Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Overview

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a long-winded title, but it surely’s a reasonably nice Chromebook system in case you’re searching for one. Chromebooks are a humorous factor; they’re not for everybody, they usually do lack the sturdy choices {that a} correct full working system gives. However not everybody wants the choices and software program compatibility of a full working system. So Chromebooks are a superb possibility for that a part of the inhabitants. These laptops are nice for seniors and college students that want primary performance and web entry.

Estimated studying time: 14 minutes

So, it’s necessary to know that one thing just like the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus isn’t a one-for-one commerce in comparison with a MacBook or Home windows PC. But it surely does fill a necessity, and the affordability is what makes Chromebooks engaging. One necessary word about this mannequin. This spec I’ve right here is barely accessible at Costco. Those at Amazon and Greatest Purchase are usually not accessible with the i5 processor or 256GB SSD. Let’s get into the complete evaluation.

The Fast Take

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus isn’t the perfect Chromebook in the marketplace, but it surely’s additionally not terrible. This Chromebook has quite a bit going for it, particularly this SKU. This one has the higher Intel i5 and a greater and bigger SSD. In fact, since this can be a 2-in-1, you get a laptop computer and pill in a single. It is a respectable Chromebook. I might have favored a brighter show and higher battery life, however for the asking value, it’s a good purchase.

Rating and Backside Line

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

USD 599

Nailed it

• Good design
• Easy ChromeOS expertise
• This SKU with the Intel 5i and SSD performs properly
• Nice port choice
• Nice keyboard and touchpad
• The show colours are nice they usually look good indoors and never outside

Wants work

• Audio system are usually not very loud
• The show may very well be brighter, it struggles outside
• The webcam is simply okay
• Battery life may very well be higher

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a decent-looking laptop computer. The design is trendy sufficient and never as chunky and ponderous as Chromebooks are usually. There are quite a few port choices, which is fairly excellent. ChromeOS is straightforward and straightforward to make use of, and you probably have a Google account, you’re able to go.

This Costco SKU has the Intel i5 with a 256 GB SSD. The choices from Amazon and Greatest Purchase solely have the Intel i3 and a 128 GB eMMC drive. Now, the Costco web site isn’t clear if that is an NVMe SSD or if it’s additionally an eMMC. Both means, the Costco model is bigger in space for storing.

The keyboard and touchpad are surprisingly good to make use of. The webcam is ok; it may very well be higher, as is similar with the audio system. These audio system are simply not very loud, however they sound nice. The show appears very nice, however I wished extra brightness. General, this can be a good Chromebook. May or not it’s higher? Sure. However for the worth and the worth when on sale, it’s actually not a foul purchase. In order for you a Chromebook.

Affiliate Hyperlink Disclosure

In a few of our articles and particularly in our evaluations, you will see that Amazon or different affiliate hyperlinks. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. Another purchases you make by means of these hyperlinks usually end in a small quantity being earned for the positioning and/or our writers. Techaeris usually covers model press releases. Doing this doesn’t represent an endorsement of any services or products by Techaeris. We offer the press launch data for our viewers to learn and make their very own determination on a purchase order or not. Solely our evaluations are an endorsement or lack thereof. For extra data, you may learn our full disclaimer.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Specs

• Efficiency
  • Processor: 13^th Era Intel^® Core™ i5-1334U Processor (E-Core Max 3.40 GHz, P-Core Max 4.60 GHz with Turbo Increase, 8 Cores, 12 Threads, 12 MB Intel Good-Cache)
  • Working System: Chrome OS
  • Reminiscence: 8GB 4266MHz LPDDR4x (Soldered)
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Graphics: Intel^® UHD graphics
  • Battery: As much as 10 hours
  • Audio: 2 x 2W stereo audio system by MaxxAudio^® 
  • Digital camera: 1080p FHD webcam
• Ports/Slots:
  • MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0)
  • 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (help information switch, Energy Supply 3.0, and DisplayPort™ 1.4) 
  • USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
  • Headphone-mic combo
  • Kensington Nano Safety Slot
• Wi-fi:
  • Wi-Fi 6E* 802.11AX (2 x 2)
  • Bluetooth^® 5.1
• Show: 14.0″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, touchscreen, shiny, 16:10, 300 nits, 45% NTSC
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 19.7 mm x 315.5 mm x 229 mm / 0.8″ x 12.4″ x 9.0″
• Weight: Beginning at 1.62 kg / 3.57 lbs
• Pen: Elective Lenovo USI pen
• Shade: Storm Gray
• Preloaded Software program
  • Google Assistant
  • Google Play Retailer
  • Android™ Studio

What’s In The Field

• IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Gen 7 (14″ Intel)
• 45W AC adapter
• Inner Battery
• Fast Begin Information

Design

The design and construct high quality of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is definitely wonderful. Chromebooks was an afterthought for many manufacturers. These laptops had been usually constructed with the most cost effective supplies and had a number of the worst designs.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus appears and looks like a Home windows laptop computer. Sure, there may be nonetheless extra plastic on these laptops than on the Home windows variations, however the high quality is much better. The highest of the laptop computer has a two-tone end that could be very refined. The Chromebook Plus branding is right here, as is the Lenovo branding. It’s very properly performed and minimal.

