If your priority is better performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is the better option as it has a more powerful processor, superior graphics capabilities, greater memory, and a higher resolution screen that also supports touch. However, this laptop is typically more expensive than the Gateway 14.1". The Gateway is a budget-friendly choice, suitable for general use, but it has lower storage capacity, less memory, and a less powerful processor. In terms of portability, both laptops are similar in weight, but the Lenovo has a slightly longer battery life with typical usage. The Gateway could suffice if you're mainly focused on basic tasks and want to save money. The Lenovo, while costing more, offers a significant jump in performance and display quality, which could be worth the investment for more demanding applications and better overall experience. 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 Pro.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
208.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
395.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.7/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is better suited for general use because it is equipped with a more powerful CPU, more RAM, a higher-resolution IPS screen offering better image quality, and a stronger build quality, contributing to better heat management and less operating noise. On the other hand, the Gateway 14.1" falls short in those areas leading to reduced performance, making it less ideal for handling various computing tasks efficiently.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to its less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate which can lead to less fluid visuals and slower response times. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro offers a better GPU and higher refresh rate, providing smoother gameplay and better handling of 3D content, although its screen quality and CPU, while decent, are not top-tier.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
7.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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
7.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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
7.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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
7.7/10
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
208.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
395.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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" likely offers a basic display that is sufficient for tasks like browsing and document editing but lacks higher resolution and brightness found in premium screens needed for vivid detail and comfort in general use. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro's superior resolution and brightness enhance user experience in general use, and its wider color gamuts provide the color accuracy crucial for professional engineering and design work. However, both laptops have screens not built for gaming and 3D modeling as they probably don't support high refresh rates, which limits the smoothness and responsiveness that these applications require.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Gateway 14.1" both have very good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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 Pro 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
$799
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Gateway 14.1" has a price of $99 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro costs $799.
"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."
"The main selling point of the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro versus a regular IdeaPad Slim 7 is its faster Core H-series CPU. In reality, the Core i7-11370H is only marginally faster than the U-series Core i7-1165G7 to the point where most users are not likely to notice the benefits. The slight performance uptick comes at the cost of slightly higher power consumption as well meaning owners will have to deal with potentially warmer temperatures or louder fans to compensate. Unless if you happen to be a power user, then the regular non-Pro model will be more than enough. Once you go 90 Hz, you can't go back."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 14.1" or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
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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