Lenovo has long been known for producing some of the most reliable, well-built laptops on the market, from the iconic ThinkPad series to the more recent Yoga 2-in-1s. In 2018, the company introduced a new budget-friendly education laptop called the Lenovo 300e Chromebook. Now in its 2nd generation, the 300e packs an impressive set of features into a compact and highly affordable package. But is this ruggedized little laptop a smart buy for students and those with basic computing needs? Read on for our full review.
At first glance, the Lenovo 300e looks very similar to other 11-inch Chromebooks and Windows laptops aimed at the education market, such as the Dell Chromebook 3100 or the HP Stream 11. But don‘t let the unassuming black plastic exterior fool you – this laptop is built tougher than your average budget notebook.
The entire body features a rubberized coating to improve grip and protect against bumps and drops. The keyboard is water resistant to survive classroom spills. And the display is surrounded by chunky rubber bumpers that protrude slightly above the screen to prevent damage if dropped while open. Lenovo says the 300e has been rigorously tested to meet MIL-STD-810G standards for durability.
That ruggedness does make the 300e a bit thicker and heavier than some other 11-inch class laptops at 0.8 inches thick and 2.9 pounds. But it‘s still plenty portable enough to tote to school in a backpack. And the sturdiness provides peace of mind for parents and school IT administrators deploying these laptops to kids.
When it comes to specs and features, the 300e offers pretty standard fare for a budget laptop in this size class. The base models come with an Intel Celeron N4100 or N4120 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, and an 11.6-inch 1366×768 resolution display. For a bit more money, you can upgrade to a model with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
All models feature Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless connectivity, a 720p webcam, and stereo speakers. Ports include a single USB-C, two USB 3.1 Type-A, HDMI, a microSD card slot, and a headphone/mic combo jack. Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours on the Chromebook models.
One standout feature of the 300e is its 360-degree convertible hinge design, allowing you to flip the screen all the way around to use as a tablet, prop it up in tent or stand modes for viewing media or presentations, or just fold it flat on a desk. Windows models also come with a Wacom AES 2.0 active pen for sketching or taking handwritten notes right on the screen.
In terms of performance, you have to set realistic expectations for a laptop in this price range. With a low-end Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM, the 300e is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming, but don‘t expect it to be a multitasking powerhouse or handle demanding apps.
For students who mostly live in a web browser or Google Workspace apps, the Chromebook model delivers snappy enough performance and faster boot times than the Windows version. You‘re limited to web apps, but for many that‘s all they need.
With the Windows model running Windows 10 or 11 in S mode by default, you‘re restricted to apps from the Microsoft Store unless you upgrade to full Windows. But that gives you more flexibility in terms of installing some lightweight Windows apps while still maintaining the security and performance benefits of S mode.
The 11.6-inch display, while not the sharpest or brightest out there, is good enough for basic productivity and media consumption. The IPS panel offers decent colors and viewing angles, and the touchscreen is responsive for tapping and swiping through web pages or drawing with the included pen.
Like most laptops in this size and price range, the keyboard is a bit cramped but fine for kids or those with smaller hands. The trackpad gets the job done for navigating the UI, though you‘ll probably want a mouse for extended use. Having a touchscreen makes up for some of the limitations.
One area where the 300e pleasantly surprises is battery life. Lenovo claims up to 10 hours for the Chromebook model, and it comes close to that in real-world mixed usage. The Windows model isn‘t quite as long-lasting but still powers through a full school day away from an outlet. Charging is also speedy with the included 45W USB-C power adapter.
So who is the Lenovo 300e for? As an entry-level education laptop, it‘s best suited for younger students with basic computing needs like web browsing, Google Workspace for Education, and media consumption. The durable, convertible design and included pen also make it a good fit for kids who might be a bit rougher on their tech.
At a starting price under $300 for the Chromebook model and under $500 for the Windows version, the 300e is also a compelling option for any budget-conscious shopper who just needs an affordable device for light productivity on the go and doesn‘t want to spend a lot.
However, the relatively low-end specs mean power users, creative professionals, and those who need to run more demanding applications should look elsewhere in Lenovo‘s lineup – though they‘ll have to spend more for the privilege. If your computing needs are simple, though, the 300e gets the basics right at an unbeatable price.
Compared to similarly-priced competitors like the Dell Chromebook 3100, HP Chromebook 11, Acer Chromebook Spin 311, and Asus Vivobook L203, the Lenovo 300e stands out for its MIL-STD durability, included active pen, and longer battery life in the Chromebook configuration. The Windows model is a bit more of a mixed bag, with slightly slower performance but more flexibility to run Win32 apps.
For older students or those willing to sacrifice some of the ruggedness to save money or get slightly better specs, it‘s worth considering step-up options like the Lenovo 500e Chromebook, Samsung Chromebook 4, or Microsoft Surface Go 2 if your budget allows. But for younger kids and those who prioritize durability, the Lenovo 300e hits a real sweet spot.
Unless you need a laptop for serious content creation, gaming, or processor-intensive tasks, the Lenovo 300e is a smartly-designed and eminently affordable option that‘s especially ideal for students but also a compelling choice for anyone who needs a basic, no-frills laptop they can toss in a bag and not worry about. If you value function and durability over cutting-edge specs and premium materials, this might just be the laptop for you.
