Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Two-minute evaluation
You’re not going to be wowed by the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3. However, if you happen to’re in search of a laptop computer that’s “adequate,” a phrase you’ll see me use all through this evaluation, you then is likely to be a fan of this laptop computer, particularly contemplating that you may get it for pretty low cost.
Actually, its portability, respectable sufficient efficiency, and nice aesthetics, notably the Abyss Blue colorway, make it a contender for the best budget laptops on the market proper now. Contemplating that this can be a barely older mannequin, you almost certainly will discover it at a reduction.
Being a extra budget-oriented product does imply that it comes with an entire heap of compromises, from a principally plastic constructed to shorter battery life and subpar audio high quality. However, if you happen to’re in search of one of many best laptops general, you’ll most likely must spend a little bit extra to get it.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is only for these individuals who simply want a laptop computer and need one thing that’s new, moveable, and comes with Home windows.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Value and availability
- How a lot does it value? Beginning at $539.99 / £510 / AU$1,149.00
- When is it accessible? Accessible now
- The place are you able to get it? Accessible within the US, UK, and Australia
The 15-inch model of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is offered within the US, UK, and Australia, however, like most issues Lenovo, is offered in barely completely different configurations per territory. As an example, the most affordable model of this laptop computer, which works for $539.99 / £510 / AU$1,149.00, is offered within the US, whereas the extra highly effective variations can be found within the different territories.
Whereas the best configuration’s price ticket is a bit exorbitant, particularly because it’s principally for extra storage, the most affordable configurations make it a good suggestion for these trying to simply get a laptop computer that’s skinny, gentle, and doesn’t look low cost.
There are different choices on the market, such because the Acer Aspire 5, that provides a little bit extra when it comes to efficiency and battery life, however is a little more restricted in terms of ports. It’s additionally virtually half a pound heavier than the IdeaPad Slim 3.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Specs
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 could also be a extra budget-oriented mannequin nevertheless it nonetheless comes with some customizations. For starters, you’ll be able to select between three CPUs: the Intel Core 3 100U, Intel Core 5 120U, and the Intel Core 7 150U. The extra highly effective the processor the snappier the response shall be for searching and day-to-day duties. There’s additionally a selection between 8 and 16GB of RAM, although you’ll be able to solely get 8GB with the Intel Core 3 and 16GB with the Intel Core 7 CPU. Lastly, you’ll be able to select an SSD starting from 256GB (there may be the flexibility to only do a 128GB flash drive within the UK) to 1TB of house.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 base configuration | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 evaluation configuration | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 max configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value: | $539.99 / £510 / AU$1,149.00 | £690.00 / AU$1,509.00 (about $890) | £900 (about $1150 / AU$1,700) |
| CPU: | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core 7 150U |
| Graphics: | Built-in graphics | Built-in graphics | Built-in graphics |
| RAM: | 8GB DDR5-5200 | 16GB DDR5-5200 | 16GB DDR5-5200 |
| Display screen: | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) @60Hz | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) @60Hz touchscreen | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) @60Hz touchscreen |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD | 1TB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Ports: | 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack | 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack | 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack |
| Wi-fi: | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Digicam: | 720p at 30 fps | 720p at 30 fps | 720p at 30 fps |
| Weight: | 1.62 kg (3.57 lbs) | 1.62 kg (3.57 lbs) | 1.62 kg (3.57 lbs) |
| Dimensions: | 359.3 x 235 x 17.9 mm (14.15 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches) | 359.3 x 235 x 17.9 mm (14.15 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches) | 359.3 x 235 x 17.9 mm (14.15 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches) |
There’s some gentle customization accessible outdoors of the inner parts as effectively. You’ll be able to improve from a non-touch to a contact display. And you may select whether or not to pay additional for a fingerprint reader. There’s additionally a colour selection between Abyss Blue (reviewed right here) and grey.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Design
- Is skinny, gentle, and appears good, although it’s not probably the most premium construct
- Keyboard and touchpad are tremendous
- Has some appreciated security measures like a webcam privateness shutter
Accessible in both Abyss Blue or grey, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 gives up that particular Ultrabook aesthetic. It’s skinny, gentle, and, from afar, appears to be like like a MacBook competitor. In fact, upon nearer look, its mid-range bones are extra obvious, like the truth that its chassis is made out of plastic.
Nevertheless, it’s a pleasant choice for individuals who simply want a pc and don’t care about getting one thing costly or top-of-the-line. It comes with a decently-sized 15.6-inch show that, at 1080p, is nice sufficient for most individuals. Plus, that show on upgraded fashions such because the one reviewed is a responsive touchscreen.
The keyboard falls into the “adequate” camp, because it does the job however is not notably particular. The keys are a bit stiff to the contact, so will not be a favourite of these typing out lengthy essays. And there’s no backlighting both. At the very least there’s a numpad. The touchpad is equally tremendous; it’s correct and responsive, however isn’t the smoothest to the contact.