Turning the laptop computer over, you get two lengthy rubber toes for stability and for permitting air to movement underneath to the venting that can also be on the underside. The rear of the laptop computer has venting ports, and the flex hinges are right here as properly. The entrance edge has a lip to assist open the laptop computer, and this doesn’t open with one finger. The flex hinges are pretty tight and stop this. Not a deal breaker as a result of we would like these hinges to be sturdy to deal with any motion from laptop computer and pill modes.

Alongside the left edge are the ability button and quantity rocker. These really feel a bit low-cost, one of many few spots on this laptop computer the place I really feel they went low-cost. Additionally they stick out, and also you would possibly end up hitting the ability button when adjusting the laptop computer to a different mode. I might have favored these to be recessed. There’s additionally a nano lock slot and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port right here.

Alongside the left aspect, you get an HDMI port, headphone jack, microSD slot, and one other USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. Each of the USB-C ports will cost the laptop computer. The port choice right here is definitely incredible. There are some Home windows laptops that don’t have HDMI or a headphone jack. I might have favored to see a USB-A port right here too.

Opening the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, you’re greeted with the show, which has respectable bezels. They’re not tremendous slim, however they aren’t chunky like Chromebooks of the previous. The webcam is on the high, and there’s a privateness shutter you may slide to dam the digicam. There’s additionally a rubber gasket across the show that retains it from touching the keyboard when closed.

Transferring right down to the deck, there may be loads of flex right here, however I anticipated this. The keyboard is definitely very snug, and I didn’t thoughts the touchpad. The highest-firing audio system had been a pleasant shock; even some costly Home windows laptops don’t have top-firing audio system. There’s Lenovo branding and Intel branding on the deck as properly.

Your entire laptop computer is a grey shade, and the end does choose up fingerprints, however not as badly as another colours. General, I just like the look, design, and construct of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. Chromebooks have actually come a great distance on this space. Sure, there are nonetheless some low-cost construct selections right here, however at this value level, I get it.

Show

The 14″ WUXGA show has 300 nits of brightness and is simply okay. I feel this is without doubt one of the weaker factors of this laptop computer. This brightness stage isn’t good outside on a shiny day. There’s loads of glare, and the low brightness doesn’t assist.

That’s actually my predominant downside with this show. In any other case, the colours look good, and the black ranges are acceptable, as are the whites. It’s lots crisp and straightforward to learn textual content. All of that is wonderful if you’re indoors and in regular room lighting. However going outdoors in daylight or very shiny circumstances, you’ll have to take care of glare and a washed-out show.

The contact responsiveness is superb, and all gestures work properly. The flex mode is what it’s: tent mode, laptop computer mode, and presentation mode. You’ll be able to fold this in some ways, and that’s a plus. General, this show would actually profit from a greater brightness output. If the brightness had been a minimum of 400 nits, it might have gotten a better rating. 500 nits is admittedly the place I need to see a show, and this one simply falls brief. That stated, in case you’re inside more often than not, then you need to be nice.

Software program

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus runs ChromeOS, and never quite a bit has modified since my final run with ChromeOS. I do know why ChromeOS exists, and it is sensible, however I’m not a lot of a fan of ChromeOS. That stated, I do know that in case you’re studying this, you’re okay with this OS.

The difficulty with ChromeOS is that it’s had a hell of a time digging itself out of the outlet it’s been thrown in. The working system has by no means been totally taken severely as an influence consumer’s OS. Like Apple’s iPad continues to be not totally embraced as a laptop computer alternative, Chromebooks haven’t been adopted as a PC or Mac alternative.

There’s nonetheless some fact to this. ChromeOS nonetheless lacks the power to make use of some software program that PCs and Macs can, so that is nonetheless a no-go for a lot of customers. However there may be excellent news for some: ChromeOS has made enhancements, and higher apps can be found.

Earlier than we proceed, it’s important to know that Chromebooks usually lock you into the Google ecosystem. There are methods to make use of different browsers and apps by unlocking a number of the system’s Linux options, however we received’t go into all that. We’re preserving this easy, as most customers will open the field, register, and use what’s right here.

