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Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Gaming Laptop, i5, 16GB, 512SSD RTX3050 $879 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store) @ The Good Guys

1000

Pretty good for a 3050 imo. Good specs for a low end budget. Haven't seen reviews on the laptop itself so don't have a clue on thermals and wattage.

Specs:
Family: IdeaPad
Type: Gaming Laptop
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Screen Size: 15.6"
Display Type: FHD
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Touch Screen: No
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5
Processor Model: i5-11320H
Processor Cores: 4
RAM Size: 16GB
Storage Size: 512GB
Storage Type: SSD
Graphics Brand: NVIDIA
Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 3050
Graphics Memory: 4GB
HDMI Input: 1
USB-A (3.x): 2
Webcam: 720p with Privacy Shutter
Wi-Fi: 802.11 ax
Bluetooth: 5.0
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Colour: Shadow Black
Weight (kg): 2.25
Product Height (mm): 359.6
Product Width (mm): 251.9
Product Depth (mm): 24.2
Manufacturer's Warranty: 12 Months

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closed Comments

    • -8

      😲

      Thanks for the warning.

    • Not the same model as the hinge is different and has 11th gen instead of 12th on that site. Likely it's the 2021 model.

      • +5

        Both the 2021 and 2022 model are 85w. Doesnt matter with a 3050 though, as thats about as much as it can pull. If its a 3060 then it woukd be a case for concern.

    • When I google rtx3050, I see full-height cards with large twin fans, so no surprise.
      Does this mean it uses an iGPU when mobile, and you need to plug in for gaming?
      And the fan noise will be like a jet taking off?

      • +3

        No, there's a mobile version of the 3050 with in the laptop.

        • Sure, so they lower the voltage and speed a bit, but it is still a very hot chip, no?
          Running 85W from battery is not very practical.

          • +1

            @bargaino: It'll run the GPU on battery. Just don't expect good battery life.

            You're expected to be plugged in for an optimal experience. It's just the limitation of battery technology.

          • @bargaino: It's a form factor thing. You buy a laptop cause you're a uni student or part of a media production crew, or simply travelling alot. It running only 1 hour only on battery is a worthy trade off for these people.

  • How many bits? I mean nits.

    • -1

      How many bits?

      8

    • 4,398,046,511,104

    • +1

      I believe 250 nits looking into it. I have a Lenovo gaming from 2021, the 250 nits is not great, I usually have to run it on max brightness or near max.

  • +2

    If it's similar to IdeaPad 3 that I bought, to enable more than 1 external screen you'll need to be really careful in finding an adapter that will allow it as the usb ports have some limitations.
    But great little unit overall and I'm sure this one will be very similar.

  • Review of the same model with an 11300h and 3050 Ti from the good volk at NotebookCheck. Definitely seems like a budget device with several compromises, but that's par for the course at this price.

  • According to a very short review I read, battery only lasts about 1 hour after unplug on this model…

    My Lenovo older gaming 3i model with a 1650ti lasts about 2.5 hours give or take. So, i guess the 3050 draws much more power than the 1650 ti…?

    Edit: looked it up, if I'm right , the 3050 uses about 20 per cent more power when being used.

    • stupid question can the GPU not be used like old days and use the CPU's GPU or something like that to save power?

      • +1

        I think you can set it to use the integrated GPU, which should save a lot of power. However, do not hold me to this, I think it depends on model etc etc

        • Indeed, it's technically possible but it all depends on the hardware interaction with the operative system, limitations or both.
          You need to do a lot of research if you want that option.

          • @billadm: I've got an Ideapad Gaming 3 running a 5800h with igpu and RTX3060. In Windows 11 under System > Display > Graphics, you can set the GPU per app. If you want to set it to auto switch when on battery, you can go to edit power plan, advanced settings, and tinker with the switchable dynamic graphics for plugged in and on battery.

