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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) Laptop Review

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Reviewed Feb 22, 2023 at 01:34 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Dec 07, 2023 at 07:56 am
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) Picture
7.5
School
5.9
Gaming
6.7
Multimedia
7.5
Workstation
7.7
Business

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) is an ultraportable Windows laptop. It replaces the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 from 2021 (model number starting with 82HS). The 2022 model is largely an internal upgrade to Intel 12th Gen. CPUs and faster 4266MHz LP-DDR4X memory. Other improvements include better display options, like a 2.2K IPS and 2.8K OLED panel, faster PCIe Gen. 4 x4 NVMe SSDs, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 1080p webcam. It has a fingerprint sensor for quick logins, and it supports pen input, although you may have to buy the stylus separately, as it isn't always bundled with the device.

Our Verdict

7.5 School

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is good for school use. It feels well-built and easy to carry around, thanks to its thin and light design. It has a sharp display that provides enough room for multitasking, a comfortable keyboard, and a responsive touchpad. Its Intel 12th Gen. CPU can handle most student workloads; however, its integrated graphics aren't powerful enough to handle demanding tasks, so it might not be the best option for students in fields like 3D graphics or animation. The battery lasts around eight hours of light use, so depending on your usage, you may have to plug it in for a quick charge to get through the day.

Pros
  • Well-built and portable.
  • Display provides enough room for multitasking.
  • Available with a sharper OLED display.
  • Comfortable keyboard.
  • Supports pen input for note-taking.
Cons
  • Battery lasts only around 8 hours of light use.
  • Integrated GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
  • Glossy screen struggles with bright reflections.
5.9 Gaming

The Lenovo Flex 5i is mediocre for gaming. It's only available with low-power CPUs and integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to handle demanding games. You can play some older or extremely well-optimized games, but you might have to play at low graphical settings to get smooth gameplay. Also, there are only 60Hz display options with no variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing. On the upside, it doesn't get overly hot or loud under load.

Pros
  • Available with a sharper OLED display.
  • Comfortable keyboard.
  • Quiet fan under load.
  • User-upgradeable SSD.
Cons
  • Loses CPU performance under load.
  • Integrated GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
  • Slow response time on the FHD and 2.2K IPS panels.
  • Memory isn't user-replaceable.
6.7 Multimedia

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is okay for media consumption. It's very portable, and since it's a 2-in-1 convertible, you can set up the laptop in tent mode to view content and navigate using touch input. The battery lasts around six hours of video playback, giving you enough time to get through a couple of movies and TV shows. Its 1080p display looks a little dim and washed out; however, you can configure the laptop with a nicer display, like a 2.2K IPS or a 2.8K OLED panel with full DCI P3 coverage. Unfortunately, the speakers don't get very loud and sound boxy, with no bass whatsoever.

Pros
  • Well-built and portable.
  • Available with a sharper OLED display.
  • Speakers deliver clear dialogue.
  • Can be used in tent or tablet mode.
Cons
  • Speakers sound unnatural and quiet.
  • FHD display looks washed out.
  • Glossy screen struggles with bright reflections.
7.5 Workstation

The Lenovo Flex 5i is good for use as a workstation. It has a comfortable keyboard and a good port selection that includes USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, and it's available with a 2.8K OLED display that's suitable for color-critical work. Its Intel 12th Gen. CPU is fast; however, its performance drops when it gets too hot, which isn't ideal for heavy, sustained workloads. Also, it's only available with integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to handle demanding tasks.

Pros
  • Comfortable keyboard.
  • Thunderbolt 4 support.
  • Quiet fan under load.
  • User-upgradeable SSD.
Cons
  • Loses CPU performance under load.
  • Integrated GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
  • Memory isn't user-replaceable.
7.7 Business

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is good for business use. It's a well-built and portable laptop with a comfortable keyboard, a responsive touchpad, and a sharp display. Its Intel 12th Gen. CPU is fast and can easily handle productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and web browsing. It has a good 1080p webcam for video calls, and its USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4, allowing you to connect up to two 4k displays at 60Hz with a single cable. The battery lasts around eight hours of light use, so you might have to plug it in for a quick charge to get through the day, depending on your usage.

