If you prioritize customization and repairability, the Framework Laptop with its modular design allows you to upgrade and replace parts easily, which could extend its lifespan, but this comes at a higher cost. On the other hand, the Lenovo Flex 5 offers good value and versatility with its 2-in-1 convertible design, suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption, and it's more budget-friendly. However, for demanding tasks, the performance may not match that of the Framework. In terms of portability, the Lenovo is typically lighter and easier to carry, while the Framework is also portable but may be slightly heavier due to its larger screen and robust build. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
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 14
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Lenovo Flex 5 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its more capable GPU and higher screen refresh rate, provides a smoother and more visually appealing experience for gaming and 3D applications than the Lenovo Flex 5 14. However, the Lenovo Flex 5 14, while less adept due to a less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate, still offers decent performance and a good screen quality for casual gaming and 3D tasks at a typically lower price point.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 excels in engineering and design due to its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, a dedicated GPU, and a superior screen that delivers clear and detailed images, making it robust for computation and visual tasks; however, its size might make it less portable. On the other hand, the Lenovo Flex 5 14, while still capable for engineering with good CPU and RAM, trades off some graphics power and screen excellence for better portability, plus it offers a flexible 2-in-1 design and comfortable keyboard, though it might have more noticeable operating noise and less immersive speakers.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 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
8.0/10
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
277.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo Flex 5 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16 likely has a high-resolution display with a panel that offers vivid colors and good brightness, making for a sharp and clear image that is ideal for general use and detailed engineering tasks. Its superior color gamut coverage enables accurate color representation crucial for design work. However, it falls short for gaming and 3D due to a lower refresh rate, which is less smooth for fast-paced visuals compared to gaming-optimized screens.
Battery
9.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Flex 5 14 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.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$420
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the Lenovo Flex 5 14 costs $420.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 boasts a high-quality CPU and ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance for a variety of tasks, along with a superior screen for clear visuals, but it may be less portable and have shorter battery life compared to lighter options. The Lenovo Flex 5 14 offers good portability and longer battery life for on-the-go use, with sufficient CPU and RAM for everyday activities, though the screen quality and performance might not match that of the Framework for more demanding applications.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Lenovo Flex 5 14 compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"The highlight of the latest IdeaPad Flex 5 14 is clearly its AMD CPU. The octa-core Ryzen 7 5700U is insanely fast even when compared to the best Tiger Lake Ultrabooks in the market or even Core H CPUs in many gaming laptops. It's a lot of raw processing power for what is supposed to be a budget 14-inch convertible. If your daily workloads can benefit from extra multi-thread CPU performance, then look no further than the inexpensive AMD-powered Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14. For regular on-the-road browsing or video streaming, however, a slimmer and lighter 10th gen Core Yoga, Spectre, or XPS would be a more balanced option."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Lenovo Flex 5 14
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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