Looking for a gaming laptop that won’t make your budget cringe? Finding the right balance between price, performance and features is no easy feat. Gaming laptops are often expensive because of their powerful hardware, but you can still find affordable options if you know where to look.
That said, it isn’t easy finding the perfect gaming laptop under $1000. But don’t panic! We are going to compare Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Vs MacBook Air; two of the best-value gaming laptops to help you get the most bang for your buck. These rigs boast excellent value for money and will let you tackle any game with confidence at home, in school or on the road.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 vs MacBook Air Comparison
Feature Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 MacBook Air M1 Processor AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series mobile processor (3.3 GHz) Apple M1 chip; 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores; 16-core Neural Engine (3.1 GHz) Processor Count 1 8 Memory (RAM) 8GB 8GB GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Apple 8-core GPU Graphics Card Description Dedicated Integrated Hard Drive 256GB SSD 256GB SSD Screen Size 15.6 Inches 13.3 Inches Screen Resolution 1920x1080p 2560x1600p Refresh Rate 120Hz 60Hz Operating System Windows 10 Home Mac OS Webcam HD 1280x720p HD 1280x720p Dimensions 14.16x9.92x0.95 Inches 11.97x8.36x0.63 Inches Weight 4.95 lbs 2.8 lbs Backlit Keyboard Yes Yes Connectivity 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB C type, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet Port, 3.5mm Audio Jack Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for: Charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen 2 Battery Duration 8 Hours 16 Hours Amazon Ratings 4.6/5 Star 4.8/5 Star
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 vs MacBook Air
Now that we have gone through a brief comparison and know what features either of the two laptops have to offer, let’s explore the key differences in detail.
Processor (CPU)
When it comes to gaming laptops, the processor is one of the most important specs. A powerful processor can make all the difference in how well your games run.
The two main contenders for gaming laptop processors are Intel and AMD. Both have their pros and cons. For example, Intel processors are generally more expensive, but they also tend to be faster and more efficient. AMD processors, on the other hand, are cheaper but can be a bit less reliable.
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So, when you’re shopping for a gaming laptop, it’s important to consider which processor is best for your needs. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series mobile processor (3.3 GHz) whereas MacBook – as you know – has its own line of apple processing chips. MacBook Air comes equipped with Apple M1 chip; 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores; 16-core Neural Engine (3.1 GHz).
Graphics (GPU)
The GPU is responsible for rendering the images that you see on the screen. There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing a GPU for a gaming laptop. The most important of these factors are performance and power consumption. You want a GPU that has high performance so that you can enjoy smooth gameplay, and you want a GPU that consumes low power so that your laptop battery doesn’t drain too quickly.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop is packed with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 while MacBook Air comes with Apple 8 Core GPU which outperforms the GTX 1650 any day of the week.
Display Size & Resolution
Gamers always like to have a bigger display for it feels immersive and offers a better gaming experience in comparison to smaller displays. That’s one reason for people moving towards ultra-wide monitors however since we are talking about gaming laptops here, we will discuss ultra-wide screens for gaming in some other articles.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 features a 15.6 inches display with 1920x1080p resolution, whereas Apple MacBook Air M1 comes with 13.3 inches screen with a 2560x1600p resolution.
Refresh Rate
A higher refresh rate means that the screen will update more quickly, and this can be a big advantage in fast-paced games.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at refresh rates. First of all, not all laptops support high refresh rates. In fact, most laptops have a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz but gaming laptops offer higher refresh rate for smooth gaming. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has refresh rate of 120Hz whereas MacBook Air has limited refresh rate of 60Hz which is not ideal for competitive gaming.
Size & Weight
Lugging around a heavy laptop can be quite a hassle, especially if you’re travelling or going to LAN parties.
Generally speaking, gaming laptops tend to be on the heavier side due to all the extra hardware they pack. For example, many gaming laptops come with high-end graphics cards and processors which require additional cooling. This usually means that gaming laptops are thicker and heavier than your average Ultrabook.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 measures 14.16×9.92×0.95 Inches and weighs 4.95 pounds whereas MacBook Air M1 measures 11.97×8.36×0.63 inches and weighs only 2.8 pounds which is pretty lightweight. Of course, there are always exceptions and there are some relatively lightweight gaming laptops out there like MacBook Air M1.
Connectivity
Both Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and MacBook Air comes with multiple ports to connect other devices when required.
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Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has the following ports:
- 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB C type, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet Port, 3.5mm Audio Jack
MacBook Air M1 comes with the following ports:
- Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for: Charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen 2
Battery Duration
MacBook Air has a better battery duration at approximately 16 hours whereas Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has an advertised battery duration of 8 but it will – at best – last about 4 hours when gaming.
Quick Overview of Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
The Good √
- Sturdy build quality
- Snappy processing performance
- Higher refresh rate, HD resolution
- Budget friendly for gamers on a budget
- Decent battery life
The Bad ×
- Only 8 GB RAM
- Below Par graphics capability
Quick Overview of MacBook Air M1
The Good √
- Faster processor
- Premium Apple Design
- Great battery life
- No fan no noise
The Bad ×
- Fewer ports
- Fewer compatible Apps
- Expensive
Conclusion: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 vs MacBook Air
We hope that this in-depth comparison of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Vs MacBook Air gaming laptops has been helpful. In conclusion, the Lenovo Idea is a great budget option for gamers who are looking for an affordable laptop with good graphics capabilities and snappy processor. The MacBook Air is a better choice for more experienced gamers or those who need to do more intensive tasks such as video editing or programming. It also has better processor and graphics capabilities in comparison to Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3.
We hope you would be able to make a well-informed buying decision based on the information shared above. If this article has helped you a bit, let us know in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!
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