Pros
  • Well-built and portable.
  • Display provides enough room for multitasking.
  • Available with a sharper OLED display.
  • Comfortable keyboard.
  • Supports pen input for note-taking.
  • Good webcam for video calls.
Cons
  • Battery lasts only around 8 hours of light use.
  • Glossy screen struggles with bright reflections.
  • 7.5 School
  • 5.9 Gaming
  • 6.7 Multimedia
  • 7.5 Workstation
  • 7.7 Business
  1. Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2.
  2. Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
  3. Updated Aug 04, 2023: Added mention of the HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023) as an alternative with a discrete GPU in the GPU section.
  4. Updated Jul 26, 2023: Added mention of the HP ENVY x360 15 (2023) as an alternative with a better webcam in the Webcam and Microphone section.
  5. Updated Feb 22, 2023: Review published.
  6. Updated Feb 16, 2023: Early access published.
  7. Updated Feb 08, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  8. Updated Feb 01, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  9. Updated Jan 25, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i (model 82R70007US) equipped with a 1080p IPS display, an Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The display, CPU, memory, and storage are configurable; you can see the available options in the table below. This review applies to all models with a model number starting with '82R7'.

Screen
  • 14" IPS 1920 x 1200 60Hz
  • 14" IPS 2240 x 1400 60Hz (100% sRGB)
  • 14" OLED 2880 x 1800 60Hz (100% DCI P3)
CPU
  • Intel Pentium Gold 8505 (5 cores/6 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 8MB cache)
  • Intel Core i3-1215U (6 cores/8 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 10MB cache)
  • Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 12MB cache)
  • Intel Core i7-1255U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 12MB cache)
GPU
  • Intel UHD Graphics (integrated, Core i3 and Pentium Gold)
  • Intel Iris Xe (integrated, Core i5 and i7)
Memory
  • 4GB LP-DDR4X 4266MHz
  • 8GB LP-DDR4X 4266MHz
  • 16GB LP-DDR4X 4266MHz
Storage
  • 128GB M.2 2242 PCIe Gen. 3 x4 NVMe SSD
  • 256GB M.2 2242 PCIe Gen. 4 x4 NVMe SSD
  • 512GB M.2 2242 PCIe Gen. 4 x4 NVMe SSD
  • 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen. 3 x4 NVMe SSD
  • 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen. 3 x4 NVMe SSD
Color
  • Cloud Gray
  • Stone Blue
  • Stone Gray

Our display and performance results are only valid for the configuration we tested. If you come across a different configuration option not listed above or have a similar Lenovo Flex 5i that doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update it. Some tests, like black uniformity and color accuracy, may vary between individual units.

You can see our unit's label here.

Compared To Other Laptops

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 is a good laptop and among the best in its class. It stands out for its sturdy build and comfortable keyboard; however, its battery life isn't as good as other similar laptops.

For more options, see our recommendations for the best laptops, the best laptops for college, and the best business laptops.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (2021)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) and the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (2021) are very similar 2-in-1 convertible laptops. The main differences between these two devices have to do with the display and CPU options, battery life, thermals, and webcam. The IdeaPad Flex 5i is available with faster Intel 12th Gen. CPUs, as well as sharper and brighter displays, including a 2.8K OLED panel with full DCI P3 coverage. It also has a better 1080p webcam for video calls. However, the Yoga 7i lasts much longer on battery, and it doesn't get as hot or loud under load.

HP ENVY x360 15 (2023)

The HP ENVY x360 15 (2023) is slightly better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) for most uses. The HP has a sturdier build, a better 1440p webcam, and better performance over time. It's available with nicer displays, including an OLED panel with full DCI P3 and Adobe RGB coverage for color-critical work. Also, you can get the HP with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 discrete GPU to perform more intensive tasks like video editing and 3D graphics.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) is a newer version of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14 (2020). The 2022 model is a slight improvement when it comes to the build quality, the touchpad, and the webcam. Additionally, it's available with sharper and brighter displays and faster Intel 12th Gen. CPUs. However, the 2020 model's battery lasts longer.

