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It’s been more than 15 years since IBM stopped making ThinkPad laptops, yet you’re still likely to see them in the halls of industry, virtual or actual. That’s thanks to Lenovo.The company formerly known as Legend Computers of Beijing, China still produces the well-regarded laptop line, with its beloved AccuType keyboard. Indeed, a big part of the ThinkPad’s longevity is those rugged, inimitable keyboards. But Lenovo machines nowadays range well beyond the classic black ThinkPad slabs. (For one thing, you can get some of them in silver.)Rather, year after year, Lenovo continues to innovate with radical designs. For instance, the 2-in-1 Yoga laptop family influenced other major PC manufacturers—like Dell, HP, and Acer—to adopt its basic mechanism in their own 2-in-1 convertible laptop designs. Lenovo’s high-concept devices also include the first foldable-screen PC, a ThinkPad. Here, we’ve gathered our top picks for the best Lenovo laptops for 2024, followed by some additional buying advice for navigating Lenovo’s line.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8
Best Lenovo Laptop for Most People
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i Gen 8 delivers leading performance and a combination of features and design that makes it the premium 2-in-1 laptop to buy.
PROS
Excellent performance from new Intel “Raptor Lake” silicon
Superb OLED touch screen with pen support
Fantastic sound with sophisticated design
Pen and carrying case included
All-metal design looks sharp, feels even better
CONS
Battery life is decent, but not long
Extra function keys aren’t customizable
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i7-1360P
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
90 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD)
0.6 by 12.5 by 9.1 inches
Weight
3.09 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:05
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 Review
Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8
Best Lenovo Gaming Laptop for Most People
Bottom Line:
With the Legion Slim 5 Gen 8, Lenovo shrunk its mainstream gaming laptop while maximizing performance. It’s also aggressively priced, making its souped-up GPU and ace display that much more appealing.
PROS
High-TDP GPU
Well-cooled for its thickness
Sharp and fast display
Excellent keyboard layout
Sturdy build
Cheaper than a lot of competitors
CONS
No USB4 or Thunderbolt 4
Still fairly long front to back
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Gaming
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
Processor Speed
3.8 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD)
0.92 by 14.16 by 10.25 inches
Weight
5.17 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:20
Learn More
Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 Review
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Best Lenovo Chromebook for Most People
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an affordable 2-in-1 that showcases the Chromebook Plus generation with speedy performance and flashy features at a reasonable price.
PROS
Sturdy 2-in-1 design mixes durability, flexibility
Above-average ChromeOS performance
Crisp display with touch and pen support
Backlit keyboard
Decent variety of ports
CONS
Budget-feeling plastic construction
Merely average battery life
Stylus pen not included
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1, Budget
Processor
Intel Core i3-1315U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel UHD Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD)
0.72 by 9 by 12.4 inches
Weight
3.52 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:43
Learn More
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Review
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023)
Best Budget Lenovo Laptop
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 provides enough performance and build quality to deliver strong value for shoppers seeking a budget convertible.
PROS
Strong application performance
Right-size screen for 2-in-1 versatility
Crisp, accurate 1080p webcam
Varied and useful port selection
Long runtime
CONS
No CPU or screen upgrades
Display’s color coverage is lacking
Gray keys clash with deep blue chassis
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i5-1335U
Processor Speed
1.3 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
Hard Drive
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.78 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches
Weight
3.5 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
13:32
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023) Review
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14
Best Extreme-Budget Lenovo Laptop
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 1 14 proves that you can have a decent, and even enjoyable, Windows 10 experience on an under-$300 laptop, as long as you don’t need USB-C ports and can make do with a basic processor.
PROS
Crisp 1080p display
Comfortable keyboard
HDMI port
Multiple color options
Lightweight
Long battery life and snappy storage
CONS
No USB-C ports
Dim 220-nit screen backlight
Uses relatively slow AMD Athlon Silver processor
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Budget
Processor
AMD Athlon SIlver 3050e
Processor Speed
1.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
4 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
TN
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.78 by 12.88 by 9.25 inches
Weight
3.09 lbs
Operating System
Windows 10 S
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:01
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14 Review
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook
Best Lenovo Detachable 2-in-1 Chromebook
Bottom Line:
Shedding the stigma of small, cheap Chromebooks, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 is a compact 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook that offers both laptop and tablet functions, though its battery life is disappointing.
