The verdict
The Flex 5i is the convertible pick. 2-in-1 hinge plus touchscreen plus Chromebook Plus tier hardware makes it the right buy for note-takers and Netflix-on-the-couch users. Trade-off vs the ASUS CX34 is raw CPU.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Strengths
- +2-in-1 360° hinge — tablet, tent, and laptop modes
- +Chromebook Plus tier with Intel Core i3 / 8GB RAM / 128GB SSD
- +Touchscreen with stylus support
- +USB-C charging on either side
Watch-outs
- −i3 CPU trails the i5 in the ASUS CX34 on raw throughput
- −Heavier than the ASUS CX15 at 3.2 lbs
- −Hinge mechanism adds wear over years
How it compares
Only 2-in-1 convertible pick. Lower CPU than ASUS CX34. Heavier than ASUS CX15. Touchscreen advantage.
Who this is for
At a glance: students who take handwritten notes and casual users who want a tablet/laptop hybrid.
Why you’d buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
- 2-in-1 360° hinge — tablet, tent, and laptop modes.
- Chromebook Plus tier with Intel Core i3 / 8GB RAM / 128GB SSD.
- Touchscreen with stylus support.
Why you’d skip it
- i3 CPU trails the i5 in the ASUS CX34 on raw throughput.
- Heavier than the ASUS CX15 at 3.2 lbs.
- Hinge mechanism adds wear over years.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
