I handled the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 and the build quality is impressive

So, we’re still waiting on a review unit to show up for the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 that randomly showed up at Best Buy in late October this year; but I did get a chance to check it out at a local Best Buy this weekend, and I have to say that I’m very impressed by the overall fit and finish of a device in this price range.

I didn’t expect this sort of rigid chassis

Honestly, when this Chromebook arrived, I assumed the similarities to the excellent Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 were simply surface-level. Though a very different color than its impressive, Kompanio Ultra-powered sibling, the design queues are unmistakable.

From the scalloped bottom to the boxy sides, the new Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 bears far more than just a passing resemblance to the Chromebook Plus 14 – and that’s a very good thing.

Though not what I’d consider striking or game-changing, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is a fantastic-feeling Chromebook that I truly enjoy holding and using on a regular basis. While it feels a bit commonplace at this point in 2025, the well-built, aluminum chassis is all you really need in a great laptop, and the new Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 nails this just the same.

Sure, the internals are different, the screen isn’t OLED (it’s still a respectable 300 nits), and it doesn’t come packing the battery-sipping power of the Kompanio Ultra – but this new Lenovo Chromebook Plus is built with the same sort of integrity as its more-expensive sibling. And that’s a very impressive thing I did not expect.

Eventually, we’ll have one in the office for testing, and I’d wager the Intel Core 3-N355, 8GB of RAM and convertible form factor will more than hold their own. For now, however, I can tell you that the build quality is 100% there and if a less-expensive (as low as $379 when on sale), convertible version of the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 has been on your radar, worries about a flimsy build can be put on ice.