However, we are not here to just talk about the size of Lenovo C340. We are going to assess the overall performance and functionality of this 15-inch Chromebook in detail. What are the qualities that make Lenovo Chromebook C340 a good laptop and where it hides strengths and weaknesses?
We have reviewed the specs sheet, design, display, keyboard and its battery life of Lenovo C340. Furthermore, we have evaluated its work performance in the real world under stress. So, if you are interested in buying this 15-inch Chromebook, continue to read.
Specs sheet
Processor: Intel Pentium Gold 4417U / 2.3 GHz
Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Resolution
RAM: 4GB Storage: 32GB eMMC
Graphics: Intel HD 610 Integrated
Weight: 4.37lbs (1.98kg)
Operating System: Chrome OS
SKU: 81T90009UK
Lenovo C340 features low-end components, which means limited support for work. However, as a budget Chromebook, these specs are more than enough to carry out the tasks. Let’s see whether the C340 has what it takes to be an ideal choice for professionals.
Design
Lenovo C340 falls under C-series laptops which come with conservative styling and minimum glitter. The Chromebook C340 follows the same pattern and come only in one colour i.e. Mineral Grey. This is a modest colour choice for a 15-inch laptop but offers a unique pattern. This is a versatile colour which fits well with every environment.
Whether you are sitting in a conference room or working from home, the C340 matches the routine. This is a sturdy convertible Chromebook with robust hinges that let you turn the screen up to 360 degrees. Lenovo C340 is slightly bulky and weighs around 4.37lbs (1.98kg), which means you cannot carry it all day long. The large display also means that you will need a bigger bag.
Nevertheless, Lenovo Chromebook C340 leaves its impression on the first sight. It is neither too glittery nor too dull and offers a premium look with its modest design. For those who find it hefty, can use it in the tent mode to enjoy a splendid working experience.
On the bottom panel, there is a long ventilation grill for air movement. Also, there are two audio outputs on the right and left side of the bottom panel. These are 2W stereo speakers that provide adequate sound experience with quality voice.
Display
Lenovo C340 comes with a 15.6-inch wide diagonal display which we found ideal for both entertainment and work. The large 15-inch touchscreen provides full HD display and offer crispy visuals with bright colours. We found its touchscreen responsive to commands and it didn’t show any lags. This is a multi-gesture touchscreen that let you do the work as you want to.
Thanks to the IPS technology, people around you can have the same seamless visual experience as you do. The IPS technology makes sure that people get the same display quality when you share the screen with your colleagues. Additionally, the Intel HD 610 integrated graphics further improves the visuals by making them lively.
Keyboard
Thanks to its large display, there’s enough room for a full-size keyboard and Lenovo has done justice with it. On the right side of the keyboard there is a dedicated number pad on the 15-inch Chromebook 340. Not every brand does this, even Apple chose not to add a full-size keyboard on its 15-inch MacBook Pro.
The keys are appropriate spaces, again thanks to its large display. We found the keyboard comfortable for writing and it was a relaxing experience. The number pad makes things easy when you are typing numbers or working on data files. There was no backlight function but you can get one with the backlight if you need one.
Connectivity
We were happy to see such a modern ports selection on Lenovo C340. The Chromebook houses two Type-C USB 3.1 ports, a Type-A USB 3.1 Gen. 1 USB port, an audio combo jack and a microSD card reader slot. The Type-C USB port on the left side also works as charging input.
For wireless connectivity, Lenovo has added Bluetooth 4.2 and a built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection. Overall, the Chromebook C340 has a nice choice of ports and Lenovo has done a wonderful job here.
Performance
As we mentioned earlier, Lenovo Chromebook C340 lacks high-end components as a large screen laptop. Nevertheless, it has the right hardware as an affordable Chromebook and features Intel parts. Lenovo has equipped it with the Intel Pentium Gold CPU that offers a base clock speed of 2.3 GHz. Additionally, there is a 4GB RAM paired with 32GB eMMC storage drive that let you access cloud data.
Considering the price, this is a decent combination of specs for a Chromebook. However, it could have been better if Lenovo had loaded the C340 with an 8GB RAM. Nonetheless, the Chromebook still appears to be fast, offer fast access to data and let you accomplish tasks with ease.
Battery life
Lenovo has equipped the 15-inch C340 with an internal 4-Cell 56Wh battery that it claims could offer up to 10 hours of battery life. This is an exceptional battery offer from a large screen laptop and it literally means that you can accomplish tasks in one sitting.
We tested the Lenovo C340 for its battery performance by running office programs and web browsing. The Chromebook somehow lived up to the claim and we were able to extract around 9 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Verdict
Lenovo C340 is an affordable Chromebook with a 15-inch display and offers solid performance. This Chromebook offers the best of both worlds and you can use it as a laptop or tablet. You get to experience Chrome OS with plenty of apps and won’t feel whether you are working on your smartphone or a laptop. Although it lacks powerful specs, it has a full-size keyboard, large display and offer modern ports selection. We found the Chromebook C340 an ideal choice for people who want to work and entertain on the go.