HP Pavilion x360 14 (2021)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) is much better than the HP Pavilion x360 14 (2021) for most uses. The Lenovo has a sturdier build, a more comfortable keyboard, and a better webcam. It's available with sharper and brighter displays, including a 2.2K IPS and a 2.8K OLED pane, while the HP is only limited to a 720p TN or 1080p IPS panel. The Lenovo is also available with faster Intel 12th Gen. CPUs, lasts longer on battery, and supports Thunderbolt 4.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (2021)

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (2021) is better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) for most uses. The Yoga 9i is a more premium device with a sturdier, all-aluminum build, a smoother glass touchpad, and significantly better-sounding speakers. It also has longer battery life. On the other hand, the IdeaPad Flex 5i is available with faster Intel 12th Gen. CPUs and sharper displays, including a 2.2K IPS and a 2.8K OLED panel with full DCI P3 coverage, while the Yoga 9i is limited to a 1080p IPS screen.

Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (2023)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) is much better than the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (2023) for most uses. The IdeaPad feels sturdier and provides a better user experience overall, as it has a more spacious and tactile keyboard, a larger touchpad, and a better 1080p webcam. It also has biometrics in the form of a fingerprint sensor and Thunderbolt 4 support, and it's available with significantly faster Intel 12th Gen U-series CPUs.

HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023)

The HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023) is better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) for most uses. The HP is available with newer and faster CPUs, NVIDIA discrete GPUs, and sharper, brighter displays, including a 2.8k OLED panel with full DCI P3 coverage. It also has a much better 1440p webcam and doesn't throttle as much as the Lenovo under load. However, the Lenovo is more versatile since it's a 2-in-1 convertible, meaning you can flip the screen around and use it as a tablet, and its battery lasts much longer.

ASUS Vivobook S 16 Flip TP3604 (2023)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022) is slightly better than the ASUS Vivobook S 16 Flip TP3604 (2023). The Lenovo has a better keyboard with backlighting, longer battery life, and a wider port selection with Thunderbolt 4 support. However, the ASUS has a larger display for multitasking, and it's available with more powerful CPUs and a nicer OLED display.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Form Factor
2 in 1

The Lenovo Flex 5i has a simple, business-like design. It has a slight wedge shape, meaning it's thinner at the front than at the back, relatively thin bezels, and a chiclet keyboard with speakers on each side. There's a small lip at the top of the display to give you a better grip when opening the laptop. The air vents are on the bottom and the back of the device. It's available in three color schemes: Cloud Gray, Stone Blue, and Stone Gray.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

The Lenovo Flex 5i's build quality is good. The lid is aluminum, but the bottom is plastic. The construction feels sturdy, with no obvious flaws or gaps, and the finish doesn't scratch or pick up fingerprints easily. There's a little bit of flex in the keyboard deck, but almost none in the display or with the laptop closed. The feet feel solid and adhere firmly to the bottom, and the weight is evenly distributed.

7.5
Design
Hinge
Range
360°
Stability
Good
One Finger Lift
No

The Lenovo Flex 5i has good hinges. They feel smooth when opening and closing the lid and are very stable. There's only a little bit of screen wobble, even when typing aggressively. The hinges are designed (along with the two plastic pieces beside the hinges) to lift the bottom slightly when in laptop mode, allowing for better airflow.

8.0
Design
Portability
Size
14"
Thickness
0.8" (2.1 cm)
Width
12.4" (31.4 cm)
Depth
8.9" (22.5 cm)
Volume
116.4 in³ (1,907.6 cm³)
Weight
3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
Charger Size
8.3 in³ (136.4 cm³)
Charger Weight
0.7 lbs (0.3 kg)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i and its power adapter are both compact and lightweight.

