The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers top-notch performance suitable for intensive gaming, engineering tasks, and 3D/machine learning applications, largely thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics. However, you'll pay more for this device and get lesser battery life compared to the Lenovo Flex 5 16. The Lenovo Flex 5 16, powered by an Intel i7 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics, is generally less expensive and offers longer battery life, making it a good choice for general use and portability. Both devices feature a 16-inch IPS touchscreen display, but the ASUS has a much higher refresh rate which results in smoother motion on screen. If you prioritize gaming or demanding tasks and can handle a higher price and less portability, go for the ASUS. If you're looking for value, longer battery life, and primarily use your laptop for general activities, the Lenovo might be the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo Flex 5 16
Very good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.2/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 outperforms the Lenovo Flex 5 16 in gaming and 3D applications due to its stronger Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and higher screen refresh rate, which enhance visual fluidity and detail in fast-paced scenes. While the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is equipped with the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a standard refresh rate, making it less suited for intensive gaming and 3D tasks that benefit from superior graphics processing and smoother on-screen movement.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.2/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out for engineering and design due to its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, which provide higher performance for demanding tasks and better graphics capabilities than the Lenovo Flex 5 16's Intel i7 processor with integrated graphics.
Screen Quality
8.5/10
7.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Lenovo Flex 5 16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers a vibrant and high-resolution display that makes colors pop and details sharp for general use and engineering tasks, along with excellent color coverage essential for design accuracy. However, it falls short for gaming, primarily due to a lower refresh rate, meaning less fluid motion and responsiveness. The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a decent display that is satisfactory for day-to-day activities and engineering, but like the ASUS, it doesn’t cater well to gaming needs because of a lower refresh rate that can't deliver the smoothness required for fast-paced games.
Battery
5.5 Hours
11.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has 11.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$779
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the Lenovo Flex 5 16 costs $779.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out with a stronger CPU, higher screen brightness, and better color coverage, making it excellent for performance-driven tasks and creative work, but has a shorter battery life than the Lenovo Flex 5 16, which offers a more balanced mix of performance, portability, and longer battery life, ideal for users needing a reliable all-day laptop. Both laptops have high-quality displays and are versatile 2-in-1 convertibles, with the ASUS tipping towards power users and the Lenovo leaning on extended use and portability.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.6/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.5/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Lenovo Flex 5 16 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Lenovo Flex 5 16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the Lenovo Flex 5 16 compare to other laptops
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a solidly equipped, 2-in-1 in the lower price segment. Performance is definitely sufficient for everyday tasks and in tests the battery proved itself to be very economical. That aside, there is a lot of standard fare on show and a search for real highlights ends in vain. The low color coverage and reflective display can be avoided by going for an optional 2.5K display but this also presumably results in poorer battery life. The cooling uses only one fan and leads to a raised temperature on one side of the device under load. Additionally, there is very loud fan noise, also under load or when gaming. On top of that, we also occasionally noticed electronic noises."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the Lenovo Flex 5 16
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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