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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" is a budget-friendly option providing basic performance suited for general tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light multimedia use, thanks to its Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics. It also offers a standard screen with a lower resolution, which may not be ideal for high-definition content but contributes to its lower price. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, being significantly pricier, offers high-end features such as a more powerful Intel i7 processor, dedicated Nvidia graphics, a higher-resolution and brighter screen for a more premium viewing experience, and substantially more memory and storage. This makes it better suited for intensive tasks such as 3D designing, machine learning, gaming, and engineering software. You'll find the Slim Pro 9i also has a more robust build quality and potentially better battery life, but both are similar in weight and portability. If budget is your main concern, and your needs are basic, the IdeaPad 3 is adequate, while the Slim Pro 9i is an investment for those requiring high performance and premium features. 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 15"
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i.
Advantages of the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.2
8.5
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
618.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, a lower resolution screen with poor color coverage, and a shorter battery life, which makes it fair for general use. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i boasts a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, a high-quality Mini LED display with excellent color accuracy, and longer battery life, thus it is considered very good for general use.
Gaming and AI
5.8
7.6
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" is poor.
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.
Engineering and Design
5.8
8.9
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has less capable processing power, lower RAM, and a basic GPU, which can hinder performance in demanding engineering tasks, and it comes with a screen that's less sharp and vibrant. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i boasts a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a superior GPU, complemented by a high-quality screen, making it well-suited for engineering and design work, even if it might be less portable and have a louder operating noise.
Content Creation
6.3
8.5
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" 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
6.3
8.3
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" 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
5.2
9.6
15.6in
SIZE
14.5in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
618.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" likely has a lower resolution and dimmer display which can make colors look less vibrant and text less sharp, which is not ideal for any use case; for engineering and design, professional work requires a display with more accurate color reproduction which the IdeaPad may lack. The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i excels in screen quality for general use and engineering with high resolution and brightness, ensuring crisp and vivid visuals, as well as covering a wide color gamut, providing the color fidelity needed by designers. However, for gaming and 3D applications, it may fall short if it has a lower refresh rate, making fast-paced visuals appear less smooth compared to displays with higher refresh rates.
Build Quality
6.5
8.0
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$360
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has a price of $360 and the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" has 5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has 6 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
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.5in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" and the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" | Lenovo Slim Pro 9i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10'' x 0.78'' | 12.9'' x 9.6'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.75 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.26" | 12.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.98" | 9.64" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1115G4 | Intel i7-13705H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 35 Wh | 75 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1366 x 768 | 3072 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 220 nits | 618 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 2 | |
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 15"
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NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | February 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an enduring office notebook with a powerful Ryzen APU. Lenovo's office all-rounder easily handles office and internet applications as well as modest games - the Ryzen 5 5625U APU and 16 GB of RAM make this possible. The CPU and GPU can work at consistently high clock rates. The emission values are okay, but the noise emissions should be lower under medium to full load. The relatively light notebook (approx. 1.6 kg) achieves practical battery runtimes of about 10 to 11 hours."
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
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PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | August 2023
"The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is an impressive laptop with a brilliant Mini-LED display, a powerful 100-watt version of Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, and excellent connectivity. Having run the Cinebench benchmark again, we were impressed with the CPU performance. That makes the Slim Pro 9i is an easy recommendation, especially for those who care about GPU and CPU performance. It’s also a fantastic choice if you frequently view HDR movies and games on your laptop."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" or the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
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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