The Gateway 14.1" is a budget-friendly option that is less expensive but comes with relatively basic features like an Intel Celeron processor, 64GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM, which are suitable for light general use and browsing. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is priced higher but offers better specs for more demanding tasks, including an Intel i7 processor, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM, making it well-suited for intensive applications like engineering, 3D rendering, or machine learning. The IdeaPad Slim 7i also has a longer battery life and higher build quality than the Gateway. However, the Gateway is slightly lighter in weight, which might be preferable for users who prioritize portability. Choose the Gateway for simple tasks and better portability, or the Lenovo for more intensive use and better overall performance. 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 14.1"
The Gateway 14.1" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
208.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" laptop's poor suitability for general use stems from a weaker CPU, less RAM, and a dimmer screen that affects visual clarity, while its moderate portability and battery life are overshadowed by these limitations. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, with a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a bright, vivid display, proves to be good for general use, further complemented by its higher portability and longer battery life, despite being at a higher price point.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
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 Slim 7i is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" laptop's less powerful Intel Celeron processor and Intel UHD Graphics 600 make it poor for gaming and 3D applications, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, with a more robust Intel i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics, performs fairly better for these tasks. Both have the same screen refresh rate which is not ideal for gaming, but the stronger GPU in the Lenovo compensates to some extent for the demand of gaming and 3D content.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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.
Content Creation
5.8/10
7.7/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
5.8/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
6.0/10
6.9/10
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
208.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 14.1" offers adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and productivity software, making it suitable for general use, but its limited color gamut and lower refresh rate may not satisfy the precision required for engineering applications or the smooth visuals demanded by gaming. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, with its superior brightness and resolution, provides a more vibrant and sharp display for general activities and detailed design work, though its refresh rate still falls short for gaming, where quick screen updates are essential for an immersive experience. Neither laptop is optimal for gaming and 3D modeling due to their modest refresh rates, but for non-gaming purposes, the Lenovo stands out with better overall screen quality.
Battery
8.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Gateway 14.1" has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Gateway 14.1" both have very good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has good build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$99
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Gateway 14.1" has a price of $99 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 14.1" or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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.
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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