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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has more RAM for better multi-tasking and a higher resolution screen, making it suitable for intensive tasks and better image quality. However, it's heavier which affects portability. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has less RAM, which may limit performance for demanding applications, but it has a lighter build that makes it easier to carry around. Both have touchscreen capabilities and are similarly priced. Consider the Flex 5 if performance is a priority or the IdeaPad for lighter travel and everyday tasks. 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 Lenovo Flex 5 16
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo Flex 5 16.
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.2
6.6
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is only fair.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 is more suitable for engineering and design due to its higher-resolution screen and more powerful CPU and GPU, which are critical for demanding applications, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has lower specs in these areas but remains fair for such tasks due to its decent performance and RAM. While both have good keyboards and speakers, the Flex 5 16's superior processing and display capabilities give it an edge for intensive tasks, despite being less portable than the lighter IdeaPad 1 15".
Screen Quality
7.3
6.4
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo Flex 5 16 offers a higher resolution and brighter display, enhancing clarity and visibility, while the IdeaPad 1 15" has a lower resolution and less brightness, which is adequate but less crisp. In engineering and design, the Flex 5 16's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, crucial for precise work, whereas the IdeaPad 1 15" has narrower color gamuts, making it less ideal for professional color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where high refresh rates are critical, neither laptop excels as they prioritize resolution and color accuracy over the smoother motion a higher refresh rate would provide.
Battery
11.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has 11.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has 10 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
7.0
6.0
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$798
$741
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a price of $798 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" costs $741.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
11.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both good for general use.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 stands out with its high-quality screen, more RAM, and a more powerful CPU, making multitasking and general use smoother; its convertible design and decent battery life are suitable for users needing flexibility and moderate mobility. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" offers a lower screen color quality and less RAM, but compensates with excellent heat management and a lighter build, preferring portability and comfort over top-tier performance.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.1
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16, equipped with an Intel i7 processor's Iris Xe graphics, is adequate for casual gaming and 3D, but its standard 60Hz screen refresh rate may limit the smoothness of fast-paced games. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" features AMD Ryzen 7's Vega 8 graphics, which also make it serviceable for gaming, but with a lower screen quality and the same refresh rate limitation.
Content Creation
7.6
7.4
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both good for content creation.
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
7.5
7.3
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" 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
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" and Lenovo Flex 5 16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Lenovo Flex 5 16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Flex 5 16 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$798 | $741 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | March 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.74'' | 14.2'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 3.57 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.09" | 14.18" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.99" | 9.29" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | Iris Xe G7 | Vega 8 | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 12 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.5 Wh | 42 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo Flex 5 16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | April 2023
"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."
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Alex Iliev | April 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is affordable and pretty efficient. At the end of the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15″, 2023) is one of the better affordable laptops money can buy right now. It has a decent performance, albeit coming from a CPU that is based on old architecture. Playing low-intensity games is possible but at low to medium settings. We are really happy with the cooling setup, but the main event here is the battery life. We got 9 hours of either Web browsing or video playback, which is a great result. Especially if you compare this device with the ASUS E410."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Flex 5 16 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
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.
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