Review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2-in-1)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is built for people who need flexibility in their workflow. Both literally and figuratively.

If you’re a digital nomad, remote worker, student, or freelancer who juggles multiple roles and different locations, this 2-in-1 laptop could be just what you’re after.

With a 360-degree hinge, it adapts to your work style regardless of whether you’re typing in laptop mode, sketching in tablet mode, or streaming in tent mode. It was released in 2023 and is an ideal device for those who regularly work from cafés, co-working spaces, airports, or anywhere with decent Wi-Fi.

While it’s not perfect (the battery life and screen quality have limitations), it’s a compelling option for those who want a well-built, affordable machine that balances performance, portability, and value.

In short, it is a solid, travel-friendly all-rounder that can serve you well. Here is our review of it.

Specs Overview

The 2023 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i packs solid midrange power into a convertible, travel-friendly chassis. Here’s a quick glance at its main specifications:

• CPU & GPU: 13th-gen Intel Core i5‑1335U (10‑core, up to 4.6 GHz) with integrated Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB LPDDR4x (soldered)
• Storage: 256–512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (expandable)
• Display: 14″ FHD+ (1920×1200) IPS touchscreen, 16:10 aspect ratio
• Battery:5 Wh (claims ~11 hrs; real-world ~6.5 hrs)
• Weight & Build: ≈3.3 lbs (1.5 kg); aluminum lid + plastic base
• Ports: 1× Thunderbolt 4, 2× USB‑A 3.2, HDMI, SD card slot, 3.5 mm audio
• OS: Ships with Windows 11 (often in S Mode)

Portability & Build Quality

Weighing in at around 3.3 pounds and measuring 0.69 inches thick, the Flex 5i is not the lightest in its class, especially compared to other ultra‑light 14″ models. However, it is portable enough to be used effectively for the purposes of café hopping and travel.

The device’s aluminum lid gives it a premium feel, while the plastic-and-glass-fiber base provides decent durability and cost. At the same time, its 360° hinge is solid enough to inspire confidence that it will open without issue. Being stiff enough to securely hold tablet, tent, and laptop modes, albeit often requiring two hands to flip the lid.

Lenovo’s keyboard is a particular highlight. You should find it spacious, slightly springy, and excellent for extended typing sessions on the road. However, while its trackpad is responsive and precision-based, it does have a slightly loud, plastic click that some users find “mushy.

Overall, it strikes a solid balance between being rugged enough for travel and comfortable for nomadic work, without being considered a featherweight champion.

Battery Life

Lenovo claims the Flex 5i can deliver up to 11 hours of productivity, but truth be told, that is a bit of a stretch.

Most users are more likely to get around 8 hours of web browsing or Zoom calls before needing to reach for the charger. Therefore, if you stick to editing documents, responding to emails, or hopping on video calls, its battery life might get you through a typical work session, but is unlikely to get you through a full day.

If you are streaming video, then you are more likely to get around 6.5 hours out of the device, depending on how high you have the brightness and the number of background tasks you run.

When you do need to charge, the laptop supports USB-C fast charging via Power Delivery, while Lenovo’s Rapid Charge Boost gives you roughly 2 extra hours from a 15-minute top-up.

It is worth noting that a full recharge takes about 2 to 3 hours. So, if you are planning to top up your laptop during a layover for a long-haul flight or in a cafe, this could be a drawback.

Performance

For daily tasks, the Flex 5i handles itself pretty well. You can, for instance, run multiple Chrome tabs, stream content, switch between Office apps, and jump on Zoom calls without any noticeable lag. Generally speaking, the Intel Core i5-1335U and 8GB or 16GB RAM combo offers reliable performance to be productive.

It is also capable of managing light creative tasks, such as Photoshop and Figma, which run smoothly, although you may notice slowdowns with complex layers or large files. Video editing is also possible in a pinch, but you should be aware that integrated Iris Xe graphics aren’t built for high-resolution rendering or color grading.

Its thermal management is decent. The single-fan setup ramps up during heavier workloads but stays relatively quiet. Indeed, most of the time, the device stays cool and unobtrusive, so you probably won’t even notice it.

Display & Audio

The Flex 5i features a 14-inch FHD+ (1920×1200) IPS touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. While it’s functional, it can’t be considered eye-popping.

Its brightness hovers around 300 nits, which is fine indoors but can feel dim in direct sunlight. Likewise, color accuracy is somewhat limited, covering just about 63% of the sRGB spectrum. This might be enough for documents and web browsing. But it is not really ideal for photo or video editing.

That said, touch input is responsive and works well for navigation, note-taking, or sketching (with an optional stylus). Its two upward-firing speakers also provide adequate sound for video calls and casual YouTube watching. But it does lack bass and volume.

Therefore, if you want a richer and more enjoyable media experience, headphones are a must.

Ports & Connectivity

When it comes to ports, the Flex 5i is well-equipped for users who are regularly on the go.

With it, you get a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port for charging, data transfer, and display output, plus two USB-A 3.2 ports for connecting older peripherals. There’s also a full-size HDMI port, an SD card reader (great for photographers), and a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack.

Its wireless connectivity is also solid. Between them, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E (depending on the model) and Bluetooth 5.2, ensure you get smooth performance for streaming, syncing, and online collaboration. This means that for most users, there’s no need to carry a USB-C hub because everything essential is built in.

Software & Features

This laptop ships with Windows 11, and many models come in S Mode, which restricts app installs to the Microsoft Store. Thankfully, though, it’s easy to switch to full Windows 11 Home to gain unrestricted access.

Lenovo includes its Vantage app, which is genuinely useful for driver updates, power settings, and customisation. Other preinstalled software is minimal, although there’s some trialware. However, it’s not too overwhelming or difficult to remove.

You also get a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter and a fingerprint reader, which gives you quick logins via Windows Hello. Unfortunately, there are no AI enhancements or gesture controls. But what’s there is simple, secure, and effective.

Pricing & Value

In the US, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i typically retails for between $700 and $1000, depending on the configuration. Sometimes sales often drop to around $600, which makes it one of the best values in the 2-in-1 category.

Compared to similarly priced laptops like the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED or HP Pavilion x360, the Flex 5i competes well in build quality and versatility. Granted, it doesn’t really compete in display or battery life. Yet the 2-in-1 design, strong keyboard, and generous port selection make it a worthwhile option for digital nomads watching their budget.

Ideal Use Cases

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is ideal for digital nomads, students, and remote workers who need a reliable, portable 2-in-1 for everyday tasks like writing, Zoom calls, web browsing, and light creative work.

Overall, its convertible design and solid keyboard make it great for travel and hybrid use. However, if you’re a content creator, video editor, or need all-day battery life, you may want to look at higher-end models with better screens and longer runtimes.

Pros & Cons

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i offers great value for those who need flexibility, portability, and reliable everyday performance. But like most budget 2-in-1s, it comes with some drawbacks.

Here is an overview of its main pros and cons.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Solid build and hinge
• Great keyboard
• Versatile 2-in-1 design

Cons:

• Mediocre battery life
• Dull display
• Average audio output

Final Verdict

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a reliable, budget-friendly 2-in-1 laptop that is ideal for everyday use. It’s not perfect, because as mentioned, the display and battery life have room for improvement. However, for digital nomads who value flexibility, strong typing comfort, and good port selection, it’s a solid choice.

Whether you’re working remotely from a café or attending Zoom calls from your Airbnb, it should hold up pretty well for the price.