Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has a decent processor and RAM, but the Slim 5i pulls ahead with a more powerful CPU and double the RAM, offering smoother performance for multitasking. While both have quality IPS displays, the Slim 5i's screen is not only larger but also has higher resolution and screen quality, coupled with a more robust battery, making it a better option for general use despite being slightly less portable due to its extra weight.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i outperforms the IdeaPad 3 14" for engineering and design tasks due to its superior CPU, double the RAM, and higher GPU capabilities, coupled with better screen resolution and a larger, higher-quality display, essential for such tasks. While portability is slightly reduced and the Slim 5i is heavier, its advanced keyboard and quieter operating noise make it more suitable for extended work sessions, despite these features being considered somewhat important.

For general use, both the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and the Slim 5i offer sufficient screen quality with adequate resolution and brightness, but they may not feature the most vibrant panels or the highest clarity that some users desire. Those interested in engineering and design might find these laptops' displays lacking in color accuracy and range, as they typically do not cover the broader color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which are crucial for precise color work. Finally, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these models may not provide the smooth visuals that gamers and 3D professionals seek, and while the resolution and panel types are acceptable, they do not prioritize the high-performance graphics needed in these fields.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Vega 7 graphics card and a 60Hz screen refresh rate delivers fair gaming and 3D performance; similarly, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers comparable gaming and 3D capabilities with its Intel i5-1335U Iris Xe graphics and the same 60Hz refresh rate. Both laptops, with their screen quality and CPU, provide a decent balance between visual fidelity and processing power for non-intensive gaming and 3D applications.

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.

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.