The Lenovo Flex 5 16 is often somewhat more expensive than the IdeaPad Slim 5i but offers a touch screen with higher resolution and brightness, which may be advantageous for creative work or media consumption. However, the IdeaPad Slim 5i is slightly lighter and has a longer battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go users who prioritize portability and longer unplugged usage. Both have similar storage and RAM configurations, but the Flex 5's processor is more potent, suited for more demanding tasks like engineering software, while the IdeaPad's processor is still adequate for general use. Neither of these laptops is optimized for intensive gaming or high-end 3D applications. The Flex 5 also has a higher general use performance and is backlit with a white keyboard, which may improve visibility in low-light conditions. Deciding between the two will depend on whether you value touch screen functionality and higher performance or if you prefer a more portable and longer-lasting battery life. 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 overall display quality
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.3/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo Flex 5 16’s superior brightness and resolution provide a clearer and more vibrant display, enhancing everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. Engineering and design professionals benefit from the Flex 5 16’s wider color gamuts, allowing for more accurate color representation which is crucial for detailed graphic work. However, gamers and 3D designers may find the Flex 5 16's lower refresh rate less smooth for fast-paced visuals, while the IdeaPad Slim 5i, despite its fair performance in other areas, also falls short for gaming due to similar screen limitations.
Battery
11.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has 11.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 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
7.0/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo Flex 5 16 both have good build quality, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16, with its higher resolution touchscreen display and flexible 2-in-1 design, caters to users looking for versatility and a sharp screen for everyday tasks, although this might slightly reduce portability due to its higher weight. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is lighter, offering better portability, and while it has a lower resolution screen without touch capability, it still has ample processing power and memory for general use, along with a longer battery life that adds to its convenience for daily activities.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.3/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo Flex 5 16 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both fair for gaming and 3D tasks due to their similar integrated Iris Xe graphics, which can handle entry-level gaming reasonably well, but not as efficiently as dedicated gaming GPUs. Both laptops have a 60Hz screen refresh rate, providing an adequate, but not optimal gaming experience which is better suited for less demanding games; however, the Flex 5 16 has a slightly better processor which can contribute to smooth performance, while the IdeaPad Slim 5i has a less powerful CPU that might limit its capability slightly more in intensive scenarios.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
7.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 is suited for engineering and design with its higher-performing CPU and superior screen resolution and quality, which are critical for detailed work and multitasking. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, while also suitable for engineering and design due to acceptable performance and RAM, offers greater portability and a quieter operation which could be more ideal for users frequently on the move.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
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 Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
7.5/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo Flex 5 16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$779
$828
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a price of $779 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo Flex 5 16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i compare to other laptops
"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."
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Flex 5 16 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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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