The Lenovo Flex 5 14 81X20005US is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile 2-in-1 laptop. It offers a great combination of performance, features, and value, making it a perfect option for students, professionals, and creatives alike.
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile 2-in-1 laptop, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is a great option to consider.
Please read the complete article to learn everything about the Lenovo Flex 5.
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Specification: Lenovo Flex 5 14 81X20005US
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Model Name | Flex 5 |
| Screen Size | 14 Inches |
| Color | Graphite Grey |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 5 4500U |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Special Feature | Fingerprint reader |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
Pros
- Strong Performance
- Versatile 2-in-1 Design
- Stylish and Sturdy Build
- Full HD IPS Display
- Included Digital Pen
- Impressive Battery Life
- Multiple Connectivity Options
Cons
- Limited Gaming Performance
- Non-Upgradable RAM
- Average Brightness
- Power Button Placement
- Noisy Keyboard
Performance
AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop, powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor and Radeon integrated graphics, delivers impressive performance within its budget-friendly price range. This laptop’s AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor excels in multitasking and responsiveness, boasting six cores and twelve threads to handle everyday computing tasks. While it may not be a high-end processor, it still offers substantial power for web browsing, office applications, and content creation tasks like photo and video editing. The processor’s dynamic boosting capabilities enhance its performance, although it may struggle with resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or heavy gaming.
AMD Radeon Integrated Graphics
On the graphics front, the Lenovo Flex 5 relies on AMD Radeon integrated graphics. While suitable for casual gaming, video playback, and graphic-intensive tasks, it falls short of dedicated gaming GPUs in performance. Nevertheless, it can handle less demanding games at lower settings. A laptop with a dedicated GPU would be a better fit for those prioritizing serious gaming or graphic-intensive workloads.
Performance Benchmark
Despite being a budget-friendly option, the Lenovo Flex 5 impressively outperforms even desktop processors like the i7 4790K in various benchmarks. It handles web browsing and file operations effortlessly, making it a solid choice for users seeking gaming performance on a basic laptop budget, even without a dedicated video card.
- SSD speed: Max Write: 994MB/sec // Max read: 2.20GB/sec
- CPUZ benchmark – 489 / 2678
- Cinebench 15 – 890 // 54.9 FPS
- Cinebench 20 – 2245
- V-RAY 4.1 – 4990 // 27
- Skydiver – 9565
- Unigine Superposition – 1715 (default setting) [13 FPS avg]
- Unigine Valley – 1457 (basic 720p setting) [35 FPS avg]
Gaming Potential
While not a dedicated gaming laptop, this device offers respectable gaming performance, approaching the capabilities of older laptops with dedicated GPUs. It significantly surpasses Intel UHD620 graphics, enabling a broader range of gaming experiences on an everyday laptop. However, there is a potential issue with waking from sleep mode, as the CPU may not always return to its full speed, resulting in reduced performance. A simple restart can resolve this issue.
- CS:GO [max settings, 1080p] avg 46//low 29
- Super Mega Baseball 3 [max settings,1080p] avg 45//low 32
- Insurgency [max settings,1080p] avg 51//35
- STALKER – SOC [max settings, 1080p] avg 50//low 29
- Civilization VI bench [low settings,1080p] avg 58//low 45
- Civilization VI – Average turn time: 7.84 seconds (!)
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey bench[low settings,720p] avg 33//low 17
- The Witcher 3 [low settings,720p] avg 35//low 27
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Storage and RAM
Storage
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop offers impressive storage and RAM features, contributing to its overall performance. With a speedy 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD), this laptop ensures rapid boot times, near-instant application launches, and swift file transfers. While the SSD excels in day-to-day usage, users with extensive storage needs may want to consider supplementary options like portable hard drives or cloud storage. It’s worth noting that the laptop doesn’t match traditional HDDs in storage capacity, but it compensates with enhanced speed and durability.
RAM
Regarding RAM, the laptop boasts 16GB of DDR4 3200 RAM, providing robust performance for most tasks. However, this RAM is soldered and non-upgradeable, so potential buyers should factor this into their decision-making process.
Stylish Design & Impressive Build Quality
Robust Build and Stylish Design
Lenovo has a well-established reputation for producing robust laptops, and the Flex 5 lives up to this standard. Despite its slender 0.82-inch profile, it maintains a reassuringly sturdy build, striking a perfect balance between portability and durability. The laptop’s Graphite Grey color not only lends it a modern and sophisticated appearance but also offers a comfortable tactile feel, thanks to its well-crafted finish.
Versatile 2-in-1 Design
What sets the Flex 5 apart is its 2-in-1 design, featuring a versatile 360-degree hinge that effortlessly transitions between Laptop, Tent, Stand, and Tablet modes. This adaptability caters to various tasks, from work to entertainment, making it a versatile companion.
