Key points
- However, the TUF F15 has a slight advantage in graphics performance, as it comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, while the IdeaPad Gaming 3 features an RTX 3050.
- The IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, while the TUF F15 offers 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD.
- Both the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the ASUS TUF F15 are excellent budget gaming laptops that offer a solid combination of performance, features, and affordability.
When it comes to budget gaming laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the ASUS TUF F15 stand out as two of the most popular options. Both offer a combination of performance, features, and affordability, making them ideal for gamers on a budget. However, which one is the better choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the key differences between the IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the TUF F15 to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 sports a sleek and understated design with a black chassis and angular accents. It’s made of a combination of plastic and metal, providing a sturdy build while keeping the weight to a manageable 4.85 pounds.
ASUS TUF F15: The TUF F15 boasts a more rugged design, with a military-grade certification for durability. It has a textured black finish and a honeycomb pattern on the lid, giving it a distinctive and aggressive aesthetic. The TUF F15 is slightly heavier than the IdeaPad Gaming 3, weighing in at 5.07 pounds.
Display
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The display’s color accuracy and brightness are decent for the price range.
ASUS TUF F15: The TUF F15 also features a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with the same resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. However, it comes with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, making it even more suitable for fast-paced games. The TUF F15’s display offers slightly better color reproduction and brightness than the IdeaPad Gaming 3.
Performance
CPU and GPU: Both the IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the TUF F15 are powered by the same AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, providing ample processing power for gaming and multitasking. However, the TUF F15 has a slight advantage in graphics performance, as it comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, while the IdeaPad Gaming 3 features an RTX 3050.
RAM and Storage: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, while the TUF F15 offers 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The extra RAM and storage space give the TUF F15 a noticeable edge in multitasking and overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a 45Wh battery, which provides a decent battery life of around 5-6 hours on moderate usage. However, gaming on battery power will significantly reduce the runtime.
ASUS TUF F15: The TUF F15 comes with a larger 90Wh battery, offering significantly better battery life than the IdeaPad Gaming 3. You can expect around 8-10 hours of battery life on moderate usage, and up to 5-6 hours while gaming.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a comfortable keyboard with full-size keys and a dedicated number pad. The key travel is short, but the feedback is tactile and responsive. The touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures.
ASUS TUF F15: The TUF F15’s keyboard is similar to the IdeaPad Gaming 3, with full-size keys and a dedicated number pad. However, it offers slightly better key travel and a more satisfying typing experience. The touchpad is also slightly larger and more responsive.
Ports and Connectivity
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 comes with a decent selection of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI 1.4 port, an Ethernet port, and a headphone/microphone jack.
ASUS TUF F15: The TUF F15 offers a more comprehensive set of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, one HDMI 2.0 port, an Ethernet port, a headphone/microphone jack, and a microSD card reader.
Verdict: The Ultimate Budget Gaming Laptop
Both the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the ASUS TUF F15 are excellent budget gaming laptops that offer a solid combination of performance, features, and affordability. However, based on our comparison, the ASUS TUF F15 emerges as the superior choice.
The TUF F15 offers several advantages over the IdeaPad Gaming 3:
- Higher refresh rate display (144Hz vs. 120Hz)
- More powerful GPU (RTX 3050 Ti vs. RTX 3050)
- More RAM and storage (16GB/1TB vs. 8GB/512GB)
- Significantly better battery life (90Wh vs. 45Wh)
- More comprehensive port selection
While the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a solid option for those on a tight budget, the ASUS TUF F15 provides a more well-rounded gaming experience and is worth the extra investment.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Which laptop has a better display for gaming?
A: The ASUS TUF F15 has a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, making it more suitable for fast-paced games.
Q: Which laptop is more powerful for gaming?
A: The ASUS TUF F15 has a more powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, providing better graphics performance.
Q: Which laptop has better battery life?
A: The ASUS TUF F15 has a significantly larger battery capacity (90Wh vs. 45Wh), resulting in longer battery life.
Q: Which laptop has a more comfortable keyboard?
A: Both laptops have comfortable keyboards, but the ASUS TUF F15 offers slightly better key travel and a more satisfying typing experience.
Q: Which laptop has more ports and connectivity options?
A: The ASUS TUF F15 offers a more comprehensive set of ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a microSD card reader.