Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 ranks as the #377 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 74. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #128-ranked features among 619 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 or Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is an intriguing laptop that excels in certain areas, but falls short in others. Its dual-display design is a major plus, with the secondary screen serving as a color-notepad and providing ample productivity features. However, the device's performance underperforms compared to its competition, despite featuring a 12th gen CPU. Battery life is also not impressive, lasting around 5.56 hours on moderate use. While it's an attractive option for those who value creative multitasking, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's shortcomings make it a hard sell for others. Is it worth it? That depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 boasts a sturdy build, with a metal bottom cover that's held in place by strong clips. The laptop's 17-inch frame is relatively light and compact, weighing just 4.4 pounds. Despite its thin profile, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has decent cooling via two fans, which can get loud during intense usage. The laptop's design is also notable for its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, with a focus on functionality rather than flashy features. Overall, the build quality of the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is solid and well-suited to its intended use case. For an improved build, Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 is worth considering.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 boasts an impressive display setup, featuring a 13.3-inch main screen and a 15.6-inch touchscreen secondary display. The two screens run independently, allowing users to multitask seamlessly. The primary display is crisp and vibrant, with good color accuracy. The secondary screen is 3K resolution, making it ideal for productivity and creativity tasks. It also doubles as an e-ink display, allowing users to take notes directly on the device without needing a separate stylus. Overall, the dual-screen setup makes this laptop perfect for content creators, writers, and anyone who wants to multitask with ease. You might want to check out Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4, featuring an upgraded display for a superior experience.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's performance is a mixed bag. Despite its 12th gen 45W CPU, it underperformed in benchmarking compared to similar laptops. While everyday tasks like browsing and streaming didn't feel slow, the laptop struggled with demanding applications like Lightroom and Premiere Pro. The fans also got loud during intense use. The Intel Iris XE graphics are a limitation, making it less suitable for creative professionals who require max horsepower. Upgradeability is limited, with soldered-on RAM and Wi-Fi card. Battery life, at around 5.56 hours, is average considering the large internal display. Take a look at Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Pro - its improved performance sets a new standard.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's battery life is a letdown, with a capacity of just 69.3 Wh (advertised as 70 Wh). This results in an average real-life battery life of around 5 hours and 30 minutes, making it less suitable for heavy use or extended periods away from power. The laptop does come with a decent USB-C charger and features Thunderbolt 4, but the short battery life is a notable drawback.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 boasts a solid connectivity suite. Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.2 provides reliable wireless connections. A Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI output, and another USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 slot cater to various needs. The inclusion of a USBC charger is also convenient. However, the RAM is soldered on, limiting upgrade possibilities. It’s worth checking out Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro, delivering remarkable connectivity.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 boasts a unique dual-display design, with a 3K touchscreen and a side-mounted color e-ink display. It features up to 32GB RAM (soldered), Intel Iris XE graphics, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 70Wh battery. Give Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has an M.2 SSD that's socketed for easy upgrade, but the RAM is soldered on and cannot be upgraded. The Wi-Fi card is also soldered in place. This laptop's battery life is moderate, with a 69.3Wh capacity, resulting in around 5 hours of use. Fans can get loud during heavy use, and cooling may not be ideal due to its compact design.
Pros
1. The laptop is relatively light, weighing only 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms)
2. It has a decent cooling solution considering there's no dedicated graphics
3. The stereo Harman Kardon speakers sound pretty good and have some bass
4. The battery life is around 5.56 hours on a charge for moderate to light work
5. It comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a second USBC 3.2 Gen 2 slot
6. The laptop has Intel Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.2, which is an AX211 card
Cons
1. The laptop's performance didn't match up well to other laptops with the same CPU in benchmarking tests
2. The fans can get pretty loud when running demanding applications or benchmarks
3. The RAM is soldered on and cannot be upgraded, which may be a concern for heavy users
4. The SSD is not top-of-the-line but is still decent and upgradable
5. Battery life is not spectacular due to the 70Wh battery and high-resolution internal display
6. There's no room for upgradeable components, making it feel more like an Ultrabook than a mobile workstation
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