Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 (2019) Review: Budget laptop with premium design. Lenovo ideapad flex 14

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 (2019) Review: Budget laptop with premium design

Lenovo is best known for its legendary business notebooks, but the company also offers a number of more casual devices for consumers with modest needs and budgets. One of the newest models among these more modest offerings is the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 (2019), a budget laptop with a starting price of 450 USD and the flexibility of a Yoga notebook.

Design

In terms of design, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 has a similar look and feel as the Dell Chromebook 13 released in 2016 — the lid has a soft, almost rubber-like cover, the interior has a smooth dark silver color, and large rubber feet keep it from sliding on a desk. That’s where the comparison ends, though, as the IdeaPad Flex 14 is a much newer machine with a far more appealing display.

A glossy screen is surrounded by medium thickness bezels hidden beneath broad, shiny glass. The laptop’s overall aesthetic is sophisticated for such an inexpensive laptop; if you were handle it without knowing anything about it, you’d be fair in assuming — based on the design — that this model cost double its actual price.

Buyers are getting the familiar matte black look of the company’s premium ThinkPad offerings, though the Lenovo logo placement on the lid and silver body gives away the Flex 14’s IdeaPad nature. The body tapers nicely toward the front edge, ports are divided between the right and left edges, and the laptop feels very sturdy when both opened and closed.

Though the Flex 14 isn’t a Yoga model, it gives users the best of that product line with its highly flexible hinges. Users can rotate the display fully back onto the laptop’s base, putting it into ‘tablet’ mode (though it’s quite chunky compared to an actual tablet). Users can also put the laptop in ‘tent’ mode, which is where the display faces forward and the keyboard is out of sight on the rear.

This IdeaPad features two speakers on the base facing downward, though they aren’t muffled due to the large rubber feet that elevate the laptop. The speakers aren’t exceptional, but they are capable and loud, which is fair for a laptop in this price range. There isn’t really any bass response to note of, but the speakers aren’t tinny, either, offering a mostly neutral sound that is adequate for most purposes.

The IdeaPad Flex 14’s design is thoughtful, which is, sadly, a rarity among laptops that reside so close to the budget tier. Users aren’t forced to accept an ‘okay’ design as an inevitable sacrifice for a lower price tag. Consumers aren’t faced with awkwardly-placed ports, smothered speakers, or creaky cheap plastics, issues that are far too common on inexpensive laptops.

With that said, the Flex 14 is a tad heavier (starting at 3.65lbs) than some consumers may prefer — though we’re talking an excess of ounces, not pounds. The laptop won’t feel like a burden in most cases, but if you’re frequently on the go, you’ll likely notice the extra weight in your bag.

The company does offer multiple ultra-light laptops, but you’ll pay several hundred additional dollars for them. The Flex 14 doesn’t require many compromises from buyers, but there are some limitations in exchange for the model’s 450 starting price.

TECH SPECS Processor:

OS: Windows 10 Home in S modeDisplay: 14″ HD (1366 x 768) 220 nitsMemory: 4GB DDR4 2400 MHzBattery: Up to 8 hours, Rapid ChargeStorage: 128GB SSDGraphics: Up to Integrated Intel UHD 620 GraphicsAudio: 2x2W speakers with Dolby AudioDimensions: 12.9″ x 9.0″ x 0.7″Weight: Starting at 3.65lbsColor: Onyx BlackWebcam: 720p HD webcam with microphoneConnectivity:

Ports/Slots:

Security:

Keyboard: Backlit Keyboard

Software Performance

SlashGear received a Flex 14 review unit featuring the Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6GHz processor, 16GB of RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics 620. Lenovo offers this IdeaPad model in lesser, cheaper configurations with Pentium Gold and Core i3 options, both featuring only 4GB of RAM. The cheaper for those two configurations will come with the obvious trade-off of lower performance.

