Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop Review 2023 Is This Budget-Friendly Laptop Worth It

Description

Design and Build Quality
The LENOVO IdeaPad 1 Laptop stands out with its sleek and lightweight design, making it an ideal companion for both work and travel. Weighing just 3.48 pounds and measuring 0.75 inches in thickness, this laptop fits comfortably in a bag without feeling like a burden. The gray finish gives it a professional yet stylish look, and the 15.6-inch FHD display offers crisp visuals with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. While the overall build feels sturdy, the plastic chassis might not exude the premium feel of aluminum designs, but it does keep the price low. I found the numeric keypad handy for data entry tasks, though the keyboard’s tactile feedback could be slightly improved.

Performance and Speed
The Intel Celeron N4500 processor is surprisingly capable for basic tasks. With two cores and a turbo speed of 2.8 GHz, it handles everyday activities like web browsing, video streaming, and document editing without hiccups. However, I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy multitasking or gaming. What truly impressed me was the 20GB DDR4 RAM, offering smooth performance even when juggling multiple tabs and applications. The inclusion of a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD ensures blazing-fast boot times and snappy file transfers. While testing, I didn’t experience any noticeable lag, which speaks volumes about its efficiency for its category.

Display and Graphics
The 15.6-inch diagonal FHD display shines when it comes to clarity and color reproduction. The 60Hz refresh rate is more than sufficient for casual users who prioritize watching videos, browsing, or working on documents. Although the Intel UHD Graphics is fine for basic tasks, it struggles with graphic-intensive applications or games. If you’re someone who enjoys light photo editing, this laptop can handle it, but professionals might feel restricted by its limitations.

Connectivity and Ports
I loved the thoughtful inclusion of ports on this device. You get 1 x USB Type-A 3.0, 1 x USB Type-A 2.0, 1 x USB Type-C, an HDMI port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. The SD card reader is a bonus, particularly for photographers like my cousin, who appreciated being able to transfer files easily without additional dongles. With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth support, staying connected was seamless, and I noticed a significant improvement in network speeds compared to older laptops.

Battery Life and Portability
Battery life is a critical factor for any laptop, and this one delivers up to 9 hours on a single charge. While testing it throughout the day, I found it could comfortably last an entire work session without needing to be plugged in. The charging process was quick, and the AC adapter was compact enough to carry around. Its lightweight design and long battery life make it perfect for students, professionals, or anyone constantly on the move.

Key Benefits

• 20GB RAM ensures multitasking without performance dips.
• 1TB SSD provides ample storage and fast boot times.
• Wi-Fi 6 delivers faster and more reliable connections.
• Bright 15.6-inch FHD display for sharp visuals.
• Lightweight and portable design, ideal for traveling.

Areas for Improvement

• The Intel Celeron processor, while decent, isn’t suitable for demanding tasks or gaming.
• The keyboard’s tactile feedback could be better for long typing sessions.
• Plastic chassis, though lightweight, feels less premium compared to aluminum alternatives.

Market Rivals
When compared to competitors like the HP Pavilion 15 and Dell Inspiron 15, the IdeaPad 1 offers a better balance of RAM and storage for its price range. While the HP Pavilion features a more powerful processor, it often comes with less RAM, making multitasking less smooth. The Dell Inspiron, on the other hand, has a sturdier build, but its slower HDD storage option puts it at a disadvantage. The IdeaPad 1 excels in offering a large SSD and Wi-Fi 6 support, which are hard to find at this price point. However, for gaming or creative professionals, the Acer Aspire 5 might be a better choice due to its dedicated graphics card.

Smart Spending
For its features, the laptop represents excellent value for money. The combination of 20GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is rare in this segment, and it’s perfect for users who prioritize storage and multitasking capabilities. While the processor might not cater to power users, the laptop excels in delivering a smooth experience for everyday tasks. If you’re on a budget and need a reliable machine for work or study, this is a smart investment.

Additional information