When choosing between the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, consider that the IdeaPad 3, with its larger screen, provides more visual workspace but may be less portable due to size and weight, and typically offers adequate performance for everyday use at a lower cost. The ThinkPad T14, on the other hand, often comes with stronger build quality, better performance suitable for more demanding tasks like engineering and business applications, and features that cater to professionals such as enhanced security and durability, at a higher price point. Additionally, the ThinkPad series generally has longer battery life, making it a better choice for those who need to work on the go without frequent charging. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad T14.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.3/10
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
307.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" offers a large screen which is great for multitasking and watching videos, but its larger size makes it less portable and it may not have as robust a CPU or long battery life as the ThinkPad T14, which is built for higher performance and mobility, thus better suited for on-the-go use and demanding tasks despite its smaller screen. The ThinkPad T14 also generally has a higher build quality with a better keyboard, and superior heat management which makes it more comfortable for extended use.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.7/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" with its larger screen offers a decent visual experience for gaming and 3D tasks, although its GPU and screen refresh rate are not top-tier for heavy gaming. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a more business-oriented design and its GPU and refresh rate, while capable for casual gaming, are not specialized for high-end gaming or advanced 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
6.6/10
8.0/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 typically offers a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, which are all crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks that require high processing power and graphical performance. Additionally, the ThinkPad T14 usually has a higher screen quality, which is beneficial for detailed design work, although the IdeaPad 3, being a 17" laptop, offers a larger display but may be less portable and have a louder operating noise.
Content Creation
7.4/10
8.3/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" 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
7.2/10
8.3/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" is good.
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
6.7/10
6.9/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
307.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" for content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" and the ThinkPad T14 both have screens with resolutions that are crisp and clear, making them suitable for general use and fine details required in engineering and design work. Their color accuracy covers a wide range of colors, necessary for professional design tasks, ensuring that the colors you see on the screen will be close to real-life colors in prints or other media. However, these laptops may not have the high refresh rates favored by gaming and 3D applications, which can lead to less smooth visuals during fast-moving scenes.
Portability
Good
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5/10
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$784
$1,241
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" has a price of $784 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" defies expectations. Indeed, it is just a minor upgrade over last year. However, this doesn’t make the laptop any less terrific. It’s got a great performance, courtesy of the Ryzen 5x25U processors. In addition, you get a pretty good battery life. Perhaps, the 2-hour decrease in video playback, compared to last year is not great, but still, 10 hours of Web browsing and 7 hours of video playback is okay for 17-inch notebooks."
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17" or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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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