            From the looks of the Lenovo website, this model uses the 120hz 45% NTSC display instead of the 165hz 100% SRGB display mine uses. From what I can find online the CPU has a TDP of 35w but can boost up to 65w. Coupled with the 90w TGP RTX 3050 and a tiny battery of 45wh and allowing for other components that draw power, you might get 15-20 minutes battery life gaming at full processing power on battery? (will depend on the game) Also the Ideapad Gaming 3 and 3i from this particular generation don't have USB-C charging so you can't use a powerbank for boosting gaming duration. Also, these things don't generally have good battery life. I've got the beefier battery option on my ideapad gaming 3 and it doesn't last long on battery even when just doing spreadsheets, i get maybe 3-4 hours.

            But all that being said, its hard to beat this laptop at this pricepoint. I paid $1800 for mine with the 5800h and RTX 3060 plus the nvme SSDs (added cheapo copper heatsinks from aliexpress) i've swapped over to plus the 32gb ddr4 3200 ram kit as well and its going strong. Although the VRAM is a limiting factor, even the 6gb of vram on my RTX 3060 laptop is quite limiting. but it serves its purpose, i've got a desktop for home gaming.

  • I would have got this laptop. Already ordered this one for my godson yesterday :( https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/789098

    • +2

      Cancel that one. This lenovo is much better in performance.

      • It is already on the way being delivered on Monday.

        Will need to order this then wait for that to be delivered and make a return request.

        • +2

          If u live near the good guys, just order and pick up. But its up to you.

          • @inusure: It will be used mainly for university work no gaming so not sure to make the change yet.

            For me personally, I would change it as i game aslo

    • +1

      Cancel it before you pick it up. I did this with the harvey Norman once.

      Just don’t pick it up otherwise it makes the return process harder. Originally I went in and told the pick up guy I wanted to return it, and he told me not to pick it up and just go home and cancel it. I got the refund the next day.

      You can start to cancel the order now.

      https://www.harveynorman.com.au/help-and-support/contact-us

      • +1

        I decided to keep the Acer model as he is not going to game on it and less hassle for me to deal with returning it.

  • +1

    Will this be ok for video editing? Is the screen relatively color accurate

    • Keen to know as well

    • It would be ok if you got a colour accurate external display that is calibrated regularly. The included screen isn't calibrated, nor does it have good colour gamut. If the built-in screen is the 250 nit one, it's only 45% NTSC which is quite poor.

      • Thanks, appreciate you

    • +1

      Having a year or so older model, so not exactly the same, but still, I would say do not use this for faithful video editing. It's not a terrible colour reproduction, but not good enough imho.

  • Typing on same laptop atm! What a shame, paid $200 more last December.

    • Same just got it a month ago from GG for $989 and thought that was a good price lol oh well.

    • Does it have backlit keyboard and can you switch between the graphic cards to save battery?

      • It does have a backlight keyboard and I think you're able to switch graphics cards to the CPUs to save battery but not sure although there is a whole bunch of optimisations that Lenovo app has that helps save battery life

  • This vs Acer aspire 5 R5700?

    Don't need graphic card

    • Ok assuming the Acer is the about the same price or cheaper, probably imho the Acer. You should get better battery life from the Acer, and the Acer is a bit more slim and compact. Really the graphics card is the main selling point of the Lenovo, if you don't need that…

      My Acer laptop from over 10 years ago is still going strong, my father uses it every now and again.

  • Would it be better off to buy MSI GF63/66 or ASUS F15 than this Lenovo for gaming? Just a hundred bucks more $999 for MSI and $1099 for ASUS, both with better 144hz IPS display and could get 12Gen i5 on MSI if battery time is not the main concerrn?

    • Links?

    • For me, a laptop would be secondary machine and infrequent use. I much prefer my 144hz desktop monitors to my 60hz. So that in mind if I were going to game on a laptop I'm buying, then all else being equal yeah I'd pay extra a higher Hz + better screen.

      Be mindful the laptops you mention have multiple versions. It all depends which particular model/version you're looking at for those prices. Not sure which so can't compare myself. For ram you want 16gb minimum (either by default or expandable from 8gb, not all laptops are expandable).

