The Novo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD is a large-screen budget laptop with a bright 15.6-inch display, a comfortable keyboard, enough power for daily productivity work, and even a little more.
The IdeaPad 330 series is available in three screen-size variants (14, 15.6, and 17.3-inches), allowing you to customize one to meet your specific requirements. Whichever version you select, you’ll get a low-cost system with a stylish, premium design and plenty of connectivity options.
The 15.6-inch Lenovo IdeaPad 330 15 AMD review focuses on the model with an 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130U processor, 8GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and Intel UHD Graphics 620.
That spec sheet appears typical of a budget notebook, but the durable design and class-leading productivity performance count greatly. It easily wins our Editors’ Choice for low-cost laptops.
The IdeaPad is also available with a Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive for a little more money. While competition is fierce in this segment, having the option of configuring the notebook of choice off the shelf is worth considering.
Novo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Design
The 2019 IdeaPad 330 measures 0.9 by 10.2 by 14.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 4.85 pounds, making it small and lightweight enough to be carried around. It is, however, lighter and more portable than some of its competitors. The Acer Aspire E15 (E5-576-392H), our budget laptop pick, weighs 5.27 pounds and measures 1.19 inches thick.
Its sleek platinum gray frame feels reasonably sturdy and could easily pass for an aluminum construction, which it isn’t. Metallic constructions are being seen in ultrabooks and high-end notebooks. This platinum gray profile is used in higher-end Lenovo systems and picks up dirt like other notebooks with the same material.
Display
The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD’s 15.6-inch 720p screen is perhaps the only flaw in this laptop, but it’s still bright and legible for a low-cost laptop. While competitors such as the Acer Aspire E5-576-392H (reviewed here) offer a full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, Lenovo chose a lower-resolution (1366 x 768) TN panel, which explains the low price you’re paying for this laptop.
You may not notice the low resolution, which is better than other budget notebooks in the same category with washed-out displays. You’ll have to do some angling before finding a spot that won’t wash out. It’s not great, but it’s not the worst either, so we’ll take it for the price.
To its credit, Lenovo does include an anti-glare coating on the screen, which eliminates reflections, making it the ideal choice for a sub-HD media machine if viewed from the correct angle.
Novo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Touchpad and Keyboard
The Lenovo IdeaPad 330 15 AMD has a non-backlit 6-row chiclet keyboard with well-spaced keys and a good grip. The arrow keys are well-placed, and the number pad on the right is a welcome addition. The keys have a short travel distance and a distinct pressure point. You can get around quickly; even fast typers will find the keys quite reliable.
The touchpad matches the rest of the device in color. It is slightly to the left but suitable for gesture control inputs. The pad’s setup menu allows you to customize the touchpad gestures. It responds well to Windows 10 gestures and accurately registers physical inputs.
Novo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Storage and Ports
Excellent I/O port options round out the Lenovo Ideapad 330 specs. It even has a Type-C port, which is uncommon in the budget laptop category. There are two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.0 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and an SD slot. SD cards are a great way to expand system storage and transfer media to SD cards.
Among the other features are a headphone jack, an Ethernet port, and a DVD drive. 802.11AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 provide wireless connectivity.
The system comes with a 1TB 5400RPM hard drive, so you won’t need to expand storage unless you have many files to store, but it’s nice to have the option. This capacity, however, is far greater than that of most low-cost Chromebooks. Furthermore, when you place your order, you can configure the system to include an SSD for storage.
Novo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD has an AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 2500U CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and an integrated Intel HD 620 graphics card. The Ryzen 5 is a quad-core chip designed for mainstream notebooks and Chromebooks that outperforms the AMD A12-9700P chips. As previously stated, the system is fully customizable, so you can choose a better CPU, graphics card, RAM size, and screen size when placing your order.
Both of these chips aren’t designed for heavy workloads, but they provide adequate performance for typical office tasks, and web applications can also suffice for light multitasking. The integrated Intel HD 620 graphics card is an improved version of its predecessor, allowing you to smoothly play most of 2015/2016 at low settings.
Battery Life
Battery life is typically a strong point for entry-level laptops, but the Lenovo IdeaPad 330 15 AMD laptop falls short. This IdeaPad 330 is inefficient, with disappointingly short battery life. On average, it lasts about 3 and 20 minutes on a single charge, which is quite low for a modern machine. The Aspire E 15 (E5-576-392H) has a battery life of 10 hours and 51 minutes on a single charge. Read More; New HP Spectre x360 Laptops Include Options with Intel Arc
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Review | Final Thoughts
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 330-15 AMD demonstrates how the company achieves its primary goal of producing a 15-inch laptop that is remarkably light, and they did so at a very affordable price that falls well within the budget range. And, for the most part, the IdeaPad 330 is a useful notebook – it provides solid productivity performance and has a good display, despite being behind the curve. However, its battery life suffers as a result of its quest for the most affordable crown.
Is there a better option?
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ is a good replacement for the IdeaPad 330. It has a Full HD (1920 X 1080) resolution, an Intel Core i5-8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a smaller chassis that isn’t too heavy and a backlit keyboard.
If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 convertible, the Lenovo Flex 14 81SS0005US is a great option, with an FHD touchscreen, a Stylus Pen, an AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card, and an AMD Ryzen 5 processor. It’s small and light, and the touchscreen adds functionality and longer battery life for college and business users. Read Also; Razer Blade 14 vs. MacBook Pro 14
Should you buy the Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD?
Yes. The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD is the most cost-effective, stylish, and functional full-size laptop. It’s one of the best options for college and office use. Otherwise, for a little more money, you can carry either of the two options above, which will provide a better performance, a Full HD display, and significantly longer battery life.
