Lenovo’s first Chromebook with a 12th-gen Intel Core processor is set to launch in June, and it’s aimed at business and enterprise customers.
The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook is a 14 inch laptop with support for up to an Intel Core i7 vPro processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. There’s also optional support for security and connectivity features including a fingerprint reader and a 4G LTE Cat 9 modem.
Lenovo says the 3.4 pound notebook also features a 1080p display, a MIL-SPEC tested chassis, and a chiclet-style backlit keyboard with a Lenovo TrackPoint nub in the center for folks that prefer the ThinkPad-style pointing stick to a trackpad (although there’s one of those too).
Prices are expected to start at $629, but expect a fully-decked-out model to sell for closer to $1,000.
| ThinkPad C14 Chromebook specs | |
| Processor | Up to Intel vPro with 12th Gen Intel Core processors |
| OS | Chrome OS with optional upgrade to Chrome Enterprise |
| Memory | Up to 16GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | Up to 128GB eMMC and 256GB SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel Graphics |
| Display | 14” 1920 x 1280 pixel IPS or 14” 1920 x 1280 LCLW Touch |
| Audio | User-facing speakers, certified by Waves MaxxAudio® |
| Camera | FHD RGB camera with privacy shutter |
| Battery | 57Whr |
| Security | Optional Touch fingerprint reader on power button Intel vPro security (on vPro models) |
| Ports | 2 x USB-A 3.2 2 x USB4 Type-C (Thunderbolt on Intel vPro models) microSD reader Audio jack HDMI 2.0 |
| Keyboard | Backlit |
| Wireless LAN | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wireless WAN | Optional 4G LTE CAT9 with nano SIM |
| Dimensions | 352.4 x 217 x 19.83mm 12.81 x 8.54 x 0.78in |
| Weight | 1.56kg 3.44 lbs |
I’m in the market for a new Chromebook. Google will end support for my silent fanless Samsung 3 Chromebook next month. But the Lenovo C14 does not appear to be fanless. The picture shows 17 vent holes for cooling, that take up half of the case’s right side. There must be a big loud fan in there for cooling up to a Core i7 vPro processor. Funny there are no pictures of the case’s left side. No mention of battery life hours either. No thanks. I’ll pass on the C14.
If it still works, and it has custom firmware available, it might be better to just install custom firmware and an operating system that still has support. Chrome OS Flex if you really like it that much, but I prefer the results I got using Linuxium ISOs which actually did support all of my hardware after I ran an update using a random usb wifi dongle. It would certainly be cheaper.
I wonder if it will be easier to install windows on these as compared to the old Chromebooks?
I’d be fine with it if they sold it as just a regular laptop, even without an OS.
Hey, the Page up and Page down keys are back!
… What the heck are they doing with the modifier key row, though? Wow… XD