Exceptional Portability and Sleek Aesthetics
Portability is another strong suit of the Flex 5, as it tips the scales at a mere 3.64 pounds, making it an ideal choice for students, professionals, or anyone frequently on the move. The laptop’s four narrow bezels also contribute to a modern, sleek look while maximizing the screen-to-body ratio, offering an immersive viewing experience.
Premium Feel with Graphite Grey Finish
Despite its ABS plastic construction, the Flex 5’s chassis feels surprisingly premium, with the Graphite Grey finish reducing the visibility of fingerprint smudges. The aluminum hinges, robust and reliable, facilitate seamless transitions between modes, enhancing the overall user experience. The device’s compact size, high-quality build, and slim bezels give it an upscale appearance, ensuring it stands out.
Improved Build Quality
Regarding build quality, the Flex 5 represents a noticeable step up from its predecessor. Although slightly thicker, the device maintains a robust build and precise display positioning. The plastic used is easy to clean, with smudges vanishing with a simple wipe-down.
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Display
Resolution
The laptop’s display offers a crystal-clear Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This resolution ensures you experience sharp, vibrant visuals, whether browsing the web, working on documents, watching videos, or even engaging in light photo editing. Text and images appear crisp and well-defined, enhancing your overall productivity.
IPS Panel
Including an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel is a notable advantage. IPS technology provides wide viewing angles and precise color reproduction. Whether viewing the screen head-on or from different angles, colors remain consistent and vivid. This feature proves invaluable when sharing content or using the laptop in various modes, such as Tent or Stand.
Touchscreen
The touchscreen functionality is valuable, especially in a 2-in-1 laptop like the Flex 5. It offers an intuitive and interactive means to navigate Windows and interact with applications. With 10-point touch support, you can achieve precise input, perfect for tasks like drawing or note-taking, with the included digital pen.
Size and Bezels
The 14-inch display strikes a superb balance between portability and usability. Furthermore, the slim four-side bezels maximize the screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. These minimal bezels contribute to the laptop’s modern and sleek design.
Brightness and Color Accuracy
While the Flex 5’s display generally offers vibrant colors and good color accuracy, it’s important to note that it may not be the brightest option available. For indoor usage and typical daily tasks, the brightness is adequate. However, if you often work in well-lit environments, the luminance may be somewhat lacking.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Keyboard
The Lenovo Flex 5 boasts a keyboard with optimal key spacing, sufficient key travel, and a responsive tactile feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. The soft-touch keys are notably quiet, making typing more comfortable. The laptop has keyboard backlighting, especially useful in low-light or dark settings. It allows users to see and use the keys, and the backlight brightness can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
The keyboard follows the conventional QWERTY design, making it familiar and user-friendly for many users. It also includes a numeric keypad on the right side, catering to users dealing with numbers or data entry tasks. While the keyboard offers essential travel and functionality, it may not deliver the best typing experience. However, it remains satisfactory for most users, with useful function keys and customizable backlit keys.
One thing to note is that the power button is located on the right side of the keyboard, which could be inconvenient and lead to accidental screen shutdown during routine laptop handling. The keyboard backlighting only activates when in use and does not respond to hovering, necessitating mouse movement or key touch to illuminate the keys. This behavior could potentially be addressed through a software update. One minor inconvenience for users looking to reduce mouse movements while typing is the absence of hotkeys for disabling the touchpad or touchscreen.
Touchpad
The Lenovo Flex 5 touchpad is highly responsive, ensuring smooth cursor movement. It supports multi-touch gestures, making it easy to zoom, scroll, and switch between applications. The touchpad design includes integrated click buttons, providing tactile feedback for tasks that involve selection and dragging. Lenovo laptops use Windows Precision drivers for the touchpad, known for their accuracy and responsiveness. To match your preferences, you can customize touchpad settings through the Windows settings menu. While the touchpad is versatile and enhances productivity, users who require precise cursor control, such as graphic designers or gamers, may prefer an external mouse. The middle-click feature of the touchpad is especially noteworthy.
Digital Pen
Digital Pen Included for Precision Interaction
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop’s standout feature is the included digital pen. Crafted for precision and accuracy, this stylus elevates your touchscreen experience. Explore its functionality in writing, drawing, annotating, and seamless navigation on the Laptop’s responsive display.
Enhanced Stylus Technology for Artistry
Equipped with active stylus technology, this digital pen outshines passive styluses in responsiveness and accuracy. Detecting pressure levels enables varying line thickness and shading in drawing applications, catering to the needs of artists, designers, and anyone who values handwritten notes and sketches.
Effortless Palm Rejection for Intuitive Use
Modern digital pens, especially those designed for 2-in-1 laptops like the Lenovo Flex 5, feature palm rejection technology. This innovation ensures your palm’s contact with the screen won’t disrupt the pen’s input, delivering a natural and intuitive writing and drawing experience.
