The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 enters the budget Snapdragon laptop arena with a compelling $850 price tag. This 2-in-1 offers a solid blend of features and performance, but how does it stack up against the competition? This review dives deep into the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1’s strengths and weaknesses, covering everything from design and display to performance and battery life.
Design and Build: Solid but Understated
The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 sports a practical, if somewhat unremarkable, design. The dark gray chassis with beveled edges offers a professional look, and the build quality is surprisingly robust for its price point, rivaling more expensive laptops. Lenovo’s signature camera hump at the top of the display, while unusual, provides a convenient grip for opening the lid. The 360-degree hinge allows for tablet mode, but its weight and thickness (3.28 pounds and 0.68 inches) make extended tablet use less comfortable.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 design
Keyboard and Trackpad: Comfortable Typing Experience
Lenovo continues its tradition of excellent keyboards with the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. The spacious layout and large keys provide a comfortable typing experience, although the key feel is slightly muted. The touchpad is responsive and adequately sized, though multi-touch gestures can feel a bit cramped. The touchscreen adds versatility, particularly in tablet or tent mode.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 keyboard
Display and Audio: Stunning OLED, Average Sound
The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1’s 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen is a standout feature. The vibrant colors and deep blacks offer an immersive viewing experience, rivaling much pricier laptops. While the 60Hz refresh rate and 1920×1200 resolution aren’t top-of-the-line, they are acceptable for a budget device. The upward-firing speakers provide decent volume and clarity but lack bass.
Lenovo Ideapad 5x 2-in-1
Performance: Snapdragon X Plus Holds Its Own
Powered by the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 performs admirably for its price. While not a powerhouse, it competes favorably with mid-range Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 7 laptops in everyday tasks. Performance in Arm-native applications is strong, but emulated apps can experience a slowdown. The integrated Adreno GPU struggles with demanding 3D applications and games.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 Cinebench results
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 Handbrake results
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 3DMark results
Battery Life: Good, But Not Great
The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 delivers respectable battery life, clocking in at around 14.5 hours in our video playback test. However, some competitors offer longer endurance. The 57 watt-hour battery and power-hungry OLED display likely contribute to this.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 battery life results
Connectivity: Modern and Legacy Ports
The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 offers a versatile selection of ports, including two USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. While the HDMI 2.1 port is limited to 4K at 30Hz, and the USB ports offer relatively low data speeds, the overall connectivity is good for a budget laptop. Wireless connectivity is excellent, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 connectivity
Conclusion: A Solid Value Proposition
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is a compelling choice for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a versatile laptop with a stunning OLED display. While its 3D graphics performance and battery life are not class-leading, its solid build quality, comfortable keyboard, and excellent connectivity make it a strong contender in the budget laptop market. If you prioritize everyday productivity and multimedia consumption, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is worth considering.