Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021)

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021)

Manufacturer	Lenovo
Product family	IdeaPad
Release date	January 2021 (2021-01)
Introductory price	USD 400
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home Windows 10 Home FreeDOS
CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 5300U AMD Ryzen 5 5500U AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Intel Core i3-1115G4 Intel Core i3-10110U AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
Memory	4GB, 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB DDR4-3200 MHz
Memory slots	One soldered, one SO-DIMM slot
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD
Storage slots	1x 2.5" HDD slot, 1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3x4 slot
Removable storage	4-in-1 Card Reader
Display	Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS or TN Coating: Anti-glare Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or 1366 x 768 Brightness: 220 to 300 nits NTSC: 45 % Screen-to-body ratio:
Graphics	AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 Intel UHD Graphics
Sound	Stereo speakers, 1.5W x2, Dolby Audio™
Camera	HD 720p with Privacy Shutter
Touchpad	Buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 1x USB 2.0 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only) 1x HDMI 1.4b
Dimensions	W: 362.2 millimetres (14.26 in) D: 253.4 millimetres (9.98 in) H: 19.9 millimetres (0.78 in)
Mass	1.65 kilograms (3.6 lb)
Power brick	65W Round Tip (2-pin, Wall-mount)
Battery	35Wh or 45Wh Li-Polymer
Keyboard	Non-backlit
Chassis	Color: Arctic Grey, Platinum Grey, Abyss Blue, Almond, Business Black, Cherry Red Materials: PC + ABS (Top and Bottom)
Number pad	Yes
Fingerprint reader	Optional
Facial recognition	No
Special features	Camera privacy shutter
Website	Lenovo

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) is a budget-friendly laptop designed for everyday use, particularly for school and office work. It offers a range of processor options from AMD and Intel, integrated graphics, and various memory and storage configurations. The laptop is lightweight and portable, with a plastic chassis available in multiple colors.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) can be configured with the following processors:

• AMD Ryzen 3 5300U with 4 cores and 8 threads, base frequency of 2.6 GHz, and max frequency of 3.8 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with 6 cores and 12 threads, base frequency of 2.1 GHz, and max frequency of 4.0 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with 8 cores and 16 threads, base frequency of 2.3 GHz, and max frequency of 4.3 GHz.
• Intel Core i3-1115G4 with 2 cores and 4 threads, base frequency of 3.0 GHz, and max frequency of 4.1 GHz.
• Intel Core i3-10110U with 2 cores and 4 threads, base frequency of 2.1 GHz, and max frequency of 4.1 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 3 3250U with 2 cores and 4 threads, base frequency of 2.6 GHz, and max frequency of 3.5 GHz.

The AMD Ryzen processors are noted for their strong multi-thread performance, making them suitable for multitasking and running more demanding applications. The Intel Core i3 processors are adequate for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing but may struggle with heavier workloads.

Reviewers have praised the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U for its performance in light workloads, while the Ryzen 5 and 7 offer better multi-thread performance. The Intel Core i3 processors are considered adequate for basic tasks but not suitable for demanding applications.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • Ryzen 3 5300U: ~5522 points (multi-core), ~1129 points (single-core)
• Geekbench 5:
  • Ryzen 3 5300U: ~4191 points (multi-core), ~1080 points (single-core)

Graphics

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) offers the following integrated GPU configurations:

• AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 for Ryzen 3
• AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 for Ryzen 5
• AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 for Ryzen 7
• Intel UHD Graphics for Intel Core i3

The integrated graphics are suitable for light tasks such as video playback and casual gaming but struggle with demanding workloads like gaming or video editing. The performance difference between the integrated GPUs is minimal.

Reviewers have noted that the integrated graphics can handle basic graphics tasks but are not suitable for gaming or intensive graphics work.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Fire Strike:
  • Radeon RX Vega 6: ~2511 points
• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • Radeon RX Vega 6: ~1001 points

Memory

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) supports dual-channel memory and comes with the following configurations:

• 4GB, 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM

The memory is partially soldered, with one SO-DIMM slot available for upgrades. Reviewers recommend 8GB for smooth multitasking, as 4GB may cause slowdowns when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Benchmarks:

• AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~32744 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Read: ~35003 MB/s

Storage

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) offers the following storage options:

• 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD

The storage is user-replaceable, and the SSD offers fast read and write speeds. Reviewers have noted that the SSD provides a significant performance boost over traditional hard drives.

Benchmarks:

• Sequential Read: ~1825.4 MB/s
• Sequential Write: ~686.2 MB/s

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) features a non-backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad. The keyboard has a good amount of travel and tactile feedback, but it requires significant force to actuate, which may cause fatigue during extended typing sessions.

