HP Laptop 15 (2025) vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Both laptops are very similar and suit the same kind of buyer: both have equally quick processors, 8 GB of memory and 15-inch screens, and both run Windows. The main difference: only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has an SD card reader.
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Key differences
- Ports Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has an SD card reader.
- Extras HP Laptop 15 wins
Only the HP Laptop 15 has a backlit keyboard.
- Upgrades HP Laptop 15 wins
The HP Laptop 15's memory can be upgraded later; the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3's is fixed.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Laptop 15 if…
- You want a backlit keyboard, handy for typing in dim rooms.
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Core i3-N305 copes well with everyday tasks.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if…
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (50 Wh).
- You often work in bright rooms: its screen goes up to 300 nits.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 leads on battery and weight and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The HP Laptop 15 can be upgraded, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has faster memory.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel Core 3 100U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Partly upgradeable |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe M.2 | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | — | 2 |
Screen
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen, and the HP Laptop 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.6" | 15.3" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 62.5% sRGB | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | — | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is ahead on battery and weight.
It has a bigger battery and charges over USB-C, and the HP Laptop 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10.75 hours | Up to 14.5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 41 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 65 W |
| Charges via | barrel (HP smart pin) | USB-C (USB PD) and round-tip power connector |
| Fast charging | approx. 50% in 45 min | Rapid Charge Boost: 2 hours of runtime from a 15-minute charge |
| Weight | 1.59 kg | 1.59 kg |
| Dimensions | 359.8 x 236 x 18.6 mm | 343.4 x 239.5 x 16.9-17.9 mm |
| Materials | — | Aluminium top cover, PC-ABS bottom |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810H |
| Colour | Jet black | Luna Grey |
| Colours available | — | Cosmic Blue, Luna Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 7, and the HP Laptop 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-C 5Gbps (data only; no charging, no external monitors), 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps, charging via USB PD 45-65W, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x SD card reader, 1x round-tip power connector |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Each laptop has its strengths on extras.
The HP Laptop 15 has a backlit keyboard, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has a sharper webcam.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 1080p + IR |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | full-size, backlit, numeric keypad, mic mute key | 6-row, multimedia Fn keys, 1.3 mm key travel, numeric keypad, Copilot key |
| Login | — | Face |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad | Buttonless Mylar surface, multi-touch, Precision TouchPad, 75 x 120 mm |
| Speakers | Dual speakers | Stereo, 2x 2 W, Dolby Audio |
| Microphones | dual microphones | dual-microphone array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM (firmware), camera privacy shutter, mic mute key | TPM 2.0 (firmware), Camera privacy shutter, Windows Hello IR camera |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | HP Laptop 15 (2025) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | BQ7V3EA#ABU | 83KD000TUK |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |