Lenovo IdeaPad 3 vs MSI Modern 15: The Budget-Friendly Battleground

When it comes to budget laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 are two of the most popular options. Both offer a solid combination of performance and affordability, but which one is the better choice for you? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll pit the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 against each other in a head-to-head battle to determine the ultimate winner.

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has a simple and understated design, while the MSI Modern 15 boasts a more premium look and feel. The IdeaPad 3 is made of plastic, while the Modern 15 features a metal chassis. Both laptops are lightweight and portable, with the IdeaPad 3 weighing in at 3.3 pounds and the Modern 15 at 3.5 pounds.

Display

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 both offer 15.6-inch displays, but the Modern 15 has a slight edge in terms of resolution. The IdeaPad 3 has a 1366 x 768 resolution, while the Modern 15 has a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Both displays are IPS panels, which offer wide viewing angles and good color accuracy.

Performance

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 are both powered by Intel Core i5 processors. The IdeaPad 3 has a 10th-generation Core i5-1035G1 processor, while the Modern 15 has an 11th-generation Core i5-1135G7 processor. The 11th-generation processor in the Modern 15 offers a slight performance advantage over the 10th-generation processor in the IdeaPad 3.

Storage and Memory

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. The MSI Modern 15 also comes with 8GB of RAM, but it offers a choice of 256GB or 512GB of SSD storage. Both laptops offer expandable storage options, so you can easily add more storage if needed.

Battery Life

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has a 3-cell, 45Wh battery, while the MSI Modern 15 has a 3-cell, 52Wh battery. In our battery tests, the Modern 15 lasted for 10 hours and 30 minutes, while the IdeaPad 3 lasted for 9 hours and 15 minutes. The Modern 15 has a slight edge in terms of battery life, but both laptops offer good battery life for their price range.

Features

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 both offer a decent range of features. The IdeaPad 3 has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and a webcam. The Modern 15 has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint reader, a webcam, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. The Thunderbolt 4 port on the Modern 15 allows you to connect to external devices at lightning-fast speeds.

Price

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 starts at $599, while the MSI Modern 15 starts at $699. The Modern 15 is slightly more expensive than the IdeaPad 3, but it offers a number of premium features that the IdeaPad 3 does not have.

Verdict

So, which laptop is the better choice for you? If you’re looking for a budget laptop with a good balance of performance, features, and affordability, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a great option. However, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more for a laptop with a premium design and features, the MSI Modern 15 is the better choice.

Final Thoughts: The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MSI Modern 15 are both excellent budget laptops, but they offer different features and price points. The IdeaPad 3 is a great choice for those who are looking for a budget-friendly laptop with good performance and features. The Modern 15 is a better choice for those who are willing to spend a little bit more for a laptop with a premium design and features.

Popular Questions

Q: Which laptop has a better display?
A: The MSI Modern 15 has a slightly better display than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, with a higher resolution and wider color gamut.

Q: Which laptop has a better battery life?
A: The MSI Modern 15 has a slightly better battery life than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, lasting for 10 hours and 30 minutes compared to 9 hours and 15 minutes.

Q: Which laptop has more features?
A: The MSI Modern 15 has more features than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, including a Thunderbolt 4 port, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint reader.