Lenovo IdeaPad 3 2020 Review: Affordable Touchscreen Laptop That Balances Power and Portability
Introduction
If you’re hunting for a budget-friendly, large-screen laptop with a touchscreen and modern specs, the Lenovo 2020 IdeaPad 3 15″ Touch Screen Laptop might just be your perfect match. Built for everyday users, students, and work-from-home professionals, this notebook strikes a balance between functionality, portability, and price — all wrapped in a stylish Almond finish.
Let’s dive deep into this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 2020 review to see what it offers, where it shines, and whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
🔍 Quick Overview BoxDisplay: 15.6″ HD Touchscreen (1366 x 768)
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Webcam: 720p HD
= Ports: USB 2.0 x2, HDMI, Headphone jack
= Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 + Bluetooth
OS: Windows 10 S
Weight: 4 lbs
Color: Almond
Design & Build Quality
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 sports a simple yet modern design in an eye-catching Almond color. It’s not flashy, but it feels well-constructed for its price point. Weighing in at 4 pounds and measuring 0.78 inches thin, it’s reasonably portable for a 15.6-inch device.
The hinge mechanism is solid, and the touch-enabled display adds a functional edge that’s rare in this price bracket.
Display Quality
The laptop features a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. While it’s not Full HD, it’s perfectly usable for casual browsing, document work, and video streaming. The touchscreen functionality is responsive and useful for interactive applications and navigating Windows 10 with ease.
Highlights:
- Responsive touch capability
- Good brightness for indoor use
- Anti-glare coating reduces reflection
Performance & Storage
Equipped with a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 Dual-Core processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM, the IdeaPad 3 handles everyday computing like a champ. Whether you’re browsing the web, using Office apps, attending Zoom meetings, or streaming Netflix — it performs without noticeable lag.
The 256GB PCIe SSD ensures quick boot times, fast file transfers, and a smoother experience compared to traditional hard drives.
Great for:
- Students and professionals
- Home office and light multitasking
- Streaming and productivity tasks
Graphics & Media
The Intel UHD Graphics integrated in the system is good enough for media playback, YouTube, Zoom, and basic photo editing. Don’t expect to run AAA games or heavy graphic software, but it can handle browser-based games and older titles smoothly.
Battery Life
The battery performance is average but acceptable for a 15.6″ machine. Expect 4–6 hours of regular usage depending on brightness levels and app usage.
Tips to Extend Battery:
- Lower screen brightness
- Use Battery Saver mode
- Close background apps
Ports & Connectivity
Despite being slim, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers a solid range of connectivity options:
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port
- Audio-out jack
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth support
There’s no USB-C, which would have been nice, but this setup covers most basic needs.
Webcam & Audio
It features a 720p HD webcam that’s suitable for video calls, classes, and virtual meetings. The built-in microphone and dual speakers are decent for everyday communication and media playback, although the audio could use more bass and volume.
Operating System: Windows 10 S Mode
Out of the box, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 runs Windows 10 S, a lightweight version of Windows that only allows apps from the Microsoft Store. It’s more secure and optimized for performance, especially for entry-level hardware.
You can easily switch to Windows 10 Home (free and one-time) if you want more flexibility with apps and downloads.
💾 Capacity Options
🖥️ Processor Styles
Who Should Buy It?
This laptop is a great choice for:
- 🎓 Students: Touchscreen, SSD, lightweight
- 🏠 Home Users: Everyday tasks and online use
- 💼 Remote Workers: Office work, video calls
- 🛍️ Budget Shoppers: Solid specs at under $400
✅ Pros
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Long battery life (up to 12 hours)
- Affordable for budget users
- Full HD screen in compact size
- Pre-installed Windows 10
❌ Cons
- Limited storage space (32GB)
- Not suitable for heavy multitasking
- No optical drive
- RAM is non-upgradable (4GB DDR3L)
- Limited offline storage capability
Key Takeaways
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (2020) is one of the best budget touchscreen laptops under $400.
- Great for basic productivity, school, media, and casual computing.
- With 8GB RAM and SSD, it performs faster than many other budget options.
- Touchscreen and sleek build add value.
- Limited resolution and Windows 10 S are trade-offs, but easily managed.
Conclusion
The Lenovo 2020 IdeaPad 3 15″ Touchscreen Laptop delivers more than expected at its price point. While it has its limitations, it excels in everyday performance, design, and responsiveness, making it a top contender for budget-conscious buyers.
✅ Great for students, work-from-home users, and general-purpose computing
⚠️ Not suited for gaming, 4K video editing, or high-end design work