Lenovo C330 review: Chromebook “can” best “cheap”

The advanced Chromebooks attract all the news recently, but it is the products such as this, C330 from Lenovo, that restore the platform to its roots. For many, the Chromebook is lost at $ 700 if all you need is a cheap internet -connected machine for children, kitchen or grandmother. But historically, these cheap chromium books had a set of concessions for their weight and comparison. Thank God for the budget awareness, the C330 from Lenovo, with the IPS offer and the sudden construction quality, makes the lowest number of concessions for the Chromebook of $ 300.

Specifications

Goodness

Not very good

C330 is served in each of the 32 GB storage variables and 64 GB, but our review is dedicated to 64 GB more expensive. The performance between the two should be similar, if not identical.

Design and devices

The C330 follows the traditional Chromebook 2 in 1 with a screen that can flip for the use of the tablet. The construction of the entire white plastic is amazingly strong for the price, but I hope that the crust is strengthened for the screen; Bend a little more than I feel when drawing the screen up, down or flipping. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism (such as magnet) to lock the screen in place in the composition of the tablet.

Aesthetically, it is a typical design of more than 2 in 1, but Lenovo building quality exceeds what I expected by looking at the price of $ 280. Plastic looks thick, solid, easy to clean, without showing fingerprints or dirt, and unlike many chrome books, it does not spend or bend annoying when it is a key (except for the screen, in any case).

The left side.

The right side.

On the left, you have a USB-C port (which is also used for charging), HDMI, a USB-A port, and a SD card opening. The right has a kensington, energy control and its size, and a headphone socket. The pointed front and the circular back are not decorated.

The USB Type-C port does not have a lot of clicking when inserting a cable, but it works well. The old HDMI hole and a fully -sized SD slice is a somewhat historical paradox, but it can be said that it is more useful in a cheap device like this. The only thing I wanted to see is the second Type-C port on the right to charge Ambidextros.

Specific amplifiers to the left and right. They vote loudly loudly without distorting, but they are very tips and completely lacking in the brow.

Chromebook comes with a USB Type-C charger for a general laptop charger everywhere: Black Box with a bound cable, and an outlet to enter the frequency current. It claims that the maximum of 45 watts of the output, but in my codified tests, it seems that Chromebook has not pulled more than 30 watts.

The keyboard and touch plate

Non -back keyboard is shallow and slightly lacks touch reactions. Be a little on the thicker side, I was hoping to be more main travel. As I tradition, I wrote a large part of this review of Chromebook without any problem, although my speed decreased slightly to about 95WPM from an average of 110-120WPM.

The largest pet in Chromebooks is a well engineering touch board. Specifically, I hate when the clicking mechanism is loose or put the spring of the touch plate very far from the key, giving a disturbing custody on the tap. Lenovo C330, unfortunately, does it carefully. Its use does not weaken or break any function, but it is annoying if you are difficult to satisfy. Every time your finger decreases to rest for criticism, you will hear this slight chest.

Outside that very specific complaint, it’s a good touch plate, with a wonderful low -inevitable texture that makes the most easy and more accurate movements. The gestures of two and three fingers worked as expected. Compared to some of the most expensive Chromebook books I used recently, this is among the best touch boards there, especially given the price. According to my high scientific tests (I ridiculed it with a pin), it is made of plastic, not glass.

an offer

The C330 contains the IPS 11.6 “, 1366 x 768. Although I prefer a bit height rate, the additional screen that disperses the border screen is at the border, but the screen quality is still much better than most chrome books of $ 300, which tend towards TN.

The screen is so great that it cannot be called, but at least not saturated (or TN plate with thin viewing corners). Its density is 133 PPI to see every individual pixel, but the rear lighting on my unit was equal, with no bleeding or glow outside the typical angle of IPS panels, although the screen housing is flexible sufficiently when tilt back and forward to give you a little distinctive liquid effect.

In 200 networks of the brightness of the maximum, it is also not a very bright width. Between it and the bright nature of the touch screens, do not expect much outdoor vision. I also hope that the joint of the screen will be a little more solid. Picking and placing a laptop is sufficient to move it into a different position, and just more resistant hair would be perfect.

Performance and battery life

C330 is run by Mediaatek MT8173C. It is not a particularly powerful SOC, and it is a bit old at this stage, but in the standards and daily use, it is related to naming with Celeron Intel N-Series Low in CHROMBAK books cheaper. Being an arm, it appears to have a small edge with Android applications – whether in narrative use or in some standards.

Unfortunately, Chromebook currently does not have the support of Linux applications, but it is coming.

Lenovo C330 is constantly classified for 10 hours on charges of charge, which I think is a little optimistic. Realistically, I expect closer to 7 hours of actual mixed use, although you can extend it if you are ready to reduce the width or reduce media consumption.

Should you buy one?

Yes. Without reservation, I can recommend all sincerity C330 Lenovo. The faded SOC performance-which is realistically, is equally equal to another of the low-price Intel Chromebooks-C330 Lenovo has a surprisingly good quality for $ 280.

Of course, Lenovo had to cut some corners. This is not Chromebook worth $ 700. On the one hand, the screen is a glass, the screen is the IPS, and the quality of the construction is not unwanted with the loud that you expect in pricing at the Ntok level; But on the other hand, this screen is only 200 groups, the performance is not amazing, and the keyboard can be a background and a little more beautiful for use.

Lenovo’s Chromebook is not very thin or metal, and does not have a high PPI screen, but you should pay more than $ 280 to get these features. In fact, the C330 was already offered for sale with less than $ 180, and for an entity, I think it was theft.

It is not perfect in any way, but it does not have to be. C330 is one of the best “cheap” chromebooks “, a period.

Buy if:

• You need a small chrome with a budget

• The broader viewing angles of the screen are important.

• The durability and the quality of good construction in general is required.

Do not buy if:

• You can spend more.

• It will be used as a piece first.

• You need better performance.

Lenovo C330 can be purchased from retailers below:

• Amazon

  • 32 GB

  • 64 GB

• Lenovo

• Best purchase