Powerful, slim, and ideal for on-the-go work, school, or entertainment (Image: Amazon)
Shopping for a new can be a tricky business, with so many options out there it can be tough to know where to start. If you’re in the market and you don’t know your memory from your storage, fret not, because we’ve done the hard work for you: For an all-rounder that will do just about everything you need besides high-end gaming and video rendering, look no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3. For £379.99 down from £599.99, you’ll get the respectable Intel i5 processor with 16GB of RAM, and you can upgrade to the powerful Intel i7 with 8GB of RAM for £499.99 down from £699.99 (all prices correct at time of writing). There’s also the Intel i3 option for £279.99, although the with i5 processor and upwards is recommended for longevity.
This laptop has all the specs you need for everyday computing, with enough processor power and RAM to make light work of multitasking, load up very quickly, and generally be the dependable system you need. It’s got 512GB of storage built-in, which should be more than enough to cover the average person’s needs. OneDrive is included for all Windows systems too, which is a cloud-based service where you can back up your files for added peace of mind.
It’s got a webcam atop its 14-inch, full HD screen, and the speakers are powered by Dolby Audio. Windows Defender antivirus is built into the system too, so your security needs are covered as long as you update your laptop when it gives you a prompt.
This trusty Lenovo has got a great reputation at Amazon, with 4.4 out of 5 stars averaged across 145 ratings so far. “This is a great laptop and I’m very pleased with it,” said one five-star review. “It was easy to set up, a great size and performs very well. I’d certainly recommend it.”
“A very responsive laptop, lightweight, the battery charges quickly and if you’re upgrading from a previous laptop or PC then the Lenovo migration software makes this a simple process,” said another happy customer.
Stylish and slim with an Intel Core i5 processor, this Lenovo is practical and fashionable (Image: Amazon)
Another added: “The laptop is ideal – light, clean, and simple. I like it very much, however, it would have been nice if McAfee antivirus was included in the first year of purchase for free.” The good news for this customer is that you don’t need to purchase or use any extra antivirus software. As already mentioned, Windows includes its own antivirus software, Windows Defender, that is more than capable of keeping your computer safe and won’t slow your system down.
There have been a few complaints about the sound quality from the on-board speakers, however. “The laptop itself is amazing, speed pretty fast but the sound is very poor, I turned it all the way up to 100 and still could barely hear anything.” While this isn’t ideal, underpowered speakers are typical of laptops at this price point.
Some users have noted issues with the screen, as well. “Decent CPU, plenty of memory, an SSD that is spacious enough for most users. However, the screen is absolutely terrible. Contrast is poor, brightness is poor and colour accuracy and white balance are non-existent. There isn’t a good viewing angle at all. I tried using the Windows screen calibration but no settings made it better.”
A solid alternative would be this for £349, but if you want to go a step further we’d recommend the down from £999. Refurbished devices look and act new, especially direct from Apple, and this is a very good price on a powerful laptop with great speakers and a crystal-clear screen.
For £379.99, the is nevertheless a fantastic choice for any home office, student, or general computer user looking for a speedy machine that will handle most things thrown at it.