You Won't Believe the Insane Value of Lenovo's New $750 Laptop!

At this moment, the market for personal computers running Windows is thriving across both premium and mid-tier categories.

I’ve noticed a significant improvement in mid-tier laptops lately, and it seems the Snapdragon X platform is playing a big part in this enhancement. This technology offers impressive performance and energy efficiency, making it a game-changer for the budget-friendly laptop market.

One of my recent tests involved the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, which is among the first mid-range laptops I’ve encountered equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus. Priced at $750, this laptop boasts an all-day battery life, satisfactory performance for everyday tasks like productivity work, a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, and an outstanding 14-inch OLED touchscreen that accepts pen input.

Today, you can find it for only $750, which is remarkably affordable compared to a few years ago. Earlier models often compromised on aspects like display quality, trackpad functionality, performance, or battery life in order to reach this price point. However, it seems that these compromises are no longer necessary.

Experience the routine journey with a mid-tier 2025 model laptop, specifically the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. Here’s my comprehensive take on this latest release.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Pricing and specifications

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 comes in two variants, and the sole distinction lies in their storage capacity.

For an additional $50, you have the option to customize the IdeaPad 5x with either a 512GB or 1TB SSD storage capacity. The other specifications remain the same: it features a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 SoC, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch 1080p OLED display.

Lenovo markets this laptop under various slightly altered model names; some come with Intel processors, while others have AMD chips. The AMD variant goes by the name IdeaPad 5 2-in-1, and its Intel counterpart is called the IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1. Compared to the Snapdragon version, these models are more budget-friendly but offer less power and efficiency.

Typically, the Snapdragon model costs $849 for 512GB storage, but you can grab the 1TB version at Lenovo for only $749 – quite a steal! The Intel and AMD models retail at $499 and $549 each. It’s important to mention that the Snapdragon model is unique as it operates as a Copilot+ PC, thanks to its robust Neural Processing Unit (NPU) delivering over 40 TeraOps of power.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Design and display

Design & display highlights

The IdeaPad 5 utilizes a professional and minimalist design.
The display is a 13.8-inch touchscreen OLED panel and it looks great.
The laptop is compact with plenty of USB ports and full-size HDMI out.
Design rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The IdeaPad 5x from Lenovo is quite standard yet appealing, boasting both visual and tactile charm. Its full-metal body remains cool to the touch and offers a satisfying grip. The “Luna Grey” finish does an impressive job of masking fingerprints and smudges, which is typically a pet peeve for me.

The design of the IdeaPad 5x follows a common pattern, making it easily identifiable as a Lenovo laptop. However, from afar, it doesn’t make a strong visual impact due to its lack of striking features when compared to some contemporary designs. While this might be acceptable for some, it’s important to note that its design is rather understated and unremarkable.

The build quality of IdeaPad 5x is top-notch. It’s constructed robustly, showing minimal flex from the outer shell. Unfortunately, its strong hinge makes it difficult to open with just one hand, but on the bright side, it doesn’t wobble while typing and remains stable even when you press on it gently with your finger.

This laptop has a slim design, measuring approximately 0.68 inches when closed, making it easily fit into most backpacks without any hassle. It weighs around 3.28 pounds, which isn’t excessively heavy, but you may start to notice its weight after prolonged use as a tablet. For reference, the Surface Laptop 7 (13.8 inches) is slightly lighter at about 1.34 kg, and this difference becomes apparent when holding them together.

This device offers a variety of connectivity options. There are two fast USB-C ports supporting speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second, one is located on the left side, while the other two USB-A ports, each capable of 5 Gigabits per second, can be found on the right. Additionally, there’s an HDMI 2.1 port on the left, and a microSD card reader for easy data transfer. The laptop is charged via USB-C and comes with a 65W charger included in the package.

As you shift your gaze to the screen, the IdeaPad 5x boasts a stunning 14-inch, 16:10, 1080p OLED touchscreen panel. Given that it’s an OLED display, colors appear vibrant with incredibly deep blacks and can reach approximately 396 nits in brightness during my tests. While it may not be the most luminous OLED laptop display, it should still provide more than satisfactory indoor viewing.

