The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is often more expensive but offers better 3D/machine learning/gaming performance and a larger battery which extends its battery life compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. It also has a larger screen and higher max refresh rate, making it better suited for gaming and engineering tasks, but it is heavier which makes it less portable. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is less expensive and lighter, making it more portable, yet it has a smaller battery and less powerful graphics, resulting in lower performance for 3D/machine learning and gaming. Both laptops have the same main processor and storage capacity, but the ASUS comes with more RAM for multitasking. If budget is a concern and you need something easier to carry around, the Lenovo is suitable, but if performance and longer battery life are priorities, the ASUS is the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
Good for gaming and AI
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.5/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
7.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
7.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 for gaming and AI.
For general use, both the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 deliver with their high resolution and brightness, providing clear and vibrant displays that are easy on the eyes during everyday tasks. When it comes to engineering and design, these models boast respectable color accuracy and range, which are crucial for professionals who rely on true-to-life color representation for their work; however, they don't quite reach the highest professional standards. In contrast, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is essential, their lower refresh rates may not satisfy enthusiasts looking for the most fluid visual experience.
Battery
12.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Cost
$838
$549
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 costs $549.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a blend of performance and longevity with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and a battery that supports longer use, alongside a larger, higher resolution 16:10 screen which enhances viewing experiences but might make it slightly less portable due to its size and weight. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, while also featuring a powerful CPU and sufficient storage, has less RAM which could limit multitasking performance; it has a more conventional screen aspect ratio, and less battery life, but a slightly brighter screen and marginally better heat management may appeal to those prioritizing a cooler running device.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3/10
7.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the most powerful RTX 3050 Ti laptops. If you disregard the mediocre quality of the case in terms of the material and workmanship, Lenovo has created a successful budget gaming laptop with the IdeaPad Gaming. Thanks to high TDPs and constant performance development, the Core i5-12500H and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti are able to show their full power, while in contrast, the (mostly slower) competitors deliver a better battery life. However, hardly any of the alternative laptops are able to reach the image quality of the Gaming 3. Most of the competitors are left behind in terms of the color space and brightness."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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