💻 Lenovo V14 G4 IRU Review: An Affordable 13th Gen Workhorse
The budget-friendly laptop market is fiercely competitive, and the Lenovo V14 G4 IRU is Lenovo's answer for students and professionals seeking a reliable machine without breaking the bank. Equipped with a modern 13th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a snappy 256GB SSD, this 14-inch model aims to deliver solid performance for everyday tasks under the Windows 11 Home ecosystem.
Here is a deep dive into what the Lenovo V14 G4 IRU offers, focusing on its design, performance, and overall value proposition.
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| Lenovo V14 G4 IRU |
📐 Design and Build Quality: Function Over Form
The V14 G4 IRU adheres to a no-frills, practical design philosophy often seen in Lenovo's V-series, which is primarily targeted at business and general use.
Exterior
The laptop features a relatively simple Business Black or Iron Grey chassis, often made from PC-ABS plastic for both the top and bottom covers. While this material choice keeps the cost down and the weight manageable, it may not offer the premium feel of its metal-clad siblings.
Portability: Weighing in at around 1.43 kg (3.15 lbs) and measuring approximately 19.9 mm thick, the V14 G4 is acceptably portable for a 14-inch device. It easily slips into a backpack, making it a viable option for daily commuting.
Display
The laptop sports a 14-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare display. Depending on the specific configuration, the panel might be a more budget-oriented TN (Twisted Nematic) panel with 250 nits of brightness and 45% NTSC color gamut, or a slightly better IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel with 300 nits.
Usability: The anti-glare coating is excellent for reducing reflections in brightly lit offices or classrooms. However, the brightness and color reproduction (especially with the TN panel option) are generally sufficient for indoor office work but might struggle with outdoor use or color-critical tasks like graphic design.
🚀 Performance: The 13th Gen Advantage
The core of this model is the 13th Generation Intel Core i3-1315U processor. This is a significant upgrade from previous generations, offering a modern hybrid architecture.
Processor and Graphics
The Core i3-1315U is a U-series processor designed for efficiency, featuring 6 Cores (2 Performance-cores and 4 Efficient-cores) and 8 Threads, with a P-core Max Turbo Frequency of up to 4.5 GHz.
Everyday Tasks: For general computing—including web browsing with multiple tabs, document editing, video conferencing, and managing email—the i3-1315U performs remarkably well. It handles daily multitasking with noticeable speed and responsiveness, making it a powerful foundation for a budget machine.
Integrated Graphics: Graphics are handled by the Integrated Intel UHD Graphics. Since the i3 processor typically defaults to the UHD configuration (as opposed to the more powerful Iris Xe on higher-end i5/i7 chips with dual-channel RAM), this is strictly a non-gaming and non-heavy-rendering setup. It’s perfectly capable of handling video playback, 2D office applications, and basic photo editing.
Memory and Storage
The configuration comes with 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and a 256GB SSD M.2 NVMe.
RAM: 8GB is the recommended baseline for a comfortable Windows 11 experience. It allows for smooth multitasking, though users who frequently run several heavy applications simultaneously might wish for an upgrade. Importantly, the V14 G4 often features a soldered 8GB module plus one empty SO-DIMM slot, allowing for a user-installable upgrade to 16GB (8GB soldered + 8GB SO-DIMM) for better performance and dual-channel support.
SSD: The 256GB NVMe SSD is fast, ensuring quick boot times and rapid application loading. While 256GB may feel limiting for users with large media libraries, it is adequate for standard software and documents. The good news is that many models with the 38Wh battery may include a secondary 2.5-inch drive bay (for a SATA HDD/SSD), offering an easy and cost-effective expansion option.
🔌 Connectivity and Features
Lenovo has equipped the V14 G4 with a commendable selection of ports for a modern work laptop.
Ports
Connectivity is a strong point, avoiding the common need for cumbersome dongles:
1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.2)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 1
1x USB 2.0
1x HDMI 1.4b
1x Ethernet (RJ-45)
1x Headphone / microphone combo jack
1x Power connector
The inclusion of a full-size RJ-45 Ethernet port is a definite advantage for business environments that require a stable wired network connection.
Other Features
Webcam: An HD 720p camera with a Privacy Shutter is included, a necessity for privacy-conscious users in the age of video calls.
Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio deliver decent, if not exceptional, sound for video meetings and light entertainment.
Networking: Modern Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2) and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast, reliable wireless connections.
🔋 Battery Life and Operating System
The laptop is powered by an Integrated 38Wh battery.
Endurance: A 38Wh battery is on the smaller side for a 14-inch work laptop. While the efficient Core i3-1315U helps stretch the battery life, users should expect respectable but not outstanding endurance. It will likely last through a typical morning of light work, but an afternoon recharge will probably be necessary.
Operating System: It comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home, providing a modern, secure, and user-friendly operating system right out of the box.
⭐ Conclusion and Value
The Lenovo V14 G4 IRU with the Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD configuration is a highly competent machine designed for value and everyday productivity.
👍 Pros
Modern Performance: The 13th Gen Core i3 CPU offers excellent speed for daily tasks.
Essential Ports: Comprehensive port selection, including Ethernet and USB-C.
Upgradeability: The combination of soldered and SO-DIMM RAM, along with an optional secondary storage drive slot (in some configurations), offers flexibility for future upgrades.
Snappy Storage: Fast NVMe SSD ensures a responsive experience.
👎 Cons
Display Quality: The entry-level TN or 45% NTSC IPS panel might not satisfy users requiring excellent color accuracy or high brightness.
Limited Base RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD are the minimum standard for comfortable use in 2025.
Battery Size: The 38Wh battery is adequate but may not get you through a full, heavy workday without plugging in.
The Verdict
The Lenovo V14 G4 IRU is an ideal choice for students, small business owners, and home users who need a fast, reliable, and future-proofed (thanks to the 13th Gen i3) laptop for office work, online classes, and general media consumption. Its excellent CPU performance and upgrade potential compensate significantly for its budget-conscious display and battery. If you prioritize raw processing speed and connectivity over premium build materials or screen quality, this V14 G4 configuration offers outstanding value.