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Updated March 14, 2024·
If you’re looking for a laptop primarily for gaming or running demanding applications, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, while less expensive, will offer you the performance needed, but it may be heavier and have a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is more suitable for business and general use; it's lighter, typically has better battery life, and is more portable, but you'll pay more for these conveniences. If mobility and battery are priorities over gaming performance, the ThinkBook 13x is the better choice. 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 Gaming 3
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.4
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
329.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a strong CPU and ample RAM ideal for demanding tasks, and its high-quality screen enhances gaming and video experiences, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life than slimmer options. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while also well-suited for general use with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM, prioritizes portability and longer battery life with a smaller, lightweight design, making it easier to carry around, albeit with possibly reduced screen immersion compared to larger gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
7.2
7.9
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for engineering and design, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, is well-equipped for demanding engineering software and offers a high-quality screen for detailed designs. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while offering solid CPU and RAM for such tasks, is lighter and more portable with a premium keyboard, making it a good choice for on-the-go professionals who require less frequent intensive graphic work.
Content Creation
7.4
8.0
7.9/10
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 Gaming 3 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
7.3
7.9
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 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
7.2
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
329.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When choosing between the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the ThinkBook 13x for general use or engineering, the ThinkBook stands out for its higher resolution and brighter display, which makes for crisper text and more vibrant images. Its wider color gamut ensures more accurate color reproduction, essential for engineering and design tasks. However, for gaming or 3D applications, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and responsiveness in fast-paced visual environments.
Portability
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$549
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a price of $549 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.6
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is equipped with a dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, making it more suited for gaming and 3D applications, which demand fast graphics processing and smooth visuals. On the other hand, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x also supports gaming and 3D tasks with a decent CPU and screen quality, it may not deliver the same level of performance in these areas due to less focus on graphics hardware and refresh rate.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has 8 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.
Build Quality
7.2
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.5'' x 0.86'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.1 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.16" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.49" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 329 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | October 2022
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the most powerful RTX 3050 Ti laptops. If you disregard the mediocre quality of the case in terms of the material and workmanship, Lenovo has created a successful budget gaming laptop with the IdeaPad Gaming. Thanks to high TDPs and constant performance development, the Core i5-12500H and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti are able to show their full power, while in contrast, the (mostly slower) competitors deliver a better battery life. However, hardly any of the alternative laptops are able to reach the image quality of the Gaming 3. Most of the competitors are left behind in terms of the color space and brightness."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 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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