This exact model costs about $460 after a common Lenovo discount.
However, that’s not as cheap as it gets.
Amazon and Best Buy both have this same configuration on sale for about $400.
Source: Windows Central
That’s quite an attractive price, especially if you just need a budget laptop around the house.
The IdeaPad 3 15’s memory and storage can be upgraded fairly easily after purchase.
Its more expensive, but it has some upgrades that might be worth it.
Source: Windows Central
For more choices, see our list of thebest Lenovo laptopsfor more options.
In this case, there’s a 4GB stick in the slot that gives it dual-channel performance.
you could upgrade with up to an 8GB stick for a total of 12GB.
Source: Windows Central
This is likely a holdover from a previous version.
There’s a rather huge fan inside with a single thin heat pipe running to the Core i3 chip.
It’s all fairly straightforward for a budget laptop.
Source: Windows Central
That’s less than something like theDell XPS 15, which employs an aluminum chassis rather than plastic.
The keyboard, though it doesn’t have a backlight, is comfortable to use during all-day typing binges.
The keys have a satisfying travel and spacing that make typing more enjoyable than expected.
(Image credit: Future)
The keyboard in my photos is the Canadian version with French characters.
Other regions should have the standard keyboard with a full Shift key.
Its clear, it adjusts well to different lighting, and its suitable for video chats.
(Image credit: Future)
The sound quality of the dual down-firing speakers is also impressive for a $400 laptop.
They can get loud without losing clarity, but they lack some bass.
Just don’t mistake this for a laptop that can do everything at once.
(Image credit: Future)
The SSD is surprisingly speedy, putting up numbers that beat even the newSurface Laptop 4 13.
And as for battery, you’re looking at about seven hours of real-world usage.
Take a look at how the IdeaPad 3 15 compares to other laptops we’ve recently reviewed.
(Image credit: Future)
The laptops price is another big plus.
Not everything can be aRazer Book 13, and that’s OK.
The plastic chassis is much more flexible than aluminum or magnesium alloy.
(Image credit: Future)
But the laptop seems durable enough after carrying it around for awhile.
Port selection is another drawback.
There’s no USB-C, nevermind Thunderbolt, so you might feel like you’re leaving behind modern accessories.
(Image credit: Future)
The laptop charges via proprietary barrel charging port.
Elsewhere, the 1366x768 (HD) display is nothing to get excited about.
The TN panel has rather narrow viewing angles, and the bezel is chunky.
Source: Windows Central
Is it functional for productivity work and email?
Is it something you’re going to love each time you initiate the lid?
The brightness was also low, with only 210 nits at maximum.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Another thing to note is that this laptop lacks a fingerprint reader or IR camera for extra security.
Some documents mention a fingerprint reader, but it doesnt seem to be an option right now.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15: Competition
Picking out a budget laptopisn’t always easy.
If you are searching for anothergreat budget laptop, the ASUS Vivobook 15 costs about $420 at Amazon.
It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD.
Check out ourASUS Vivobook 15 vs. IdeaPad 3 15comparison for more information.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15: Should you buy it?
The plastic body is not very sturdy, but the brushed texture gives it some style.
The display will likely be the biggest issue for a lot of people.
If you might find this laptop with an FHD display, definitely spend the extra bit of money.
It is touch, but on a notebook laptop it’s not that useful.
This makes the Lenovo laptop a bit more difficult to recommend.