ChromeOS nonetheless has points with Android apps, or a greater option to put this can be a lot of Android apps are usually not optimized for ChromeOS. That stated, you may pressure apps to dimension the show. My most well-liked e mail shopper will not be optimized for ChromeOS, and the system warned me it was solely a cell or pill app. However I might pressure it to resize to the show, and it labored nice.

However a minimum of you get all of Google’s software program right here, together with Gemini and different new options. General, ChromeOS isn’t my first selection, however in case you’re taking a look at this laptop computer. Then you definately’ll be pleased with it and the working system and software program.

Efficiency

This Costco unit runs on the Intel Core Extremely i5-1334U paired with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. This combo was wonderful for me. No less than for the fundamentals and a few mild picture enhancing. Most customers taking a look at this laptop computer will probably be primary customers and college students who aren’t working something massively intensive.

General, this unit carried out as anticipated for this configuration and in primary duties like docs, streaming, net looking, e mail, and different mild app utilization. Nothing sudden right here, however I do suppose the Costco model is a more sensible choice than the i3 model offered on Amazon and Greatest Purchase.

Audio system/Sound

The audio system on the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus might use some enhancing. They’re simply not very loud. Even at max volumes, I felt that these audio system simply by no means pushed excessive. I’ll give them credit score for not cracking or breaking apart at their highest quantity setting, however a bit extra acquire would have been good. They’re additionally skinny, like most laptop computer audio system. They don’t maintain the underside finish of issues up, however that is anticipated for this value level. These audio system work nice for video conferencing, podcasts, and YouTube movies. Definitely not good if you’d like immersive theater sound. However for this value and meant demographic, it’s what we get. On a constructive word, they’re top-mounted, and that helps.

Digital camera

The 1080p webcam on the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is ok. It’s definitely usable, but it surely’s largely simply common. These Chromebooks are usually geared toward college students and primary customers, and I feel most of that demographic will probably be nice with this digicam.

Battery Life

Battery life is an fascinating factor as of late. With Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm all making new chips for Home windows PCs, battery life has gotten fairly spectacular on Home windows PCs. Chromebooks was a extremely really helpful possibility for customers who wanted one thing easy with nice battery life. However now that Home windows PCs have higher CPU/GPU/NPU combos, this isn’t the case anymore.

As a matter of reality, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus does worse than some Home windows PCs in terms of battery life. Surprising, I do know. It’s not that the battery life is horrible both. I used to be in a position to squeeze out nearly 8 hours with regular utilization. This contains net looking, paperwork, e mail, streaming music, streaming movies, and primary regular computing.

In fact, as all the time, battery life is very depending on how you utilize your system and what settings you utilize. General, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus does a great job within the battery life division, however be careful for Home windows. There are alternatives on the market with higher battery life.

Worth/Worth

This Costco Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is priced at USD 599, and you’ll often discover it for lower than that. I feel this can be a good worth on the sale costs. Sure, this laptop computer does have its points, however total, it’s a whole lot. This unit additionally comes with an Intel i3 from Amazon and Greatest Purchase. Whereas these are in all probability good items as properly, I can’t evaluate since I don’t have them. The Costco could be my choose.

Wrap-Up

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a decent-looking laptop computer. The design is trendy sufficient and never as chunky and ponderous as Chromebooks are usually. There are quite a few port choices, which is fairly excellent. ChromeOS is straightforward and straightforward to make use of, and you probably have a Google account, you’re able to go.

This Costco SKU has the Intel i5 with a 256 GB SSD. The choices from Amazon and Greatest Purchase solely have the Intel i3 and a 128 GB eMMC drive. Now, the Costco web site isn’t clear if that is an NVMe SSD or if it’s additionally an eMMC. Both means, the Costco model is bigger in space for storing.

The keyboard and touchpad are surprisingly good to make use of. The webcam is ok; it may very well be higher, as is similar with the audio system. These audio system are simply not very loud, however they sound nice. The show appears very nice, however I wished extra brightness. General, this can be a good Chromebook. May or not it’s higher? Sure. However for the worth and the worth when on sale, it’s actually not a foul purchase. In order for you a Chromebook.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus isn’t the perfect Chromebook in the marketplace, but it surely’s additionally not terrible. This Chromebook has quite a bit going for it, particularly this SKU. This one has the higher Intel i5 and a greater and bigger SSD. In fact, since this can be a 2-in-1, you get a laptop computer and pill in a single. It is a respectable Chromebook. I might have favored a brighter show and higher battery life, however for the asking value, it’s a good purchase.