Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 (15IAN8) review – Portable & Affordable But Comes With a Screen You’ll Want to Avoid!
Navigating the crowded budget laptop market can feel overwhelming, especially when manufacturers often prioritize specs over real-world usability. If you’re a student or a casual user seeking a portable machine that balances affordability with practicality, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15” Gen 8 deserves a closer look. But does it truly deliver, or does it cut too many corners? We’ve spent weeks testing this device to uncover what makes it tick—and where it falls short—so you don’t have to gamble your hard-earned cash on marketing claims.
At first glance, the Slim 3 Gen 8 lives up to its name: it’s impressively thin, lightweight, and sports a minimalist design that avoids looking cheap. Its fingerprint-resistant finish and understated color options suggest Lenovo knows its audience values subtlety over flash. However, looks alone don’t make a great laptop. Our review dives deep into the nuances you won’t find on a spec sheet, like the surprisingly comfortable keyboard, the cramped number pad, and the trade-offs between portability and screen quality. Spoiler: not all configurations are created equal, and choosing the wrong one could leave you frustrated.
By the end of this review, you’ll know exactly whether the Slim 3 Gen 8 fits your needs—or if it’s worth stretching your budget for something more capable. Let’s get into it.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/lenovo-ideapad-slim-3-15-2023/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
- CPU
- Intel Processor U300 #262 in Top CPUs Intel Processor N200 #306 in Top CPUs Intel Processor N100 #293 in Top CPUs Intel Core i7-13620H #54 in Top CPUs Intel Core i7-1355U #172 in Top CPUs Intel Core i7-1255U #205 in Top CPUs Intel Core i5-13420H #96 in Top CPUs Intel Core i5-1335U #196 in Top CPUs Intel Core i5-12500H #102 in Top CPUs Intel Core i5-12450H #127 in Top CPUs Intel Core i5-1235U #206 in Top CPUs Intel Core i3-N305 #253 in Top CPUs Intel Core i3-1315U #232 in Top CPUs Intel Core i3-1305U #260 in Top CPUs Intel Core i3-1215U #230 in Top CPUs AMD Ryzen 7 7730U #139 in Top CPUs AMD Ryzen 5 7530U #193 in Top CPUs AMD Ryzen 5 7520U #245 in Top CPUs AMD Ryzen 3 7320U #252 in Top CPUs AMD Athlon Gold 7220U #292 in Top CPUsAMD Athlon Silver 7120U
- GPU
- Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48EU) #292 in Top GPUs Intel UHD Graphics Xe 750 (32EU) #295 in Top GPUs Intel UHD Graphics (Alder Lake, 64EU) #263 in Top GPUs Intel UHD Graphics #319 in Top GPUs Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) #248 in Top GPUs Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU) #261 in Top GPUs AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (R4000/5000, 15W) #257 in Top GPUs AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 (R4000/5000, 15W) #274 in Top GPUs AMD Radeon 610M #305 in Top GPUsIntel UHD Graphics Xe (24EU)
- HDD/SSD
- up to 4000GB SSD + up to 1000GB HDD
- M.2 Slot
- 1x 2242 M.2 NVMe
- RAM
- up to 40GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11, Chrome OS, No OS, DOS
- Battery
- 47Wh , 47Wh, 42Wh
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate
- Dimensions
- 359.3 x 235 x 17.9 mm (14.15" x 9.25" x 0.70")
- Weight
- 1.62 kg (3.6 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 2x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- HDMI
- 1.4b
- Card reader
- SD (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
- Ethernet LAN
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11ax
- Bluetooth
- 5.1
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- optional
- Web camera
- HD / FHD with Privacy Shutter, Fixed Focus
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Dual Microphone Array with noise-cancelling
- Speakers
- 2x 1.5W Front-facing Stereo Speakers. optimized with Dolby Audio
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
All Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (15″, 2023) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-s-series-netbooks/slim-3-15ian8/downloads
What’s in the box?
Box opening time! Inside, as expected, is the main attraction – the laptop itself, looking sleek. Alongside it we find the standard paperwork and, crucially, the 65-watt charger to power it all up.