Don’t expect to perform any gaming (unless it’s something simple like Candy Crush) with the Flex 14, but otherwise our experience with the Core i5 model was as expected, which is to say that the laptop performed without issue during ordinary office tasks: web browsing, image editing, streaming, messaging, and other similar tasks. Of note, we found the laptop’s boot time to be consistently slow at over half a minute, but the laptop was snappy and smooth beyond that.

Lenovo estimates the Flex 14’s battery life at 8 hours, which was around what we experienced during testing. When left running at max screen brightness on battery power while streaming a video, the Flex 14 ran for almost 7 hours before the battery life dropped low enough for the laptop to put itself to sleep. Rapid charging support helps offset the lackluster battery performance, but that may not be adequate enough for some users.

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 14 | Ryzen 5 4500u | 8GB 512GB | Best Laptop Around 50000₹ | Unboxing & Overview

What we like

Getting straight to the point, what are the things we like most about the Flex 14?

Wrap-up

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 is a middle tier laptop arriving amid the company’s latest and greater business notebooks. With a 14-inch display, appealing design, and a variety of notable features (USB-C, webcam shutter, etc.), the Flex 14 holds a special appeal among other mid-tier notebooks. Some users may find the screen brightness too low for their tastes and the weight a bit too high, but those matters aside, the IdeaPad Flex 14 is an excellent option for consumers in need of a well-rounded notebook for simple daily work.

Available from Lenovo now starting at 449.99 USD.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 review (Flex 5 14ALC05 model, AMD Ryzen 7 5700U)

Review by: Andrei Girbea Andrei Girbea, Editor-in-Chief. I’ve a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering and I’ve been covering mobile technology since the 2000s. You’ll mostly find reviews and thorough guides written by me here on the site, as well as some occasional first-impression articles.

10 Комментарии и мнения владельцев

Nice review! Would be great if you could test the single-core performance as well. Ah shoot I see the CB single-core score already. Nevermind 😀

The reason why I skipped the convertibles from Lenovo (even though I would have enjoyed one) were the hinges. A quick search for “Lenovo hinges class action” returns plenty of results on this theme: classaction.org/blog/unusable-Lenovo-flex-5-yoga-730-2-in-1-laptops-plagued-by-screen-defect-class-action-claims sauderschelkopf.com/investigations/Lenovo-yoga-broken-hinges-class-action-lawsuit/ topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/electronics/Lenovo-class-action-lawsuit-says-yoga-touchscreen-laptops-are-defective/ topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/judge-allows-class-action-lawsuit-against-Lenovo-over-two-in-one-computer-to-proceed/ With a sigh, I decided to go with a safer design, so I bought myself a clamshell (Lenovo Yoga Slim 7, an otherwise excellent device).

Thanks. That’s a good point and something buyers should consider, but unfortunately, reliability issues are impossible for me to call out in reviews, as I’m only using these laptops for weeks, rarely months. I wasn’t aware it’s that bad with the Lenovo laptops. I’ll add a mention in the article.

Nice review, thanks, but with one or maybe 2 big mistakes, it has not got the HDMI 2.0, but only HDMI 1.4b (is limited to 4k at max 30Hz) and next crippling, by the https://psref.Lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad/IdeaPad_Flex_5_14ALC05 there is no DisplayPort over USB-C mentioned, just 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0) But for 15″ version 15ALC05 they have in specifications https://psref.Lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad/IdeaPad_5_15ALC05 1xUSB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.2) and the USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 is limited to just 5Gbit/s, so it will not probably fully support even the DP1.2 So for these stupid crimplings I had to cancel my order, because I need to connect 2 displays with [email protected]. But if someone is happy with FullHD displays, it could work for him.

Thanks. I haven’t tested those out but I also have the Ideapad 14 with 5700U and will double-check the connections.

The screen is not something special but if you are working for everyday tasks it is excellent. It is not for photographers or graphics specialists but For Web, compiling code etc is fine. You are exaggerating that the screen in completely useless. I used in also in rooms with strong lights and it was fine.

True. The explanation seems like other manufacturers are providing better display in this price segment and performance point of view.

