Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook Review - Celeron 3855U, 4GB RAM, 16GB eMMC

My Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Choromebook will be seven years old this coming December 2023, although it doesn't get updates from Google anymore, it's still as reliable as it was when I bought it back in 2016.

The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook is a budget-friendly Chromebook that offers good performance and durable build quality. It is powered by a Celeron 3855U processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of eMMC storage. This configuration is sufficient for most basic tasks, such as web browsing, checking email, video/movie streaming, and using online productivity apps.

The ThinkPad 13 Chromebook has a 13.3-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. The display could be more sharp, but it is bright and clear enough for most tasks. The viewing angles are also good and in cases I need a second display, I connect my usb-3 AOC e1659Fwu 15.6-Inch Ultra Slim 1366x768 Res.

This Thinkpad Chromebook although old, came with two USB-C and supports the PD or  Power Delivery over USB. I'm able to use my  USB C Laptop Docking Station with Dual Monitor, which I bought from Amazon. with this tiny docking station, I'm able to have two additional monitors and additional USB-3 ports, RJ45, and two DisplayPort. You can read the short review that I wrote here.

This Chromebook has a comfortable keyboard like all Thinkpads with good key travel and feedback. The trackpad is also responsive and accurate.

This ThinkPad 13 Chromebook has a good battery life. It can easily last for 8-10 hours on a single charge. This makes it a good choice for students, mobile professionals, and anyone else who needs a laptop that they can use all day long.

Pros:

• Good performance for a budget Chromebook
• Durable build quality
• Long battery life
• Comfortable keyboard
• Responsive trackpad
• Supports Google Play and Android Apps
• Supports Linux on Chromebooks
• Two USB-C Ports
• Supports the PD or  Power Delivery over USB

Cons:

• Not ideal for demanding tasks
• The display is not particularly sharp
• Stop Getting Updates June 2023

This Thinkpad Chromebook 13 is durable, and has a good build quality like any ThinkPad, after more than six years, the battery still holds a good amount of charge at 8 hours. I still use it here and there, but because of limited storage capacity and lack of new and latest updates from Google, I only use it for occasional browsing and some YouTube streaming.

Ka Tato's Corner November 01, 2023

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Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 433715: The Perfect Docking Station for Your Aging ThinkPad

Working with my Thinkpad L520s 15-inch screen is fine when I'm out and about, but when I get to back to my home office, I want to use a dual monitor setup with two 24-inch HD displays. The  Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Sation with USB 3.0 - 90W, makes it easy. 

Let me tell you something about this Thinkpad Mini Dock Series 3. First of all this is not compatible with newer generations Thinkpad Laptops, this is for Thinkpads  L330, L412, L420, L430, L512, L520, L530, T400s, T410, T410s T410i, T420, T420s, T420Ssi, T430, T430s, T431s, T430si, T430u, T510, T510i, X220, X220t, X230, T520, T520i, and T530.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Station with USB 3.0 - 90W 433715 is a compact and lightweight docking station that provides instant connectivity to a variety of peripherals, including Ethernet, multiple USB devices, audio and video equipment, and a security key lock slot. It is ideal for notebook users who need a simple and easy-to-use solution for connecting their laptop to a variety of peripherals at their desk.,

Features and Specifications:

• Dimensions: 55 mm (2.2 in) x 345 mm (14.0 in) x 198 mm (7.8 in)
• Weight: 0.9 kg (2.0 lb) - Does not include the 90W AC power adapter.
• Power Supply: 90W AC adapter
• Ports: 
• 1x VGA, 
  
  
  
• 1x DVI-D, 
• 1x DisplayPort, 
• 1x USB 3.0, 
• 5x USB 2.0, 
• Gigabit Ethernet, 
• Security Key, 
• Lock Cable Lock Slot
• Maximum Supported Monitors: 2 (depending on system's graphics capabilities)
• Compatible Devices: Select 65W and 90W Lenovo laptops, NOT recommended for laptops with 170W AC adapters, Also supports recent models, such as the following series: T420, T430, T510, T520 (dual core), and T530 (dual core)

This Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Station will improve productivity by allowing you to connect your Thinkpad Laptop to a variety of peripherals by simply resting your laptop on the dock. This will simplify your workspace and workflow.

With the Thinkpad Mini Dock you can easily move your laptop between different places without having to sisconnect and reconnect your peripherals.

Thinkpad L520 with 2 External Display.

If you are looking for a simple, easy-to-use, and secure way to connect your Lenovo ThinkPad laptop to a variety of peripherals, the Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Station with USB 3.0 - 90W 433715 is a great option.

