The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is generally more affordable and offers reliable performance for everyday use with adequate battery life. However, if a lighter laptop and slightly better overall performance are priorities, along with a longer battery life, the LG Ultra 13 could be a better choice, despite being a bit more expensive. Neither laptop is ideal for intensive gaming, but the LG Ultra’s stronger processor can better handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software. Both are adequate for general use, but for tasks that require more power or longer use away from an outlet, the LG may be worth the extra cost. 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 3 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has no clear advantages over the LG Ultra 13.
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
Good for general use
Good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.1/10
6.6/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The LG Ultra 13 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both only fair for engineering and design, though the LG Ultra 13 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.4/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
313.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The LG Ultra 13 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the LG Ultra 13's higher resolution and brighter display make it superior to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, offering sharper images and better visibility in various lighting conditions. When it comes to engineering and design tasks, the LG Ultra 13's broader color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, which is crucial for detailed and color-sensitive work. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications because their screens have lower refresh rates, which can lead to less smooth motion and lower responsiveness compared to displays designed specifically for these purposes.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
3.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5/10
7.4/10
The LG Ultra 13 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$390
$529
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has a price of $390 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG Ultra 13 to be good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
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
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The LG Ultra 13 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and the LG Ultra 13 are both fair for gaming and 3D because they have integrated GPUs that provide enough power for light gaming and 3D applications but may struggle with high-end games and demanding 3D tasks. While both models have the same screen refresh rate which is decent for everyday use, their GPUs and CPUs are better suited for moderate performance demands; the Lenovo with its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and LG with a slightly stronger Ryzen 7, however, neither are top-of-the-line for highly intensive gaming or 3D workloads.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.2/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Ultra 13 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" 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.
Software Development
7.1/10
7.2/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Ultra 13 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both good for software development.
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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
"The low-priced IdeaPad 3 14 delivers on core functionality. Lenovo's IdeaPad 3 14 meets all the basic requirements for an inexpensive office laptop. The matte IPS display is bright enough, the performance is high for the class, and the input devices are rock solid. In addition, the mostly quiet operation including the useful performance modes, cool surface temperatures, easy maintainability as well as expandable working and mass storage all contribute to the IdeaPad 3 14's value proposition."
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" or the LG Ultra 13
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.
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
126,495
Recommendations made
27,408
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.