When choosing between the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the ThinkPad T14, consider that the IdeaPad may save you money and still handle everyday tasks well, while the ThinkPad typically offers better durability, performance, and features suited for business environments. If you travel frequently or depend on your laptop for work, the ThinkPad's reliability might justify the higher cost; however, for casual use or if budget is a primary concern, the IdeaPad should suffice. 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 ThinkPad T14.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
315.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with its capable CPU and RAM, ensures smooth everyday tasks and decent portability, making it a solid choice for general use, while its screen quality and battery life are adequate for most users. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, on the other hand, offers superior CPU performance and screen quality, with added benefits like a longer battery life and a more robust build, which translates to better overall productivity for users who require their laptop to handle more intense workloads reliably over extended periods.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
8.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, suits engineering tasks and design work that require significant processing power and graphical capabilities, while its high-quality screen delivers clear and accurate visuals necessary for detailed work. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, known for a robust keyboard and durable build, also has a powerful CPU and sufficient RAM, making it reliable for engineering, but with a focus on portability and lower operating noise, it appeals to professionals who prioritize mobility and a quieter work environment.
Content Creation
7.4/10
8.3/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
7.4/10
8.3/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
6.4/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
315.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, a laptop with a bright, high-resolution display offers clear and sharp visuals, making the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 more appealing with its superior panel quality over the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i. When it comes to engineering and design work, accurate color reproduction is crucial, and the ThinkPad T14's better coverage of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB means it can represent a wider range of colors more accurately than the IdeaPad. However, for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from smooth motion and quick response times, neither laptop excels due to their limited refresh rates, though the superior resolution and panel types still provide an acceptable experience for casual use.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$828
$1,241
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a price of $828 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while equipped with GPUs that can handle casual gaming and some 3D tasks, don't have the high-end graphics capabilities or rapid screen refresh rates dedicated gaming laptops offer, leading to a less optimal experience for intensive gaming or demanding 3D work. However, their CPUs are robust enough for average use, and while their screen quality is decent, it won't match the vibrancy or clarity found in more specialized gaming or multimedia devices.
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has 9 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
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad T14 to have very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 compare to other laptops
"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."
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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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