Lenovo 14e Chromebook Review

[@leslieparyzer2072]

2/ 2022 Considering purchasing 10000 for a school district but read reviews complaining that it doesn't work well in zoom or remote learning setting. In your youtube the audio/video seem out of sync. Do you have more experience or recommendation now

[@SkillAscentEdu]

The biggest issue I found was students never powering down their device which lead to a whole host of issues besides zoom. My original review which was done with the first production year of the 14e has proven to be ultra reliable and takes a pretty harsh beating. Subsiquent production years are less reliable. Currently I have a 5th grade bath deployed where half have suffered the same keyboard malfunction and screen failures. now I am leaning towards the 100e for next year's new class deployment. Another complaint I have is the amount of time it takes to do a keyboard swap. It requires you to remove every component. Which at best now doubles repair time compared to previous Lenovo models. Overall I still like the design and durability but have been soured on bad batches being shipped leading me to consider alternatives.

[@leslieparyzer2072]

@@SkillAscentEdu Thanks so much for the fastest reply ever. We were originally planning the 100e (and 300e) but its become hard to get and we were offered a great deal for these and like the screen size. But there were reviews where customers hated them for school use. Hard to know.

[@TomNardi]

I've actually been considering getting this Chromebook for myself, so glad to see an actual review for it. For whatever reason, there seems to be very little info about this machine online outside the pre-release coverage. One thing I would point out though is that the non-touch version doesn't have an IPS screen, but twisted nematic (TN). This isn't obvious in the promotional material and you've got to dig a bit in the tech specs of the different versions to find it out. When its in person though, it's easy to identify because the screen turns nearly black when viewed at an extreme angle. For example, when you lay it down flat at the end of the video. With an IPS screen, the image would look more or less the same from whatever angle you were viewing it.

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Thanks for sharing that info! I had no idea! They really have treated this machine like the red-headed stepchild of their product line up (no offense to redheaded step children, it's just a phrase). I really like this unit, and i it's deployment I haven't had any issue. Opposed to the 300e where I had 5 kids come with broken devices within the first week.

[@rcjd7834]

How are the viewing angles? You mentioned that it blacks at extreme angles, what about reasonable usage conditions? I am considering getting one to remote in to my desktop from the local college campus.

[@samvenneri]

@@SkillAscentEdu still loving it ?

[@SkillAscentEdu]

@@samvenneri Yes very much so! These things are super tough and I haven't had to do any replacements. I did recieve in the batch 3 chromebooks with faulty keyboards. But 3 out of 50 isn't too bad.

[@Daimon12820]

I just bought it and it's true as you said. The design of this laptop is very good, sturdy and if you look at it and hold it it doesn't feel like a cheap laptop. I didn't expect the design to be this good. Watch videos on youtube also no longer lags, for some reason the problems on this laptop seem to be fixed directly by itself.

[@melinda4068]

I'm gonna be getting this chromebook today :D

[@thanasisdakakis4775]

What's your experience with it? (Cause I'm considering one)

[@sarabernard1979]

My friend just bought this for her son for online classes and it's performed poorly for video conferencing. His teacher uses Google Classroom /Google meet. Any tips of how to improve this? The video and audio lags. I feel bad cause I told her it's a sis basic computer for a student. She had to switch back to the iPad. One thing to note it says her Internet connection on the laptop is "medium". But on another devices it say strong.

[@SkillAscentEdu]

My first thing would be move the Chromebook closer to the AP to see if it fixes stability issues. I have found on the 14e that the wifi antennas have smaller range than normal. I've also seen that when students have several apps and multiple tabs that performance begins to take a severe hit. But i overall agree, that this chromebook isn't the best for video conferencing. I'm wondering if it has to do with the AMD processor.

[@juliannevillecorrea]

Thank you sir ❤️

[@SkillAscentEdu]

No problem. Although the latest batch I received are having the same keyboard failure. So be mindful that this is a "known" problem and is an annoying fix.

[@JohnParavantis]

If I may, when you do a review, you better know the specs. Yes, its resolution is 1920x1080. One important advantage of this model is that it has two USB-C ports: you can charge it via one of the ports, and hook it up to an external display via the other.

