Lenovo IdeaPad 3: A Praiseworthy Evaluation of Design and Connectivity

Lenovo IdeaPad 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 collection has become broadly popular as an great preference for the ones searching for a finances-pleasant yet moderately powerful laptop. Building on the success of the IdeaPad 1 series, this line incorporates upgraded internal hardware without compromising affordability. Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 caters to a numerous variety of purchasers with a plethora of options, consisting of a choice between Intel or AMD CPUs, the choice for a discrete GPU or no longer, and diverse display sizes which includes 14-inch, 15.6-inch, or 17.3-inch fashions.

Design

The design of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is understated and doesn’t draw attention in a professional setting. With its 15.6-inch size, it provides ample space on the deck for a full-size keyboard, complete with a Numpad on the right side. The exhaust vents are located at the bottom towards the back, and the speakers are positioned near the front. The computer is obtainable in 4 shade alternatives: Sand, Abyss Blue, Arctic Gray, and Galaxy Blue.

In terms of build quality, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is well-constructed. The keyboard deck combines plastic and metal elements, while the display and bottom are predominantly made of plastic. The average creation is strong without a obvious gaps, imparting a feel of durability. However, it is really worth noting that the show does exhibit some flexibility.

Buy now: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 11th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6″ FHD Laptop

Display

The display on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers a 1080p resolution, providing a reasonably sharp visual experience on its 15.6-inch screen. Individual pixels become discernible at standard viewing distances, but the overall clarity is satisfactory. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, it caters well to media consumption, aligning with the common format of most videos. However, a 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratio would have been more conducive to productivity, offering increased vertical space for easier document or website reading without excessive scrolling. Opting for a model with an IPS panel is recommended for superior viewing angles and color reproduction, as TN panels typically fall short in these aspects.

Notably, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is limited to 60Hz displays. The IPS panel, while providing good brightness slightly surpassing the advertised 300 cd/m², exhibits a slow response time, resulting in visible ghosting. This may not be ideal for fast-moving content or gaming. The TN panel is expected to have similar performance characteristics. The contrast ratio of the IPS panel is reasonable but falls within the typical range, with blacks appearing somewhat gray in dim settings. The TN panel’s contrast is anticipated to be poorer, ranging between 700 to 1000:1.

In terms of brightness, the display adequately combats glare in most environments, though it may struggle in broad daylight outdoors. The lowest brightness setting is sufficiently dim, contributing to reduced eye strain during dark room viewing. The TN panel is advertised with a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m².

Read More: Asus ZenBook 17-Fold OLED Delights with Exceptional Features and Dynamic Performance

Input Devices

Keyboard

The keyboard on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is satisfactory, offering a decent typing experience. The keys on the unlit chiclet keyboard have a slightly roughened texture, providing a clear pressure point and short travel. While the Numpad may feel a bit cramped, the overall size and key spacing are acceptable. The keys offer a good amount of travel and tactile feedback, and the key resistance is within acceptable levels. Although there is a slight yield in the keyboard during typing, it doesn’t prove to be bothersome.

Touchpad

The mouse substitute on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a multi-touch click pad, measuring approximately 10.5 x 7 cm. Featuring a smooth surface, it facilitates easy gliding for the fingers and responds effectively to inputs, even in the corners. The click pad has a short travel distance, and the pressure point is distinctly clear, contributing to a user-friendly experience.

Speakers

The speakers on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offer a satisfactory audio experience. They produce clear sound, albeit with a slightly unnatural quality and minimal bass presence. Even at maximum volume, there’s minimal dynamic compression; however, it’s worth noting that these speakers don’t achieve high volume levels from the outset.

Webcam & Microphone

In terms of the webcam and microphone features, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 exhibits decent performance. The webcam captures great details, which includes text on a bottle or cards, however the standard image has a tendency to be overexposed, main to washed-out colors. The microphone, while generally producing good sound, tends to be on the quieter side and may have some background static.

