Despite the 10-minute completion time, the IdeaPad 3 14 stands tall among the competition on this test, with the VivoBook S14 at a distant second place. Now, you probably wouldn't do any serious multimedia work on a budget laptop, but if you did, the IdeaPad 3 14 wouldn't be a bad choice. Converting video files is a CPU-heavy task, so we don't expect much from budget laptops on this score, as they normally use weaker processors with fewer cores.
The next test we run is video transcoding using the HandBrake 1.4 app, which is an open-source tool for converting multimedia files to different resolutions and formats. Our review unit is available from with Windows 10 installed, but the retailer also offers a Windows 11 variant for $560. At around $500, the IdeaPad 3 14 sits comfortably on the cusp of both worlds, boasting an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
Lenovo's IdeaPad line of laptops is comparable to that of the Dell Inspiron or HP Pavilion series-midrange to low-end machines that run the gamut on price, size, and features. It earns our latest Editors' Choice award for budget Windows laptops. At $519, it leans toward the expensive end of the budget spectrum, but this 14-incher comes packed with just about everything you’d want for a notebook in its price range, including a full HD display, a sturdy chassis, and a comfortable keyboard, all pulled together by on-point performance and some unexpected luxuries for the money. So when you come across a standout inexpensive laptop like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14, it’s a welcome reprieve. Balancing a tight budget with a feature set that mostly consists of the necessities isn't easy when you're evaluating a sea of machines that all look more or less the same. If you're in the market for a budget laptop, you're faced with some tough decisions.
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