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日本Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (16 AMD, Gen 8) review – well-priced quiet 16-inch transformer
Verdict
If you are looking to buy a big 2-in-1 laptop without breaking the bank, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (16″ AMD, Gen 8) should be on your shortlist. The notebook offers a good bang for the buck.
It has a big IPS 16:10 touch display (LEN160WUXGA (LEN8156)) with comfortable viewing angles and a good contrast ratio. Still, the sRGB color coverage is low but that’s okay because this machine isn’t meant for content creation or other color-sensitive work. The optional stylus works really well, the gliding is smooth, and the unit is cozy for work because of its thick diameter.
The performance is up to the standard because of the refreshed AMD Zen 3+ CPU of our machine and the good cooling system. The latter has just two heat pipes and one cooling fan that is unusually (near) quiet even during long periods of 100% CPU stress. In this scenario, the temperature of the processor is just 72°C and that’s a much better result compared to the other two tested devices with the same chip.
The cooling capabilities of the laptop are enhanced thanks to the integrated lever system of the lid that is lifting the back of the laptop when you get past a certain angle. If you switch down from Extreme Performance mode to Intelligent Cooling or Battery Saving mode, the noise that is coming from the fan will be even lower.
The keyboard is comfortable for typing with its decent key travel and clicky feedback. It also has a NumPad for the accountants and a backlight for the ones who prefer to work in a dimmed environment. The touchpad is a bit smaller for our liking but it has a Mylar surface that allows smooth gliding so we’re happy.
The durability of the chassis is good for the most part. You can bend the lid but only slightly and the base is almost stable, excluding the scenario where the lid is rising the back of the base so the rubber foot can’t reach the desk, and the section between the hinges is a bit bendable if you press it harder.
The upgrade options are a bit of a letdown but that’s kind of normal for the majority of inexpensive convertibles. You get soldered memory and the maximum amount of RAM is 16GB of LPDDR4x-4266MHz RAM which should be enough for most people (for now). At least the memory is working in dual-channel mode which boosts the CPU and iGPU performance. In terms of storage, there is just one M.2 slot for 2242 Gen 4 SSDs that is downgraded to Gen 3 speeds due to the used platform limitations. But hey, the battery life is long enough for more than one working day away from the charger – 11 hours and 7 minutes of Web browsing or 10 hours of video playback! The capacity of the battery is just 52.5Wh, so the result is good.
The port selection is adequate given the end price of this 16-incher – an HDMI 1.4b connector, a USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen. 2) port with Power Delivery and DisplayPort capabilities, an Audio jack, two USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) ports, and an SD card reader. Actually, that sounds pretty good.
If you like to play some games from time to time, this Lenovo laptop has a potent iGPU that can handle light games such as CS:GO on Low or Medium details with more than 60FPS. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (16″ AMD, Gen 8) is meant for people who are looking to buy an inexpensive 2-in-1 laptop with a big touchscreen, long battery life, and good performance. The near-quiet fan and the low temperatures during heavy loads should be also important characteristics for most of you.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-16-amd-gen-8/
Pros
- Good battery life
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- Capable cooling
- Comfortable input devices
- No PWM (LEN160WUXGA (LEN8156))
- SD card reader
- Fingerprint reader
- Rigid chassis
- Near-quiet fan
- Adequate I/O
Cons
- Soldered memory and just one M.2 slot
- 50% sRGB coverage (LEN160WUXGA (LEN8156))
Niestety mam Lenovo flex 5 z 14″ wyświetlaczem i od razu odradza zakup, niestety wylamuja się zawiasy z obudowy wyświetlacza bo działają dość ciężko i firma odrzuca taki sprzęt z gwarancji bo jak twierdzą do otwierania została użyta siła, są nawet wpisy na forum Lenovo i znalazłem też info w sieci że stanach uznają takie reklamację A u nas naprawa może sięgnąć 1000 zł