When choosing between the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, consider that the IdeaPad 1 is more affordable but offers lower performance due to its Celeron processor and less memory and storage, making it suitable for basic tasks and light usage. The IdeaPad Slim 3, although more expensive, presents a better screen with higher resolution and IPS technology, more storage and memory, and a more powerful Ryzen processor, making it more suitable for multitasking and more demanding applications. If your priority is saving money and handling simple tasks, go for the IdeaPad 1, but for a better overall performance, especially in tasks requiring more computing power or better display quality, the IdeaPad Slim 3 is the better option. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
Very good portability
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
7.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is less suited for general use given its basic CPU, limited RAM, and lower-resolution TN screen, which can impact multitasking ability and visual clarity. Whereas, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, with a more capable CPU, doubled RAM, and a high-definition IPS touchscreen, offers better performance and screen quality for a more enjoyable and efficient general-use experience.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
6.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has lower CPU and RAM capabilities, and uses a lower resolution TN screen, which translates to poor performance and screen quality for engineering tasks, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 provides better CPU and RAM, along with a higher resolution IPS display with touchscreen, making it more suitable for engineering and design despite being slightly less portable due to its larger screen and higher weight.
Content Creation
6.2/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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
5.3/10
6.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" likely has a lower resolution and dimmer display, making everything look less sharp and vibrant, which is less ideal for all uses but especially noticeable in general viewing. The IdeaPad Slim 3 likely offers a slightly better display with adequate resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and basic engineering work, but it might still lack the wide color gamut needed for precision in design-related professions. Neither is optimal for 3D or gaming, as both probably have standard refresh rates which don't provide the smooth visuals desired for fast-paced interaction or high-detail rendering.
Build Quality
6.0/10
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" both have only fair build quality, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$400
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 costs $400.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" are both poor for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Battery
9.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has 10 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
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" to have very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 compare to other laptops
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | May 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is decent for use as a workstation. Its Intel CPU and integrated graphics can only handle light productivity tasks, not demanding workloads like video editing or 3D graphics. You also can't do any color-critical work because the available displays have a narrow color gamut. It has a good port selection, but its USB-C lacks Thunderbolt 4 support. On the upside, it has a comfortable keyboard and doesn't get hot or loud under load."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
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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