The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 amd range is available in three screen-size variants (14, 15.6, and 17.3-inches), giving you the flexibility to configure one based on your needs. The IdeaPad 330 range is a big-screen budget laptop that delivers a bright 15.6-inch display, a comfortable keyboard, and enough horsepower for daily productivity work — and even a little more.
In this Lenovo IdeaPad 330 15 AMD review, we’re looking at the 15.6-inch model, which comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130U processor, 8GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and Intel UHD Graphics 620.
That specifications sheet looks like what you’d find on a typical budget notebook, but the durable design combined with class-leading productivity performance count. It is without a doubt worthy of receiving our Editors’ Choice award for budget laptops.
For a little bit more money, the IdeaPad is also offered with a Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 1TB solid-state drive. Getting the freedom to configure the notebook of choice off the shelves is worth considering, even though there is fierce competition in this market.
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 amd Tech Specs
| Processor | Up to 8th Gen Intel® Quad Core i7-8550U |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Graphics | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX1050Up to AMD Radeon 540Intel Integrated Graphics (Offerings vary by configuration) |
| Display | 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS15.6” HD (1366 x 768) |
| Memory | 4 GB onboard DDR4 + 8 GB DIMM4 GB onboard DDR4 + 4 GB DIMM4 GB onboard DDR4 + 2 GB DIMM16 GB DIMM4 GB onboard DDR416 GB Intel® Optane™ (optional) |
| Storage | 128 GB PCIe SSD256 GB PCIe SSD500 GB SATA HDD1 TB SATA HDD2 TB SATA HDD128 GB PCIe SSD + 1 TB SATA HDD256 GB PCIe SSD + 1 TB SATA HDD |
| Audio | 2 x 2 W speakers with Dolby Audio™ |
| Battery | Up to 6 hours*; Rapid Charge (Charge 15 minutes for up to 2 hours use†)*Based on testing with MobileMark 2014. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, & other factors.†Power-off mode; requires 65W power source |
| Keyboard | Standard keyboardBacklit numeric keyboard (optional) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 378 mm x 260 mm x 22.9 mm / 14.1″ x 10.2″ x 0.9″ |
| Weight | Starting at 2.2 kg / 4.85 lbs |
| Colors | Platinum GreyBlizzard WhiteMidnight BlueChocolateOnyx Black |
| WiFi/Bluetooth® | 1 x 1 AC WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Ports | USB Type-C 3.12 x USB 3.0 (one charging)HDMI4-in-1 card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)Audio jack |
Lenovo 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) weighs 5.27 pounds and is 1.19 inches thick. Its sleek platinum gray frame feels reasonably sturdy, and it easily passes for an aluminum build, which isn’t the case. Metallic constructions are being seen in ultrabooks and high-end notebooks.
This platinum gray profile is used in more expensive Lenovo systems, and it picks up dirt just like other notebooks with the same material..
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 amd Keyboard And Touchpad
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. Individually, the keys have a short travel distance and a distinct pressure point.
The keys are easy to use, and even fast typers will find them reliable. The touchpad is the same color as the rest of the device. It is slightly to the left, but it is 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.
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 amd Ports And Storage
The Lenovo Ideapad 330 specs are rounded out by excellent I/O port options. 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 in total. The SD card is a great way to expand system storage and transfer media to SD cards.
Other features include a headphone jack, Ethernet port, and DVD drive. Wireless connectivity is provided by 802.11AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1. The system comes with a 1TB 5400RPM hard drive, which means you won’t need to expand the storage unless you have a large number of files to store, but having the option is convenient.
This capacity, however, is far greater than that of most low-cost Chromebooks. Furthermore, when you place your order, you have the option of configuring the system to include an SSD for storage.
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 (see review here) readily 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’ll have to do some angling at first before you find a spot that won’t wash out.
It’s not great, but it’s not the worst; we accept it for the price. To Lenovo’s credit, the screen has an anti-glare coating that eliminates reflections, making it the ideal choice for a sub-HD media machine, provided you can view the screen from the right angle.
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, which means you can choose a better CPU, graphics card, RAM size, and even screen size when you place your order. Both of these chips aren’t designed for heavy workloads, but they provide adequate performance for typical office applications, and web applications can suffice for light multitasking. The integrated Intel HD 620 graphics card is an improved version of its predecessor, allowing you to play most of 2015/2016 at low settings smoothly.
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 amd 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 a disappointingly short battery life. On average, it lasts about 3 hours 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 51 minutes on a single charge.
Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD Review | Verdict
The Lenovo 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 alternative?
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 8th Gen processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a smaller chassis that isn’t too heavy, and it has a backlit keyboard.
If you want a 2-in-1 convertible with an FHD touchscreen and a stylus pen, an AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card, and an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, the Lenovo Flex 14 81SS0005US is an excellent choice. It’s small and light, and the touchscreen adds functionality and a longer battery life for college and business users.
Should you buy the Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD?
Yes. The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 AMD is the most affordable, stylish, and functional full-size laptop available. 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 better performance, a Full HD display, and significantly longer battery life.
