Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (15", AMD) review
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (15", AMD) — from 2021, 1.7 kg, performance 46.
Technical specifications
| Type | Laptop |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U , AMD Ryzen 5 5500U , AMD Ryzen 7 5700U |
| Graphics | Radeon RX Vega 6 |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Battery | 38 Wh |
Performance scores
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (15″ AMD, 2021) — the $399 sleeper with a Vega card that still places
The IdeaPad 3 15″ AMD at $399 is the cheapest machine in this batch: a Ryzen 3 5300U with Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics and 16 GB of RAM. The graphics score posts 43.85 — 61% above the general-class median of 27.24 — and mobility reads 67, 34% above class in the top quartile. The flagged weakness is memory: 16 GB against a 32 GB class median.
Where it holds up
Office productivity at 77.19 (high) leads the sheet, with photo design at 68 (high) and value at 70.55 (high) stacked behind — a three-high card at the bottom of the price range. 3D modeling reads 50 (mid), engineering CAD 51 (mid) and gaming 44 (mid). The measured fits outrun the price: Overwatch, GTA V and Rainbow Six Siege all clear their recommended bars, and Photoshop its minimum.
Where it falls short
Memory at 16 GB is the flagged ceiling — the one spec that dates the build. Portability reads 49 (mid) for the 15-inch chassis, and overall performance 46.48 (mid) keeps expectations calibrated: this is a strong budget card, not a disguised mid-tier one.
Price and depreciation
No depreciation anchor is recorded (base $0); no curve or projection applies. The 2021 cohort rate is 11.13% per year — a settled slope for the budget tier.
Alternatives to consider
The IdeaPad Flex 5 (15″) at $666 adds the MX450 and a convertible hinge with photo design at 71. The Legion 5i 15″ (2021) at $590 is the gaming route with photo 92 and a GTX 1650. The Gram 16 (2021) at $739 is the endurance route with an 80 Wh cell and a 16 GB ceiling of its own.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. The budget sleeper: office 77.19, photo 68 and value 70.55 with rec-tier titles at $399 — the 16 GB ceiling is the only line that reads its age.
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⭐ What stands out
-
graphics performance is higher than typical general laptop class (+61%) (mainstream tier).
above class average -
memory capacity is lower than typical general laptop class (+50%) (comfort).
below class average -
mobility is higher than typical general laptop class (+34%) (mid).
top 25% of its category
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 54) ↔ price (median 247.9).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 50) ↔ overall performance (median 43.1).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 2.3).
IdeaPad 3 (15", AMD): verdict
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