Versatile Compatibility Across Applications
The Lenovo digital pen integrates with various applications, from note-taking to drawing and design software and even office productivity tools. Quickly jot down meeting notes, sketch ideas, or annotate documents directly on the screen.
Convenient Storage and Battery Options
For added convenience, the Lenovo Flex 5 and similar laptops often include a dedicated slot or pocket for storing the digital pen when it’s not in use. Furthermore, depending on the pen model, it may be powered by a replaceable or rechargeable battery. Check the specifics for battery life and power source to suit your needs.
Lenovo Base Pen II Inclusion
When you choose the Lenovo Flex 5 14 (AMD Ryzen 5 4500U), you’ll receive the Lenovo Base Pen II at no additional cost. This pen features two barrel buttons and a sleek aluminum design. While it lacks tilt support and a Bluetooth button, it provides a responsive and comfortable writing experience.
No-Fuss Setup and Long Battery Life
The Lenovo Base Pen II operates with a single AAAA battery, included with your purchase. There’s no need for complicated pairing; it’s ready to use once the battery is inserted. Enjoy extended use, as the battery lasts for months without frequent replacements.
Smart Design for Stability
The Lenovo Base Pen II’s unique design, with a slightly protruding top, prevents it from rolling off flat surfaces, ensuring it remains within reach. However, it’s worth noting that the pen’s austere metal finish may feel slippery in hand, unlike some rubber-coated alternatives.
Battery Life
Battery Capacity
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge, making it a top choice for users seeking long-lasting mobility.
Quick Charging
Another standout feature is its rapid charging capability, allowing the laptop to reach an 80% charge in just one hour. This ensures you stay powered up even when time is limited.
Real-World Usage
Expect around 8+ hours of battery life for basic tasks and moderate brightness. Demanding applications may reduce this to 2-3 hours. Fast charging is a significant advantage, with a full charge achieved in under 2 hours. In sleep mode, power conservation is effective. However, keeping the Onekey battery function off is advisable due to potential boot issues.
Power Management
Lenovo laptops often include power management features that let you optimize battery life. Customize settings to conserve power as needed, such as reducing screen brightness or activating power-saving modes.
Port/Connectivity
- USB Ports – 2 x USB 3.0 ports for fast data transfer and device connectivity
- USB-C Port – Versatile port supporting high-speed data transfer, video output, and charging
- HDMI Port – Connect to external monitors or TVs for extended display
- Headphone Jack – Standard 3.5mm jack for headphone and external speaker connections
- Card Reader – Potential multi-format card reader (SD card reader) for data transfer
- Wireless Connectivity – Supports 802.11ac for reliable Wi-Fi performance
- Bluetooth compatibility for wireless peripherals
Speaker
Speaker Quality
The Lenovo Flex 5 has stereo speakers that deliver sound quality suitable for everyday tasks such as watching videos, participating in web conferences, or enjoying music. While the audio output is clear and crisp, it may not match the depth and richness of laptops boasting premium audio systems or external speakers.
Volume
The laptop’s speakers can produce sufficient volume for personal use or quiet environments. However, it is advisable to consider external speakers or headphones for a more immersive experience in larger spaces or situations requiring more substantial audio output.
Audio Enhancement
Lenovo offers audio enhancement software for some laptops, enabling users to customize sound profiles to suit various scenarios. These enhancements can significantly enhance the audio experience, optimizing it for movies, music, or gaming.
External Audio Options
If you prioritize audio quality for entertainment or professional purposes, exploring external audio solutions like headphones, external speakers, or dedicated USB sound cards is worth exploring. These options can provide a substantial audio upgrade and cater to specific preferences.
Dolby Audio App Integration
The speakers on the Lenovo Flex 5 are enhanced by the Dolby Audio app, delivering clear and robust sound. The audio quality remains surprisingly impressive, even in tablet or closed mode. However, users may experience occasional audio stutters, which can be resolved by disabling the Dolby audio feature.
Upward-Firing Speakers and Built-in DAC
The upward-firing speakers, while decent for laptop speakers, provide good audio quality for a laptop. They offer a surprising range of clarity and even a hint of bass. These speakers can reach reasonably high volumes without noticeable distortion, positioning them in the mid-range of laptop speaker quality. It’s important to note that there is no dedicated volume control on the edge of the unit.
Comparison to Previous Generation
Despite the forward-facing design, the speakers in the Lenovo Flex 5 are not as loud as those in the previous generation. However, they still offer a commendable audio experience for a laptop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 81X20005US 2-in-1 Laptop is a versatile, lightweight, and stylish device. Its flexible design, strong performance, and long battery life make it a great value for money. However, it runs Windows 10, not the latest OS. Still, it’s dependable for work and play. This laptop, under $700, offers impressive performance and features, especially for Linux users. It’s a fantastic deal at just under $700 on Amazon. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it excels at various tasks. Overall, it’s a solid choice for its price, with a noticeable performance boost from the previous generation.