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Updated March 13, 2024·
When deciding between the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider that the IdeaPad is more budget-friendly but may not have the same performance or build quality as the ThinkBook 13x, which usually offers better processing capabilities and a more robust construction, making it more suitable for demanding tasks and business use. The ThinkBook is also likely to be lighter and more compact, providing greater portability, whereas the IdeaPad provides a balance between cost and functionality, suitable for everyday use and casual tasks. Battery life is generally longer in higher-end models like the ThinkBook, which could be essential if you're often on the go without access to a power outlet. 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"
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
313.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 typically has a less powerful CPU and less RAM than the ThinkBook 13x, which might slow down multitasking or more demanding applications, and its screen quality isn't as high, affecting how sharp and vivid the display looks. Meanwhile, the ThinkBook 13x, designed with better portability and longer battery life in mind, makes it more suitable for those who need to work on the go, and its increased performance capabilities ensure smoother operation for a range of tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.6
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x have integrated graphics that can handle some gaming and 3D tasks, but they're not as powerful as dedicated gaming GPUs, which limits their performance in visually intensive applications. Additionally, their screens have standard refresh rates that provide a decent display for everyday tasks and some gaming, yet they don't match the smoothness offered by higher refresh rate displays found in specialized gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
6.1
7.9
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x comes with a stronger CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a higher quality screen, which are essential for demanding engineering and design software, giving it an edge over the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" for those tasks. While the IdeaPad 3 is more budget-friendly and still performs adequately, the tradeoff is seen in reduced performance and screen quality, though it may have slight advantages in portability and lesser operating noise.
Content Creation
7.1
8.0
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" 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
7.1
7.9
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.
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
6.4
8.2
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
313.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the ThinkBook 13x's higher resolution and brightness levels offer clearer and more vibrant visuals, making it more suitable for tasks like browsing and video watching compared to the IdeaPad 3. Considering engineering and design, the ThinkBook 13x's wider color gamuts ensures more accurate color representation which is crucial for tasks that involve color-sensitive work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, neither laptop excels due to their lower refresh rates, but both can handle less demanding graphics tasks with their existing panel types and resolutions.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has a price of $390 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$390 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.8'' x 8.5'' x 0.78'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.1 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.76" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.49" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 45 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 313 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14"
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NotebookCheck
Marvin Gollor | February 2023
"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."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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.
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