Lenovo laptops are synonyms of budget-friendly computers as the brand knows how to blend productivity with affordability. However, the real winners are the inexpensive AMD laptops that the brand offers at the lowest prices. These are the laptops that deliver the real value for money to buyers. Especially, when you are looking for 8GB RAM laptops, you knew you are getting the best possible specs at a given price range.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 is a shining example of affordable 8GB RAM laptops by Lenovo. This is a wonderful device for everyday work with hardware that you can rely on for a smooth performance. It is a 14-inch budget laptop from Lenovo IdeaPad series with a sleek design. So, what are the special features that make the IdeaPad 3 worth buying?
Well, this is what we have covered in detail in our Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 review. We evaluated this small affordable laptop from design to display and hardware to performance.
Table of Contents
Key Specifications
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5-3500U / 2.1GHz Max. Turbo Speed 3.7GHz
Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
RAM Size: 8GB
Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD
Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 On-Board
Operating System: Windows 10 S (64-bit)
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 Review: Design & Build
The model that we evaluated for this review cam in sleek silver-grey colour. Truth to be told, we were pleased to see such a nifty design on an entry-level laptop. However, when we picked it up the material quality did not feel quite premium. Nonetheless, we find it satisfactory and acceptable with the price tag that IdeaPad 3 has on it.
The same silver-grey colour extends from exterior chassis to the keyboard deck. However, the keys are of Gray colour while the areas around the display (bezels) are black. On the top right, there is the power button with a fingerprint reader embedded in it. Our model weighed around 3.3lbs (1.5kg) with dimensions of 12.88 x 9.49 x 0.78 inches.
Display Evaluation
Despite its low price, Lenovo has somehow managed to offer an FHD display on the IdeaPad 3. Although there is a variant with 768p screen resolution, our model came with a 1080p FHD display. With a 16:9 ratio, we found its performance pleasing and enjoyable.
We evaluated the screen by streaming “Sonic The Hedgehog” and really relished the video quality. This is a decent display for browsing, entertainment, and work that deliver bright visuals with detailed colours.
Check this Too: ASUS TUF FA506II A15 Review – A Great Machine for Gaming
Keyboard Review of IdeaPad 3
Lenovo has earned a good name for comfy keyboards and this one is equipped with a similar one. This is a decent keyboard with large keys painted in grey and letters written on them in white. The distance between keys is adequate while the key travel is good that delivers nice clicky feedback.
The surface area of the touchpad on this IdeaPad is moderately large and it responds well to commands. This is a plastic surface with decent gliding properties and didn’t offer much resistance.
Port Selection
There is a modest selection of ports on Lenovo IdeaPad 3, but you will not miss anything. Most of the connectivity options are situated on the left side, so you will have space to move around your external mouse freely.
On the left edge, there is a power plug close to the display. Then there is an HDMI output port in case you want to attach the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 with a projector or external monitor. Additionally, there are three USB-A ports for data transfer and peripheral attachment. Two of these are 3.1 (Gen. 1) ports while the third one is the old 2.0 port.
There is no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port which has become an industry standard now. However, at its price, the IdeaPad 3 offers a decent set of ports like other Lenovo laptops.
Hardware Selection and Performance Review
For AMD laptops lover, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 is a good choice. It comes armed with the Ryzen 5-3500U that can deliver a snappy clock speed of up to 3.7GHz. With this AMD CPU, you will get the Radeon Vega 8 on-board graphics card. In addition, there is an 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage, both of which works well with AMD components.
Coming to the performance, this is a reliable pick from AMD laptops if you are after a smooth performance. Its quad-core CPU can run casual office programs like Office suite and designing software like Adobe. You can also play PUBG with a low setting and will not feel left behind on visuals or gameplay.
Overall, this is a modest choice for those on a tight budget leash. You can use it for work, entertainment, and browsing purposes while enjoying ensuring battery performance.
Final Thoughts
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14ADA05 provides additional privacy with a physical shutter that saves you from potential hacking attacks. AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, Dolby audio speakers, SSD storage, and 1080 FHD display are some of its key features. All, in all, the IdeaPad 3 is a complete package that comes with a budget-friendly price tag.