The main disadvantage of OLED screens lies in their relatively low refresh rate at 60Hz. As an increasing number of laptops, even those within mid-range categories, come equipped with 120Hz displays, the slower 60Hz refresh rate is starting to appear noticeably outdated and sluggish compared to the smoother performance offered by faster screens. If you’ve never experienced a higher refresh rate, 60Hz might suffice; however, once you make the switch to something with a faster refresh rate, you’ll likely notice a significant improvement.

As a researcher examining the IdeaPad 5x, I’ve discovered that it is compatible with pen input. Unfortunately, Lenovo doesn’t include a stylus in the package, and since I don’t have one from them for testing, I can’t personally vouch for its performance. Moreover, the laptop itself lacks a storage compartment for a stylus, meaning you’ll need to carry it separately if you decide to purchase one.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Keyboard and trackpad

Keyboard and trackpad hghlights

The keyboard is soft to the touch and excellent to type on.
The keys feature 1.3mm of travel and provide satisfying feedback.
The trackpad is nicely sized and smooth but isn’t haptic.
Design rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In terms of design, I find it very convenient when both the keyboard and trackpad are positioned centrally on a laptop, avoiding any unusual offsets associated with sidebars, arrow keys, or number pads. This central placement ensures that I don’t have to strain while typing or navigating the mouse, as I wouldn’t be angled awkwardly.

Switching over to this keyboard I found quite delightful, as I typed away. It offers 1.3mm key travel for a satisfying tactile feedback and its keys have a soft, comfortable feel. What’s more, it is incredibly quiet while typing, making it an ideal companion when you need to work peacefully in a serene atmosphere.

On this IdeaPad 5, both my hands and wrists find ample space, with the palm resting beneath the keyboard and the trackpad sized appropriately, eliminating discomfort from tired hands during typing sessions. Many laptops may sacrifice keyboard deck space, causing your wrists to hang over the edges. However, this issue was absent in my experience with the IdeaPad 5. Additionally, the keyboard shows minimal flex, indicating a robust construction.

Similar to many Copilot+ PCs, the IdeaPad 5 comes equipped with a Copilot key. By customizing it, you can set it up to launch Windows Search instead, if you seldom find use for Copilot. I’m glad Microsoft has incorporated this flexibility in adjusting the function of the button, as I personally prefer not to have a dedicated Copilot key.

Moving onto the trackpad, it’s quite good and appropriately sized, though not the largest I’ve come across on a Windows laptop. Unfortunately, it’s not haptic feedback, which is a minor downside, but given the price, it’s manageable. The trackpad operates smoothly with a click mechanism that isn’t overly loud or forceful.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Performance and battery

Performance and battery highlights

The Snapdragon X Plus offers good performance and battery life for this price point.
It’s excellent for productivity-based workflows such as Office, online meetings, email, and entertainment.
Battery life is good and should get you through most of the day without issues.
Design rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was excited to try out the IdeaPad 5x since it would give me my first experience with the Snapdragon X Plus processor. So far, I’ve been exclusively using the X Elite, which I adore. However, you might wonder if the Snapdragon X Plus would be a significant step down from my usual routine, like using a Windows on Arm laptop. Fortunately, it turns out that it isn’t!

In essence, my daily tasks mainly involve navigating the web, handling emails, composing documents with Office tools, participating in video conferences on Google Meet and Teams, interacting through Slack and Telegram, and occasionally editing pictures in Photoshop. The Snapdragon X Plus in the IdeaPad 5x handles all these tasks seamlessly, leaving me unaware that I’m using anything but a high-performance chip.

In everyday usage, you likely won’t notice the difference between the chip in this device and the Snapdragon X Elite, as the Snapdragon X Plus performs admirably. However, when running synthetic benchmarks, the Snapdragon X Elite outperforms the Snapdragon X Plus. But for most users, the performance gap won’t have a significant impact on their daily tasks and workflow.

