One problem a lot of people have with gaming laptops these days is that they are too expensive. Nobody wants to pay $1,000+ for a laptop. Luckily, there really are some affordable options, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i. It’s a nicely sized 15-inch machine that is ideal for entry-level to mid-level gaming. There are a few configurations available, all of which fall under $1,000.
Even at the lowest price, you can still get it with a strong Intel Core i5 processor, decent battery life, SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX (4GB) 1650 dedicated graphics. All configurations come with 8GB of memory. These specs means that the 3i easily exceeds most online game system requirements.
You might not notice at first glance that this is a gaming laptop, as the chassis is somewhat basic and lacks emblems and LED lights. The one thing that is unique with it is that the corners curve inwards a bit, and the lid curves downwards somewhat, rather than the typical square shape of a laptop lid.
The physical construction of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i itself is sturdy, despite being made of plastic. It’s obviously a very high-quality plastic that has no weak points or flex, giving the machine an overall durable design. The touchpad is stable and responsive enough, although you’ll likely be using a mouse for gaming anyway.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i Connectivity
There are 2 x USB 3.1 Generation 1 ports and a USB-C 3.1 port with the 3i. Additionally, it has HDMI 2.0, a headphone – microphone combo and RJ45, as well as a Novo hole. This hole, of course, is exclusive with Lenovo – especially with IdeaPads, and it works with the OneKey recovery software.
If the Intel Core i5 processor isn’t enough for you, take it up a notch with an Intel Core i7 processor (10750H) with Turbo Boost, 6-cores, 12 MB cache, and 12-threads. The display options are for 250-nits (192×0 x 1080 resolution) with either 60-Hz or 120-Hz. This might not be the brightest display for a gaming laptop, but once again, this one is an affordable entry to mid-level one, and the 120-Hz display really does deliver good visuals.
With the storage, choose either a 256GB PCI SSD or 512GB PCIe SSD, or get a combo drive with the 256GB PCIe SSD combined with a 1TB 5400-RPM HDD.
Your favorite mainstream games won’t cause the laptop to overheat, thanks to its robust dual fan and vent system. It gives users more control of their fan speed.
Not only is this machine available at an affordable starting price, you might be able to get it for even cheaper if you use online Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i discounts.