Choosing a laptop is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. There are so many options on the market, and it’s tough to decide which brands to trust.
If you’re thinking about buying an Ideapad or ThinkPad, this article will help you understand what sets them apart from each other so that you can make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.
What are the Main Differences Between an IdeaPad and Thinkpad?
Well, to bring out the differences between these two bestselling models, you need to understand that the Ideapad is made for the average everyday consumer while the Thinkpad is designed with the business user in mind.
Overview of the Lenovo IdeaPad
Though the Lenovo Thinkpad series captures most of the limelight, the Ideapad is one of the greatest laptops to own. Since it is designed with the thought of everyday users, it has features that are appealing to the consumer. One can describe it as a consumer-focused laptop.
In comparison, the Ideapad comes at a cheaper price compared to many Thinkpad models. The reason behind that is because these two models target different types of customers.
That does not mean that the Ideapad is a low-quality model. To be honest, it is a fantastic laptop that everyone would love to own.
Design of an IdeaPad
One of the clear distinctions between an Ideapad and a Thinkpad is their designs. At a glance, you will notice the difference between these two models. And Ideapad has a beautiful design while the Thinkpad model sacrifices beauty in favor of power.
The Ideapad is a lightweight, slim, and streamlined laptop that is convenient to carry around the whole day without feeling fatigued.
The performance of an Ideapad is more aesthetically pleasing and a little bit lighter. It comes with less RAM compared to a Thinkpad and that makes it less powerful. Though this may be a turn-off for most people, it is still powerful enough for the user as eighty percent of the users are contented with its performance.
The only time you may experience issues with its performance is when you are handling extremely large files.
Processors of an IdeaPad
An Ideapad can come with a variety of processors ranging from an AMD processor, an Intel processor, the AMD Ryzen 5 processor, and many more. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor is commonly found in cheaper budget laptops.
These are laptops can go for as low as a few hundred dollars and that’s why many people love them.
Audio and Display of an IdeaPad
The display features of the Lenovo Ideapad are a good one. However, it is not as bright as that of a Thinkpad. It has a lower contrast ratio as well. It is not to say that the display of Ideapad is of bad quality. However, if you compare it to the best range of Thinkpad laptops, you will notice the difference instantly.
The majority of the Ideapad ranges uses Lenovo’s connection with Dolby to provide them with quality Dolby speakers that are of a good make and the quality of sound they generate is great.
These speakers make Ideapad much better compared to other laptop models that come at a similar price.
Best IdeaPad Laptop
The best model of the Ideapad laptop has to be the S series. These models have been around for about a decade now and are the typical Ideapad one thinks of.
The good thing about these Ideapad series models is that they are lightweight. They combine the incredible lightweight design with other specs such as decent battery life and that makes them quite impressive.
Let’s have a look at the best Ideapad laptop available in the market.
Lenovo IdeaPad S340 Laptop
Key Features:
- It comes with a 15.6-inch screen.
- It’s touchscreen-enabled.
- It has a Windows 10 pre-installed.
The Lenovo IdeaPad S340 Laptop comes with a 3-cell 52.5Wh lithium battery, a 65W power adapter, and is pre-installed with Windows 10. It has a built-in media reader, a microphone/headphone combo jack, an HDMI output, one type C charger port, and three USD ports.
It also has Bluetooth, comes with a webcam and Dolby stereo microphone speakers of high quality. It features a backlit keyboard.
It comes with a 15.5 inch Full HD IPS 250nits touchscreen with integrated AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphics. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Quad-Core Processor with a speed of 2.3 GHz and 12GB DDR4 RAM. It is an SSD computer that has an incredible browsing speed.
Overview of the Lenovo ThinkPad
As we described earlier, the Lenovo Thinkpad is made in a design that makes it fit well in the business world. It has been ranked as the best laptop for people looking for something to handle business-related projects and is one of the bestselling models as well.
The Lenovo ThinkPad laptop is an ideal choice for researchers in higher learning institutions as they offer a great business deal to the education sector.
If someone is on a tight budget, a refurbished Thinkpad laptop could also be a great deal for them. It is way better than other common laptops.
There are some facts worth noting about Thinkpad laptops. The Thinkpad laptops were originally made by IBM and were the best sellers back in the 90s. In the year 2005, Lenovo was able to purchase the manufacturing rights of Thinkpad. Since then, the progress has been on an upward trajectory.
Design of a ThinkPad
This PC is made for work and for that reason, not much attention is paid to the design in terms of making it look pretty. It comes with a basic efficient design that goes in line with the kind of work it is made for.
Customers have come to appreciate the simplicity of its design and have come to love it. A Thinkpad does not have the lavish finish common in other types of laptops.
