Here come the 12th-generation Intel-powered Chromebooks. Last week, we saw orders open for the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook at a discount and this week the Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook is available. The model you can order today has similar specs to the HP but at a much lower cost of $1,049. Shipping times are currently about 7-9 business days.
I know, I know: Many of you already saying “More than a grand for a Chromebook?” The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 is mainly aimed at enterprises, although people like me who want a high-end, powerful Chromebook for coding and other activities are interested too. Don’t worry, there are plenty of great Chromebooks that can be had for $400 or less. The Lenovo 3i Chromebook is currently on sale for $339.99, for example.
Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook specs
So what do you get for $1,049 in the Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook? An awful lot of the same hardware components that would cost you $1,554 if you bought the most similar HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook configuration:
| CPU | 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1245U Processor with vPro, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 cores / 12 threads |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe |
| Display | 14-inch IPS 1920 x 1080 display, anti-glare finish, 16:9 aspect ratio, 250/300 nits brightness (depending on model), external monitor support at 4k at 60Hz over HDMI / 5K at 60Hz over USB Type-C |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4x-4266 MHz memory |
| Storage | 256 GB NVMe M.2 storage, microSD card reader |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax (2×2) WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Input | Backlit keyboard, multitouch trackpad, ThinkPad pointing nub, 1080p FHD RGB webcam, with privacy shutter, Dual-array microphones |
| Ports | 2 USB Type-C 3.2 / Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2 USB Type-A, HDMI output, headphone/microphone jack |
| Battery | 57 WHr battery with Rapid Charge, expected run-time up to 11 hours |
| Weight | 3.44 pounds |
| Software | Chrome OS automatic updates through June 2030 |
Yup, that’s a pretty similar package to what HP is offering for a good deal less. Note that the HP includes a haptic trackpad, which isn’t an option on the Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook. There is an optional fingerprint sensor available.
Multiple high-end Chromebook options soon
With Lenovo outing the availability of its 12th-gen, high-end Chromebook, it’s only a short matter of time before Acer does the same with its Chromebook Spin 714. And it will have an even lower starting price of $749.
We’ll have to see what hardware and features you get for that price to understand the value proposition. Either way, if you’re like me and want one of the highest-performing Chromebooks of 2022, you’ll have several options to choose from!
3 Comments
For this much money it should have a brighter screen. The Lenovo Duet, Duet 3, and Duet 5 (with an OLED screen) all have 400 nit screens and cost much less (especially when you find them on sale), as does the similar HP 11″ Chromebook (although none of them obviously have near as powerful processors).
Other than the CPU, this seems like a downgrade from my Lenovo C13. I have it optioned with a Ryzen 7 3700C, 4k OLED, 16G of ram. It was pricey and took forever to deliver, but I did get it on a ~50% discount so final price wasn’t rediculous.
The C14 is also missing the 360 hinge, so laptop only mode. š I often read magazines in tablet mode and definitely use it in tent mode when watching video.
Maybe the speakers are at least usable in the new one.
No siloed pen? No fingerprint reader? No yoga? Pass.
Shame. I love my c13 even though it has rubbish battery life and has the weight of a brick. Seems like Lenovo got rid of the best features!