Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i Review: Best for Gaming

Laptops explicitly designed for gaming are readily available. Several alternatives are available, including configurations, brands, and pricing points at different prices. Finding a new device that does certain things well and falls within a reasonable price range is always pleasant.

However, currently referring to the laptop Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i. The business's newest product in India costs Rs. 78,990 and generally performs well. Here is a review of the laptop after using the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i for a time. However, if you favor the look and comfort of on-ear headphones, this is one of the finest solutions currently offered in its price range.

Let's look first at what is inside the set. What's contained in the sizeable IdeaPad-branded package is:

Power brick for the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i laptop
The power cable
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming RGB Mouse (comfortable touch, Lenovo)
A few guides and documents

There is nothing unusual about this, but it is a nice touch from Lenovo to include a gaming mouse. Although you already have a mouse, it is okay to get another one. Lenovo has you prepared if you still need to get a gaming mouse.

Specifications Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i

Display: 15.6-inch IPS 120Hz Full HD (1920x1080)
OS: Windows 10 Home
Processor: 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-10750H with a 12 MB cache.
Memory: 8GB DDR4
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB)
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Webcam: 720p
Connections: Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11ax
Dimension (WxDxH): 14.13 x 9.83 x 0.98 inches

1. Build and Design

Lenovo's design language of the IdeaPad Gaming 3i attracts me. It has a stealthy appearance because it is all black. The laptop also blends in readily at your desk at work or college because Lenovo spared no expense with its designs. This lid is very excellent. The edge of the device has a light Lenovo logo that doesn't appear undesirable because it's not very large.

The display has tiny bezels on the sides, while the top bezel is significantly thicker. It does, however, contain a camera and a privacy shutter. If you want your camera covered, you may use this laptop without a sticker or a third-party webcam cover. You may conceal or reveal the webcam using a slider directly above it. The IdeaPad Gaming logo is well-positioned on the depend. This laptop's design is one that I particularly appreciate.

2. Display

The display will now discuss. Here, you get a big 15-inch display. It has a full HD display, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an anti-glare coating. It is the laptop's base model, but you can spend more if you want better technology or a 120Hz or 144Hz display. Even though the higher refresh rate panels will undoubtedly provide an even better gaming experience, this 60Hz panel is certainly not inferior.

It could be the better laptop display I have ever seen. The display can get reasonably bright, and the text and colors appear fantastic. The anti-glare coating should let it perform even if you're sitting in the sun outside.

3. Performance

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i has up to a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and graphics from Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti. Its model contains a GTX 1650 Ti GPU, an 8GB RAM configuration, and a 10th-generation Core i5 processor. These features appear very typical for a gaming laptop in this price range.

It's crucial to remember that the laptop has two RAM slots, but only one is occupied in the 8GB version. It indicates that the laptop is configured as a single channel. If you have the option, consider purchasing another 8GB stick and attaching it to the device.

Your speed will improve if you upgrade to a two-channel memory arrangement, and 16GB RAM is unquestionably a nice amount to have. By the way, the laptop can accommodate up to 32GB RAM, so if you need it, you may update it to 32 GB.

However, even with the basic hardware, the performance is good. Beginning with some benchmark tests, I analyzed the laptop. However, benchmarks are not good indicators of real-world performance, so I tried a few video games on the laptop. The IdeaPad Gaming 3i's frame rate in PUBG ranges from 50 to 70 frames per second (FPS), depending on the surrounding activity.

You will get between 50 and 60FPS regularly at these settings if you play TDM frequently, as I do. These may decrease to get a higher frame rate, but for a casual player like myself, it felt appropriate anyway. It is more enjoyable to play on a PC than PUBG. You achieve well over 100FPS while using the top settings. As I previously mentioned, this is not unexpected nor shocking, but if you enjoy CSGO, this is what the IdeaPad Gaming 3i will provide you.

As I've already said, the IdeaPad Gaming 3i's design makes it suitable for both a laptop for business and a laptop for pleasure. The laptop handles games well and doesn't overheat even after playing for extended periods. The laptop's internal cooling system is responsible for that.

4. Keyboard

Lenovo applied its keyboard experience from its ThinkPad laptop series to this model. It is simple to type on and touch enough to make typing enjoyable. Although you only get one backlighting color here, it is also backlit. The keyboard backlight matches the IdeaPad Gaming logo on the hinge by being blue as well. The keyboard has two distinct brightness levels, which may switch by pressing Function + Space. You may also turn off the lighting in this way.

It has excellent blue lighting; however, there is a lot of backlight bleed, notably apparent in the Numpad. I do not dislike it much, but if you are quickly captivated by such things, you must consider it. Compared to the numpad, it's a helpful addition, particularly if you frequently type numbers. However, because this laptop may also use for business, the Numpad will be a valuable addition for anyone who frequently deals with numbers.

5. Trackpad

The trackpad is a good size but is small. The size is still sufficient for all of the supported Windows actions. The laptop includes an excellent, comfortable Windows Precision trackpad that works well.

However, because Lenovo included a gaming mouse with the laptop, I have only recently connected it and have yet to perform so since I work mainly at my desk while at home; a mouse makes excellent sense.

6. Vantage Lenovo

There are several characteristics that the Lenovo Vantage offers, to be specific. One option is to change the laptop's thermal settings. Another is to enable Network Boost, which is helpful if you're playing a multiplayer game like PUBG or GTA Online.

There are several capabilities for topics like power management, audio, and keyboard control outside of that. Here, you can select rapid charge, allowing the battery to charge faster than usual. If you want to leave your laptop plugged in most of the time, you may also activate "conservation mode." By doing this, the battery will only charge up to 55-60%, preserving the health of your battery for a more extended period.

The keyboard lighting and easy access to the trackpad and mouse settings may now turn on or off from here. You can also alter the microphone settings, Dolby Audio settings, and other audio options from within the app.

7. Speakers

On the IdeaPad Gaming 3i, speakers are located on the side. The speakers certainly have a decent volume range. Additionally, the bass is absent. The speakers in this place are suitable for leisurely viewing a YouTube video.

8. Connectivity

The laptop has Bluetooth 5.0, which is acceptable and should provide a reliable and quick connection with your Bluetooth gadgets. Additionally, since WiFi 6 (802.11ax) capability is built into the network card, you are also future-proof.

9. Battery

In its specification sheet, Lenovo omits to mention the battery's capacity. However, according to its lab tests, the battery life is 7 hours. The battery life isn't nearly 7 hours, but it comes close.

The IdeaPad Gaming 3i manages roughly 6 hours of battery life with regular web surfing activity and a little bit of YouTube occasionally. That is in "better battery" mode with a brightness between 50 and 60 percent. But if you mostly watch videos online, that will suffer. Even yet, 6 hours is a respectable amount of time for a laptop with somewhat power-hungry technology.

Additionally, rapid charging makes it possible to charge the battery so rapidly that plugging it in after 4 or 5 hours doesn't seem all that unpleasant. Lenovo also claims that using the laptop to play games while unplugged from the power cable would get you around an hour of battery life.