Summary of Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (2022) Laptop Review and Unboxing - The Old School Machine

Product Reviewed:

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (2022) Laptop, 15-inch non-touch variant with Intel i5-1235U, 12GB DDR4 RAM, 500GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe graphics.

Main Features:

Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U (12th Gen)
Memory: 12GB DDR4 RAM
Storage: 500GB SSD
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
Display: 15-inch IPS panel, 1920x1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, matte finish (non-touch), 300 nits brightness, ~51% sRGB color accuracy
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports:
- DC charging port (proprietary, no USB-C charging)
- 2x USB-A (SuperSpeed)
- 1x USB-C (non-Thunderbolt 4)
- HDMI 1.4b
- Full-sized SD card reader
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Build: Mostly plastic with some metallic finishes, conservative and professional design
Weight: Approximately 3.8 pounds (heavier than average for 15-inch laptops)
Keyboard: Full-size, backlit with numeric keypad, tactile and enjoyable typing experience
Trackpad: Left-skewed but high-quality, tactile and responsive clicks
Webcam: 720p, considered outdated and low quality
Speakers: Bottom-firing dual speakers, loud but distortion at high volumes
Battery Life: Around 8 hours under mixed usage (web browsing, video playback at 50% brightness)
Thermals: Manageable temperatures (~38°C under sustained load), fan noise can reach 49 dB under heavy load but quiet during casual use

Pros:

Solid performance for productivity and light multimedia tasks, including 4K video editing and multitasking
Comfortable and high-quality keyboard and trackpad experience
Good port selection for business users, including a full-sized SD card reader and numeric keypad
Decent battery life (~8 hours)
Matte display reduces glare indoors
Quiet operation during light tasks
Professional, clean design with premium metallic finish on the lid

Cons:

Design and port selection feel dated (USB-C is not Thunderbolt, proprietary charging)
Display color accuracy is poor (~51% sRGB), not suitable for creative/color-sensitive work
Webcam quality is low (720p)
Heavier and bulkier than many competitors
Fan noise can be loud under heavy load
No USB-C charging support out of the box
Trackpad placement is off-center (too far left)

User Experience:

The laptop performs well for day-to-day productivity and even some demanding tasks like multi-layer video editing.

Gaming is limited to older titles at medium settings (e.g., GTA 5 at 30+ FPS).

Keyboard and trackpad are standout features, making typing and navigation enjoyable.

Display is adequate for office and casual use but not for creative professionals.

Build quality is solid but not premium; weight is noticeable.

Port selection adequate but not modern, limiting expandability and charging options.

Comparisons:

Compared to competitors like Acer Aspire 5 and HP Laptop 15 series, the IdeaPad 3i falls short in display quality and port standards.
Better suited for business users, students, and professionals focused on productivity rather than creative work.
Retains many design and hardware aspects from the 2021 model, showing little innovation or upgrade in some areas.

Overall Verdict:

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (2022) remains a reliable, budget-friendly productivity laptop that excels in everyday tasks and typing experience. However, it shows signs of aging in port selection, display quality, and webcam performance. It is recommended primarily for business users, students, and professionals who prioritize value and functionality over cutting-edge features or creative-grade displays. Creative professionals and those needing better color accuracy or modern ports should consider alternatives like the Acer Aspire 5 or HP Laptop 15 series.

Additional Notes from Different Speakers:

One speaker emphasized the keyboard and trackpad quality as a major positive.
Another highlighted the disappointing port standards and lack of USB-C charging.
The webcam and display were repeatedly noted as outdated and underwhelming.
Battery life and thermals were generally praised for a budget laptop.
The overall conservative design was seen as both a positive (professional look) and a negative (lack of innovation).

Rating:

Not explicitly given, but implied strong value for productivity use at ~$650 USD, with notable drawbacks for creative or advanced users.

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