Summary
- The MSI Alpha 15 comes in a sleek and angular chassis, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 sports a more understated design.
- Under the hood, the MSI Alpha 15 packs an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 features an Intel Core i5-11300H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
- The MSI Alpha 15 comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD.
When it comes to budget gaming laptops, two contenders stand out: the MSI Alpha 15 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. Both laptops offer impressive features at an affordable price, but which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between these two laptops to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The MSI Alpha 15 comes in a sleek and angular chassis, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 sports a more understated design. Both laptops are made from durable plastic, but the MSI Alpha 15 feels slightly more premium thanks to its brushed metal accents.
Display
The MSI Alpha 15 boasts a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Both displays provide excellent color accuracy and viewing angles, but the higher refresh rate on the MSI Alpha 15 gives it an edge in gaming.
Performance
Under the hood, the MSI Alpha 15 packs an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 features an Intel Core i5-11300H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
In terms of raw performance, the MSI Alpha 15 has the upper hand thanks to its more powerful processor and graphics card. This translates to better frame rates in games and smoother multitasking.
Memory and Storage
The MSI Alpha 15 comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD. Both laptops have upgradeable memory and storage options, but the MSI Alpha 15 offers a larger SSD capacity out of the box.
Battery Life
The MSI Alpha 15 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 both have 53Wh batteries. However, the MSI Alpha 15 tends to offer slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor.
Connectivity
Both laptops offer a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A ports. However, the MSI Alpha 15 has an additional Thunderbolt 4 port, which allows for faster data transfer and external display support.
Price
The MSI Alpha 15 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are priced similarly, with the MSI Alpha 15 typically being slightly more expensive. However, the price can vary depending on the specific configuration and retailer.
The Verdict: Which Laptop is Right for You?
Both the MSI Alpha 15 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are excellent budget gaming laptops, but each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Choose the MSI Alpha 15 if:
- You want the best possible gaming performance
- You need a laptop with a high refresh rate display
- You want a laptop with a larger SSD capacity
- You need Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 if:
- You prefer a more understated design
- You’re on a tighter budget
- You don’t need the highest possible gaming performance
- You don’t need a Thunderbolt 4 port
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the ultimate budget gaming laptop, the MSI Alpha 15 is the clear winner. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or prefer a more understated design, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which laptop has a better processor?
A: The MSI Alpha 15 has a more powerful processor than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3.
Q: Which laptop has a better graphics card?
A: The MSI Alpha 15 has a more powerful graphics card than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3.
Q: Which laptop has a higher refresh rate display?
A: The MSI Alpha 15 has a 144Hz refresh rate display, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a 120Hz refresh rate display.
Q: Which laptop has a larger SSD capacity?
A: The MSI Alpha 15 has a larger SSD capacity than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (512GB vs 256GB).
Q: Which laptop has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity?
A: Only the MSI Alpha 15 has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.