Best Lenovo Laptops in 2023: Top Models for Every Budget
Lenovo has emerged as one of the world‘s premier laptop brands over the past decade, offering well-built, thoughtfully designed machines that deliver serious bang for the buck. The Chinese tech giant, which acquired IBM‘s personal computer business in 2005, has expanded its lineup to include laptops for nearly every use case and price point.
Whether you‘re a business road warrior, a student on a shoestring budget, a digital creative looking for a versatile 2-in-1, or a hardcore gamer seeking the ultimate immersive experience, Lenovo has a laptop to meet your needs – often at a price that undercuts the competition. The company‘s high-volume scale and supply chain efficiencies allow it to pack in impressive specs and features at aggressive prices.
So which Lenovo laptop offers the best value for you? In this roundup, we‘ll highlight our top picks across Lenovo‘s major product lines, with a focus on affordable models that don‘t skimp on performance or quality. We‘ll also provide a quick primer on the key technical specs to prioritize based on your intended usage. Let‘s dive in!
ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 – Best Budget Business Laptop
Price: Starting at $849
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Processor: Up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7
RAM: Up to 40GB
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Display: 15.6" FHD IPS
Graphics: Intel UHD or Iris Xe (integrated)
Battery Life: Up to 12.8 hours
Weight: 3.74 lbs
Lenovo‘s iconic ThinkPad line, originally developed by IBM, has long been the gold standard for no-nonsense business laptops. The E15 Gen 4 provides ThinkPad durability, security and ease of use at an affordable price point. With 12th Gen Intel Core processors, up to 40GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, it can breeze through productivity tasks. The 15.6" FHD IPS display is crisp and spacious, while the renowned ThinkPad keyboard provides best-in-class comfort and accuracy. A generous port selection and all-day battery life make this a trusty workhorse for the mobile professional.
IdeaPad 3i 15" – Best Budget Personal Laptop
Price: Starting at $330
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Processor: Up to Intel Core i5
RAM: 4GB to 12GB
Storage: 128GB to 1TB SSD
Display: 15.6" HD or FHD TN
Graphics: Intel UHD (integrated)
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Weight: 3.74 lbs
For a highly capable everyday laptop priced for any budget, the 15" IdeaPad 3i is hard to beat. This surprisingly well-equipped machine starts at just over $300 with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD – specs that will satisfy most casual users. Stepping up to a Core i5, 12GB RAM and a 512GB SSD for under $600 nets you a laptop that can handle anything short of gaming or video editing. The 15.6" display won‘t win any awards but is perfectly serviceable. Throw in extras like a physical webcam shutter and fingerprint reader and you have a compelling affordable all-arounder.
Yoga 6 13" – Best Budget 2-in-1 Laptop
Price: Starting at $750
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Processor: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
RAM: 8GB to 16GB
Storage: 256GB to 1TB SSD
Display: 13.3" FHD IPS touchscreen
Graphics: AMD Radeon (integrated)
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Weight: 2.91 lbs
Lenovo pioneered the 2-in-1 laptop concept and the Yoga 6 continues that tradition of innovation at a competitive price. With a 360-degree hinge, it effortlessly converts from laptop to tablet to tent mode for media viewing. AMD‘s Ryzen 5000 series processors provide snappy performance and remarkable battery life of up to 18 hours. The 13.3" FHD IPS touchscreen, with 100% sRGB color accuracy, is great for sketching or streaming video. Clad in woven fabric, this sleek convertible is a standout for digital creatives and frequent travelers.
Legion 5 15" – Best Budget Gaming Laptop
Price: Starting at $930
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Processor: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
RAM: 8GB to 16GB
Storage: 256GB to 1TB SSD
Display: 15.6" FHD IPS 165Hz
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Weight: 5.29 lbs
Traditionally known for its buttoned-up business machines, Lenovo has become a serious contender in the gaming arena with its Legion line. The Legion 5 15" delivers immersive gaming performance without breaking the bank. AMD‘s powerful Ryzen processors and NVIDIA‘s RTX 30 series GPUs make for a winning combo, letting you crank up the resolution and frame rates. The 15.6" FHD IPS display features a silky 165Hz refresh rate for incredibly smooth visuals. A TrueStrike keyboard with 100% anti-ghosting, Coldfront 3.0 thermal management, and ample expandability complete this compelling package for budget-minded gamers.
How to Choose the Best Lenovo Laptop for Your Needs and Budget
With such a wide array of well-priced Lenovo laptops to choose from, it‘s important to focus on the features and specs that matter most for your intended usage:
Operating System: Lenovo laptops usually come with Windows 11 Home or Pro. Consider stepping up to Pro for advanced security and management features.
Processor: For general productivity, Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors offer the best balance of performance and value. For gaming, look for Intel‘s Core i7 or AMD‘s Ryzen 7.
RAM: 8GB is the minimum for smooth multitasking, with 16GB being ideal. Gamers and power users will want 32GB or more.
Storage: A 256GB SSD provides ample high-speed storage for most users, though a larger 512GB or 1TB drive may be worth the investment for gaming or media editing.
Display: 1080p (FHD) resolution is the sweet spot, with IPS panels delivering better colors and viewing angles than TN. For gaming, a high refresh rate (144Hz+) provides the smoothest experience.
Graphics: Integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon) are fine for basic gaming, while dedicated GPUs like NVIDIA‘s GeForce RTX series are a must for serious gamers.
Battery Life: Look for 10+ hours of battery life for all-day productivity, though high-performance gaming laptops may only muster 5-6 hours.
Portability: For frequent travel, aim for a laptop under 3 lbs with a 13-14" display. 15-16" models provide more screen real estate but can be a burden in a backpack.
Durability: Lenovo‘s ThinkPad and Yoga lines undergo rigorous MIL-SPEC testing, making them good choices for users who are tough on their tech.
Upgrade Options: The ability to add RAM or swap out the SSD down the line provides valuable flexibility as your needs or budget grows.
No matter your needs or budget, chances are Lenovo has a laptop that fits the bill. From affordable everyday computers like the IdeaPad 3 to cutting-edge 2-in-1s like the Yoga 6 to gaming rigs like the Legion 5, Lenovo delivers the performance and quality you‘d expect from pricier brands. Factor in frequent sales on Lenovo.com and you‘d be hard-pressed to find a better value in mobile computing.
The Verdict on Lenovo Laptops
Lenovo‘s unrivaled combination of performance, design, and aggressive pricing make it a top choice for savvy laptop shoppers. The ThinkPad line remains the gold standard for business, while the Yoga series pioneered the 2-in-1 form factor. More recently, Lenovo has brought its value-minded approach to the gaming market with the Legion and IdeaPad Gaming lineups.
For budget-conscious buyers, the IdeaPad 3 stands out as perhaps the best value on the market. With an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, a 128GB SSD and a 15" display for just over $300, it packs an incredible punch. You‘ll be hard-pressed to find another laptop with these specs at this price point.
Ultimately, you can‘t go wrong with a Lenovo laptop. The company has built a sterling reputation on delivering high performance, quality craftsmanship and innovative design at unbeatable prices. No matter your computing needs, Lenovo likely has a laptop model that meets, or exceeds, your expectations—without overextending your budget. If value is a top priority, you owe it to yourself to give Lenovo a long look.
