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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i usually comes at a lower price and provides respectable performance for general use with a 16-inch display, ideal for productivity tasks. However, it's heavier than the Slim 7i, making it less portable. The Slim 7i, while more expensive, is lighter and has a better general use performance with a smaller 14-inch screen, which contributes to its portability. It also has a slightly better battery life and a more powerful processor, which could be beneficial for more intensive tasks. Neither are ideal for intensive gaming, but the Slim 7i has a slightly elevated build quality and comes with additional features like Thunderbolt ports and a fingerprint reader. 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 IdeaPad Slim 5i
- The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
- Very good portability
- Very good battery life
- Good speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.4
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
315.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, engineering and design, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with its fair screen quality, offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks, yet it lacks the wider color gamuts essential for precision work in engineering and design. The Slim 7i steps up with a display that showcases richer colors and better brightness, enhancing the experience for professionals who demand accuracy for design-related software. However, both models fall short for gaming and 3D applications due to their lower refresh rates, which can't deliver the smooth visuals required for high-speed graphics rendering.
Battery
8.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$828
$899
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a price of $828 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.7
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
315.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is well-suited for general use due to its ample RAM and capable CPU for multitasking, a decent screen quality with good resolution, and sufficient battery life for everyday tasks, all packed in a reasonably portable design. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i also caters to general use with a stronger CPU for more demanding applications, a higher battery capacity for longer use away from power outlets, enhanced screen colors for a more vibrant display, all while being slightly lighter and thinner for enhanced portability.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
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 IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Slim 7i are considered fair for gaming and 3D because both feature integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle light gaming and 3D tasks but are not suited for high-end gaming performance. While the IdeaPad Slim 5i has a slightly larger screen and higher resolution beneficial for screen quality, both laptops have the same refresh rate of 60 Hz which is adequate for casual gaming but not optimal for fast-paced games that benefit from higher refresh rates. The Slim 7i offers a better CPU for overall performance but the GPU remains the same, thus not significantly improving gaming or 3D performance compared to the Slim 5i.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is tailored for engineering and design with a processor that supports moderate workloads, ample RAM, and integrated graphics suitable for less intensive tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen and respectable keyboard, but it is slightly heavier and not as quiet.
Content Creation
7.4
7.7
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
7.4
7.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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.
Build Quality
7.6
7.8
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$828 | $899 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2020 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 12.6'' x 8.2'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.17 lbs | 2.99 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 12.62" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 8.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | Intel i7-1165G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 11.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 56.6 Wh | 60.7 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 315 nits | 340 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
HT Tech
Robin Sinha | February 2021
"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."
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Ted Needleman
| January 2022
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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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