Acer Aspire 7 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: Which Has the Best Value for Money?

When it comes to budget gaming laptops, the Acer Aspire 7 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 stand out as two of the most popular options. Both offer a solid balance of performance and affordability, making them ideal for casual gamers and students on a budget. But which one is the better choice? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to find out.

Design and Build Quality

The Acer Aspire 7 sports a sleek and modern design with a metal top and plastic bottom. It’s relatively thin and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, on the other hand, has a more traditional gaming laptop design with a plastic chassis and a more angular look. It’s slightly bulkier and heavier than the Aspire 7.

In terms of build quality, both laptops feel sturdy and well-made. However, the Aspire 7’s metal top gives it a slight edge in terms of durability.

Display

The Acer Aspire 7 comes with a 15.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1080. The display offers good color accuracy and viewing angles, but it’s not particularly bright. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 also has a 15.6-inch IPS display with the same resolution. However, its display is slightly brighter and offers better color saturation.

For gaming, the IdeaPad Gaming 3’s brighter and more vibrant display gives it an edge. However, the Aspire 7’s display is still good enough for casual gaming and everyday use.

Performance

The Acer Aspire 7 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both powered by the same NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. This graphics card is capable of handling most modern games at low to medium settings. However, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a slight advantage in terms of performance thanks to its faster processor and more RAM.

In terms of CPU, the Aspire 7 comes with an Intel Core i5-10300H processor, while the IdeaPad Gaming 3 has an Intel Core i5-11300H processor. The 11th-generation processor in the IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers better performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks.

Memory and Storage

The Acer Aspire 7 comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 also comes with 8GB of RAM, but it has a larger 1TB SSD storage. Both laptops have enough RAM and storage for most users, but the IdeaPad Gaming 3’s larger storage capacity is a nice bonus.

Battery Life

The Acer Aspire 7 has a 50Wh battery, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a 45Wh battery. Both laptops have average battery life, lasting around 5-6 hours on a single charge. This is not ideal for long gaming sessions, but it’s sufficient for everyday use.

Connectivity

Both the Acer Aspire 7 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offer a good range of connectivity options. They both have two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a headphone/microphone jack. The IdeaPad Gaming 3 also has an Ethernet port, which is a nice addition for gamers who prefer a wired connection.

Takeaways: The Verdict

When it comes to choosing between the Acer Aspire 7 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a sleek and portable budget gaming laptop, the Acer Aspire 7 is a great option. If you prefer a more traditional gaming laptop design with a brighter display and better performance, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is the better choice.

Top Questions Asked

Q: Which laptop has a better keyboard?

A: Both laptops have good keyboards with comfortable key spacing and travel. However, the IdeaPad Gaming 3’s keyboard has a slightly better feel and offers RGB backlighting.

Q: Which laptop has better speakers?

A: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 has better speakers than the Aspire 7. It offers louder and more balanced audio.

Q: Which laptop is better for gaming?

A: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 is better for gaming thanks to its brighter display, better performance, and more storage capacity. However, the Aspire 7 is still a good option for casual gaming.