It’s important to note that the privacy cover functions solely as a physical switch and doesn’t disable the camera at the software level. Consequently, there’s a potential for audio recording even when the cover is closed.

Additionally, Lenovo’s specifications mention the presence of a Windows Hello-compatible IR camera for facial recognition logins. However, during testing, this feature couldn’t be activated in Windows, indicating a discrepancy between the stated specifications and the actual functionality.

Connectivity

ports

In phrases of connectivity, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 affords popular options: it consists of two USB-A ports (1x USB three.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0) and a USB-C slot (USB 3.2 Gen 1). The USB-C port supports Power Delivery and DisplayPort functionalities. Alongside the HDMI slot, the notebook features two video outputs. Completing its connectivity features are a combined audio jack and a proprietary power supply slot.

The positioning of these connections on the rear areas of the left and right sides ensures that the space near the palm rest remains free from cables, contributing to a user-friendly design.

SD Card Reader

The SD card reader on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop falls within the category of moderately fast models. It demonstrates transfer rates of 82.7 MB/s, as observed during the transfer of 250 jpg image files, each being 5 MB in size. Additionally, when copying large data blocks, the SD card reader achieves a speed of 87 MB/s. These talents contribute to a person-pleasant revel in, ensuring efficient and reliable facts transfer for SD reminiscence playing cards.

Wireless Communication

The wireless communication on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop is facilitated by the Realtek 8822CE wireless adapter. While Lenovo promotes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support on certain models, they do not explicitly mention the specific wireless adapter employed in those models. Despite this, the wireless abilities of the Realtek 8822CE contribute to a person-pleasant enjoy, supplying connectivity alternatives that align with current requirements.

Battery

The battery tests for the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop were performed under optimal conditions, with the Windows Better performance setting activated, screen brightness set to 120 nits, and all other programs except the one under testing turned off. In terms of user-friendly battery performance, the 45Wh battery pack demonstrated impressive longevity, providing approximately 9.5 hours of web browsing, 9 hours and 3 minutes of video playback, and a gaming duration of two hours and five minutes. This extended battery existence complements the overall consumer-pleasant experience by means of reducing the frequency of recharging and making sure extended usage among charges.

Processor

The Ryzen 5 5625U APU, while not the latest from AMD, belongs to the Barcelo architecture, a refresh of the Cezanne architecture introduced in 2021. Despite not being the most recent, this APU remains competitive and adept in handling tasks even in the year 2023.

The CPU segment comprises a six-core processor with a base clock of 2.3 GHz, capable of reaching up to 4.35 GHz through Turbo. Simultaneous multithreading, supporting two threads per core, enhances overall performance. Benchmark results consistently exceed the CPU’s average values.

The CB15 loop test confirms sustained utilization of the CPU turbo feature at a medium-high level, especially evident in the High Performance and Intelligent Cooling modes. In Battery Saver mode, there is a reduction in Turbo, aligning with values slightly above the base clock. This processor’s adaptability throughout exclusive modes contributes to a user-friendly experience, making sure surest performance based on unique utilization scenarios.

Maintenance

Performing maintenance on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a straightforward process. Disassembling the underside poses no significant challenge; it involves removing the screws and using a flat spatula to detach the bottom shell. Once this step is completed, users gain access to various components, including the PCIe 4 SSD (compatible with M.2-2242, and an M.2 2280 model could also be installed), WLAN module, the BIOS battery, the RAM, the speakers, the fan, and the battery. This person-friendly layout permits for easy and handy access to essential hardware components for upkeep or upgrades.

Advantages

• Portable and convenient for on-the-go use.
• Impressive battery life, surpassing nine hours during light productivity tasks.
• Exhibits a sturdy and well-constructed build.
• Webcam can provide decent video high-quality, appropriate for video calls.
• Capable CPU for handling various light productivity tasks.

Disadvantages

• Inability of the CPU and Integrated graphics to manage demanding workloads.
• Lack of USB-C charging capability.
• Extended use of the keyboard may lead to fatigue.
• Challenges with dragging and dropping due to the small touchpad size.