Lenovo Chromebook 14" Multi-Touch Chromebook Plus Review

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus is a bit of a paradox. It has a CPU that ranks in the 100th percentile, which is frankly wild for a Chromebook, but its GPU and storage sit down in the 18th and 16th percentiles. You're getting a 14-inch OLED touchscreen, 16GB of RAM, and WiFi 7, all packed into a 1.26kg body that scores in the 87th percentile for compactness. It's built for Chrome OS, so it's not trying to be a Windows or Mac replacement, but it's definitely pushing what a Chromebook can be.

Let's talk about that MediaTek 50-core CPU hitting the 100th percentile. In the world of Chromebooks, that's basically untouchable. It means this thing will fly through web apps, handle dozens of tabs, and run Android apps without breaking a sweat. The trade-off is immediate, though. The Arm GPU lands in the 18th percentile, so don't expect to do any real gaming or heavy video editing. The 16GB of RAM is solid, sitting just above average at the 51st percentile, and the 256GB SSD is on the smaller side at the 16th percentile. For Chrome OS, it's a powerhouse. For anything else, it's not the right tool.

At $899, the value proposition gets tricky. You're paying for a premium Chromebook experience with that top-tier CPU, OLED screen, and sleek design. Compared to a budget Windows laptop at the same price, you get less raw capability but a potentially smoother, more secure experience for web-based work. It's a good value if you live entirely in the browser and want the best possible hardware for that. If you need any local software, it becomes a harder sell.

Stacked against competitors, its role is clear. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max is in another league entirely for performance but costs over twice as much. The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s offers full Windows Pro capabilities and likely better storage options for a similar price, but it won't be as portable. The ASUS Zenbook Duo gives you a dual-screen Windows experience, which is more versatile but also heavier. The MSI and Gigabyte gaming laptops are completely different beasts focused on raw power. This Chromebook Plus carves its niche by being the most powerful, most premium option strictly for Chrome OS users.

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus is the ultimate Chromebook for people who know exactly what they're getting. If your workflow is 100% browser-based, you value portability, and you want the crisp OLED screen, this is your machine. That 100th percentile CPU ensures it won't slow down. But if you have even a hint of needing local applications, gaming, or more storage, you should look at a Windows laptop or a MacBook around this price. It's a fantastic specialist, not a generalist.