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6 Best Lenovo Laptops for Students & Gaming

by Tim Blue on Sep 26, 2024

Best Lenovo Laptops for Students

PC gaming is no more a leisure time activity people resort to on their laptops as a fun distraction. Today’s digital games have entered the mainstream with a huge following as a hobby, profession and a platform to showcase one’s talents and skills. Therefore, today’s buyers deem gaming as one of the essential functions of the laptops they want to invest in.  

The contemporary generation of gaming laptops do not compromise on some important aspects that the earlier machines did. For instance, a gaming laptop of the previous generation would mean less power, minimal number of options, smaller screen sizes and poor quality audio. The gaming laptops of these days especially the Lenovo ones running Windows 10 are in fact portable versions of the gaming PCs and can serve as the best match for gaming consoles.

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Check out the best Lenovo gaming laptop on Aliexpress

Name of Lenovo gaming laptop Known for
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Latest-generation up-to-10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, up to NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti Graphics with DDR4 Memory and PCIe SSD storage options, 5th generation thermal engineering technology, FHD display, advanced gaming keyboard and one month’s subscription to Xbox Game Pass
Lenovo Legion 7i 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H processor, high-grade aluminum chassis for maximum protection, lightening fast refresh panels, TrueStrike keyboard, battery life up to 5 hours, Lenovo Legion H300 Stereo Gaming Headset, one month subscription to Xbox Game Pass.
Lenovo Legion 5Pi Intel Core i7 10th Generation processor, up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ Graphics, 2933MHz DDR4 Memory, Legion Coldfront 2.0 cooling technology, fast refresh rates, 1080p display with 100% color accuracy, Legion TrueStrike keyboard, and one month subscription to Xbox Game Pass

Sporting the enormous power and speed, the best Lenovo gaming laptop of today can support any challenging expectations of gamers from a hard core VR or high-frame rate FPS titles. Given this fact, there is no more a reason for you to be hooked to a desktop.

For professional gamers, PC gaming on their laptop is a main event. For them the right pick is the laptop that can support a top-tier gaming experience. The question now is how to choose the best gaming laptop. Here I have compared the best Lenovo gaming laptops that are specially built to meet the robust needs of gamers.

Lenovo Student & Gaming Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

best lenovo gaming laptop

Product specifications:

  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H, Speed: 2.6 GHz (Base) - 5.0 GHz (Max), 6 Cores and 12MB Cache
  • OS: This model comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 Home carrying lifetime validity
  • Storage and memory: 8GB RAM DDR4-2933 upgradable up to 16GB, 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6 dedicated graphics
  • Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080), Brightness: 250 nits, Anti-Glare, IPS Technology and 60 Hz Refresh Rate
  • Cooling: 5th Generation Thermal Engineering and Q Control
  • Battery Life: 7 Hours of charge on vigorous gaming with rapid charging capabilities (80% within 1 hour of charging)

Advantages for gamers:

An enviable configuration including the latest-generation up-to-10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, up to NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti Graphics with DDR4 Memory and PCIe SSD storage options make the IdeaPadTM Gaming 3i, a great choice for gaming.

If you want to invest in a laptop that can stand out in your gaming circle, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 can be your right pick. 5th generation thermal engineering technology keeps it cool over long hours of playing and the crystal clear display is a great feature to like in this make. FHD display and an advanced gaming keyboard come to any gamer’s advantage. The product carries one year on site manufacturer’s warranty that also includes accidental damage protection and 24 X 7 premium care. The price of the product also includes one month free subscription to Xbox Game Pass that lets you enjoy seamless access to over 100 high end games with more games added continuously. 

Lenovo Legion 5

Lenovo Legion 5 review

Product specifications:

  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 (i5-10300H), Speed: 2.5 GHz (Base) - 4.5 GHz (Max), 4 Cores, and 8MB Cache
  • Operating system: This model comes pre-Loaded with Windows 10 Home carrying lifetime validity.
  • Storage and memory: 8GB RAM DDR4-2933 which is upgradable up to 16GB, 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080), Wide Viewing Angle, Anti-glare, IPS Technology and 120 Hz Refresh Rate
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti 4GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics

Advantages for gamers:

Lenovo has achieved a minimalist design in the gaming laptop packing it with powerful features any gamer will love. Rendered with uncompromising engineering, the alluring aspects of this gaming machine are the latest 10th Generation Intel® Core™ H-Series Processors, up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX Graphics, 2933MHz DDR4 Memory, and M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD storage, rendered with Legion Coldfront 2.0 technology to support cool running through hours of gaming. 

The machine also combines in it fast refresh rates and 100% color accuracy with 1080p display. TrueStrike backlit keyboard fitted with anti-ghosting and soft-landing switches enable you to overtake the competitors and increase your gaming ranks. The product price also includes one month subscription to Xbox Game Pass providing access to over 100 high end games with the list of games growing continuously.

