Quick Answer
What happened
Just days after Lenovo quietly refreshed the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook with the newer MediaTek Kompanio 540 chip in a $379 configuration (8GB of RAM, 128GB of UFS storage), a second, cheaper build of the same laptop showed up on Best Buy’s listings. This variant swaps the faster UFS storage and higher RAM for 4GB of LPDDR5x memory and a standard 64GB eMMC drive, dropping the retail price from $419 to a sale price of $249.
Everything that makes the higher-end model appealing on the outside carries over unchanged: the same 14-inch WUXGA touchscreen in a 16:10 aspect ratio, the same 2.99-pound Cosmic Blue chassis, and the same Wi-Fi 6E radio and roughly 18-hour battery estimate. Only the internal memory and storage were scaled back to reach the lower price.
What it means for buyers
4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage is a real step down from 8GB and UFS storage: it won’t handle heavy multitasking, several dozen open tabs, or demanding Android and Linux apps as smoothly. But for basic web browsing, streaming, and everyday tasks, the newer Kompanio 540 processor should keep ChromeOS feeling responsive, and you still get the sharper 2K touchscreen and long battery life that budget Chromebooks often skip entirely to hit a low price.
That combination makes this configuration a reasonable pick for a secondary device, a young student’s first Chromebook, or anyone who mainly needs a portable machine for browsing and documents. Buyers who plan to keep many tabs open, run Android apps regularly, or want the device to stay comfortable for several years should still budget for 8GB of RAM: see our picks for the best Chromebooks under $300 and our breakdown of Chromebook Plus vs. regular Chromebook specs for more on why RAM matters more than most other specs at this price range.
Why it still matters with Googlebook on the way
It’s easy to assume budget Chromebook hardware would slow down now that Google has unveiled the Googlebook and Aluminium OS for a fall 2026 launch. This release suggests otherwise: Lenovo and other OEMs are still actively expanding affordable ChromeOS lineups, and Google has repeatedly confirmed that existing Chromebooks keep receiving their full run of ChromeOS updates. For a deeper look at what the Googlebook transition actually changes for current and future Chromebook owners, see our explainer on Chromebook vs. Googlebook: what happens to your device now.
What Chromebook owners should do
If you’re shopping for a budget Chromebook right now, this configuration is worth considering for light, browsing-focused use, especially with back-to-school season approaching. Check the RAM and storage numbers carefully before buying, since Lenovo is selling two nearly identical-looking models with a real performance gap between them. If the device needs to last several years or handle heavier daily use, spend the extra $130 for the 8GB/128GB version, or compare it against other picks in our best Chromebooks for students guide before deciding.
