The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook: its screen folds back 360 degrees so you can use it as a laptop, a tablet, or propped up in tent or stand mode. Inside is an Intel Core i3-1315U with 8GB of memory, enough to meet Google’s Chromebook Plus standard, which unlocks Google’s AI features and faster performance than a typical budget Chromebook.
It launched in 2023 and gets automatic ChromeOS updates until June 2032. Lenovo has since moved on, so most listings today come from resellers, at around $650 for a 256GB model on Amazon. That’s more than some newer Chromebook Plus laptops, so it’s worth comparing before you buy.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
A 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus with a Core i3-1315U, 8GB of RAM, a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen, and a backlit keyboard.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus if you specifically want a convertible Chromebook: one you can flip into a tablet for reading, drawing with a USI pen, or watching video, with a sharp 16:10 touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, and a good port selection.
Skip it if you don’t need the 2-in-1 hinge. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 costs less, gets updates three years longer (until 2035), and comes with a larger 512GB SSD. The Flex 5i is also heavy for a tablet at about 3.5 pounds.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus specs
| Spec | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1315U | 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.5 GHz |
| Memory | 8GB | Soldered |
| Storage | 128GB to 512GB | Varies by listing |
| Display | 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, IPS, touch | About 300 nits |
| Design | 2-in-1 convertible, 360-degree hinge | |
| Ports | 2x USB-C, USB-A, microSD, headphone jack | |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | |
| Webcam | 1080p | |
| Weight | About 3.5 lb | |
| Updates | Until June 2032 | |
| Price | About $650 | 256GB, Amazon |
Performance
The Core i3-1315U is a 13th Gen Intel chip with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. Paired with 8GB of memory, it’s comfortably fast for ChromeOS: many Chrome tabs, Google Docs and Sheets, video calls in Meet or Zoom, streaming, and Android apps from the Play Store. It’s noticeably quicker than Chromebooks built on Intel N-series or MediaTek chips.
Because it meets the Chromebook Plus standard, it gets Google’s extra features, such as Gemini built into ChromeOS, Help me write, Magic Eraser in Google Photos, and AI-enhanced video calls.
Like most Chromebooks, it isn’t built for demanding games or video editing, and it doesn’t run Windows apps.
Convertible Design
The 360-degree hinge is the reason to choose this Chromebook over a clamshell. Fold it into tablet mode for reading or note-taking, tent mode for watching video on a tray table, or stand mode for following a recipe. The hinge holds the screen steady in laptop mode.
The downside is weight. At around 3.5 pounds, it’s fine as a laptop but tiring to hold as a tablet for long. The touchscreen supports USI styluses, sold separately, which work for handwritten notes and markup.
Display
The 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen is sharp, and its 16:10 shape shows more of a document or web page than a 16:9 screen. Brightness is about 300 nits, which is fine indoors but dim in sunlight or by a bright window.
Ports, Keyboard, and Webcam
The port selection is better than most thin laptops: two USB-C ports (both charge and transfer data; one is full-function for displays), a USB-A port for older accessories, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. You can connect external monitors over USB-C.
The backlit keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions, and the 1080p webcam is sharper than the 720p cameras on many budget laptops, though it looks dim in poor lighting. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 round it out.
Battery Life
Expect a full school or workday on a charge with typical ChromeOS use; independent testing measured around 9.5 hours of continuous use. Heavy video calls and high screen brightness shorten that.
Buying It in 2026
Most Flex 5i Chromebook Plus listings on Amazon now come from third-party resellers, and some are “resealed” units where the seller has upgraded the storage and added its own warranty for the drive. Before you buy:
- Check the storage. Configurations range from 128GB (sometimes eMMC) to 512GB SSDs. Aim for 256GB or more.
- Check the seller. Look for a clear return policy and warranty terms.
- Compare the price with the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and other current Chromebook Plus models before paying more than about $500.
Flex 5i Chromebook Plus vs. Acer Chromebook Plus 514
| Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | 2-in-1 convertible | Clamshell |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1315U | Intel Core 3 N355 |
| Memory / storage | 8GB / 128 to 512GB | 8GB / 512GB SSD |
| Screen | 14” 1920 x 1200 touch | 14” 1920 x 1200 touch |
| Updates until | June 2032 | June 2035 |
| Price | About $650 (256GB) | About $455 |
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the better buy for most people: it’s cheaper, has more storage, and gets three more years of updates. The Flex 5i wins only if you’ll actually use tablet mode. Our best Chromebooks guide has more options, and our Chromebook vs. laptop explainer helps if you’re deciding between ChromeOS and Windows.
Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if you want a 2-in-1 Chromebook with Chromebook Plus performance, a sharp touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, and lots of ports, and you can find it at a fair price.
Skip it if you don’t need tablet mode, want the longest update support, or want the best value; the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is cheaper and supported longer.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is still a capable, well-equipped convertible Chromebook, with a quick Core i3, a sharp 16:10 touchscreen, and updates until 2032. It’s an older model now, though, and it mostly makes sense if you want the 2-in-1 design. If you don’t, newer Chromebook Plus laptops give you more for less.