    • +1

      If you replace ram etc does that void your MSI warranty? It doesn't with Lenovo…

      • there is a seal sticker on one of bottom cover screw, it does void the warranty, the laptop itself comes with 12 months warranty, it may be better off to replace the ram towards the end of warranty.

        not sure about the Asus F15 though.

        the ram is upgradable as i have done plenty of research and many people posted on Youtube.

        • Well that's kind of crap… Upgrading ram or SSD should not void the warranty and does not with many other brands …

        • Keep in mind the gf66 has only one SSD slot. Very unusual, most have 2. Good screen etc etc. But the upgrade problems would kill it for me personally.

  • Gaming laptop.
    Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.

    Good price just ~$150-200 below the competition.
    But do people seriously believe that this is a gaming laptop and that the battery will hold 8 hours??

    • Yeah you would lucky to get 2 hours, one review said 1 hour..

    • Keyword here is upto. The 8hrs is based on running the laptop on optimised battery performance setting, which disables the dedicated GPU (3050) and runs the integrated iGPU instead. The laptop is simply turned on and time tested, no work is done on it. So basically you can get close to 8hrs if using it for simple tasks like emails and word processing.

      • Probably tested without wifi on. Wifi does eat into battery life, so normally the maximum time quoted is not realistic.

        • It’s tested with the absolute bare minimum on. In the real world this laptop gets 6hrs on light usage and 1-2hrs on gaming.

  • +1

    Having thought about it for a while, that is upgrading my 1650 ti gaming laptop to this, I've decided against it…

    Here is why, aside from the obvious headache of selling my current one and moving things…

    The 1650 ti will run 90 per cent of the games I want to play well enough.

    The few games I want to play that it cannot handle, such as Starfield, will not play well with a 3050 either. So I've decided to wait until something like a 3060, or equivalent, is available at this price point to upgrade. Might take a year, but ok I think I can wait.

    Anyway just my thoughts, in my unique situation.

    • I have a 3050 and it was great with cyberpunk on 1440 getting about 50fps.

      But it is absolutely trash with older games.

      I tried playing the 2010 AVP pc game and I can’t even get more than 20-30 fps in 1080.

      • Really!? So it's just not optimized well for older games? Interesting, since I mainly play games from about 2008 to 2020…

  • Do gaming laptops like this actually run games okay? You'd expect a full sized computer with similar specs to do quite well, but are you pretty much guaranteed that it'll be kind of shit just because it's a laptop? I bought a gaming laptop many many years ago, tried to use it for gaming once and then never again because the performance was terrible. One day I'll want to replace that laptop because it's barely functional anymore, but is there even any point in paying a bit more for one that's theoretically for gaming or is it just going to be the same deal where it can barely run anything?

    • Lots of games should be playable on this. See if you can find benchmarks for your favourite games, e.g. on notebookcheck

  • What is build quality like on these compared with the Legions that usually go on sale here

    • +1

      Legion is better. I have an Ideapad Gaming 3 with 5800H and RTX3060. there are 2 USB A ports and 1 USB C port on this, they all run at 5gbps and the USB C port doesn't support display out or charging. There's also no mux switch, and not sure if its just an issue with the AMD setups since they use the iGPU for freesync, but the HDMI port still routes through the iGPU for freesync whereas I believe on Intel variants they should route straight from GPU to display. Because it all routes through the iGPU, it also adds to the temperature of the CPU, had to disable CPU boost to avoid going over 80 degrees (with boost its usually around 95 degrees). Also the plastic chassis ain't great, broke a few tabs even with the proper tools. Lots of reports of Lenovo technicians breaking tabs on these as well.

      The Legions have more ports, some of the newer ones have USB C charging, mux switch, brighter and better display, better cooling and also a metal chassis. They also have higher powered GPUs. But the Legions don't go this low in price?

  • I have finally purchased the MSI GF66 and pretty happy with the performance overall and upgraded from 8gb ram to 16ram and applications are flying without any issues.

    The build itself isn’t fancy compare to other high end gaming laptop, it runs pretty high fps on most games on 1080p and battery eats up pretty fast though. No thunderbolt could be a bit of hassle and HDMI boost up secondary monitor without any issues.

    Pretty happy with this GF66 overall at $999.

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