Although CES 2023 is still a few weeks away, Lenovo has already gotten a head start with the announcement of its product lineup for 2023, which includes a new budget Chromebook and Android tablet for the U.S. market. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a major tech event held at the beginning of every year in Las Vegas. The 2023 edition will be an in-person event from January 5 to January 8.
The new IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook and Lenovo Tab M9 will not be making their U.S. debut until the second quarter of the coming year, but their specifications and prices are tempting enough to keep buyers waiting until then. The IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook will start at $349.99 while the Lenovo Tab M9 will start at $139.99. They will succeed the IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook and the Lenovo Tab M8 respectively, both of which were released in 2021.
The IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook Has A 360° Hinge
Lenovo has made some much-needed changes to the IdeaPad Flex 3i. For starters, the touchscreen display and resolution have been bumped up from 11.6 inches (1366 x 768) to 12.2 inches (1920 x 1200) and the brightness goes up to 300 nits from the 250 nits of its predecessor. The aspect ratio is now 16:10 for a taller screen and the bezels have been trimmed to enhance the overall appearance of the device. Displays have always been a drawback of entry-level Chromebooks, so it is good to see that narrative is changing. The IdeaPad Flex 3i will retain the 360-degree hinge, so it can be used in tablet mode, tent mode, and laptop mode.
Above the screen is a webcam with a privacy shutter, and there is a microphone mute key, too. When the Chromebook goes on sale next May, buyers will have the option of the Intel Processor N100 or N200, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of storage. For ports, there is a MicroSD card slot, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. The Chromebook also has an HDMI 1.4 port, a microphone/headphone combo jack, and two 2W stereo speakers. Another interesting addition is an optional backlit keyboard which isn't common at this price range. The IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook will have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Its battery life is d as up to 12 hours, and it will be available in Abyss Blue and Cloud Gray.
The Lenovo Tab M9 is an affordable Android tablet with a 9-inch HD screen that will suffice for binging movies or TV shows and reading. Despite its sub-$150 price, it has a metal casing with an interesting design on the back. The tablet is powered by MediaTek's Helio G80 processor paired with 3GB/4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB/128GB of storage. There is a 2MP front-facing camera and an 8MP sensor at the back. Lenovo has included a 5100mAh battery with for 15W charging via a USB-C port. When it launches, in Q2 2023, Lenovo will offer it in Arctic Gray and Frost Blue.
Source: Lenovo