Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15.6" Review

Look, this is a cheap laptop. That's the one thing to know. For just over $300, you get a 15-inch touchscreen laptop that can handle basic web browsing, emails, and documents. It's fine for that. But the moment you try to push it, you'll feel the compromises. The reliability score is decent, but almost everything else is in the bottom half of the pack, which tells you exactly what you're getting.

Don't expect any surprises here, good or bad. The Intel CPU and integrated graphics land in the 24th and 18th percentiles, so it's slow. Opening a dozen browser tabs will make it think hard. It scored a 6.8 for gaming, which basically means it can't game at all. It does what it's built for, which is very light tasks, and not much else.

At $305, it's hard to complain too much. You're paying for a screen and a keyboard that turns on. It's worth it only if your budget is absolutely fixed and your needs are incredibly basic. If you can stretch your budget by even $100, you'll get a much better machine.

This sits in a different universe than the MacBook Pro or gaming laptops on the competitor list. A more relevant comparison is with used or refurbished business laptops. For a similar price, you could find a used Lenovo ThinkPad with a better keyboard, more ports, and often better build quality, though you might lose the touchscreen. The ASUS Zenbook Duo is also in a different league entirely, offering dual screens for creative work. This Ideapad is strictly for new-in-box, bargain-basement shopping.

Only buy this if your top priority is getting the biggest new touchscreen for the absolute lowest price, and you don't care about speed, storage, or future-proofing. For everyone else, especially students who need to multitask, save up a little more. This laptop won't age well, and you'll feel its limits quickly.