The Gateway 15.6" and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" are similarly priced and both suitable for general use. The Gateway has a smaller screen size but higher RAM, which may provide better multitasking and speed for general purposes and basic engineering tasks. On the contrary, the Lenovo boasts a larger screen and better color coverage, which could be advantageous for tasks involving visuals, like photo editing. Battery life tends to be superior on the Lenovo based on capacity figures, and it comes with the newer Windows 11 Home out of the box, unlike the Gateway's Windows 10 Home. If portability is a priority, the Lenovo is slightly lighter, despite its larger screen. Choose the Gateway if you prioritize performance for multitasking and moderate engineering use, or go for the Lenovo if a larger display, better colors, and battery life align more with your needs. 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 15.6"
The Gateway 15.6" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17".
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
Good for software development
Key differences
Software Development
6.7/10
7.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
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 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1/10
6.7/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
307.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3's larger screen and higher resolution enhance readability and clarity, while its superior brightness ensures good visibility even in well-lit rooms, making it better than the smaller, less vibrant display of the Gateway. In engineering and design, the IdeaPad's wider color gamuts provide more accurate color reproduction, which is crucial for detailed work, though both laptops have limitations for high-end professional tasks given the poor coverage of professional color spaces. When it comes to 3D and gaming, neither laptop excels due to their modest refresh rates, but the resolution and panel quality of the IdeaPad still provide a slightly better visual experience.
Build Quality
5.1/10
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$380
$784
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Gateway 15.6" has a price of $380 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" costs $784.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use.
The Gateway 15.6" boasts higher RAM, which can contribute to smoother multitasking and general performance, and a processor that provides solid capability for everyday tasks, making it a good choice for general use. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" offers a larger, higher-quality screen, but its lower RAM may impact performance with multiple applications open; however, it compensates with better portability and longer battery life, also fitting general use but with a preference for those valuing screen real estate and mobility.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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 3 17" and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Gateway 15.6" and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" are both considered fair for gaming and 3D work because they have comparable integrated GPUs that can handle less demanding games and 3D tasks, but may struggle with more intensive workloads. Both laptops have similar 60Hz screen refresh rates, which is adequate for general use but may not provide the smoothest experience in fast-paced games, while the Gateway has a slightly sharper screen and more RAM, which could benefit multitasking and performance in some applications.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
6.6/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Gateway 15.6" has a good balance of CPU and RAM for engineering and design tasks, but its Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe GPU and screen quality may limit performance in graphically intensive applications, and its portability is decent due to its weight. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a larger screen which can be better for multitasking and design work, but with less RAM and a comparably capable AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Vega 7 GPU, it may struggle with complex engineering simulations; however, it offers superb portability for its size and improved speaker quality for multimedia tasks.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" and Gateway 15.6" 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Gateway 15.6" 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 15.6" and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gateway 15.6" and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" compare to other laptops
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
"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 15.6" 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.
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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