Lenovo Legion 7i

Lenovo Legion 7i  review

Product specifications:

  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H, Speed: 2.3 GHz (Base) - 5.1 GHz (Max), 8 Cores, 16MB Cache
  • Operating system: This model comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 Home edition carrying lifetime validity
  • Software: Lenovo has pre-installed MS Office Home and Student 2019
  • Memory and Storage: 16GB (8+8) RAM DDR4-3200, which can be upgraded up to 32GB, 1 TB SSD M.2
  • Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080), Brightness: 500 nits, anti-glare screen, 144 Hz Refresh Rate, 100% Adobe RGB Gamut, Dolby Vision, HDR 400
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q 8GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics
  • Cooling: Coldfront 2.0 technology featuring 6 point thermal sensors and 4 thermal channels, Q Control 3.0 to choose from three thermal modes including Quiet, Balance and Performance
  • Battery Life: 5 Hours of vigorous game play on one charge, rapid charging capabilities to charge up to 50% within 30 Minutes
  • Keyboard: Full-size RGB LED Backlit Keyboard featuring 100% Anti-Ghosting and soft landing switches

Advantages for gamers:

Lenovo Legion 7i 10th Gen Intel Core i7 15.6 inch Full HD Gaming Laptop comes packed in a precisely designed high-grade aluminum chassis to withstand maximum damage. Lightening fast refresh panels, TrueStrike keyboard, and long battery life are alluring features for any gamer. 

The other interesting features for gamers are Lenovo Legion H300 Stereo Gaming Headset, fully retractable noise-cancelling microphone, self-adjust headband, rotatable PU leather earcups are rendered meticulously to satisfy a pro-gamer. The product price includes one month subscription to Xbox Game Pass giving access to more than 100 high-end games with the list swelling with more games added. 

Lenovo Legion 5Pi

Lenovo Legion 5Pi  review

Product specifications:

  • Processor: Intel Core i7 10th Generation (i7-10750H), Speed: 2.6 GHz (Base) - 5.0 GHz (Max), 6 Cores and 12MB Cache
  • Operating system: This model comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 Home carrying lifetime validity
  • Software: Lenovo has loaded this machine with MS Office Home and Student
  • Storage and memory: 16GB (8+8) RAM DDR4-2933, which can be upgraded up to 32GB, Storage: 1TB SSD M.2
  • Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080) display with wide viewing angle capabilities, Brightness: 300 nits, anti-glare screen, 144 Hz Refresh Rate, 100% sRGB and Dolby Vision
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics
  • Cooling: Coldfront 2.0 technology, with 6 point thermal sensors and 4 thermal channels Q Control 3.0 to choose between three thermal modes including Quiet, Balance and Performance

Advantages for gamers:

For those looking for a full throttle gaming experience on a non-stop basis, this is the perfect choice. Lenovo has configured this high-end gaming laptop with exciting components including 10th Generation Intel® Core™ H-Series Processors, up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ Graphics, 2933MHz DDR4 Memory, M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD Storage.

The advanced thermal engineering capabilities of the gaming machine keeps it cool all the time despite your addictive gaming life going on non-stop for hours enabled by the Legion Coldfront 2.0 technology. The other alluring features of Legion 5Pi that will inspire any gamer are blindingly fast refresh rates, 100% color-accuracy on the 1080p display, and Legion TrueStrike keyboard fitted with soft landing switches letting you surge ahead of the competition and increase your gaming ranks. The price of the product also includes one month subscription to Xbox Game Pass giving you access to over 100 high-end games. This list is continuously added with more games and hence you can look forward to an endless number of gaming options.

Lenovo Ideapad L340

Lenovo Ideapad L340  review

Product specifications:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5 9th Gen, 2.4 Ghz base speed, 4.1 Ghz max speed, 4 Cores and 8Mb Smart Cache
  • Operating System: This model is pre-Loaded with Windows 10 Home with a life time validity
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD screen (1920X1080), Anti-glare and Lenovo Vantage Eye Care mode: Blue light reduction
  • Storage and memory: 8 GB RAM with 1 TB HDD storage
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 3GB

Advantages for gamers:

While investing in a gaming laptop, the best approach is to make the right choices. IdeaPad L340 gaming lets you understand that you have made the best choice in choosing this laptop for your gaming needs. The alluring aspects of the configuration that support a superior gaming experience include the most advanced Intel Core i5 processors, next-gen NVIDIA GeForce® graphics, and a thunderous Dolby Audio™ experience. In this laptop, you are sure to discover the first hand power and a non-stop gaming life.

Some reviews say the booting time is a bit longer. Yet another concern is the lesser battery life of just 3 hours during a vigorous gaming session. The screen quality is said to be highly encouraging for gaming, but is not suitable for more result-oriented precise works like color correction. In this price range, certainly Lenovo has delivered a superb gaming laptop if affordable gaming is your priority. 

Some reviews say the booting time is a bit longer. Yet another concern is the lesser battery life of just 3 hours during a vigorous gaming session. The screen quality is said to be highly encouraging for gaming, but is not suitable for more result-oriented precise works like color correction. In this price range, certainly Lenovo has delivered a superb gaming laptop if affordable gaming is your priority. 

