With a bigger and better touchscreen, all-day battery life, world-facing camera, and garaged pen, there’s a lot to like about Lenovo’s 500e Yoga Chromebook Gen 4 – and that’s even before adding in the option of a bilingual keyboard.

If you think all Chromebooks are made the same, don’t say it in front of a Lenovo rep with the 500e Yoga Chromebook Gen 4.

Redesigned with a bigger and better 12.2-inch display for impressive viewing, this lightweight Chromebook offers a high degree of versatility.

The device we reviewed boasted plenty of power, with an Intel Processor N200, 8GB memory, 64GB storage (which can go up to 128GB), all built on the user-friendly ChromeOS platform. The battery easily lasted a day’s use and there’s the option of a garaged USI 2.0 Stylus pen. The user-facing camera comes with a webcam privacy shutter, along with the optional 5MP world-facing camera.

Clever keyboard

There are two things to note about the keyboard. The new top-load design, where there’s just one, easily accessible screw holding it in place, meaning improved serviceability, as there’s no need to dismantle the whole thing for access and replacement. It just pops out. Plus, you can choose the bilingual keyboard with macrons, through all the regular education resellers. (It’s also available on the 100e Gen 3 and 300e Gen 4 Chromebooks.)

The sound is good and the enlarged, FHD IPS touch display provides 37 per cent more pixels per inch than previously. The 360-degree Sync hinge offers the ability to move from laptop to tablet to tent with ease.

Tough and tested

Designed to what Lenovo calls DuraSpec standards for education, the 500e can endure water spills up to 360 ml, a drop onto concrete from 76 cm, and A-cover force of 60kg. In addition, there are anti-pry full-skirt keycaps, reinforced ports and hinges, 360-degree rubber bumpers, and impact-tested touchpad – just the sorts of things needed to withstand the rigours of school life.

Lastly, this is a device that’s not only for improved outcomes for learning but also better outcomes for the planet. It comes with EPEAT Gold certification and PCC recycled materials. Plus, environmentally friendly packaging now includes an FSC-certified carton, PIC-certified cushion, ocean-bound plastic bag, and a paper screen film.

All in all, the Lenovo 500e Yoga Gen 4 is a Chromebook unlike any other.

Compiled by the INTERFACE Team.

For more information go to techtoday.lenovo.com/nz/en/solutions/education or contact education specialist Cameron May on Cmay1@lenovo.com

INTERFACE November 2023