In Geekbench 6 benchmark tests, the IdeaPad 5x demonstrates a commendable performance of 11,128 in multi-core and 2,407 in single-core CPU assessments. This positions it comfortably among other laptops such as the Lenovo Yoga 7 equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS and the Yoga 9i powered by an Intel Core i7-155U.

In the CrossMark test, which showcases x86 performance on a device powered by Snapdragon, the IdeaPad 5x slightly trails behind the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with Snapdragon X Plus. However, it outperforms the Intel-equipped Surface Laptop Go 3.

On the IdeaPad 5x, the Solid State Drive (SSD) performance is impressive, boasting a read speed of 6136 megabytes per second (MB/s) and a write speed of 4672 MB/s in our CrystalDiskMark test. This puts it on par with the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X, while outperforming the Surface Laptop 7 significantly.

Regarding battery performance, the IdeaPad 5x offers impressive endurance. Compared to other modern Windows on Arm laptops, it boasts outstanding battery life. The 57 Whr battery combined with the energy-efficient Snapdragon X Plus ensures an entire day’s use without needing a recharge. I typically finish an eight-hour workday with around 20% battery remaining.

During our Procyon Office test, the IdeaPad 5x managed to last a remarkable 15 hours and 37 minutes before its battery ran out completely. This is significantly longer than many laptops from just a few years ago, but it falls short when compared to some other Windows on Arm laptops currently available in the market.

All in all, I’m satisfied with the efficiency and battery duration of the IdeaPad 5x. However, it could use improvement in terms of graphics performance, as the X Plus GPU doesn’t offer exceptional power. In our 3DMark Steel Nomad test, the IdeaPad 5x scored a modest 235 points.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Everything else

On the IdeaPad 5x, you’ll find a webcam situated at the top of the screen that delivers satisfactory performance. This camera is boosted with Windows Studio Effects, a unique feature exclusively available on Copilot+ PCs like this one. Additionally, it comes equipped with a manual privacy cover, a feature I’ve always found useful.

The camera sensor records 1080p images of decent quality suitable for use on a computer. Similarly, the integrated microphone functions well and produces clear sound, although it’s not particularly impressive.

The laptop comes equipped with speakers fine-tuned by Dolby Atmos, however, it should be noted that their audio performance is on par with typical laptop speakers. They’re strategically placed beside the keyboard and emit sound upward, resulting in clearer audio compared to those that shoot downward or are concealed beneath the keyboard. However, despite this arrangement, the overall audio system doesn’t offer an extraordinary listening experience.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m really impressed with the IdeaPad 5x’s biometric feature – a swift and precise fingerprint reader situated on the right side beneath the keyboard. Although I usually lean towards face unlock on Windows laptops, given the affordable price range, it makes sense why it wasn’t included here. Personally, I’d choose the speedy fingerprint scanner over having to enter my PIN each time.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅ You want an affordable Windows on Arm laptop that’s good at day-to-day tasks

One budget-friendly option for Windows on Arm laptops is the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x, offering a durable construction, top-notch screen, and solid everyday functionality and energy efficiency.

✅ You need a reliable device that can play the role of both laptop and tablet when needed

Should you be in search of a versatile device with long battery life that functions as both a laptop and a tablet, the IdeaPad 5x would be an outstanding selection due to its 360-degree hinge, high-quality screen, and stylus compatibility.

You should not buy this if …

❌ Your workflow requires more power and compatibility

The Snapdragon X Plus excels at everyday tasks geared towards productivity, including office work, web surfing, conferences, emails, and media consumption. While it can manage simple creative tasks like photo and video editing, it was not primarily designed for such purposes.

All in all, I find the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus chip, to be quite impressive. It’s a versatile mid-range laptop running on Windows on Arm that offers an attractive screen, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, and outstanding performance and energy efficiency for its cost.

If you’re on the hunt for an affordable laptop that excels in productivity tasks and is user-friendly, the IdeaPad 5x could be your ideal companion, boasting a performance that doesn’t disappoint, despite its somewhat plain appearance.

2025-02-12 20:11

You Won’t Believe the Insane Value of Lenovo’s New $750 Laptop!