Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Assessment 2023

I journey rather a lot, and my bag can really feel a bit cumbersome after I pack my garments, all my tech and selecting which pair of earbuds to tackle the airplane (spoiler: I can’t resolve and often take three). Making an attempt to maintain my baggage mild generally is a problem as a result of I work on the go, and I’ve to pack accordingly. As a result of I’m making an attempt to pack mild, including the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus might sound like a counterintuitive alternative. In any case, once I first acquired my fingers on it, the primary element I famous was how heavy it felt.

However contemplating the machine’s processing energy, it’s a tradeoff I’m keen to take—in reality, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is my newest obsession in terms of taking private tasks away from dwelling. For many who want an all-day doc processor, this touchscreen laptop computer needs to be thought-about your go-to, regardless of the heft. Learn on to see why.

CPU: Intel thirteenth Era Core i3 i3-1315U | RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | Storage: 128GB eMMC | Show: 14-inch touchscreen | Decision: 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) | Battery: As much as 10 hours | Weight: 3.5 kilos

Greatest for:

• Enhancing on the go
• Informal customers who wish to have Google’s Chrome OS
• Sketching or doc signing because of the 2-in-1 design

Skip if:

• You’re in search of a light-weight machine
• You’re all about cloud gaming

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Design

A Chromebook Disguised As A Laptop computer

Let me reiterate: the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is heavy. In comparison with my Forbes-issued Dell ThinkStation, it really feel a lot heavier, regardless of it solely being 1 / 4 pound extra. That could be an unfair evaluation although, contemplating that in contrast to my work machine, the Lenovo features a touchscreen that’s additionally stylus-compatible. As a result of it’s a two-in-one laptop computer and pill mixture, it’s going to have some heft. Up to now, I’ve by no means tried a Chromebook 2-in-1 that doesn’t have this concern.

However regardless of being a Chromebook with pill capabilities, it doesn’t include a USI stylus. A wise transfer would have been to incorporate even a fundamental stylus, however for now, you’ll should spend further to get one. That’s not the tip of the world, however it could have been useful in actually making this a productive, moveable instrument proper out of the field.

I’ve been an enormous Chromebook fan for years and have owned a number of, from a rugged HP 360x to the Acer Chromebook 314. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, alternatively, has a a glossy design that appears fairly fairly. It contains a membrane keyboard that feels extra like a mechanical keyboard below your fingertips and a big, easy observe pad that’s straightforward to make use of and modify as wanted. All in all, it feels—and appears—like a high vary laptop computer that simply so occurs to be a Chromebook.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Show

Don’t Count on To Work In The Solar

As a result of it’s a FHD IPS touchscreen, you received’t get the flowery, inky blacks of an OLED show, but it surely nonetheless appears beautiful. Additionally, the show solely reaches 300 nits. That’s not a deal breaker—many OLED fashions can solely hit 400 or 500 nits—however if you happen to’re considering you’d wish to work outdoors in sunny circumstances, this isn’t the Chromebook for that.

I examined the Chromebook’s show for 3 duties: video conferencing, streaming Archer and routine web searching. The show carried out as anticipated, displaying crisp, clear imaging throughout my video chats. Archer appeared nice, and I might see myself streaming for lengthy hours when away from dwelling. Because of the built-in nightlight show, doc processing felt clear and straightforward to learn regardless of the time of day. Generally, the laptop computer’s show left me glad that I might get my work finished and chill out throughout my off-hours.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Efficiency

Runs Simply Like A Laptop computer—However It’s Not

One of many IdeaPad Flex 5i’s largest perks is that the system feels like full-powered laptop computer disguised as a Chromebook. It comes with 8GB of RAM, 128GB eMMC storage and an improved thirteenth Gen Intel Core processor (the i3-1315U, to be exact). On most days, I exploit a Chromebook to jot down articles and surf the net. The Chromebook can deal with these duties with flying colours however provides in collaborative options; one of many important additions is Adobe Categorical, a web- and cloud-based program that brings an Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom mixture to Chromebooks.

I wished to see how a lot I might do with this new software program designed for Chromebook Plus. Full disclosure: You’ll have to pay for this cloud service, however once you do, you get entry to hundreds of various templates, from logos to generative AI to just about no matter you have to full the undertaking.

I used to be skeptical that Adobe Categorical on a Chromebook might deal with all the pieces I threw at it, however once I made a faux birthday celebration invitation for one in all my cats, I used to be pleasantly stunned. The one time the Chromebook even slowed down was once I tried producing an AI picture with the directions, “A fats, white cat with massive black spots on his black and on his ears dressed as a Roman Emperor standing on the high of Mount Olympus.”

The software program leaves some to be desired (even within the take a look at picture above, it seems the AI forgot to complete poor Max’s tail). I want I might say I used to be stunned once I requested one other cat-focused picture and acquired photos of cats with three again legs. Different photos got here again regular. Should you plan on utilizing these AI collaborations, proceed with warning. Generally, those who want photos for shows or are rounding out a undertaking with a canopy picture will discover that the Chromebook packs some helpful, user-friendly extras as long as you retain a detailed eye on the generated photos.

That’s removed from the one place the place the Chromebook Plus excels with AI integrations. AI can also be utilized in its built-in 1080p digicam to carry out AI-based noise cancelation and improve the video imaging. Personally, I cherished that it suppressed the noise of schoolchildren enjoying outdoors my house once I took calls. Does it catch each single noise? Not likely. Does it suppress the noise to the purpose the place different individuals on a convention name can’t hear my cats screeching at one another throughout play? Sure, and that’s enormous.

Typing on the machine for an hour felt like a breeze; in reality, I wrote this whole overview on the Chromebook Plus. The keys really feel easy and don’t have a variety of strain sensitivity, one thing that I actually admire when typing for lengthy stretches. I’m at all times bought on a tool that doesn’t really feel like a chore after typing for some time, and on the Chromebook Plus, I really feel bought understanding I can sort away, toss primarily the complete kitchen sink of my workload at it, and it could deal with it with ease.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Verdict

My New Go-To Chromebook

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has rather a lot going for it, from its built-in AI used for video conferencing, artistic manufacturing and extra. At $499, is it definitely worth the funding? That relies upon. If you’d like a conveyable machine, the Chromebook Plus packs a variety of workhorse with loads of potentialities to finish your duties—however you’ll undoubtedly really feel it in your bag. Should you’re looking for so as to add this to your WFH setup for doc creation and social media-friendly enhancing and posting for pictures and movies, this can be a useful gizmo to make use of.

I additionally want it had include a stylus as part of the bundle, but it surely’s not a deal breaker. For those who want to make use of that twin compatibility, it’s worthwhile to take a position so you may have the flexibility to take notes just by flipping the machine.

My Experience

I’ve been working with and on Chromebooks for practically a decade now, having jumped headfirst into utilizing one for my work and journey wants. For the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, I used it day by day, from writing articles in cafes to engaged on longer-term tasks and taking notes throughout briefings.

I made word of how effectively the purposes dealt with below mild, medium and heavy duties throughout my work day, and likewise checked the laptop computer below numerous lighting circumstances, typing late into the night time in addition to engaged on brilliant sunny days in my house and occasional outlets. My testing concerned streaming movies, fundamental phrase processing and extra.

Different Articles You May Like

Searching for extra choices? We’ve acquired an inventory that can assist you discover one of the best laptop computer on your way of life. From MacBooks and Chromebooks, to fashions below $500, we have got you coated.

Greatest Laptops By Model

Greatest Laptops By Sort

Greatest Laptops By Worth

Ship me a safe tip.