Performance of a ThinkPad
Well, this is where the Thinkpad laptops prove to people that it is not all about the design. The performance of a Thinkpad laptop is impressive. It comes with an Intel processor, high-quality RAM, and a powerful battery.
For that reason, a Thinkpad laptop will perform better than many laptops available in the market.
Many Thinkpad laptops come with 8GB RAM. The good thing about these laptops is that you can easily upgrade the RAM if need be. A Thinkpad laptop can serve you for more than 5 years and still be efficient as a new one.
Processor of a ThinkPad
One thing you must be keen on is that Thinkpad laptops use different types of processors. For higher quality Thinkpad models, they use Intel processors and that makes them a little bit expensive.
A good example is an X1 carbon that uses a minimum of an Intel Core i5 processor, but it can also be equipped with a Core i7 processor that makes it more powerful.
Some use AMD processors especially those that are not too expensive. A good example is the Thinkpad T14 that features an AMD Ryzen 7PRO 4750U. It may come at a lower price but comes with a powerful core i8 processor.
Display of a ThinkPad
This is an area in which the Thinkpad laptops have greatly advanced. They offer a high-quality display and most of the higher-end models feature a fully 4K screen.
Thinkpad laptops mostly come with a fourteen-inch screen but currently, they are a little bit flexible as you can find some with 13.3 and 15.6 inches. The majority of Thinkpad computers come in the traditional sizes.
Best ThinkPad Laptop
The best Thinkpad laptop models are in the series category. You may find it hard to choose the best one especially an X series model. This is because it is the highest quality series and comes at a higher price than most of the other models. Here is the best Thinkpad Lenovo laptop in the market.
Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Laptop
Key Features:
- It is installed with Windows 10 Pro.
- It comes with a 15.6-inch screen.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Laptop is fitted with a type C charger port, two USB ports, a non-backlit keyboard, and one audio Combo Jack. It comes with a 16GB DDR4 Memory a 512GB PCle NVMe M.2 SSD with a bonus of an HDMI Cable.
It comes with an incredible Intel 10th generation Core i5-10210U processor that makes its browsing speed incredible. It has a 15.6 inch full HD screen that is integrated with Intel UHD Graphics 620. It can effectively support an external digital monitor through USB or HDMI.
The maximum external digital monitor it can handle is one with 4K resolution and a display size of (3840X2160). In addition to all these incredible features, the Thinkpad E15 comes with a one-year limited warranty from Lenovo It is a computer that is ideal for school education, business and experts can also use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between an IdeaPad and a ThinkPad?
The main difference between Ideapad and a Thinkpad is that an Ideapad is designed with the consumer’s interest at hand and is ideal for everyday use. On the other hand, a ThinkPad laptop is designed for users who are mainly in business, research, etc. That is why it is referred to as a business-based laptop.
Is a Lenovo ThinkPad better Than an IdeaPad?
Something very clear is that a Lenovo ThinkPad will fit business users better. However, even people who need a laptop for everyday use have begun appreciating the versatility of a ThinkPad laptop.
However, for everyday users of laptops that are not handling complex files and tasks on a computer, an IdeaPad will suit them well. So clearly, we can acknowledge the fact that a ThinkPad laptop is better than an IdeaPad.
Is ThinkPad the Same as Lenovo?
ThinkPad laptops are a line of business-oriented laptops that are developed, designed, and marketed by the Lenovo Company.
Initially, ThinkPad was developed and sold by IBM until the year 2005 when Lenovo bought those rights. After that takeover, the development and marketing of these laptops skyrocketed.
What are the Benefits of Owning a ThinkPad Laptop?
The ThinkPad laptop has been a staple in business for decades and it is known for its rugged features that make it an ideal device for the office. The ThinkPad typically costs more than the Lenovo Ideapad but comes with many more features.
For example, the ThinkPad usually includes a backlit keyboard so you can work comfortably in low-light conditions. The ThinkPad also comes with a fingerprint reader which speeds up login times and provides an extra level of security to your laptop if you forget to log out.
On top of all this, many ThinkPads come with Windows 10 Pro already installed on them which means you can use it right away without any additional setup or downloads.
Is it Worth Investing in an IdeaPad and ThinkPad?
These laptops remain great options for users over all these years. Their building is iconic and their designs keep evolving by the day. They are constantly being upgraded with better features. If you want one for everyday use and not too expensive you can buy an IdeaPad. If you want a laptop for business, you will go for a ThinkPad laptop.
Conclusion
Both ThinkPad and IdeaPad laptops are great and come with some incredible features. The difference between these two models is quite clear when it comes to performance, display, processors, and many more. If you need to buy an IdeaPad or a ThinkPad, you should consider the ones we have reviewed in this article.