6.5
Design
Serviceability
Ease Of Access
8.0
RAM Slots
0
Storage Slots
1
Replaceable Battery
Yes
Replaceable Wireless Adapter
Yes

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i's serviceability is okay. Accessing the internals is easy; you only need to remove nine TR5 screws and unclip the bottom panel. The nine screws are of different lengths, so it's best to keep them organized, as it'll make it easier to put them back. Once inside, all the replaceable components are easily accessible. Unfortunately, the memory isn't user-replaceable, so you need to get enough to suit your needs upfront.

You can see the maintenance manual here.

Design
In The Box

  • Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i laptop
  • 65W power adapter and cord
  • User guide

Display
Display
Screen Specs
Resolution
1920 x 1200
Aspect Ratio
16:10
Pixel Density
161 PPI
Panel Type
IPS
Touch Screen
Yes
Screen-To-Body Ratio
81%

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is available with the following displays:

  • 14" IPS 1920 x 1200
  • 14" IPS 2240 x 1400 (100% sRGB)
  • 14" OLED 2880 x 1800 (100% DCI P3)

The FHD (1920 x 1200) panel looks sharp and provides just enough space for split-screen multitasking. Its 16:10 aspect ratio is great for productivity, as the increased vertical means you don't need to scroll as much when reading a document or website. If the FHD panel isn't sharp enough for you, you can get one of the other panels; just remember that their increased resolutions will drain the battery faster, and OLEDs also typically use more power. The 2.2K (2240 x 1400) IPS display has a pixel density of 189 PPI, while the 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED display has a pixel density of 243 PPI. Another thing to keep in mind is that there's a risk of permanent burn-in with OLED panels.

5.9
Display
Refresh Rate
Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No

The Lenovo Flex 5i is only available with 60Hz displays. The FHD panel has a slow response time causing noticeable ghosting, which isn't ideal for viewing fast-moving content or gaming. The 2.2K IPS panel will likely perform similarly. The 2.8K OLED panel will perform significantly better and deliver a clearer image, as OLEDs typically have a near-instantaneous response time.

6.8
Display
Contrast
Native Contrast
1,037 : 1

The FHD panel's contrast ratio is okay and within the typical range of most IPS panels. However, it's relatively low compared to other display technologies like VA and OLED. This contrast level makes blacks look gray, especially in dim settings. The 2.2K IPS panel will perform similarly. The 2.8K OLED panel is the best option for dark room viewing, as it can turn off individual pixels to produce perfect blacks.

6.5
Display
Brightness
Maximum Brightness
260 cd/m²
Minimum Brightness
1 cd/m²

The FHD panel doesn't get very bright. It's enough for use in most indoor settings but not for sunny environments or outdoors in broad daylight. The 2.2K IPS panel has the same advertised brightness of 300 cd/m², while the 2.8K OLED display has an advertised brightness of 400 cd/m. The display gets very dim at the lowest brightness setting, which helps reduce eye strain when viewing content in the dark.

6.7
Display
Reflections
Screen Finish
Glossy
Total Reflections
5.22%
Indirect Reflections
0.85%
Calculated Direct Reflections
4.37%

The reflection handling is okay. The display's glossy finish mainly struggles with direct, mirror-like reflections. It's best to avoid having bright light sources behind you, like a lamp or open window during the day, as these reflections are visible even with the screen at maximum brightness. The OLED panel has the same glossy finish.

4.6
Display
Black Uniformity
Uniformity (Std. Dev.)
2.839%

The black uniformity is bad. There's clouding throughout the screen and backlight bleed at the bottom corners. If you often view content in a dark setting and this is something you care about, it's best to get the OLED display because OLEDs can turn off individual pixels, resulting in perfect uniformity.

6.5
Display
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
24°
Color Washout From Right
25°
Color Shift From Left
35°
Color Shift From Right
45°
Brightness Loss From Left
27°
Brightness Loss From Right
28°
Black Level Raise From Left
60°
Black Level Raise From Right
60°
Gamma Shift From Left
23°
Gamma Shift From Right
27°

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has an okay horizontal viewing angle. The image looks dimmer and more washed out from the side. The picture quality is good enough for sharing casual content or text documents with someone else but not for color-critical work.

