Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 ranks as the #375 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 74. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #104-ranked connectivity among 566 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 or Lenovo Slim 7i, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 is a solid business laptop, but does it live up to the challenge posed by competitors? The answer is no. With a plastic build that's surprisingly durable, a classic design, and a good keyboard, it's an office workhorse. However, its battery life can be inconsistent, and the display falls short with subpar color coverage and limited brightness. While it's not a bad choice, it's not enough of a challenge to stand out in a crowded market. Unless you're deeply invested in the ThinkPad brand, there are better options available.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 boasts a sturdy plastic build that defies expectations, with an incredibly durable lid and base showing minimal flex. The laptop's design is classic ThinkPad, with a black finish and Lenovo branding. Weighing in at 1.76 kilograms and measuring 19.9 millimeters in profile, it's similar to the HP EliteBook 650 G9. While the lid can't be opened with one hand, this isn't a major concern for users who value build quality over convenience. The ThinkPad's overall build is impressive, making it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable laptop. You may find Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i a better fit, thanks to its superior build.
Display
The ThinkPad L15 Gen 3's display is a mixed bag. It has good viewing angles, but doesn't get as bright as desired, peaking at only 256 nits. Color coverage is subpar, with an sRGB gamut of just 54%, and accuracy is also lacking. While it may suffice for regular office work, creatives will find it wanting. Zero PWM usage and a decent contrast ratio (1480:1) are redeeming qualities. Overall, the display doesn't live up to its potential, making it less than ideal for those who need precise color representation. If you’re after a better display, Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 could be the ideal option.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 offers decent performance for business use. With the Core i5-1235U processor, it delivers a higher Cinebench score than its competitors. However, in prolonged loads like video rendering, the CPU's power drops to 20W, suggesting that a P-series chip might not be ideal without a different cooling solution. The laptop stays quiet and cool even at peak load, with a base temperature of 39.6°C. Overall, while it doesn't stand out in performance, the L15 Gen 3 is reliable for regular office work, making it suitable for business use. Lenovo V15 Gen 4 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3's battery life is decent, lasting around 8 hours and 47 minutes for web browsing and 8 hours and 13 minutes for video playback. This should get you through a full workday with mixed use. The 57 Wh battery unit is larger than its predecessor, but still trails behind the HP EliteBook 650 G9's similar results with a lower wattage unit. However, it has an advantage in raw performance and remains quiet and cool even at peak loads.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 offers ample connectivity options. The left side features an LAN port, one USB Type-C 3.2, a Thunderbolt 4 Port, HDMI 2.0, one USB Type-A 3.2, and an audio jack. The right side has a Micro SD card reader and another USB Type-A port, while the back houses an optional SIM card tray. You might want to check out Lenovo ThinkBook 15 Gen 4, featuring an upgraded connectivity for a superior experience.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 boasts a sturdy plastic build with thin bezels and an HD webcam. It features a clicky keyboard with long key travel, backlight, and spill resistance. The laptop also includes a fingerprint reader, Smart card reader, and supports up to 8 hours of battery life. Take a look at Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i - its improved features sets a new standard.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 offers decent battery life with up to 8 hours and 47 minutes of web browsing, making it suitable for a workday's mixed use. The laptop also has good raw performance, but its display and build quality fall short of expectations. Upgradability is a plus, however, with two SODIMM slots and one M.2 slot for storage expansion.
Pros
1. The laptop's durability is impressive, with a sturdy lid and base that show no flex.
2. The keyboard is phenomenal, with long key travel, clicky feedback, backlight, and spill resistance.
3. The input/output options are extensive, covering the left, right, and back sides of the laptop.
4. The laptop has good battery life, lasting 8 hours and 47 minutes in web browsing or 8 hours and 13 minutes in video playback.
5. The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 squeezes out a higher Cinebench score than the HP EliteBook, despite carrying the same Core i5 1235U.
6. The laptop is upgradable with two SO-DIMM slots for DDR4 memory as well as one M.2 slot for generation 4 SSDs.
Cons
1. The laptop's build quality could be improved, relying on plastic instead of metal chassis like some other brands.
2. The lid cannot be opened with one hand, which may not inspire confidence in a laptop of this price range.
3. The display has limited brightness, reaching only 256 nits at its peak.
4. The display's color coverage is subpar, reaching only 54% of the sRGB gamut.
5. The display's accuracy is also compromised, with some drifting in our design and gaming profile.
6. The battery life may not be enough to last through a whole workday's worth of mixed use for heavy users.
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