Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 - Review

 

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Full Review: Budget-Friendly Daily Laptop

If you're looking for a reliable daily laptop that doesn't break the bank, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 might just be the one. I've been using it as my main device for the past few weeks, and in this blog post, I'll walk you through my full experience.

Design & Build Quality

Right off the bat, the IdeaPad 3 sports a clean and minimal look—simple, yet stylish. It's mostly made of plastic, but the build doesn’t feel cheap. There's no noticeable flexing, and the quality feels solid for a budget laptop.

In terms of ports:

  • Right side: SD card reader, full-size USB

  • Left side: Another full-size USB, HDMI, USB-C, and a headphone jack

The laptop is 15.6 inches, which puts it on the larger side, but it’s still portable and fits nicely in a backpack.

Keyboard & Trackpad

Thanks to its larger size, Lenovo was able to fit in a full-size keyboard. Typing on it is genuinely enjoyable—the keys have good travel and feel tactile. My only gripe is that the keyboard isn't backlit, which makes it harder to use in low light.

The trackpad is a bit small, but it works fine. Bonus points for the fingerprint reader—it's fast, responsive, and adds a layer of convenience and security.

Display

The laptop features a 15.6" 1080p IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. While that sounds good on paper, the actual display quality is average:

  • Colors and contrast are a bit washed out

  • Everything appears slightly overexposed

  • Poor viewing angles

That said, it's bright enough for indoor use, and while it struggles in direct sunlight, the nearly 180-degree hinge is a useful addition.

Performance

As an entry-level productivity laptop, don’t expect high-end gaming or content creation performance.

For everyday tasks—web browsing, document editing, video watching—it handles everything smoothly. Multitasking is solid, and Windows runs well.

I even tested some light gaming. For example, Valorant ran at 90–100 FPS on 1080p, which was a pleasant surprise. But anything graphically intense is out of its league, especially since it relies solely on the CPU with no dedicated GPU.

It also stays quiet and cool most of the time, only kicking the fan up during heavy use.

Battery Life

Battery performance is decent. I typically get around 5 to 6 hours doing schoolwork or streaming content, with brightness set between 75% and max on performance mode. It charges fast, so even short plug-in sessions are useful.

Speakers, Webcam & Storage

  • Speakers: Surprisingly decent. They’re loud enough to fill a small room—great for casual media consumption.

  • Webcam: Basic 720p, nothing fancy. Gets the job done for video calls. The built-in microphones are standard.

  • Privacy Slider: A physical webcam cover is a great privacy feature.

  • Storage: Comes with 512GB SSD, which is plenty for most users.

Conclusion: Should You Buy It?

Here’s what I needed in a laptop:

  • Lightweight and portable

  • No gaming aesthetic or bulk

  • Great for schoolwork (editing documents, research, etc.)

  • Good for watching YouTube, anime, and listening to music

  • Affordable

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 checks all of those boxes. If you’re a student or a light user looking for an affordable, functional, and minimal daily driver, this is a great option.

However, if your needs include gaming, video editing, or other heavy tasks, you might want to look elsewhere.

That’s it for this review! Got questions? Drop them in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Peace!

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