Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6" 2024, Ryzen 3 7320U, 4GB, 128GB SSD, Abyss Blue

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a dirt-cheap laptop that handles the basics. The 4GB of RAM and 13Wh battery are serious limitations, but reliability is solid. If you need a cheap Windows machine for light tasks, it's worth a look. If you need anything more, save up.

The Ryzen 3 7320U is a 4-core chip that sits in the 20th percentile for CPUs in our database. It handles basic tasks without much drama, but 4GB of RAM is the real bottleneck. That's 4th percentile territory, and Windows 11 will chew through it fast. Open more than a few browser tabs and you'll feel the slowdown. The 128GB SSD is also cramped, landing in the 7th percentile. The integrated Radeon 610M is fine for video playback, but gaming is a lost cause at 8.8 out of 100.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro MWP72LL/A or the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro, this thing looks like a toy. Those machines cost several times more and deliver performance this IdeaPad can't touch. The HP OmniBook X Flip and ASUS Zenbook also outclass it in every category that matters. But that's not really the point. The IdeaPad 1 competes on price alone, and in that arena, it's hard to beat. The MSI Stealth 14 AI is a gaming machine, so comparing them is almost unfair. If you need power, look elsewhere. If you need cheap, this is it.

Pricing in Canada runs 379 to 399 CAD, which is about as cheap as new laptops get. For that money, you're getting a machine that handles the basics without falling apart. But the 4GB of RAM and tiny battery mean you're making real compromises. If you can stretch your budget even a little, you'll get a much better experience. If you can't, this will do the job, just slowly.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a budget laptop that knows exactly what it is, a cheap machine for basic tasks. You get a Ryzen 3 7320U, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. That's enough for web browsing, email, and maybe some light document work. Just don't expect it to flex any muscles.

The display is a 15.6 inch 1920x1200 IPS panel, which sounds decent until you see the 220 nits brightness. It's fine indoors, but forget using it near a window. The 13Wh battery is tiny, so you'll be hunting for outlets more than you'd like.

Skip this if you need to run demanding software, edit photos or video, or play games. The 4GB of RAM and integrated graphics will frustrate you. Also skip it if you need all-day battery life, because 13Wh won't get you through a morning, let alone a full day. Anyone who needs more than 128GB of storage should look elsewhere too.

This laptop is for someone who needs a basic Windows machine and has a very tight budget. Students on a shoestring, grandparents checking email, or anyone who just needs a second machine for light tasks. It's not fast, it's not flashy, and the battery life is rough. But it boots, it browses, and it won't empty your wallet.