Design and construction
First impressions? Elegant. Seriously, for a laptop in this class, the Slim 3 has a certain understated sophistication. Our review unit arrived in ‘Arctic Grey’, which, let’s be honest, is silver with a fancy marketing name. But you know what? It works. It’s a clean, professional look that wouldn’t be out of place in a boardroom or a lecture hall. The lid is refreshingly minimalist, sporting just a subtle Lenovo logo – no over-the-top branding here, just quiet confidence. If you’re after something that looks the part without shouting about it, the Slim 3 is definitely in the running. And if grey isn’t your thing, it also comes in Abyss Blue and Frost Blue, offering a bit of choice to match your style.
Picking this thing up is genuinely surprising. At a mere 1.55 kg (3.42 lbs), it’s officially in ‘lightweight’ territory for a 15-inch laptop. And at just 17.9 mm (0.70 inches) thin, it’s more ‘svelte companion’ than ‘bulky baggage’. Slipping it into a bag or carrying it around feels genuinely effortless. The ‘Arctic Grey’ finish also seems to have a magic trick up its sleeve – fingerprints? Practically invisible. We’ve been handling it quite a bit, and it still looks remarkably clean. A major win for anyone who appreciates a device that doesn’t constantly look like it’s been through a toddler’s finger-painting session.
Run your fingers across the chassis, and you’ll discover a subtly textured surface. Lenovo calls it ‘Surface Treatment’ and ‘IMR’, which sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but essentially means the PC-ABS plastic has a nice, tactile feel. It’s not cold metal, sure, but it avoids that cheap, plasticky vibe entirely. It lands in that ‘just right’ zone – substantial enough to feel reassuring, light enough to maintain that portability. Now, let’s talk flex. Yes, if you really try to bend it, there’s a bit of give, and attempting a one-handed open does induce a slight wobble. But honestly, it’s within the expected range for this type of build and price point. It feels robust enough to handle the daily bumps and grinds of life, which is the real test, isn’t it?
Open up the Slim 3, and the screen bezels are pleasingly slim. It’s a detail that instantly makes the display feel more modern and immersive, drawing your focus right into the screen.
There’s a slight thickening at the top to house the webcam – available as either a 720p or a sharper 1080p version depending on the configuration. It thankfully includes a physical privacy shutter.
The hinge, however, is quite flexible, opening up to around 170 degrees. While it might visually suggest it could go further, trust us, 170 is your limit. Trying to push it beyond that is a risky game you probably don’t want to play unless you’re a fan of impromptu stress tests and have a good repair shop on speed dial. Let’s just say, proceed with caution beyond that point!
Keyboard time! Number crunchers, rejoice – a numpad is present! Lenovo has cleverly squeezed it in, but it’s nestled quite close to the main keyboard, making the numpad keys a tad narrower than standard. If you have larger hands, there might be a slight adjustment period. The main keyboard itself is an ‘island-style’ layout and generally feels comfortable to type on. However, the Enter key is a bit on the small side for our liking, and those up and down arrow keys… well, they are tiny. Like, really tiny. You’ll get used to them, but be prepared for a bit of finger gymnastics initially. The left and right arrow keys, thankfully, are generously sized.
Now, about keyboard backlighting – or rather, the lack thereof. Our base model Slim 3 doesn’t have it, and sadly, it’s a feature that seems to be configuration-dependent. So, if backlit keys are a must-have for you, double-check the specs before you buy. Similarly, there’s no fingerprint reader on our unit, though some higher-end configurations apparently offer one integrated into the power button.
The trackpad, though, is a genuine highlight. It’s generously sized and feels wonderfully smooth and responsive under the fingertips. Gestures are a breeze, and it simply feels… premium. It’s a pleasure to use, and honestly, it punches above its weight in this department.
So, initial impressions on design and construction? The IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ is making a surprisingly strong case for itself. It feels like a well-considered, portable machine built for the everyday grind without emptying your wallet. There are a few minor compromises, like the slightly cramped numpad and the lack of keyboard backlight and privacy shutter on some models, but overall, the design is thoughtful and the build quality is reassuring for the price. For everyday tasks and on-the-go productivity, the Slim 3’s design certainly holds up. But how does it actually *perform*?