6.5
Display
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
27°
Color Washout From Above
25°
Color Shift From Below
29°
Color Shift From Above
36°
Brightness Loss From Below
27°
Brightness Loss From Above
26°
Black Level Raise From Below
45°
Black Level Raise From Above
45°
Gamma Shift From Below
28°
Gamma Shift From Above
27°

The vertical viewing angle is okay. Like the horizontal viewing angle, the image looks dimmer and washed out from above or below. You need to look at the screen more or less straight on to see an accurate image.

2.7
Display
Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy
Avg. White Balance dE
5.9
Avg. Gamma
2.08
Avg. Color dE
7.37
Avg. Color Temperature
6,286.9 K

The Lenovo Flex 5i's display accuracy is bad. Most colors are inaccurate due to the panel's narrow color gamut, and the white balance is also visibly off, as there's a slight green tint. The green tint is very noticeable when viewing a full white screen but less so when viewing normal content. The color temperature is only slightly warmer than the standard 6500K target, not enough to make a huge difference. The gamma doesn't follow the sRGB curve all that well; most scenes look too bright, while dark scenes are a little too dark.

3.8
Display
Color Gamut
sRGB xy
63.34%
sRGB uv
48.71%
Adobe RGB xy
48.15%
Adobe RGB uv
42.73%
DCI P3 xy
47.85%
DCI P3 uv
39.64%
Rec. 2020 xy
34.35%
Rec. 2020 uv
28.93%

The FHD display has a poor color gamut. It doesn't even have full coverage of the commonly-used sRGB color space, meaning most content looks slightly washed out. It also has poor coverage of wider color spaces like Adobe RGB and DCI P3. This panel isn't suitable for any color-critical work. The manufacturer advertises the 2.2K IPS panel to have full sRGB coverage and the 2.8K OLED panel to have full DCI P3 coverage.

10
Display
Flicker
Flicker-Free
Yes
Flicker Frequency
No Flicker
Flicker Active Below
0%

The FHD and 2.2K IPS displays are entirely flicker-free. The 2.8K OLED panel isn't technically flicker-free, as the brightness drops slightly at every frame change, but this brightness drop is hard to notice and unlikely to cause eye strain.

Interface
8.1
Interface
Keyboard
Typing Quality
8.0
Numpad
No
Backlighting
Adjustable
Operating Force
65 gf
Actuation Force
33 gf
Pre-Travel
0.92 mm
Total Travel
1.34 mm

The Lenovo Flex 5i has a great keyboard. The keycaps feel high-quality, and the layout feels spacious. The keys aren't very stable, as they wobble slightly; however, they have a good amount of travel and provide relatively satisfying tactile feedback. Overall, typing on this keyboard feels light and isn't tiring. Typing noise is low and isn't bothersome, even in quiet settings. You can adjust between two backlight brightness levels or turn it off completely.

7.5
Interface
Touchpad
Tracking Quality
7.5
Size
14.1 in² (90.7 cm²)
Material
Plastic
Dedicated Buttons
No

The touchpad is good. It's reasonably large and feels smooth, allowing the fingers to glide easily. It's responsive to all movements and gestures, even near the edges, although dragging and dropping over a long distance is sometimes hard, as it tends to drop the item halfway. There's no problem with palm rejection. Unfortunately, you can only click in the bottom half of the touchpad, and the click mechanism doesn't feel particularly satisfying.

7.1
Interface
Speakers
Max Volume
72 dB SPL
Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
5.7 dB
Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
0.3
Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)
334 Hz
Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)
20 kHz
Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.
0.3 dB

The speakers deliver clear vocals; however, there's very little bass, and musical instruments sound slightly unnatural. They also don't get very loud. In other words, they're good for speech-heavy content but not for music or movies.

