Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 is currently on sale for $699.
- It is a midrange laptop that’s great for work thanks to its solid hardware and clear audio.
- However, the display isn’t very vibrant and the keyboard is lackluster.
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When shopping for a 2-in-1 laptop, you have to weigh multiple characteristics: versatility, performance, and price. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i<!–> is one such device that checks off those boxes for budget-conscious buyers. It’s designed to maximize its value, delivering solid everyday performance across the board while remaining affordable.
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That said, it doesn’t excel in any particular category, offering satisfactory performance across the board. In that sense, the model doesn’t stand out from its rivals. I’d still recommend it, however, to anyone looking for a well-priced 2-in-1. Let’s take a closer look.
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Practicality over style
Like many IdeaPads before it, this laptop favors practically over flash. It sports a simple, all-gray chassis that blends into most office spaces. The device reminds me a lot of the recently released Acer Aspire 16 in terms of looks, although Lenovo’s PC is slightly bigger, measuring 14.02 x 10.04 x 0.77 inches and weighing 4.18 pounds. For comparison, the Aspire measures 14 x 9.85 x 0.63 inches and weighs 3.42 pounds.
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The difference isn’t massive, although the extra space does allow for a larger number pad that doesn’t compress the keys. It’s a small touch, but I think spreadsheet writers will appreciate it after hours of entering numbers.
Typing on the IdeaPad was a mixed experience. The keyboard is comfortable to work on thanks to the generous amount of space between the keys. But the keys themselves feel mushy, lacking the tactile feel that makes long typing sessions easy on the hands. The trackpad also took me some time getting used to. It sits left-aligned, leaving a significant amount of empty space to the right.
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The purpose of this layout is likely to give your wrist a place to rest, which is thoughtful of Lenovo. However, the trackpad is small, so it limits the range of motion. You’re forced to lift your finger more often to repeat movements just to get the cursor across the screen.
Mixed media
For a 2-in-1 laptop, the touchscreen is the standout feature. Unfortunately, Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5i stumbles here; it’s not great. Color accuracy is the first issue. The display looked noticeably dull, with washed-out tones and weak saturation. Reds, in particular, were noticeably less vivid.
I noticed this when looking at the Google Chrome logo and saw that the red portion at the top looked orange. On the bright side, the color contrast is great with deep black and vibrant whites.
Another problem was the glossy finish on the glass. It reflects a ton of light, making it difficult to watch content even at maximum brightness. Photographing the IdeaPad 5i for this review proved to be more challenging than with previous laptops I’ve reviewed, primarily due to this issue. With a maximum brightness of 300 nits, it is nearly impossible to see the screen in anything but ideal conditions and settings. More often than not, you’ll be staring at yourself.
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The 16-inch screen features a 16:10 aspect ratio, providing users with ample screen real estate for work. The pixel resolution is set at 1900 x 1200, ensuring that text and video look sharp, and the 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for on-screen animations while browsing and streaming movies. Also, the 1080p webcam is serviceable. You will look good in video calls, although it isn’t anything groundbreaking.
Audio performance is where the laptop surprised me. The IdeaPad 5i houses a pair of 2-watt speakers that support Dolby Audio. This allows them to deliver clean sound with a surprising soundstage. You can distinctly pick out vocals, guitar riffs, bass lines, and drums.
There is a catch: a low-volume ceiling. These speakers will not be filling an entire room. Still, the clarity is impressive. In my experience, most speakers opt for loud audio to mask a flat output. Lenovo did the opposite, and it pays off.
Lightweight performance
When it comes to performance, Lenovo’s laptop holds its own. The IdeaPad 5i runs on an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor, an integrated Intel graphics card, and 16GB of storage. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s well-suited to everyday productivity rather than raw power.
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In testing, the hardware handled my typical workloads (which included over 50 Chrome tabs, multiple video livestreams, Google Docs writing, Slack, Spotify, and some light editing) without major hiccups. The 2-in-1 hinge adds a lot of value, too. Editing apps feel more natural to navigate while in tablet mode.
I do wish a stylus was a part of the overall package. Instead, the accessory is a separate purchase. Another surprise came from the device’s benchmarking results in Cinebench 2024; specifically testing the computer’s ability to handle complex 3D rendering.
According to the hardware comparison platform NanoReview, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255U has an average Cinebench 2024 score of 568. In my tests, the IdeaPad 5i achieved a score of 674, indicating that it’s more capable of tackling heavy workloads than originally thought.
That said, I still wouldn’t count on this Lenovo PC for ultra-demanding workloads. It’s more that users pushing it to its limits on everyday tasks that will be surprised at its ability to hold its own.
The lead hardware helps with battery life, as it lasted about 12 hours on a single charge during my testing. Not quite the marathon battery life that I saw on the Aspire 16, but it can certainly last the entire workday – and then some – quite comfortably.
ZDNET’s buying advice
It boasts above-average performance, but the visual output might be too substandard for users looking for a vivid display. If you value versatility, you’ll more likely to enjoy this convertible PC, even if it’s not necessarily for me.
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If you’re looking for something more polished, the Acer Aspire 16 offers similar performance with a significantly better battery life. I also suggest the Dell 14 Plus. It’s a smaller PC with a sharper display.
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