Ports
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 offers a reasonable selection of ports for everyday use. On the left side, you’ll find the power input, an HDMI 1.4 port, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The HDMI 1.4 standard allows for output to external displays at resolutions up to 4K, but is limited to a 30Hz refresh rate at that resolution, which may not be ideal for smooth visuals, especially for fast-paced video content or gaming. The USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port is versatile, supporting data transfer at speeds up to 5 Gbps, Power Delivery for charging compatible devices or the laptop itself, and DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode, enabling connection to external displays via USB-C at up to 4K resolution with a smoother 60Hz refresh rate.
On the right side of the laptop, there is an SD card reader for photographers and those working with media, and a full-size USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, offering the same 5 Gbps data transfer speeds as the USB-C port but without the display or power delivery capabilities. It’s worth noting that there are no ports on the front or rear of the device.
For users needing to connect to multiple displays, this laptop officially supports up to three independent displays in total – the built-in screen plus two external monitors. These external displays can be connected via the HDMI port and the USB-C port. Keep in mind the resolution and refresh rate limitations mentioned earlier: 4K at 30Hz via HDMI and 4K at 60Hz via USB-C. While the port selection covers the basics, users needing faster data transfer speeds than 5 Gbps, higher refresh rates at 4K via HDMI, or more advanced Thunderbolt capabilities should consider if these ports meet their specific needs.
Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 | LEN156FHD (LEN9051) |
Diagonal | 15.6 inches (39.6 cm) |
Panel Type | TN |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Pixel Density | 142 PPI |
‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 60 cm |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are not wide enough. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8: the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 50% of the sRGB color gamut and 40% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 covers 50% of the sRGB gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 255 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 242 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 12%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6470K.
The contrast ratio is 390:1.
HDR is not supported
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 181 nits (Windows slider = 91%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8. We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Before our calibration of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8, the Average color accuracy was 10.0 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Office profile, it lowered to 3.5 dE (Fig. 3).
Comparison in the sRGB color space.
Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Office profile aims to deliver:
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Office Profile


Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Gaming and Movies profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness..
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 9.0 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The light from the backlight of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates harmful PWM when the laptop uses it to control brightness but also reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8’s screen is 51.1 GU.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 configurations with LEN156FHD (LEN9051), 1920 х 1080, TN panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.

Design and Office
The Design and Office profile makes display colors as close to real as possible.Ideal not only for professionals but also for everyday users, it meets sRGB standards (D65 white point, sRGB gamma) with minimal DeltaE for precise color reproduction on your panel.

Gaming and Movies
Have you ever watched a movie where, during dark scenes, you can barely see anything? Many displays fail to distinguish dark tones properly. Our Gaming and Movies profile enhances low-light performance, like HDR tech, using a gamma curve tailored to human perception — ideal for gamers seeking faster reactions and clearer visuals.

Health-Guard
Our Health-Guard profile protects your eyes by eliminating PWM flickering, reducing strain and fatigue, and minimizing harmful Blue light exposure that can disrupt sleep and health. It uses software dimming and a gamma curve tailored to human perception for comfort and safety during screen use.
Get All The Profiles With 33% Discount!
Sound
The sound of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 is of relatively good quality. In the subjective listening of a sound file, the low, middle and high frequencies have deviations in purity.
Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage
All performance tests are conducted with Performance mode set in Lenovo Vantage.
CPU and Work Performance
You have A LOT of choices regarding the CPU in Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″. We decided to go with one of the slowest options – Intel Core i3-N305, and now we wish we didn’t. But hey, at least you can make a better choice, right?
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Results are from the Cinebench R23 CPU test (the higher the score, the better)
GPU and Gaming Performance
Our Intel Core i3-N305 unit runs with its integrated Intel UHD Graphics Xe 750 (32EU) which is powerful enough to let you watch 4K videos on YouTube, and do your office tasks.
You can find the performance rating of all the GPUs on the market in our Top Laptop Graphics Ranking.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (15", 2023) GPU variants
Here you can see an approximate comparison between the GPUs that can be found in the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (15", 2023) models on the market. This way you can decide for yourself which Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (15", 2023) model is the best bang for your buck.