7.9
Interface
Webcam & Microphone
Video Quality
7.5
Resolution
1080p
Position
Top Center
Privacy Cover
Yes
Face Unlock
No

The Lenovo Flex 5i's webcam video quality is good. The image looks detailed and well-exposed, and the colors look natural, although there's some noise in the darker areas. Voices sound clear but slightly nasal, with very little background noise. If you want a 2-in-1 convertible with a better webcam, check out the HP ENVY x360 15 (2023).

Connectivity
8.0
Connectivity
Ports
USB-A Ports
2
USB-C Ports
1
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt 4
USB-C Charging
Yes
USB-C Display Out
Yes
HDMI
1.4
DisplayPort
No
3.5mm Jack
Combo mic/headphone
Card Reader
SD UHS 1
Ethernet
No
Proprietary Port
No
Security Lock
No

The Lenovo Flex 5i has a great port selection. The two USB-A ports support USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer speed (up to 10 Gbps). The one closest to the back of the device has an Always-On function, meaning you can use it to charge a mobile device, even when the laptop is in Sleep mode. The USB-C supports Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gbps data transfer speed and video output to two 4k displays at 60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4a, and Power Delivery 3.0. Power Delivery allows for fast charging of mobile devices, up to a maximum of 15W.

Connectivity
Wireless Communication
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth
5.2

The wireless adapter is an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201.

Configuration
Configuration
CPU
Brand
Intel
Model
Core i5-1235U
Core Count
10
Thread Count
12

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is available with the following CPUs:

  • Intel Pentium Gold 8505 (5 cores/6 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 8MB cache)
  • Intel Core i3-1215U (6 cores/8 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 10MB cache)
  • Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 12MB cache)
  • Intel Core i7-1255U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 12MB cache)

All the CPUs are low-power processors designed for general productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback. They're also all hybrid CPUs with a mix of performance cores and efficiency cores. The Pentium Gold only has a single performance core, while the Core i3, i5, and i7 have two, with the rest being efficiency cores. Unless you have an extremely light workload, it's best to go with one of the Core processors, as the Pentium Gold is significantly slower. The Core i3 is the slowest of the Core processors but likely sufficient for most people with a workload that only involves things like Word documents and spreadsheets, but it might be worth going up to a Core i5 or i7 if you're a heavy multitasker. The i7 is only slightly faster than the i5, not enough to make a huge difference in light, general productivity tasks.

Configuration
GPU
Brand
Intel
Model
Iris Xe Graphics G7
Dedicated/Integrated
Integrated
VRAM Size
N/A

The Lenovo Flex 5i is only available with integrated graphics. The Pentium Gold and Core i3 have Intel UHD Graphics, while the Core i5 and i7 have Intel Iris Xe. There's a performance difference between the two, but ultimately, they're both integrated graphics designed for light workloads, not demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. You can play some puzzle-like games on the Core i5 and i7's Iris Xe, as well as older or extremely well-optimized titles, but you'll likely have to play at a lower resolution or with low graphical settings. The Core i7's GPU performs a little better than the Core i5's, but the difference is very minimal. If you need a similar laptop with a discrete GPU, check out the HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023).

Configuration
RAM
Capacity
8 GB
Modules
8 (Soldered)
Type
LP-DDR4X
Speed
4,266 MHz

You can configure the Lenovo Flex 5i with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of memory.

Configuration
Storage
Advertised Capacity
512 GB
Usable Capacity
449 GB
Drive 1
Samsung MZAL4512HBLU-00BL2
Drive 1 Type SSD
Drive 2
No 2nd Drive
Drive 2 Type No 2nd Drive

You can configure this laptop with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The 128GB SSD is a PCIe Gen. 3 x4 drive, while the 256GB SSD supports the faster PCIe Gen. 4 x4 standard. The 512GB SSD can be either a PCIe Gen. 3 x4 or Gen. 4 x4; it's best to check the specifications if this is something you care about. The 1TB SSD is a PCIe Gen. 3 x4 drive.