[@JackRH-hj6hl]

Do you recommend it to me? I am a university student and I use Word and Office programs to study and study. The most important thing is that it can play a video of a graduation project well because I will buy it.

[@meltingslurpee]

thanks for the review! how would you compare this to the recently released Lenovo s340 Chromebook? in terms of the processor as well as the different screen resolutions. thanks!

[@meltingslurpee]

Also, I'm curious how it performs in multitasking? is 1080p 60fps possible?

[@SkillAscentEdu]

I actually did a review on the s340 but forgot to edit it. So thanks for the reminder. I actually think this think is of higher quality. It will certainly withstand a lot more abuse than the s340. The s340 is made out of plastic... rugged hard plastic but still. My biggest issue with this is for keyboard replacement. The keyboard is actually part of the case so to replace it you have to rip out the internals. That can than lead to a higher chance of shorting the board.

[@meltingslurpee]

@@SkillAscentEdu I see. it sounds like the compromise was the build quality in the s340. I can't seem to make up my mind between these two chromebooks. Since you have both, what would you say are the pro's and con's of each when compared to one another? in terms of keyboard, screen, multitasking etc? thanks!

[@SkillAscentEdu]

@@meltingslurpee The 14e is an overall better machine for the price tag. The durability is a major factor and it looks more professional (in my opinion) The s340 is more budget friendly and repairs will be easier. Both have touch screen options . The 14e is running an AMD processor whereas the S340 I believe can be picked up in MediaTek or Intel. Both have IPS touchscreen options or non touch options. Honestly though, both are capable cloud machine and I would say go with whatever you can pick on sale or wait til March when Lenovo launches their 2020 chromebook models.

[@meltingslurpee]

@@SkillAscentEdu by the way,I came across a hard shell case for the 14E. its $20 on Amazon right now. www.amazon.com/mCover-Lenovo-Chromebook-Fitting-LEN-C14e/dp/B07W9FW418/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Lenovo%2B14E&qid=1578932708&s=electronics&sr=1-2&th=1

[@tracyhart1962]

Hello. I have a dim screen on one of these devices and can't get it to brighten. Do you have a video on how I can fix this? Or tell me how? Thank you

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Sounds like a bad backlight. I would double check connection to motherboard. But most likely bad LCD. I've had a few go bad like this from a 2021 batch

[@lesterroberts1628]

What are the specs or model of the SSD? comparing it to my present laptop. i need a faster hard drive

[@adsrbad9733]

Hi, I have this laptop. It’s quite nice. do you know if the keyboard is identical to any other laptop? Finding a keyboard cover for this specific design is hard :/

[@spookyesc2227]

Would you recommend this for work and school work in 2023! V

[@spookyesc2227]

*?

[@SkillAscentEdu]

I honestly can't say. I think they are good and fairly durable, but I'm no longer in the tech field. As long as you aren't beating the crap out of it you should be good. Plus parts for repairs should be in supply now.

[@ryanveldhuizen589]

What do you think of the 14E vs the Flex 5 13? Similar prices for base model, but which would be more durable?

[@TommyGibbz]

I'd be interested in hearing about this as well.

[@ignazioz87]

Hi, would you recommend this for light office work and web based setup of Access points DVRs home automation devices ( I install this last accessing web interface of these products)?

[@SkillAscentEdu]

It really is designed to be used with the internet. So any web based applications should work. If you need anything involving terminal then go with a windows based laptop.

[@ignazioz87]

@@SkillAscentEdu thanks for the advice!

[@damspatata7210]

A ustedes les funciona el click izquierdo?? O hay que configurarlo

[@ravikamma1028]

Finally i guess i should be able to get an answer. Great Review . Is there a compatible pencil/stylus model that will work on this 14E . Please Suggest .

[@SkillAscentEdu]

This 14e featured is non touch and not compatible with any stylus. Check if Lenovo has a preferred stylus they sell for the touch model.

[@LKeshaba]

where is the play store?

[@marturuiz849]

hey im considering using it for mail, yb, netflix, word PowerPoint and excel, does it work smoothly? im studying business in college!

[@SkillAscentEdu]

As long as you are using web based versions of Microsoft it should work just fine for that. Although I do recommend getting a full windows laptop for college. You'll definitely want to use a full version of Excel, especially if you are taking business classes.

