LENOVO IDEAPAD GAMING 3I

GAMING LAPTOP | I had the opportunity to try out the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming L340 back in 2020. I was thoroughly impressed then, with the laptop offering outstanding performance without breaking the bank. Come 2022, and I get to relive that trial with the new Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i. Does it offer the same bang for the buck performance as its predecessor?

- GABRIEL PE

DESIGN

While the IdeaPad Gaming L340 had a toned-down gaming aesthetic, this newer version ups the ante by adopting the Legion-line’s gaming aesthetic over its IdeaPad roots. Despite its more “gamer” look, the laptop doesn’t push it that far. You can actually bring it to a meeting without getting those weird looks.

The only thing that screams gaming is the massive exhaust on the back and the sides of the device. The shape of the cover is patterned after the Legion line but is much more subtle than the exhaust.

You’ll be greeted with the 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS display as you open the laptop. Our test unit is the 165Hz refresh rate version, but there is a 120Hz version as well as another version with 2560 x 1440 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. The display itself looks good and is rated at 100% sRGB so you can do some graphic work.

Despite its mostly plastic body, build quality is good. In particular, I found the full-sized keyboard amazing. 

Ports, however, are limited. On the left is a USB 3.2 Type-A and the headphone port. On the right is a lone USB 3.2 Type-A. At the back is the USB Type-C with ThunderBolt, the RJ45, the HDMI, and the power input.

HARDWARE