Note: The chart shows the cheapest different GPU configurations so you should check what the other specifications of these laptops are by clicking on the laptop’s name / GPU.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
Results are from the 3DMark: Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the 3DMark: Wild Life (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the Unigine Superposition benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Gaming tests
Feeling adventurous, we decided to try playing the heavy Shadow of the Tomb Raider game on this machine. Turns out, if you’re not pretentious, you can still try a game or two.
In 720p, at the Lowest graphics settings, the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark got us 27 FPS on average. Barely playable, but still playable!
Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Full HD, Lowest (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Highest (Check settings) |
Average FPS | 27 FPS | – | – | – |
Counter Strike 2 feels so smooth (after you’ve played Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 27 FPS), with its 40+ frames per second:
Counter Strike 2 | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Very High (Check settings) |
Average FPS | 42 FPS | – | – |
Storage performance
Micron 2400 is the NVMe SSD in Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 (15IAN8). It’s not a fast SSD by any means but it’s still a ‘modern’ NVMe SSD. And it’s powerful enough for snappy everyday work.
Temperatures and Comfort
Temperatures
All measurements are taken 5 minutes after starting the test.
Test | CPU | GPU |
Idle | 34ºC | 32ºC |
Watching YouTube videos in 4K | 35ºC | 33ºC |
Gaming | 63ºC | 61ºC |
CPU Rendering | 68ºC | 60ºC |
Yes, Slim 3 Gen 8 is not a powerful laptop, there’s no debate. But it’s engineered in a way to last for many years ahead, as it’s cooling system keeps its internals cool even under 100% load.
Battery Life
We’ve tested the battery life of IdeaPad Slim 3 in Battery Saver mode, Panel Self Refresh: On, Display Power Savings: Off.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better



Upgrade options
Sadly, the LPDDR5-4800 memory is NOT upgradable – it’s soldered to the motherboard.
At least we have an M.2 2242 SSD, although some models are equipped with Flash Memory (UFS 3.1) instead which is much slower.
You can read a detailed guide on how to open the IdeaPad Slim 3 here:
https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles_pub/ideapad_slim_3_hmm.pdf
Verdict
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 positions itself as a budget-friendly laptop aimed at students and everyday users who need a portable machine for general tasks. From our time with it, the “Slim” in its name certainly rings true. Its standout feature is undoubtedly its portability – it’s remarkably thin and light, making it a great option if you’re constantly on the move. The design is clean and understated, and the fingerprint-resistant finish is a welcome touch for keeping it looking tidy. While the build is primarily plastic, it feels reasonably solid for its class, though the hinge could be a bit smoother.
In terms of usability, the keyboard is generally comfortable for typing, although the number pad feels a little squeezed in, and some might find the arrow keys a bit fiddly. The spacious and responsive trackpad is a definite plus. Performance-wise, it’s not a powerhouse, but it handles everyday tasks smoothly and stays cool under pressure. Gamers will need to keep expectations low and stick to undemanding titles at lower settings. One crucial point to consider is the display. Our test unit came with a TN panel which, frankly, leaves something to be desired in terms of brightness and contrast. However, Lenovo also offers configurations with a superior IPS display, and for users prioritizing screen quality, opting for the IPS version is highly recommended. Also, be mindful of storage options, as some configurations might come with slower UFS storage, which is something to avoid if possible.
Ultimately, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15″ Gen 8 is a competent budget laptop that prioritizes portability and practicality. It makes sensible compromises to achieve its price point, and while it’s not without its shortcomings, particularly the base TN screen, it offers a solid package for users with basic needs and a focus on on-the-go usage. Carefully consider your configuration options, especially regarding the display and storage, to ensure it aligns with your specific requirements.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/lenovo-ideapad-slim-3-15-2023/
Pros
- Very portable and lightweight design
- Sleek and minimalist aesthetics
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- Comfortable keyboard and spacious trackpad
- Quiet and cool operation even under load
- Fast storage for a budget laptop (NVMe SSD)
Cons
- Base TN screen has low brightness and contrast
- Modest performance suitable for basic tasks only
- Optional keyboard backlight and fingerprint reader
Lenovo has 48 laptop series. Why?
Only the IdeaPad 3 Slim series are 39 (for now 😬)