Performance
8.6
Performance
Geekbench 5 (Synthetics)
CPU Single-Thread
1,521 points
CPU Multi-Thread
8,285 points
GPU Compute
14,078 points

The Lenovo Flex 5i has an excellent overall score in Geekbench 5. The Intel Core i5-1235U has no problems handling general productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, presentations, web browsing, and video playback. It can handle more demanding tasks, but know that the CPU throttles under load, and most of the U-series CPU cores are efficiency cores, which are slower than performance cores. If you need to perform demanding tasks like video editing or 3D graphics, it's best to get a laptop with an H-series processor and a better cooling system. The Core i7 will only be slightly faster, while the Pentium Gold and Core i3 will be slower. The Intel Iris Xe graphics perform poorly and aren't suitable for heavy compute tasks.

9.3
Performance
Cinebench R23 (CPU Rendering)
Single-Thread
1,572 points
Multi-Thread
7,791 points

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i with an Intel Core i5-1235U performs exceptionally well in the Cinebench R23 benchmark. However, if you need to render images professionally or perform other heavy, sustained tasks, there are better options. You can see that while the Core i5-1235U can match some H-series CPUs in Geekbench 5—a relatively short benchmark—it tends to fall behind in longer benchmark tests due to thermal throttling and the lower number of performance cores.

6.4
Performance
Blender (3D Rendering)
CPU Render Time
6.9 min
GPU Render Time
N/A
GPU Render Time (Optix)
N/A

The Lenovo Flex 5i's performance in Blender is mediocre. The intel Core i5-1235U takes a long time to render the simple bmw27 scene, which isn't ideal for professionals with more complex material and strict deadlines. Blender doesn't support the integrated GPU, although it'll likely take longer. None of the configurations are suitable for 3D rendering.

5.0
Performance
Basemark GPU (Game Scene)
Overall Score
15,775

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i performs poorly in the Basemark GPU benchmark. The Core i5's Iris Xe graphics can only handle simple, puzzle-like games, as well as older or extremely well-optimized titles, and even then, you may have to play at a lower resolution or with low graphical settings. The Core i7 is only slightly faster; you'll likely get a couple more frames than an i5 at most. The Pentium Gold and Core i3's Intel UHD graphics are much slower, so don't expect to play anything more demanding than something like Solitaire.

9.2
Performance
Storage Drive Performance
Sequential Write Speed
684.1 MB/s
Sequential Read Speed
2,580.6 MB/s
Random Write Speed
80.8 MB/s
Random Read Speed
57.0 MB/s

The 512GB PCIe Gen. 3 x4 NVMe SSD's performance is outstanding. The sequential write speed is a little slow for a PCIe Gen.3 SSD but still more than adequate for a general productivity laptop. You can get faster speeds if you get a configuration with a PCIe Gen.4 x4 SSD. The speed of the SSD may vary depending on the size, as larger SSDs tend to perform better.

7.0
Performance
Battery
Capacity
53 Wh
Battery Life (Web Browsing)
8.2 hrs
Battery Life (Video Playback)
5.9 hrs
Battery Life (Gaming)
2.2 hrs
Charge Time
1.7 hrs

The Lenovo Flex 5i 14's battery life is decent. It lasts just long enough to get through a typical 8-hour workday, but that's assuming you start with a full charge, and even then, you might still have to plug it in for a short time to finish the day. Also, these numbers are only representative of a model with a Core i5 and an FHD display. The battery life will be shorter if you get a model with a Core i7 and/or a higher-resolution display.

1.8
Performance
Borderlands 3
Avg. FPS
11 fps
1% Low
1 fps
0.1% Low
0 fps
1% Low Delta
624 ms
0.1% Low Delta
2,126 ms
Avg. FPS On Very Low
23 fps

Borderlands 3 isn't playable on the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i. Even at the lowest graphical settings, the game is extremely choppy and freezes completely at times. It also crashes when running on DirectX 12. None of the configurations can handle this or other similarly demanding games.