PROS
Compact, totable design
Keyboard cover offers good typing feel
Handy kickstand
Great flexibility for Chrome and Android apps
Solid performance from Qualcomm CPU
CONS
No headphone jack
Pen sold separately
Short battery life
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Chromebook, Detachable 2-in-1, Budget
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
Processor Speed
2.55 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
4 GB
Boot Drive Type
eMMC Flash Memory
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
64 GB
Screen Size
10.95 inches
Native Display Resolution
2000 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.31 by 10.2 by 6.5 inches
Weight
2.09 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:01
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook Review
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1
Best Lenovo Mobile Workstation
Bottom Line:
Its price will scare off all but the most demanding design and engineering professionals, but—on sheer muscle and usability—Lenovo’s ThinkPad P16 is a tough mobile workstation to top.
PROS
Blazing fast performance
Gorgeous high-resolution screen
World-class keyboard
Impeccable build quality
CONS
Bulky and heavy
No Ethernet port
Quite expensive
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Workstation, Business, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i9-12950HX
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX A5500
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.2 by 14.3 by 10.5 inches
Weight
6.4 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
7:44
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 Review
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Best Lenovo Business Laptop for Executives
Bottom Line:
You’ll still find no finer business ultraportable than Lenovo’s 12th-generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but the latest model suffers from terminal sticker shock for simply decent performance.
PROS
Elegant and light design
Fabulous keyboard
Sharp, vivid OLED screen
USB-A, HDMI, and USB-C ports
CONS
Sky-high price
Decent but not class-leading performance and battery life
No SD or microSD card slot
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches
Weight
2.47 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
13:51
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Review
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5
Best Lenovo Small-Business Laptop
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s 14-inch ThinkPad E-series is an impressive productivity laptop for the money, with long battery life, a lengthy warranty, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
PROS
Reasonably priced
Long battery life
Gold standard ThinkPad keyboard
Thunderbolt 4 uncommon for the price
Just $50 for touch-screen upgrade
Three-year warranty as tested
CONS
Middling performance, even with Core i7
Screen needs more color
Tinny speakers
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Business
Processor
Intel Core i7-1355U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches
Weight
3.11 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:53
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 Review
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4
Best Lenovo Business Laptop for Fleets
Bottom Line:
It’s no longer thinner and lighter than the T14, but Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s is a superb business ultraportable with the brand’s trademark build quality, keyboard, and connectivity.
PROS
Exemplary build quality
World-class keyboard
Long battery life
Ample ports
Lots of configuration options including mobile broadband
CONS
No SD or microSD card slot
IPS screen is just okay compared with OLED
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core i7-1365U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.66 by 12.5 by 8.9 inches
Weight
2.69 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:27
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Lenovo Laptops for 2024
Which Series of Lenovo Laptops Is Best?Because Lenovo makes every one of its laptops with a specific set of customers in mind, we can’t point you to one line of Lenovo laptops as the absolute “best” for every situation. With that in mind, we’ve listed and covered each of Lenovo’s laptop series below to help you decide which type of Lenovo laptop is best for you. Lenovo’s conventional laptops include ThinkPads (business laptops), ThinkBooks (higher power work machines), and IdeaPads (general-use laptops). Gaming machines fall under Lenovo’s Legion (high-end) and LOQ (budget) lines, while 2-in-1 hybrids come in Yoga (premium) and Flex (budget) varieties. First, let’s look at the laptops that started it all: the ThinkPads.Professional Classics: ThinkPads and ThinkBooksThinkPads are Lenovo’s classically styled, business-oriented laptops, with a wide range of configurable features: touch screens, cellular connectivity, biometric login hardware, and docking options. Their primary commonality? They almost always come colored in Lenovo’s classic matte black.These machines tend to provide more in the way of IT-friendly features for monitoring, management and business-oriented wired and wireless connectivity. To help position certain models within the larger laptop market, Lenovo divides its ThinkPads into a host of sub-classes indicated by a letter. These include the ultraportable ThinkPad X and top-of-the-line X1 lines, the entry-level ThinkPad L family, and the ThinkPad P mobile workstations. The 14-inch X1 Carbon is the company’s executive flagship, joined by the 13-inch X1 Nano, which is the lightest ThinkPad at 2.13 pounds.