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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 vs HP Essential 14" Laptop

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is the better laptop for almost everyone. It has a sharper 1080p screen, a quad-core Ryzen 5, a 256GB SSD and USB-C, and its 4.7 rating from 293 owners backs that up. The HP Essential 14 is lighter and smaller, but its 1366 x 768 panel, dual-core Celeron and 64GB eMMC make it slow for anything beyond browsing and email. Buy the HP only if you want the smallest, lightest machine for basic tasks and long battery life.

  • Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if you want a fast everyday laptop with a sharp screen, real storage and enough power for school, work and light gaming.
  • Choose the HP Essential 14 if you mostly browse, write and stream, and you value a smaller, lighter body and long battery life over speed and screen quality.

Prices

  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8: $349.99 at Best Buy (checked today)
  • HP Essential 14" Laptop: $161.00 at vipoutlet.com (last seen Nov 6)
  • Difference: the HP Essential 14" Laptop is $188.99 cheaper than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 at the latest prices (Nov 6 and Nov 9)
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 15.6" Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5)

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 15.6" Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5)

4.7(293 ratings)
$349.99at Best BuyObserved at 2:36 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Best Buy
Pros
  • Sharp 1080p screen with narrow bezels
  • Quad-core Ryzen 5 handles multitasking and light gaming
  • 256GB SSD is fast and roomy for apps and files
  • USB-C, HDMI and a privacy shutter on the webcam
  • Strong 4.7 owner rating from a large sample
Cons
  • Heavier at 3.6 lb
  • 8GB RAM is soldered and not expandable on many configs
  • 256GB fills up if you store lots of video
HP
HP Essential 14" Laptop

HP Essential 14" Laptop

3.3(11 ratings)
$161.00at vipoutlet.comObserved Nov 6, 2026, 5:25 PM
See all prices and details
Visit vipoutlet.com
Pros
  • Light at 3.2 lb and compact at 14 inches
  • Rated up to 9 to 10 hours of battery life
  • USB-C with DisplayPort plus two USB-A ports
  • RAM can be upgraded to 16GB
  • Includes a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription
Cons
  • Low-resolution 1366 x 768 screen
  • Dual-core Celeron is slow for heavy multitasking
  • 64GB eMMC storage is small and slower than an SSD
  • Weak 3.3 rating from only 11 ratings

What separates them

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8HP Essential 14" Laptop
Display15.6-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080, anti-glare14-inch HD 1366 x 768, anti-glare, 250 nits
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 5, quad-core, up to 2.8 GHzIntel Celeron N4500, dual-core, 2 threads
Storage256GB SSD64GB eMMC
Memory8GB RAM8GB RAM, expandable to 16GB
PortsUSB-C, HDMI, USB-AUSB-C with DisplayPort, 2x USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack
Weight3.6 lb3.2 lb
BatteryRapid Charge Boost, no rating given41 Wh, rated up to 9 to 10 hours
Owner ratings4.7 out of 5 from 293 ratings3.3 out of 5 from 11 ratings

Price history

$379.99$161.00
Oct 31Nov 9
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8: lowest $349.99 on Nov 5 at Best Buy; $349.99 on Nov 9.
  • HP Essential 14" Laptop: lowest $161.00 on Nov 6 at vipoutlet.com; $254.99 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $349.99Observed at 2:36 PM
    Visit Best Buy
  • BJ's Wholesale ClubNew

    In stock

    $379.99Observed at 2:36 PM
    Visit BJ's Wholesale Club
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by joaco-6779 (0% positive, 0 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $400.00+ $15.43 shippingVerified
    Visit eBay
  • ShopimoNew

    Availability unknown

    $442.49Observed Nov 8, 2026, 1:27 AM
    Visit Shopimo

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 12 stores and price history →

HP Essential 14" Laptop

  • vipoutlet.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $161.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 5:25 PM
    Visit vipoutlet.com
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $199.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 5:25 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknown

    $254.99Observed at 12:43 PM
    Visit eBay
  • Newegg.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $269.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 5:25 PM
    Visit Newegg.com

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 9 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8HP Essential 14" Laptop
Resolution1920 x 10801366 x 768
Operating SystemWindows OSWindows OS
Processor BrandAMD CPUIntel CPU
Graphics ProcessorAMD GPUIntel GPU
Number Of CoresQuad CoreDual Core
ColorBlueWhite
With No-Glare ScreenYesYes
Available PortsUSB-C, HDMIHDMI
Weight3.6 lb3.2 lb
Drive Capacity256 GB drive64 GB drive
Screen Size15.6 inches14 inches
Installed Memory8 GB RAM8 GB RAM
Show all 22 specsShow fewer specs
SpecLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8HP Essential 14" Laptop
Processor Speed2.8 GHz CPU2.8 GHz CPU
Drive TypeSolid State Drive—
LanguageEnglish / North America—
Energy StarYes—
EPEAT-RegisteredYes—
Refresh Rate—60Hz
Battery Life—10 hours battery life
Max Supported RAM—16 GB Supported
Actual Color—Gold
Edition

What reviewers say

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8

  • 4.7 / 5293 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 293 ratings, buyers treat this as a solid value laptop for everyday tasks. They like the screen, the speed for the price and the light weight. The main complaints are the small storage and the 8 GB of memory.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the Ryzen 5 keeps up with browsing, office work and streaming.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 1080p no-glare screen is called clear and comfortable for long sessions.
  • WeightPraisedAt 3.6 lb it is considered light for a 15.6-inch laptop.
  • StorageCriticisedBuyers say the 256 GB drive fills up quickly.

HP Essential 14" Laptop

  • 3.3 / 511 ratings

Ratings are mixed at 3.3 out of 5 from 11 ratings. Buyers treat it as a basic machine that handles simple tasks but shows its limits under load.

What people mention
  • PerformanceCriticisedOwners say the dual-core Celeron feels slow once several browser tabs or apps are open.
  • StorageCriticisedThe 64GB eMMC leaves little free space after Windows and updates, and it writes slowly.
  • DisplayMixedThe anti-glare coating is welcome, but 1366 x 768 at 250 nits looks soft and dim.
  • PortabilityPraisedAt about 3.2 lb it is easy to carry between classes or rooms.

Questions and answers

Which is better for schoolwork and office apps?
The Lenovo. Its quad-core Ryzen 5 and 256GB SSD keep Word, browsers and video calls responsive, while the HP's dual-core Celeron and 64GB eMMC slow down with many tabs open.
Which has the better screen?
The Lenovo. Its 15.6-inch 1080p panel is sharper and shows more of a document or spreadsheet than the HP's 1366 x 768 14-inch screen.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The HP is rated up to 9 to 10 hours from its 41 Wh battery. Lenovo does not publish a runtime for the IdeaPad Slim 3, so expect the HP to go longer between charges.
Is the Lenovo worth stepping up to over the HP?
Yes for most people. The Lenovo gives you a faster CPU, a sharper screen and four times the storage, which matters more day to day than the HP's lighter weight.
Can I upgrade the memory or storage?
The HP supports up to 16GB RAM, though its 64GB eMMC is fixed. The Lenovo's 8GB is typically soldered, and its 256GB SSD can be swapped by a technician.
Which is easier to carry around?
The HP. At 3.2 lb and 14 inches it fits smaller bags, while the Lenovo is 3.6 lb and 15.6 inches.

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8GB RAM | 64GB eMMC