Picture 1 of 2
Port-wise, you do get a pleasant assortment corresponding to there’s an HDMI and SD card reader port, each of which you don’t all the time get on this caliber of laptop. In fact, there’s the standard USB-C and USB-A ports in addition to a headphone jack.
Lastly, there are some security measures available that I do admire. Specifically, there’s a fingerprint reader on the facility button and privateness shutter on the webcam.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Efficiency
- Adequate efficiency for day-to-day work
- Webcam is adequate however restricted
- Audio is underwhelming
With regards to efficiency, the bar is considerably low for the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 in that it doesn’t must energy demanding packages like video games or enhancing software program (if you happen to’re in search of that sort of energy, there are many different laptops to contemplate as this isn’t one). What it must do and does effectively sufficient is deal with day-to-day duties corresponding to searching, streaming, emails, phrase processing, and the like. And it does these simply tremendous. This laptop computer is supposed for individuals who “simply want a pc” at an inexpensive value.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Benchmarks
3DMark: Fireplace Strike: 4113; Time Spy: 1501; Night time Raid: 14442
GeekBench 6.3 2469 (single-core); 8549 (multi-core)
Handbrake 1.8: 14:33
CrossMark: General: 1445 Productiveness: 1459 Creativity: 1504 Responsiveness: 1308
Internet Browsing (Battery Informant): 6:14:04
Throughout use, I used to be ready to make use of it usually with 15 tabs open in a browser, together with some streaming, with out a lot of a slowdown apart from a cut up second refresh when switching tabs. The most cost effective configuration, with its 6-core Intel Core 3 100U CPU and 8GB of RAM, will most likely begin to sluggish after only a couple years because it already has considerably weak internals. The evaluation configuration, nevertheless, has a 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM, so ought to supply an extra 12 months of use, for my part, earlier than beginning to really feel sluggish.
Since this matches into that class of gadgets that appear like an Ultrabook, however are extra of a funds laptop computer, there are some compromises elsewhere. The webcam, as an example, is nice sufficient however at 720p @ 30 fps, will not be the sharpest or smoothest. Plus, it does have a little bit grain to the picture in low gentle settings.
Extra egregiously, the audio is underwhelming. Whereas that is considerably typical for funds and mid-range laptops, it’s value stating. There’s not a lot in the way in which of bass or high-end, leaving you with a boxy, mid-range high quality, like listening to one thing by way of a telephone. Contemplating how many individuals merely stream stuff onto their laptops nowadays, it’s stunning that this isn’t higher.
Lastly, it must be talked about that, like most funds laptops, this comes with some bloatware.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Battery life
- First rate however not nice battery life
- Has quick charging available
With a benchmark of six hours and virtually quarter-hour, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 will not be going to win any awards. That size of time is nice sufficient if it is advisable to perform a little work on the street, however not sufficient to get by way of a full work day and not using a cost. And it’s fairly low in comparison with what numerous skinny and lightweight laptops, notably Ultrabooks (that occur to be a little bit pricier on the entire), are capable of obtain. The one laptops that this actually beats out are gaming laptops that should additionally provide energy to devoted graphics playing cards and older fashions that you simply most likely wouldn’t evaluate this to within the first place.
On the intense facet, there may be quick charging available so to shortly get some additional juice with a brief journey to an outlet. I used to be capable of cost again up from 55% after about 40 minutes. So, if you wish to go untethered to work whereas in entrance of the TV, you will have sufficient battery life available and get a fast cost for extra whereas taking a fast break.
Ought to I purchase the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9?
| Attributes | Notes | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | In the event you don’t want all of the bells and whistles, this laptop gives good worth, particularly if you happen to’re capable of get it on sale. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Design | This laptop computer is skinny, gentle, and appears good, although it’s not probably the most premium construct | 4 / 5 |
| Efficiency | Whereas the audio is underwhelming, the overall efficiency on faucet is nice sufficient for most individuals. | 4 / 5 |
| Battery life | Battery life is a bit underwhelming although not horrible, however at the very least fast-charging is available. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Common score | The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is nice sufficient for most individuals, even when there are some compromises right here and there. | 4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally Take into account
If our Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 evaluation has you contemplating different choices, listed below are two laptops to contemplate…
How I examined the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9
- Examined for a pair weeks
- Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
- Examined its webcam and audio
I used the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 for a pair weeks, doing a little gentle gaming, watching some on-line content material, and dealing on it. I additionally used it on the go and examined its varied options just like the webcam and audio.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 is a type of laptops meant for individuals who don’t want loopy highly effective computer systems, however as an alternative simply want an honest sized display, good portability, and sufficient energy for regular day-to-day work with out costing an excessive amount of cash.
I’ve spent the previous few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and in any other case, the place I’ve gotten a really feel for what to search for and how you can put a chunk of equipment by way of its paces to see whether or not it’s well worth the suggestion.
- First reviewed December 2024