Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Core i5 10th Gen: A Comprehensive Review
In the world of gaming laptops, Lenovo has carved out a niche for itself by providing devices that offer a balance of performance, design, and affordability. One such model that has garnered attention is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. This laptop, equipped with an Intel Lenovo Idea Pad Gaming 3 Core i5 10th Gen processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, is designed to cater to casual and mid-level gamers who are looking for a reliable machine without breaking the bank. Priced at ₹61,990, it offers a range of features that make it an attractive option for those who want an affordable yet powerful gaming experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes in a sleek Onyx Black color, giving it a professional and modern aesthetic. At first glance, the laptop’s design is simple, yet it has subtle gaming elements such as the blue LED backlit keyboard, which adds a touch of flair to its otherwise understated appearance. The laptop weighs in at 2.2 kg, which is a bit on the heavier side compared to ultra-portable laptops, but it is fairly common for gaming laptops that pack powerful hardware. Despite its weight, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 remains relatively slim at just 24.9 mm in thickness, making it portable enough to carry around for gaming on the go or for work and school purposes.
The build quality is solid, with a robust plastic chassis that feels durable but not overly heavy. The laptop has a 39.62 cm (15.6-inch) screen, which is an ideal size for both gaming and productivity. It’s large enough to provide an immersive experience while remaining portable enough for travel.
Display and Audio
The 15.6-inch display on the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a Full HD LED Backlit Anti-glare IPS panel, which ensures clear, sharp, and vibrant visuals during gaming sessions or while watching videos. The 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution offers excellent clarity, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, especially in fast-paced action games. The 250 nits brightness is sufficient for indoor use but may feel slightly underwhelming when used in bright sunlight.
One of the standout features of the display is the Anti-glare coating, which reduces reflections and eye strain, allowing you to game or work for extended periods without discomfort. The IPS technology also ensures that the color reproduction remains accurate, and the viewing angles are wide, making it ideal for content creators, casual gamers, and movie watchers alike.
In terms of audio, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes with built-in dual speakers that provide clear sound, but they might lack the depth and volume that some high-end gaming laptops offer. Nonetheless, the speakers are adequate for gaming and media consumption, and for a more immersive audio experience, users can connect external speakers or gaming headsets via the available audio jack or Bluetooth connectivity.
Performance
The performance of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is where this laptop truly shines, thanks to the combination of the Intel Core i5 10th Gen processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
The Intel Core i5-10300H processor is a quad-core CPU with a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz, which can boost up to 4.5 GHz. This provides enough power to handle not only gaming but also multitasking, video editing, and running demanding applications. The processor is complemented by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, which is a standard configuration for gaming laptops in this price range. This amount of RAM ensures smooth multitasking and fast application loading times. However, for users looking to run heavy applications or multitask with several programs simultaneously, upgrading to 16 GB of RAM would provide a noticeable performance boost.
When it comes to gaming, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card offers solid performance for most modern titles. While it may not handle the latest AAA games at ultra settings, it can comfortably run games at medium to high settings with good frame rates. For example, titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone will run smoothly on this laptop, and even games like Red Dead Redemption 2 can be played at decent settings.
To complement the powerful processor and GPU, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 also comes with a 512 GB SSD, which significantly reduces load times and offers faster boot speeds compared to traditional hard drives. The SSD provides ample storage for your games, applications, and files while keeping the system responsive and quick. If you find yourself running out of space, the laptop also supports additional storage options, ensuring that you don’t have to delete old files to make room for new ones.
Connectivity and Ports
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is well-equipped with a variety of ports and connectivity options. On the left side, you’ll find 1 x USB-C 3.2 (1st Gen) port, along with 2 x USB 3.2 (1st Gen) ports. These are useful for connecting peripherals such as gaming mice, keyboards, and external storage devices. Additionally, there is a HDMI 2.0 port for connecting the laptop to external displays, allowing you to expand your gaming setup with a larger monitor or even a TV.
The laptop also features Wi-Fi 6 (AX 2×2) support, ensuring faster wireless internet speeds and lower latency, which is essential for online gaming and streaming. For those who prefer a wired connection, the laptop also includes an Ethernet port. Bluetooth v5.0 provides support for wireless peripherals like headsets, mice, and speakers, ensuring a smooth and lag-free experience.
Keyboard and Input
The keyboard on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a blue LED backlit English keyboard, which adds a stylish touch to the overall design. The key travel is adequate, providing a comfortable typing experience for both gaming and work tasks. However, the lack of a dedicated number pad may be a downside for some users, especially those who frequently use spreadsheets or require additional input options for work or gaming.
The dual array microphone helps improve sound quality during online gaming or video calls, providing clear audio even in noisy environments. Additionally, the trackpad is responsive, though most gamers will likely prefer using an external mouse for greater precision during gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is equipped with a 45Wh battery, which offers a reasonable battery life for a gaming laptop. While gaming will inevitably drain the battery quickly, normal usage such as web browsing, word processing, and video streaming should allow for around 5-6 hours of usage on a single charge. As is common with most gaming laptops, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is best used while plugged into a power source for extended gaming sessions.
Operating System and Software
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home (64-bit architecture), which provides a user-friendly interface and a range of features suitable for both gaming and productivity. Windows 10 also supports a wide variety of gaming titles, and with the Windows Store and Steam clients, you have access to a massive library of games.
Warranty and Support
Lenovo offers a 1-year onsite warranty with the IdeaPad Gaming 3, which covers any manufacturing defects. While this is standard for many laptops in this price range, it’s important to note that physical damage is not covered under the warranty, so users need to handle the device with care. Lenovo’s customer support is generally well-regarded, and the onsite service ensures that if any issues arise, a technician will come to your location to fix the laptop.
Conclusion
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Core i5 10th Gen is an excellent choice for gamers and everyday users who want a reliable and affordable laptop with solid performance. Its combination of a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, and 512 GB SSD offers a smooth gaming experience, while the 120Hz display, Wi-Fi 6 support, and blue LED backlit keyboard add to its appeal. While it may not be the most powerful gaming laptop on the market, it strikes a good balance between price and performance, making it a great option for budget-conscious gamers.
At ₹61,990, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers fantastic value for money, especially for those who want a laptop capable of handling both gaming and productivity tasks without overspending. Whether you’re a casual gamer or someone who needs a versatile laptop for work and play, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is definitely worth considering.