By the way, there are two versions of this Mini Dock Series 3, the 433715, which is the one I reviewed here, and the other one is the 433710U. Mine or the Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Station with USB 3.0 - 90W 433715 has 1 USB 3 port the Lenovo Thinkpad Mini Dock Series 3 (433710U) doesn't have a USB 3 port.

You can still get both of this Thinkpad Docking stations from Amazon.

Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Station with USB 3.0 - 90W 433715 with USB 3

Lenovo Thinkpad Mini Dock Series 3 (433710U)

Ka Tato's Corner October 28, 2023

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Lenovo ThinkPad L520 Review: A Durable and Reliable Laptop

This isn't a new laptop, in fact, most people would consider this obsolete, but, this Lenovo Thinkpad L520, just works and doesn't want to retire anytime soon. I bought mine refurbished from Lenovo, back in late 2012, and it's been my workhorse up until last month. My L520 runs on an Intel Core i5-2540M 2.6GHz.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is a 15.6-inch business laptop that was released in 2011. It is a durable and reliable laptop that is well-suited for a variety of use cases, including business, education, and personal use.

Specifications:

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is available with a variety of specifications, including:

•  Processor: Intel Core i3-2310M 2.1GHz, Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz, Intel Core i5-2540M 2.6GHz, or Intel Core i7-2640M 2.8GHz
• Memory: 4GB or 8GB DDR3
• Storage: 320GB, 500GB, or 750GB 7200RPM HDD, or 128GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch 1366x768 LED or 1600x900 LED
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8 Pro

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a classic ThinkPad design, with a black chassis and a red TrackPoint pointing stick. It is a well-built laptop that is made from durable materials. The lid and keyboard deck are both made of plastic, but they feel sturdy and well-made. The hinges are also very sturdy and can hold the lid in place at any angle.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a spill-resistant keyboard with large, well-spaced keys. The keys have a good amount of travel and feedback, making them comfortable to type on for long periods. The keyboard also has a dedicated number pad, a nice feature for business users.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 also has a large touchpad that is responsive and accurate. The touchpad has two dedicated buttons that are easy to click. The laptop also has a TrackPoint pointing stick, which is a signature feature of ThinkPad laptops. The TrackPoint pointing stick is a good alternative to the touchpad, especially if you are using the laptop on a desk or other flat surface.

Display

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a 15.6-inch LED display with a resolution of 1366x768 or 1600x900. The display is not the brightest or most colorful display on the market, but it is good enough for most tasks, such as browsing the web, checking email, and working on documents. The display also has a matte finish, which helps to reduce glare.

Performance

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is powered by a variety of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. These processors are powerful enough to handle most tasks, including multitasking, running office applications, and browsing the web. The laptop also has Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics, which are good enough for basic graphics tasks, such as watching videos and playing casual games.

Battery Life

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a 6-cell battery that can provide up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is good battery life for a 15.6-inch laptop.

Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is a durable and reliable laptop that is well-suited for various use cases, including business, education, and personal use. It has a good keyboard, a large touchpad, and a long-lasting battery. The laptop also has various performance and storage options, so you can choose the right configuration for you.

Pros

• Durable and reliable build quality
• Good keyboard and touchpad
• Long-lasting battery
• Variety of performance and storage options
• Compatible with  Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Sation with USB 3.0 - 90W - 433715

Cons

• The display is not the brightest or most colorful
• Graphics performance is not suitable for demanding games or video editing

My Setup

I have made some upgrades to my L520:

1.  Docking Station, I got the Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Sation with USB 3.0 - 90W - 433715 this expanded my ports like the USB Ports, Ethernet port, it gave me VGA, DVI and Display Port for external monitors, also the docking station allowed me to use my L520 with Dual Monitors while the Lid is close.
2. Max out ram to 16gb,
3. Upgrade Hard Drive to a 1TB SSD
4. Remove DVD drive and replace it with a Hard Drive caddy, and installed a 2tb SSD,now I have 2 internal SSD
5. From Windows 7 pro, I upgraded to Windows 10 pro, when the beta version of Windows 11 pro was released, it automatically downloaded it and upgraded my Windows 10 to 11. So  now even though my hardware isn't supported, my L520 is running Windows 11 and keeps getting regular update.

Overall

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 was an excellent companion it is a durable and reliable laptop. It is a good choice for business users, students, and anyone else who needs a laptop that can handle everyday tasks.

Ka Tato's Corner October 26, 2023

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