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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Gateway 11.6" is less expensive and exceptionally portable with a smaller screen, making it suitable for basic tasks and travel. However, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" boasts a larger, higher resolution screen for more comfortable viewing and multitasking, more storage, and a more powerful processor for tasks like photo editing and light gaming, although it is significantly larger and perhaps less convenient for mobility. Consider the Lenovo if you require a machine for more demanding applications and don't mind a larger size or higher price, while the Gateway suits those prioritizing cost savings and portability for lighter use. 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 Gateway 11.6"
- Excellent portability
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
5.6
7.3
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
307.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a weaker CPU, lower RAM, and a lower-resolution screen compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17", making it less capable for general use; however, the Gateway is more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight. The Lenovo IdeaPad has a larger, higher-quality display, more powerful processor, and increased RAM, enhancing performance for various tasks but trades off with less portability and a slight reduction in battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4
6.1
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has an Intel UHD Graphics 600 which is less powerful than the AMD Vega 7 graphics in the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17", resulting in poorer gaming and 3D performance. Both laptops have similar screen refresh rates, but the larger and higher-resolution screen of the IdeaPad 3 makes it more suitable for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
5.4
6.6
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is only fair for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a lower performance Intel Celeron processor, basic Intel UHD Graphics, and just 4GB of RAM, which are inadequate for the demands of engineering and design tasks, plus its screen has a lower resolution and color coverage which is less optimal for design work. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17", with a more powerful Ryzen 5 processor, integrated Vega 7 graphics, and double the RAM at 8GB, better supports such tasks, and its larger, higher-resolution screen provides more workspace and better color accuracy, making it more suitable for engineering and design use.
Content Creation
5.7
7.4
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
7.2
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
5.7
6.7
11.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
307.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway's smaller screen may lack the clarity and brightness needed for comfortable viewing during everyday tasks, while the Lenovo's larger, brighter display with a higher resolution offers a more pleasant experience for general use. For engineering and design work, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3's good color accuracy aligns with requirements for precise color work as needed in professional environments. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is crucial, neither laptop has a high refresh rate, but the Gateway's smaller size may also limit the detail and immersiveness you can achieve in such visually intensive tasks.
Portability
Excellent
Good
11.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1
6.5
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$784
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" costs $784.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has 9 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.
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How the Gateway 11.6" and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gateway 11.6" | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $784 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | April 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.6 lbs | 4.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11" | 15.71" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.5" | 10.79" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 64 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | Unknown | 45 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 11.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1366 x 768 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 307 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Alex Iliev | December 2022
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" defies expectations. Indeed, it is just a minor upgrade over last year. However, this doesn’t make the laptop any less terrific. It’s got a great performance, courtesy of the Ryzen 5x25U processors. In addition, you get a pretty good battery life. Perhaps, the 2-hour decrease in video playback, compared to last year is not great, but still, 10 hours of Web browsing and 7 hours of video playback is okay for 17-inch notebooks."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 11.6" or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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.
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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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