The problem with the screen is that it is uncalibrated out of the box. THis is why the colors looked washed out. If you add that calibration profile to Windows setting: notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/N140HCA_E5BCMNN140HCA_E5B.icm You will see that is like replacing the screen completely with a new one. Amazed !

Charlie, I’m glad you’re happy with the screen on your laptop. I was not, but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’m just used to higher quality panels.

Bought this thing two weeks ago Bugs in software (1) YouTube freeze without reasons (2) laptop very hot even in sleep mode but wont wake up when flip open the lid

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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 review: When choosing Intel hurts

I reviewed the AMD Ryzen version of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 convertible 2-in-1 laptop last year, and found it to offer a ton of performance for a very attractive 600 price. It didn’t quite make our list of best budget laptops, but it was close. This year, I was offered the chance to review the 2021 refresh, which doesn’t change much — most notably, Intel is on tap this time around. I looked forward to seeing how this version compares.

I reviewed the 735 midrange configuration of the IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 with a Core i5-1135G7, which is the right Intel chip to compare to the Ryzen 5 4500U in the previous review unit. That’s barely a budget laptop price (although it does double the storage over the AMD machine), and I found the Intel version offers less value than last year’s model. You can get a Core i3 for a more attractive 570, but you give up half the RAM and storage. In the end, it proves why AMD continues to be the leader in budget laptops.

Design

The IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 follows the same design as the previous model, but with glass fiber mixed into the plastic lid to give it a sturdier feel. The rest of the chassis is all plastic, but it still feels solid — more so than some premium laptops that use magnesium alloy to reduce weight. Compared to the budget-oriented and quite bendable Asus VivoBook Flip 14, which uses plastic in the chassis and aluminum alloy lining the lid, the IdeaPad Flex 5i feels like a million bucks.

The IdeaPad’s hinge is also surprisingly good, being loose enough to open with one hand, but then stiffening when it reaches an upright position to hold it in place in clamshell, tent, media, and tablet modes. Overall, the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s build quality exceeds its price tag.

The second I turned on the IdeaPad Flex 5i 14, I knew that the 14-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS display would be its primary weakness. The colors seemed off, the screen had an unpleasant yellow-green tint, and the contrast didn’t blow me away. I don’t often react so badly to a display, but this one was disappointing. Note that the display is in the old-school 16:9 aspect ratio, as taller displays haven’t yet made so much headway in budget laptops.

My colorimeter mostly confirmed that subjective experience. To begin with, brightness was low at just 231 nits, well below our preferred 300-nit threshold. That means the display might be hard to read with bright overhead lighting. The contrast was better than I expected at 800:1 (but again below our preferred level, 1,000:1). Colors were very narrow at just 49% of AdobeRGB and 65% of sRGB — midrange and premium laptops are around 72% and 95% or better — and color accuracy was just OK at a DeltaE of 2.37 (1.0 or less is excellent).

Yes, budget laptops often skimp on the display. The Asus VivoBook Flip 14, for example, was remarkably similar at 230 nits of brightness, a contrast ratio of 720:1, 50% of AdobeRGB and 66% of sRGB, and color accuracy of 2.62. But that doesn’t change the fact that these aren’t pleasant displays to use even for simple productivity work, and they’re nowhere near what creative types are looking for.

The audio was better, with upward-firing speakers flanking the keyboard on each side. Volume was more than acceptable with zero distortion, and while bass was lacking, mids and highs were clear. You’ll be able to watch some Netflix and listen to music with these speakers, which is better than most budget machines.

Keyboard and touchpad

The IdeaPad Flex 5i has the usual Lenovo keyboard that you’ll find on everything but the ThinkPad line. It’s shallower than I like, but it has enough of a click and a comfortable enough bottoming action to allow for precise touch typing. The generous key spacing and key size help make this a good budget keyboard that’s only a couple of steps behind excellent keyboards like HP’s Spectre line and the Apple Magic Keyboard. Fast typists should adjust to this keyboard quickly enough and get up to speed in short order.

