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Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Gaming Laptop Review: Performance Meets Affordability | Best Lenovo Gaming Laptop

  • Writer: GRJ
    GRJ
  • Aug 26, 2024
  • 4 min read

In the competitive market of budget gaming laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a strong contender. It strikes a balance between performance, design, and affordability, making it a popular choice for gamers on a budget. However, the question lingers: Is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i the best Lenovo gaming laptop offered by Lenovo? Let's take a closer look.



Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i sports a sleek and minimalist design that belies its budget price tag. The laptop features a matte finish resistant to fingerprints and smudges, giving it a clean look even after extended use. The build quality is solid, with a sturdy hinge and minimal flex in the keyboard deck and display.

Despite being a budget option, the IdeaPad 3i doesn’t skimp on portability. Weighing around 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg), it’s relatively light for a gaming laptop, making it easy to carry around. The 15.6-inch screen size is ideal for gaming and productivity, balancing portability and screen real estate.


Display Quality

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS display, which is standard for most gaming laptops in this price range. The display offers decent color accuracy and brightness, making it suitable for gaming, streaming, and general usage. However, the full-color range and contrast ratio are somewhat limited compared to higher-end gaming laptops. This may not make it the best choice for professional photo or video editing.

The refresh rate is 120Hz, which is adequate for casual gaming but may fall short for competitive gamers who prefer smoother visuals. That said, for the average gamer looking to play popular titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Minecraft, the display performs well.


Performance and Gaming Experience

Under the hood, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i packs an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, depending on the configuration, coupled with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics. This combination can handle most modern games at medium to high settings with a 1080p resolution.

In real-world gaming tests, the IdeaPad 3i performs admirably:


  • Fortnite: Runs smoothly at 1080p with High settings, delivering frame rates between 60-80 FPS.

  • Apex Legends: Playable at High settings, 1080p with frame rates around 50-70 FPS.

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Achieves around 40-50 FPS at 1080p High settings.

  • Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: It runs perfectly at High settings in 1080p, with average frame rates around 50-60 FPS.

  • Forza Horizon 5: Achieve smooth gameplay at 1080p on High settings with 60-70 FPS.

  • Red Dead Redemption 2: Performance averages at 40-50 FPS on Medium settings at 1080p resolution.

  • Farcry 6: Can be played at high settings, 1080p with 40-50 FPS.

  • Cyberpunk 2077: The game runs with an average of 20-40 FPS at 1080p on Medium settings.

  • Days Gone: Smooth gameplay at 1080p resolution on High settings, with 40-60 FPS.


For casual gamers or those on a tight budget, the performance of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is more than satisfactory. It’s capable of running popular games with decent frame rates, making it a solid option for budget-conscious gamers.


Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is one of its highlights. It offers a comfortable typing experience with decent key travel and feedback. The keys are well-spaced, making it easy to type for extended periods, whether you’re gaming or working on documents. Additionally, the keyboard features a backlight, which is a nice touch for a budget laptop.

The touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, though serious gamers will likely prefer using an external mouse for better control.


Battery Life

Battery life is often a concern with gaming laptops, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is no exception. With moderate use, including web browsing, video streaming, and occasional gaming, the battery lasts around 5-6 hours. However, during gaming sessions, expect the battery to drain much faster, typically lasting 2-3 hours depending on the game’s intensity.

While the battery life is not exceptional, it is comparable to that of other laptops in this category. For prolonged gaming sessions, it is best to keep the laptop plugged in.


Connectivity and Ports

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i offers a decent selection of ports, including:


  • 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1

  • 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Data Transfer Only)

  • HDMI 1.4b

  • 3.5mm Headphone/Mic Combo

  • SD Card Reader

  • Ethernet (RJ-45)


The inclusion of a USB-C port is a welcome addition, though it’s worth noting that it doesn’t support charging or display output. The laptop also features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and reliable wireless connectivity.


Conclusion: Is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i the Best Budget Gaming Laptop for 2024?

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i offers a compelling package for gamers on a budget. With its sturdy build quality, satisfactory performance, and reasonable price, it meets many of the criteria that budget-conscious gamers seek. While it may not have the most vibrant display or the longest battery life, it excels where it counts: providing a reliable and enjoyable gaming experience at an affordable price.

So, is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i the best budget gaming laptop for 2024? If you are in search of a budget-friendly laptop that can handle modern games without compromising performance, the IdeaPad 3i is a strong option. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you might find laptops with better displays, higher refresh rates, and more powerful graphics. Considering the price, it's hard to find a better option than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i.



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