Reviewers have noted that the keyboard is comfortable for typing, but the lack of dedicated navigation keys may hinder productivity for some users.

Touchpad

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) features a buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad. The touchpad is small and does not feel smooth, making dragging and dropping difficult. Clicking is only possible near the bottom of the touchpad.

Webcam

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) comes with a 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter. The webcam's video quality is decent for video calls, capturing some fine details, but the image tends to be overexposed.

Microphone

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) includes an integrated dual-microphone array. Reviewers have noted that the microphone captures sound well for casual use, but it may not be suitable for professional audio recording.

Output Devices

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Display

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) features a 15.6-inch display with options for TN or IPS panels and resolutions of 1920 x 1080 or 1366 x 768. The IPS panel is recommended for better viewing angles and color reproduction, while the TN panel has worse performance in these areas.

The display is bright enough for most indoor settings but may struggle in direct sunlight. Reviewers have noted that the display's color performance is poor, with narrow viewing angles on the TN panel.

Benchmarks:

• Maximum Brightness: ~308 cd/m²
• Native Contrast: ~1,325:1

Audio

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) comes with stereo speakers, 1.5W x2, and Dolby Audio™. The speakers sound clear but do not get very loud, making them suitable for casual listening but not for larger spaces.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) offers Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Reviewers have noted that the wireless performance is adequate for basic tasks but may not meet the needs of users requiring faster connections.

Bluetooth

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) includes Bluetooth 5.0.

SD Card Reader

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) includes a 4-in-1 card reader. Reviewers have noted that the SD card reader is functional but not particularly fast.

USB

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 1x USB 2.0
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1
• 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only)

Reviewers have noted that the port selection is decent, but the lack of modern USB-C ports with charging or video output limits versatility.

Display Outputs

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) includes an HDMI 1.4b port for external display connections.

Case

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) features a plastic chassis with a brushed finish, available in multiple colors. The laptop is lightweight and portable, with dimensions of 362.2 millimetres (14.26 in) x 253.4 millimetres (9.98 in) x 19.9 millimetres (0.78 in) and a weight starting at 1.65 kilograms (3.6 lb).

The design is straightforward and functional for a budget laptop, but reviewers have noted that the plastic chassis feels flexible and less sturdy compared to metal alternatives.

Maintenance

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) is designed to be user-serviceable to some extent. The bottom panel can be easily removed with a Philips screwdriver, allowing access to RAM and storage components.

Upgradeable components:

• M.2 PCIe3 x4 2280 SSD (user-replaceable)
• RAM (user-upgradeable)

Cooling System

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) features a single fan cooling system with a short copper heat pipe. The cooling system is effective, keeping surface temperatures manageable even under load.

Heat

The cooling system is effective, keeping surface temperatures manageable even under load. The keyboard remains cool under load, making it comfortable for extended use.

Benchmarks:

• Keyboard Temp Under Load: ~38 °C

Noise

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) is praised for its quiet operation. The laptop is generally quiet during regular use, but the fan noise may become noticeable under heavy load.

Benchmarks:

• Fan noise under load: ~48.5 dB(A)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) ships with a 65W power adapter. The laptop is efficient for light tasks, with good battery management.

Battery Life

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) comes with a 35Wh or 45Wh Li-Polymer battery. The battery life is decent for a budget laptop, lasting over nine hours for light productivity.

Benchmarks:

• WiFi Websurfing: ~9.3 hrs
• Video Playback: ~7.9 hrs
• Gaming: ~1.6 hrs

Biometrics

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) offers an optional fingerprint sensor built into the power button for quick login.

Software

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) ships with Windows 11 Home, Windows 10 Home, or FreeDOS, depending on the configuration. The laptop comes with several preinstalled Lenovo apps and software.

Preinstalled Software

• Lenovo Vantage
• Dolby Audio
• McAfee LiveSafe (antivirus)
• Lenovo Voice
• Lenovo Hotkeys

Linux Support

Linux support is not specified, but it may vary by model.

Accessories & Warranty

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) comes with a 65W power adapter and paperwork. The laptop includes a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" (2021) is considered a solid choice for students and casual users, offering decent performance for school and light productivity tasks. It is praised for its affordability, portability, and battery life. However, it has some drawbacks, such as a poor display, limited port selection, and a flexible chassis.

Problems Summary

• Poor display quality with narrow viewing angles on TN panel.
• Limited port selection, lacking modern USB-C features.
• Flexible and less sturdy plastic chassis.
• Small and unsatisfactory touchpad.
• Mediocre speaker quality with weak bass.

Links

• RTINGS Review
• WindowsCentral Review
• PCMag Review
• NoteBookCheck Review