Lenovo Legion Y540

Lenovo Legion Y540  review

Product specifications:

Processor: 9th Generation Core Intel i5-9300HF, 2.4 Ghz base speed, 4.1 Ghz max speed, 4 Cores, 8 Mb Smart Cache

Operating System: This model comes pre-loaded Windows 10 Home along with lifetime validity

Display: 15.6-inch screen with (1920X1080) full HD display, Anti-glare technology, IPS Display, 60Hz refresh rate, and 250 Nits Brightness

Storage and Memory: 8GB RAM, 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, 4GB

Advantages for gamers:

If you are looking for a hardcore gaming experience without any compromise, Lenovo Legion Y540 Intel i5 9th Gen 15.6" Gaming can be your best pick. The robust class, highly powerful Intel® Core™ mobile processors facilitate an unparalleled AAA gaming experience on this laptop. The slender and easily portable 15.6” laptop takes the gaming performance to an altogether new level thanks to the model’s configuration featuring the most advanced processors and graphics combined with the best memory and storage capabilities to guarantee a serious performance. 

This model is also optimized thermally to operate coolly and quietly with a full-sized white backlit keyboard. If a seamless hard core gaming is your expectation from a Lenovo laptop, you will find the Lenovo™ Legion Y540 Laptop a great pick specially made for you.

What to look for in the best gaming laptop?

Whether you want to resort to gaming as a profession or hobby, you will naturally want to invest in the best gaming machine to land on a top class gaming experience. If you have decided to invest in the next gaming machine, taking an informed decision can help you find the best gaming laptop. Here are the aspects to look for in the best gaming laptop.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

CPU and GPU can be described as the performance drivers of your gaming machine. It is good to expect not less than 10th or 11th Gen Intel Core-i7 processor in a gaming PC. In fact, an i9 processor will be the best choice. Some of the best options for the GPU are the Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX GPUs and the RTX 30-series is perhaps the most contemporary option. With regard to AMD, the right options for a gaming PC are AMD Radeon RX 5000M series and the RX 5500M, 5600M and 5700M.

Upgradability

The possibility to upgrade your RAM in future will be a crucial factor as gaming can get too heavy on your laptop’s RAM. The best option with regard to RAM on your desktop will be a 16GB one.

Keyboard

The keyboard is the principal input tool on gaming laptops, especially in case of shooting and strategy games. The aspects to look for in a good keyboard are key travel, actuation, and anti-ghosting and n-key rollover features. Look for keys that are not too soft or too hard to press. RGB backlighting is a desirable features to look for in keyboards.

Faster refresh rate displays

Resolution in gaming laptops come in different configurations of displays. Some lower (1080p) for instance can support higher refresh rates of 144Hz, 240Hz or even 360Hz. You will also need to find a great GPU to make the best use of these high refresh rate panels. HR panles that can stick to 60Hz refresh rate is also a good option.

Lenovo advantages for gaming

Shopping for a gaming laptop can be a big deal. While you will find some good configurations in a number of laptop models, it is important to find them in the right set up. Here are the reasons why some Lenovo models assure you a great gaming experience.

Lenovo is among the undisputed champions in the world of computers. Especially some select members of Lenovo’s Legion and Ideapad series have several alluring advantages for gamers. Lenovo’s long research into the needs of computer gamers has helped the brand breathe in some exciting features in to some of these models.

Lenovo Legion series

The Lenovo legion series of the brand represents the best in the arena of gaming laptops. They have something for every kind of gamer The Legion Series is at the core of Lenovo PC gaming and has something for every type of gamer like VR-readiness, and eSports rigs. Every member of the Lenovo Legion laptop series comes preloaded with a select version of the OS from Windows 10 to Windows 10 Pro. Some of the most desirable features for gamers in this series include RGB backlit keyboards, DDR5 memory, variable screen refresh rates, and the most envied NVIDIA® graphics cards.

Ideapad series

At times, you might like to find a laptop that you can carry with your to school or work and get lost with your gaming during leisure. To meet the double ended needs of gamers, Lenovo has preloaded a select IdeaPad and Legion gaming laptop models with Windows 10 Pro. Therefore, this comes to the advantage of those who look for the best laptop for gaming and work. 

Gaming FAQs

How much RAM is the best for gaming?

You can play some interesting PC games with as low as 4 GB of RAM. However, RAM requirements differ across different gaming titles and formats. 8GB RAM will certainly limit your options with regard to genres and game titles. 16 GB RAM can support the broadest genres and titles of today’s computer games. While this is a sufficient one even for the most demanding games, the best approach is to go for 32 GB RAM if you want to future proof the gaming system you are investing in. It is good to find a system that allows you to expand your RAM later.

Do I need GPU in a gaming laptop?

Most laptops have graphics capabilities inbuilt into their main processor. However, when the visual demands get too much with some advanced games, it can lead to system crashes, lag times and chappy images. Therefore it is good to invest in gaming systems with a discrete graphics card. The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) manages the visuals leaving the CPU to focus on running the game and other software. 

How to find the best monitor for gaming?

Some of the must to have features you can expect in a good gaming monitor are a minimum of Full HD 1080p screen resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, a response time of 5ms or less, connection options including HDMI, DVI-D, and Display Port or an all-new multi-connection option namely USB Type-C which has compatibility with the earlier formats, but can rule out the need for adapters.