On Thursday at the IFA show in Berlin, Lenovo introduced its new IdeaPad 5i Chromebook. This is an update from the previous 5i Chromebook, which I still think is a great value. The new model is Lenovo’s first 16-inch Chromebook, so the display gets upsized. And unlike most Chromebooks, this screen refreshes up to 120 times per second.
Normally, displays with a fast refresh rate are meant for gaming. Based on the hardware specifications, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook isn’t, however. I doubt, for example, it will support Steam gaming on Chromebooks given either the 12th-gen Intel Pentium or Core i3 processors. Still, the display can modify its refresh rate faster or slower for a smoother viewing experience. That’s likely through the variable refresh rate experimental flag I reported back in March.
Given the display size, which has a 2.5K resolution, there’s more room on Lenovo’s first 16-inch Chromebook chassis for a number pad and generously sized glass trackpad.
Here are the full specs:
| CPU | Intel Pentium 8505 or Intel Core i3-1215U |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics for the Pentium, likely Iris Xe for the i3 (not specified) |
| Display | 16″, 2.5K, 16:10 aspect ratio, 100% sRGB, 350 nits IPS , up to 120 Hz or 16″ FullHD, 16:10 aspect ration, 45% NTSC, 300 nits, 60Hz IPS |
| Memory | 4 / 8 GB LPDDR4X memory |
| Storage | 64 /128 GB eMMC or 256 / 512 GB SSD |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax (2×2) WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Input | Backlit keyboard, multitouch trackpad 1080p webcam with privacy shutter, dual-array microphone |
| Ports | 2 USB Type-C Gen 3.2, 2 USB Type-A Gen 3.2 ports, microSD card reader, headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Battery | Up to 12-hour claimed run time |
| Weight | 4.1 pounds |
| Software | ChromeOS automatic updates through June 2030 |
Lenovo seems to be going after the education market here as well as consumers based on some hardware omissions. There’s no fingerprint sensor or an HDMI port, for example. And as mentioned, the processor choices are more geared toward the everyday Chromebook users looking for a large screened device.
U.S. pricing and availability haven’t been announced, but Lenovo’s first 16-inch Chromebook arrives in September for €549 in the EU. I’d expect similar pricing in dollars if the IdeaPad 5i Chromebook arrives here.
