If you prioritize a sleek design, better portability, and versatile use as a tablet or laptop, the HP Spectre x360 14 is a solid choice, although it comes at a higher cost. On the other hand, if you're looking for a machine that excels in gaming performance with a dedicated graphics card and don't mind a bulkier build with potentially shorter battery life, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers good value for its lower price. Consider how much you'll benefit from a 2-in-1 device against your need for gaming capabilities when making your decision. 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 HP Spectre x360 14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has no clear advantages over the HP Spectre x360 14.
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.4/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
384.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
The HP Spectre x360 14 offers a balance of performance with its CPU, ample RAM for multitasking, a high-quality screen, and long battery life, plus its lightweight design makes it highly portable for on-the-go users. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, with a focus on gaming, provides strong performance and cooling but is heavier with shorter battery life, making it better suited for users who prioritize gaming or intensive tasks over portability.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.2/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
The HP Spectre x360 14 offers robust computing power and sharp visuals that cater to demanding engineering and design tasks, enhanced by its high-quality screen, and is equipped with sufficient memory and a capable graphics processor; however, its sleek design compromises a bit on cooling, which might be noticeable during heavy use. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, on the other hand, has a strong CPU and GPU combo that can handle similar tasks effectively, with the added benefit of a gaming-oriented keyboard and sound system, but it is bulkier, which may affect its portability.
Content Creation
8.7/10
7.4/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
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
8.4/10
7.3/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
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
8.6/10
7.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
384.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a bright and high-resolution display, making it ideal for general use and engineering tasks where clarity and color accuracy are crucial. However, its lower refresh rate may not be suitable for gaming or 3D applications, which demand quick image changes for a smooth visual experience. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3's display may handle general tasks and engineering well, but its refresh rate, while possibly better than the HP's, still doesn't meet the high standards required for the best gaming or 3D experiences.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,630
$549
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a price of $1,630 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 costs $549.
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The HP Spectre x360 14, with its versatile 2-in-1 design and premium build, usually includes integrated graphics suitable for light gaming and 3D applications; however, its screen refresh rate is not optimized for high-end gaming which may affect smoothness during fast-paced games. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a dedicated graphics card and a higher refresh rate screen, better serving the needs of gaming enthusiasts who seek more fluid visuals and improved gaming performance, albeit it may be bulkier and not as high-end in design as the Spectre.
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The HP Spectre x360 14 has 9 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.
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How the HP Spectre x360 14 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 compare to other laptops
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
"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 HP Spectre x360 14 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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