[@marturuiz849]

@@SkillAscentEdu thankks! do you think the hp pavillon ryzen 3 with 1t and 12gb ram will work better?

[@ryzor3982]

@@SkillAscentEdu you can download the apps though

[@heardcake711]

Can you play online games with this( Minecraft, Roblox)

[@BadWolf3742]

Would anybody be able to point me in the right direction for a replacement screen? Please and thank you

[@wave221]

Chromebookparts.com Agparts education

[@natanaeldicaprio6347]

The different S345 and 14e is..??

[@SkillAscentEdu]

The 14e has an aluminum outer shell around the screen and marketed as enterprise. Beyond that really nothing.

[@natanaeldicaprio6347]

@@SkillAscentEdu Thank you for your response 😍🙏 I just bought a Lenovo 14e yesterday after a long time of thinking and choosing, whether the Lenovo 14e with AMD A4 or Lenovo S345 with AMD A6. Finally I decided to buy a Lenovo 14e. However, my Lenovo 14e only has a TN screen, not an IPS.

[@francomarquezgigena2632]

Does this one overheat or makes a lot of sound?

[@normanvitellaro145]

how is the drop test on this bad boy?

[@shootshoot69]

Does it have backlit kb

[@matinmantasha5319]

Keypad main brightness option hao

[@gamelive5447]

Can i upgrade the ssd?🙏

[@SkillAscentEdu]

No it's soldered in.

[@jamar4113]

what's the sd capacity

[@ramirocarmona5636]

cuanto en ram tinen esta lenovo y cuanto de almacenamiento?

[@vanessacorreia3457]

Is it touch screen?

[@helix7564]

are you testing a touch screen one? thx

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Sadly no. I believe I misspoke in this review as the IPS screen is touchscreen only.

[@jamesnasium4035]

You're the IT guy for your school, yet you grab the non-touchscreen laptop by the display and lift it, and you rub the display and get your fingerprints all over it. You also don't know the resolution of a standard FHD display.

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Yeah dude. It's a shame microfiber cloths exist to fix the smudging and my treatment is considered tame compared to what those kids did. Also it's a Chromebook, no one is buying a Chromebook for how well the display looks. It's purchased as a midteir netbook to get basic tasks done.

[@TheVaelastrasz]

How a tech specialist doesn't know what definition a Full HD display is????

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Ed tech specialists focus less on specs and more on usability and training. Thanks for asking!

[@mlem5216]

@@SkillAscentEdu ONLY 1080p tho? that's good even for 24 inch monitors

[@SkillAscentEdu]

For students 1080p is good enough and TBH 4k on a Chromebook seems like a waste. Besides video consumption, what could benefit from 4k on a Chromebook. Super great Go ogle Docs?

[@samvenneri]

I just ordered this device. I'm a heavy android user, and was looking for something that fills my social media , browsing , online shopping , and heavy WhatsApp routines ;) are you still happy with this unit ? I've never owned a Chromebook before.

[@SkillAscentEdu]

From a pure maintenance perspective. Yes. This thing has held up so well with 5th graders using it. From my personal use. This think is great. When I'm on the go I take this over my iPad Pro and my Thinkpad. Out of a batch of 50, I had one keyboard dead on arrival but Lenovo support took care of it right away. I hope you enjoy yours and let me know your experience!

[@samvenneri]

@@SkillAscentEdu amazing !! And the keyboard is great ?

[@samvenneri]

@@SkillAscentEdu I ordered the one with 14.0" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, touchscreen, anti-glare, 250 nits

[@justSomeChap]

@@samvenneri It's been two years, u still using it?nim planning on getting one because the 8gb of ram and it's price (around 140)

[@gionathanmata6016]

Is this good for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator?

[@SkillAscentEdu]

Definitely not. This version is chrome is. A windows version though would be so underpowered. You could in theory use it but rendering and processing would super slow.

[@xavie1936]

Yo tengo uno

[@yusraibrahim799]

👍

[@alexwest2573]

I got one of these for free it’s pretty nice compared to some of the enterprise model dell laptops

[@AdeelMuhammad]

This chromebook has worrst screen ever