4.2
Performance
Civilization VI
Avg. FPS
18 fps
1% Low
13 fps
0.1% Low
13 fps
1% Low Delta
21 ms
0.1% Low Delta
23 ms
Avg. FPS On Minimum
67 fps
Avg. Turn Time
7.65 s

Civilization VI runs poorly at 1080p with high settings. The frame rates are fairly consistent, just a little too low. That said, it gets a lot better if you turn down some graphical settings. You can even play at 30 fps since it's a strategy game that doesn't require fast reaction time or precise aiming. The Pentium Gold and Core i3's Intel UHD Graphics will have a harder time running this game smoothly, even at the lowest settings. The average turn time is decent and a very minor improvement over similar Intel 11th Gen. processors. The Core i7 will perform similarly, but the Pentium Gold and Core i3 will be much slower.

5.5
Performance
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Avg. FPS
57 fps
1% Low
26 fps
0.1% Low
21 fps
1% Low Delta
21 ms
0.1% Low Delta
30 ms
Avg. FPS On Low
79 fps

CS:GO runs poorly. Although the average frame rate is decent, the game stutters a lot due to frame drops. The Core i7 will only perform slightly better, while the Pentium Gold and Core i3 will perform worse.

2.2
Performance
Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Avg. FPS
14 fps
1% Low
1 fps
0.1% Low
0 fps
1% Low Delta
742 ms
0.1% Low Delta
3,289 ms
Avg. FPS On Lowest
24 fps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider isn't playable. The gameplay is too choppy and even freezes at times. It also keeps crashing on DirectX 12. None of the configurations can run this game or other similarly demanding AAA titles smoothly.

7.8
Performance
Thermals And Noise
Keyboard Temp While Idle
27 °C (81 °F)
Keyboard Temp Under Load
42 °C (107 °F)
Fan Noise While Idle
25.0 dBA
Fan Noise Under Load
46.0 dBA
Power & Fan Control App
No

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has good thermal and noise handling. The keyboard is cool when idle, and the fans are completely silent. Under load, the keyboard only gets mildly warm, and the fan is audible but not annoying or distracting.

7.0
Performance
Performance Over Time
CPU Temp (Cinebench)
61 °C
CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)
18% loss
GPU Temp (Heaven)
53 °C
GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)
2% loss

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i's performance over time is decent. Neither the CPU nor the GPU gets very hot under load. The GPU doesn't throttle, but the CPU does. The performance loss is typical for ultraportable laptops, as light tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback only require the CPU to work in bursts, not continuously over a long period at near maximum capacity.

Additional Features And Software
Additional Features And Software
Software
Operating System
Windows 11
Additional Software
Yes

The Lenovo Flex 5i has many pre-installed software applications, including:

  • Clipchamp Video Editor: Video editing software.
  • Dolby Audio: Adds Dolby audio support and allows you to change the sound profile.
  • Lenovo Hotkeys: Adds an on-screen overlay that shows the current hotkey status.
  • Lenovo Pen Settings: Lets you change pen input settings.
  • Lenovo Smart Appearance: Enhances camera effects and improves your appearance during video calls.
  • Lenovo Vantage: Checks for driver and BIOS updates and keeps track of your system status and warranty.
  • Lenovo Voice: Lets you control the laptop by voice and translate speech to another language in real-time. It also has a voice-to-text feature.
  • Lenovo Welcome: App that provides basic information to new users.
  • McAfee LiveSafe: Commonly pre-installed anti-virus software.
  • Smart Noise Cancelation: Reduces background noise on video calls.
  • Smart Note: Note-taking app.
  • Solitaire: Solitaire and other casual games.
  • Spotify: App for the music streaming service.

Additional Features And Software
Extra Features
RGB Illumination
No
Touch Pen
No
Secondary Display
No
Biometrics
Fingerprint Sensor

There's a fingerprint sensor on the right side of the keyboard deck, below the arrow keys. You can use it to log into Windows, authorize purchases in the Windows Store, and auto-fill saved passwords on supported websites. The Lenovo Flex 5i supports pen input; however, not all models include the stylus (Lenovo Digital Pen), so you may have to buy it separately. Any Wacom AES stylus will work as well.