Considering your options between the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, if you prioritize better general and engineering performance, as well as a higher-quality keyboard and slightly longer battery life, the IdeaPad 5 could be a more suitable option. On the other hand, if portability is more important to you and you prefer newer models, the IdeaPad Slim 3, being lighter and more recently released, may appeal more to you, though it has slightly lower general performance and reduced battery life. Both laptops are similarly priced and offer adequate performance for general use, but distinctions arise in their keyboard quality, performance for more specific tasks like engineering or 3D work, and the overall build and design which may sway your decision based on your specific needs or preferences. 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 5 15"
Good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15".
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.7/10
6.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 are both only fair for engineering and design, though the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a stronger CPU and GPU than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, which is beneficial for engineering and design tasks that require more processing power and graphical performance. Although both have similar RAM and screen quality, the more powerful components in the IdeaPad 5 may make it more suitable for demanding applications, while the Slim 3 offers greater portability and quieter operation.
Screen Quality
6.5/10
6.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
341.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 for general use.
For general use, fair screen quality in both the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 and Slim 3 may stem from acceptable resolution and brightness, which ensures comfortable viewing for everyday tasks, but they may lack the premium panel types that provide better contrast and color accuracy. In engineering and design, the same screens provide fair quality since they cover basic requirements for clarity and color representation, but professionals might miss out on the wider color gamuts necessary for precise color work. When it comes to Gaming and 3D, their lower refresh rates can lead to less fluid motion, while adequate resolution and panel type may not deliver the immersive experience desired by enthusiasts.
Battery
11.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has 11 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 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.
Build Quality
7.6/10
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$690
$390
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a price of $690 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 costs $390.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a more powerful CPU and better battery life, making it well-suited for a variety of tasks and allowing for longer use without charging, which is essential for general use. In contrast, while the IdeaPad Slim 3 is lighter and has a slightly higher portability score due to its lower weight, its less capable processor and shorter battery life make it fair for general use, and its screen is not as bright, affecting screen quality.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
5.9/10
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
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 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.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.2/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 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
7.3/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 compare to other laptops
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 is convincing due to its long battery life. The device scores points especially with its large battery and long battery runtimes combined with its low consumption. The CPU and GPU perform in the test as one would expect, and in line with what was familiar from the somewhat smaller 14-inch sister model, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14."
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | May 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is decent for use as a workstation. Its Intel CPU and integrated graphics can only handle light productivity tasks, not demanding workloads like video editing or 3D graphics. You also can't do any color-critical work because the available displays have a narrow color gamut. It has a good port selection, but its USB-C lacks Thunderbolt 4 support. On the upside, it has a comfortable keyboard and doesn't get hot or loud under load."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
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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