Copyright Gizmodo
Here’s something wild: a one-year Microsoft 365 “Home and Business” subscription alone costs around $99 directly from Microsoft. So when you see a complete Lenovo IdeaPad 1i laptop bundled with that same subscription for just $279 instead of the usual $399, the math starts looking pretty ridiculous. You’re essentially getting a fully functional Windows 11 laptop (12GB RAM, 1TB cloud storage + 128GB SSD) for around $180 after accounting for the software value. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1i solves the fundamental problem that keeps so many people from upgrading their old, sluggish computers: cost. See at Amazon This package constitutes a record-low price for a fully-stocked laptop with genuine Microsoft software that comes out of the box. No trial programs, no subscriptions that you’ll need to remember to cancel but a whole year of Office programs with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook that work both online and offline. This subscription further includes 1TB OneDrive cloud storage per person for a maximum of six individuals. Performance That Handles Real Life The integrated Intel Celeron processor performs just as it should with typical internet browser work between several tabs, streamed video watching, Office program use and video conferences. It won’t hesitate or lag with the Celeron architecture prioritizing efficiency over raw muscle which means your laptop will remain cool and silent under normal use. You won’t be video editing 4K or running demanding games with this rig, but that’s likely why you’re looking at a sub-$300 laptop. The 12GB of RAM is where this laptop punches above its price class: Budget laptops usually scrimp here with 4GB or 8GB which causes that maddening slow down with a few browser tabs open at once alongside a Word document and Spotify. With 12GB, the system has enough memory to handle everything smoothly even with normal multitasking conditions. You’re free to switch between your email, a spreadsheet and a video call with no lag or having to wait for apps to refresh. This quantity of RAM also future-proofs the laptop to some extent, given that Windows 11 updates and browsers keep requiring more memory over time. Storage marries a 128GB solid-state drive with 1TB of cloud storage with OneDrive. You know how fast your laptop boots with an SSD: it boots almost instantly, not the agonizing minutes that will come to mind if you had older hard drive-based machines. Windows 11, your must-have apps, and your most frequently accessed files sit on this fast local storage. You cannot overestimate how much faster it will boot with an SSD compared to a hard drive: you go from flipping on your power button to getting work done under 20 seconds. The 15.6-inch anti-glare display benefits in real-world day-to-day use: Window or ceiling light glare will make a typical glossy screen reflective so you’re constantly adjusting your angle or straining via reflections. The anti-glare treatment scatters that light so you’re free to work comfortably in coffee shops, at a window, or under harsh office lighting. Text clarity at 1366 x 768 remains good for document work and it’s enough detail for occasional video watching. Last but not least, 11-hour battery life represents light usage such as document editing and internet surfing, but with moderate use such as video streaming, a full work day before recharging remains a reasonable expectation. At $279 with a year of Microsoft 365 thrown in, this laptop costs less than a lot of individuals spend on software. It’s one of our top picks right now.