The touchpad is also good, with a decent size and a smooth and comfortable surface. The Microsoft Precision Touchpad drivers enable the full suite of Windows 10 multitouch gestures, all of which worked well. I have no complaints.

The IdeaPad Flex 5i retains the 52.5 watt-hour battery of its predecessor, which, when combined with the Core i5 and the 14-inch Full HD display, left me wondering what kind of longevity to expect. The AMD model was just OK in terms of battery life, able to maybe eke out a full day’s work on a charge if you didn’t push it too hard.

Overall, the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s battery life is disappointing.

According to our benchmarks, the Intel version dropped just below that threshold of all-day battery life. It lasted just 7.25 hours in our web-browsing test, compared to the AMD version’s eight hours, and 11.5 hours in looping our local Avengers test video, where the AMD version lasted for 11 hours. So that’s a toss-up, although the web test gives a better idea of productivity performance. The Asus VivoBook Flip 14 made it to nine hours of browsing the web and 12 hours in the video test — stronger scores for sure.

I also ran the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, where the IdeaPad Flex 5i managed nine hours. That’s just seven minutes less than the AMD version, but under the 10 or more hours we’ve seen as a minimum with most other laptops we’ve tested. This is the best test of productivity battery life, and the IdeaPad Flex 5i didn’t do all that well. In the PCMark 10 Gaming battery test, it lasted for just under two minutes, which is about average for this test.

Overall, the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s battery life is disappointing. Like the AMD version, it might take you through a day’s work if your workflow is light, but getting real work done without plugging in might be a challenge.

Our take

At 600, the AMD version of the IdeaPad Flex 5 14 was a well-performing bargain. At 735, with the main difference being a 512GB SSD versus a 256GB SSD, the latest IdeaPad Flex 5i isn’t quite so attractive. It doesn’t perform as well, and it doesn’t keep up with some other laptops running the same CPU. Its battery life doesn’t impress, and its display — although equally bad as the previous version — is a real letdown.

There are other laptops in this price range that are more worth your money. The IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 lost its luster in the switch to Intel, and I can’t find much to recommend it.

Are there any alternatives?

The Asus VivoBook Flip 14 is around the same price and offers significantly better performance. The display and battery life aren’t any better, but at least you’ll get a faster laptop that can handle more demanding workloads.

If you don’t need a 2-in-1, then the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED UM325UA is a great choice. It’s within a couple of hundred dollars of the IdeaPad Flex 5i, but it offers much better performance, a gorgeous and color-accurate OLED display, and a 1TB PCIe SSD. If your budget can handle it, then the ZenBook 13 should be on your list.

Another 2-in-1 to consider is the HP Envy x360 13. It’s also an AMD machine and so much faster, and it has a much better display. It’s also a bit more expensive, but it’s worth the extra cash.

How long will it last?

The IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 offers solid construction that should evoke confidence in years of service. Its components are up to date, if not the fastest, so it should keep you productive for just as long. You won’t like the industry-standard one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

No. Take away the performance of the AMD processor from its predecessor and add on more than 100 to the price, and the IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 isn’t so much of a bargain.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 review: When choosing Intel hurts

Design

Ноутбук в котором можно самому заменить процессор

Keyboard and touchpad

Overall, the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s battery life is disappointing.

Our take

There are other laptops in this price range that are more worth your money. The IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 lost its luster in the switch to Intel, and I can’t find much to recommend it.

Are there any alternatives?

How long will it last?

The IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 offers solid construction that should evoke confidence in years of service. Its components are up to date, if not the fastest, so it should keep you productive for just as long. You won’t like the industry-standard one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

No. Take away the performance of the AMD processor from its predecessor and add on more than 100 to the price, and the IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 isn’t so much of a bargain.

Sources:

https://www.slashgear.com/Lenovo-ideapad-flex-14-2019-review-budget-laptop-with-premium-design-29583701/
https://www.ultrabookreview.com/46536-Lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-review/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/Lenovo-ideapad-flex-5i-14-review/?amp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/Lenovo-ideapad-flex-5i-14-review/?amp