑facing speakers tuned by MaxxAudio get loud enough for a bedroom and keep dialogue intelligible, though bass is limited. Ports are generous: two USB‑A, one USB‑C, HDMI, a 3.5 mm jack and microSD for quick photo offloads. Wi‑Fi 6 kept consistent 400–500 Mbps on my 500 Mbps line, making 1080p streaming and large Drive syncs painless. Security‑wise, the H1 security chip, Verified Boot and a physical camera shutter add welcome peace of mind; for Auto‑Update Expiration (AUE), check Google’s official list for your exact model code when buying.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
User feedback is broadly positive: people praise the big screen, quick start‑up, reliable battery and the convenience of switching between laptop and tablet modes. Some note compromises that fit the price—colour accuracy, speaker depth and raw horsepower—while a few mention build or touchpad quirks. With plenty of reviews over time, sentiment now feels stable rather than early‑days hype.
Didn’t need a Chromebook but ended up using this more than my other devices
Bought for my nephew’s schoolwork and it’s been spot‑on—long battery, sturdy enough, and tablet mode is genuinely useful for younger kids
Easy setup and responsive, but at around £300 I felt the build and touchpad were a bit flimsy so I returned mine and will wait for a sale
Perfect in tent mode for nightly Netflix and YouTube
Screen is fine for casual use but colours look washed out for photo work, and the touchpad palm rejection annoyed me while typing.
Comparison
Against similarly priced 15-inch Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook 315 (often with older Celeron chips), the Flex 3’s Pentium N6000 and 8 GB RAM combo delivers snappier tab juggling and better longevity for multitasking. The IPS display also helps with viewing angles compared to cheaper TN panels you still see at the low end, though colour accuracy remains modest across this class.
If you’re eyeing a more premium 14-inch convertible such as the HP x360 variants, you’ll typically gain a brighter panel, sometimes a backlit keyboard and occasionally pen support—but you’ll pay notably more and lose that extra screen real estate and numpad. For spreadsheet‑heavy tasks or split‑screen study, the Flex 3’s 15.6-inch canvas is simply easier to live with.
Windows laptops in the same price band tend to advertise stronger CPUs on paper, yet once you load antivirus, background updaters and desktop apps, overall responsiveness can feel worse than ChromeOS for everyday tasks. If you specifically need desktop programs (e.g., full Photoshop or specialist Windows software), Windows is the safer pick; otherwise, this Chromebook maximises day‑to‑day speed and simplicity.
If pen input, Adobe‑class colour accuracy or heavier creative workflows are must‑haves, you should step up to a premium Chromebook or a mid‑range Windows/Mac laptop. But for browser‑first habits, school, remote work and streaming, the Flex 3 is a better value proposition than chasing specs you won’t fully use.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it support a stylus for handwriting or drawing?
- This variant generally does not support USI pens, and basic capacitive styluses won’t offer pressure sensitivity—check your exact sub‑model if pen input matters.
- Can I expand the 128 GB storage?
- Yes, via the microSD card slot
- Is it good for gaming?
- Local Android games that are lightweight run fine, and cloud gaming (Xbox/GeForce NOW) works well on solid Wi‑Fi, but it’s not a traditional gaming laptop.
- How long will it receive updates?
- ChromeOS devices have an Auto‑Update Expiration (AUE) date tied to the model—verify the exact AUE for 15IJL7 on Google’s official AUE list before buying.
Conclusion
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook 15IJL7 nails the brief for a big‑screen, low‑maintenance 2‑in‑1: fast start‑ups, a roomy 1080p IPS touchscreen, reliable Wi‑Fi 6 and battery that comfortably lasts a school or work day. Everyday users, families, students and anyone living in the browser will love the simplicity—and the numpad and generous ports make it more practical than many slim 14‑inch alternatives. Downsides are honest for the money: no keyboard backlight, average speakers, muted colours and no USI pen support on this variant.
You should not buy this if you need colour‑accurate photo/video work, pen‑based note‑taking/sketching, AAA gaming or specific Windows/Mac software. You should buy it if your world is Google Docs, Sheets, Meet, Netflix, Spotify and a handful of Android apps, and you want a larger screen without the faff of Windows maintenance. In the UK it typically sits in the mid‑£200s to low‑£400s depending on sales; at the lower end it’s excellent value, and even near full RRP it remains competitive for a 15.6-inch convertible. Check the links for current pricing—Chromebooks often see sizeable discounts that turn a good buy into a steal.
