The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is the most searched gaming notebook since June for its competitive price of $969 and the technical data sheet with GeForce GTX 1650, from Nvidia. It rivals Lenovo Gaming 3i, the launch of the Chinese brand which features Intel’s faster processors GTX 1650, and the promise of more than 9 hours of use away from the outlets. Check out the differences in the datasheet below and find out which one is more worthwhile.
Lenovo Gaming 3i vs Lenovo IdeaPad L340
| Lenovo Gaming 3i | Lenovo IdeaPad L340 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | July 2020 | September 2019 |
| Price | from $989 | from $969 |
| Screen | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Screen resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) | Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) |
| Processor | Core i5 10300H | Core i5 9300H or i7 9750H |
| RAM | 8 or 16 GB DDR4 | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Video card | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce GTX 1050 |
| Storage | 256 or 512 GB (SSD) | 1 TB (HD), 128 GB + 1 TB or 256 GB (SSD) |
| Ports and interfaces | USB-C, 2x USB 3.1, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, headset, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0 | USB-C, 2x USB 3.1, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, headset, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Dimensions and weight | 35.9 cm x 24.9 cm x 2.49 cm; 2.2 kilos | 36.3 x 25.4 x 2.39 cm; 2.19 kilos |
Design
Although they are focused on the gaming audience, the two Lenovo are more modest than most gaming laptops. Both have more subtle colors and no contrasts between elements with more vivid colors. While 3i Gaming has a dark blue color, the IdeaPad L340 comes in black, using dark blue in detail and highlights spread throughout the casing.
In measurements, there’s not much difference. The L340 is a little thinner, measuring 2.39 cm thick when enclosed in front of the 2.49 cm of 3i. In weight, again little difference: it is 2.19 kg of L340 against 2.2 kg of 3i.
The question of interfaces does not reveal significant differences. Lenovo Gaming 3i has two USB 3.1 type A, USB-C, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet port, headphone output, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The L340, on the other hand, has USB 3.1, USB-C, HDMI, headphone output, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi 5.
Screen
On the screen, there is no difference between the two Lenovo gaming notebooks. In both options, the player finds a 15.6″ screen and Full HD resolution. Even the screen technology – the WVA panel, which should provide good contrast – is the same for both.
According to Lenovo, the panels have an estimated maximum brightness of 250 nits, something that leaves you far from the minimum brightness range of the HDR. Also according to the brand, both screens have 60 Hz refresh and anti-glare protection.
Performance
The L340 is available in two versions, both with ninth-generation processors from Intel: the Core i5 9300H, a quad-core of 2.4 to 4.1 GHz speed, and the i7 9750H, a six-core CPU that operates between 2.6 and 4.5 GHz.
Gaming 3i is newer and has the privilege of running with 10th-generation processors that tend to be faster and more efficient. The consumer can take home Lenovo with the Core i5 10300H, the processor is also hexa-core and runs between 2.6 and 5 GHz.
Considering the i7, the performance difference should be small. Estimates from the specialized NotebookCheck website, which aggregates a set of real tests to measure performance, estimate that the performance difference between them is only 5% on average.
The biggest difference between the two computers should be in the dedicated video card. While the L340 runs on GeForce GTX 1650 and some versions also run GTX 1050, 3i has GTX 1650, a direct replacement for 1050. Overall, benchmarks show that the GTX 1650 is nearly 30% faster.
In RAM, Lenovo lists the IdeaPad L340 in 8GB versions of DDR4. According to the manufacturer, the L340 has only one RAM slot, something that restricts upgrades and prevents the configuration of dual-channel systems. 3i is ahead in this respect: with two slots, the model supports two RAM channels and is sold in 8 or 16-GB options (it is last in dual-channel).
In storage, there are also variations. The L340 can be found with a 1 TB hard disk or sold with a 256 GB NVMe type SSD. In Lenovo Gaming 3i the consumer finds only drives with 256GB or 512GB NVMe SSDs. However, the computer offers free SATA mounting to install an extra SSD or HDD.
Battery
Both notebooks have a three-cell battery with a 45 Wh (Watts-hour) capacity. There are no official company estimates of how long this charge can keep the IdeaPad L340 out of the socket.
However, Lenovo promises a battery life of up to 9.5 hours on 3i, an estimate that reflects a more casual type of use. In games, the duration tends to be shorter. Another virtue of Lenovo Gaming 3i is the offer of fast battery charging technology: just 15 minutes of the plug can be used for two hours of power recovery.
Extra Features
Both laptops have access to Lenovo’s control and adjustment tools, such as Q Control, which allows you to switch cooler spin speeds as needed. Also, Lenovo promises quiet operation with efficient temperature control on both computers.
Another feature available on both is a True Block that allows the user to physically cover the notebook webcam.
Price and Availability
Lenovo Gaming 3i is sold at prices starting at $989 in the 256 GB SSD entry version at the Amazon store. The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is available for $969.
- Buy Lenovo Gaming 3i
- Buy Lenovo IdeaPad L340
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