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The bread-and-butter ThinkPads, though, are the T series, widely deployed business laptops that deliver a decent balance of cost, durability, and feature set, along with the famous ThinkPad keyboard. Current T-series models include 14- and 16-inch notebooks, which have replaced the 13- and- 15-inch models of old, and they often feature an “s” suffix after their model numbers to indicate a slimmer and lighter system.Beyond L, P, T, and X, Lenovo has also pushed two other, newer lines: E and Z. The E series is more of a hodgepodge than most, resolutely budget-minded, with CPUs from both Intel and AMD and models in both 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, which have replaced the traditional 13- and- 15-inch sizes. The newest ThinkPad expansion, the Z line, emphasizes aesthetics and sustainability and employs AMD Ryzen processors. You can still find 13-inch screens within the Z series in addition to a more contemporary 16-inch size.You’ll need a quick decoder to ThinkPad model numbers, whose logic changes every few years according to the moods of Lenovo’s marketing brain trust. Current models carry a letter such as E, T, or X plus two digits marking the screen size. So a ThinkPad E15 is a budget-minded model with a 15.6-inch screen, while the ThinkPad T14 is the classic business fleet machine with a 14-inch panel. The premium ThinkPad X1 models don’t indicate a screen size in their model names, since most of them are 14 inches. Meanwhile, Lenovo ThinkBooks are a distinct line from ThinkPads. They serve small and medium business (SMB) customers and also lean toward the value end of the spectrum. (See our picks for the best business laptops overall.) Like most, the ThinkBook line has consolidated down to 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, but even further down to solely normal-thickness variants—no more “s” models here. ThinkBooks simply use two digits in their names for the screen size.The IdeaPad Line: Consumer ClamshellsLenovo IdeaPads, on the other hand, are aimed mainly at consumers, though design-forward business users and entrepreneurs may gravitate toward using an IdeaPad as a primary PC. You’ll find some preloaded apps on many IdeaPad systems, particularly those bought from big-box stores.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Current IdeaPad models range from the extreme-budget IdeaPad 1 series to the IdeaPad 3 and IdeaPad 5 at the high end of this midrange lineup. The higher the number, the more premium the laptop. An “i” in the model name denotes an Intel processor, while some models have “Gaming,” “Slim,” or “Pro added to their names to denote their intended uses. Screen size isn’t specified; for example, you can find IdeaPad 5 models with both 14- and 16-inch displays, Lenovo having also dropped the 15.6-inch screen size. Lenovo also sells a host of IdeaPad Chromebooks, which are popular choices for buyers on a budget. Google’s ChromeOS is simple to manage and use since it centers on the Chrome Web browser and related apps. Lenovo’s Chromebook lineup includes inexpensive IdeaPad consumer models, as well as more rugged ThinkPad-branded Chromebooks for businesses and schools. Most recently, Lenovo joined the Chromebook Plus program that Google launched to elevate budget Chromebook laptops with better specs and features as a baseline. (See our picks for the best Chromebooks.)Yoga and Flex: Lenovo’s HybridsUnder the larger ThinkPad and IdeaPad umbrellas fall most of Lenovo’s wide range of touch-screen hybrids, which can function as both laptops and tablets: the Yoga and Flex laptops. Introduced in 2012, the first Yoga pioneered the 2-in-1 convertible-laptop concept. Yoga laptops’ 360-degree screen hinges let you flip and fold the system into four positions: a conventional laptop mode, an easel-like stand mode for presentations, an A-frame or tent mode for viewing videos or using touch apps on an airline tray table, and a tablet mode for reading or for scribbling and sketching with a stylus.In addition to high-end consumer systems called simply Lenovo Yogas, you’ll find ThinkPad Yogas and ThinkBook Yogas that target a business audience. They follow the naming and numbering schemes for the lines they fit into, such as the ThinkPad X1 series.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
The Flex models, meanwhile, are broadly similar but tend to be cheaper than Yogas. At various times, the Flexes have been their own brand, though at this writing they’re marketed under the IdeaPad banner. The latest Yogas and Flexes generally follow the single-digit naming scheme of the IdeaPads, though you’ll find occasional exceptions, like the Yoga 6.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
With these machines, the screen stays attached to the keyboard, meaning they’re 2-in-1 convertibles as opposed to detachables—Windows tablets with removable keyboards akin to Microsoft’s Surface Pro slates. Lenovo also sells a ThinkPad X12 Detachable tablet, a business device with one of the best detachable keyboards on the market. The other prominent detachable 2-in-1s we’ve seen of late from Lenovo are the company’s consumer-oriented Chromebook Duet tablets.Legion and LOQ: Meet Lenovo’s Gaming BrigadeFinally, to keep up with the growing popularity of PC gaming, Lenovo launched an all-new laptop line, the Legion family, in 2017. It did this to differentiate its gaming systems from the main IdeaPad line, where the gaming rigs were until then known as “IdeaPad Y”-family models. The Legion brand includes both gaming laptops and desktops. (Note: Some IdeaPad Gaming models continue to be offered for players on tight budgets.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Current models bear single digits (a “5,” a “7,” or a “9”) that indicate a range from mainstream to flagship gaming, respectively. Legions with an “i” suffix use Intel Core processors, while others rely on AMD Ryzen CPU power. The Legion family’s pricing, given the models’ specs and feature sets, has been attractive. Today, you’ll see Legion laptops in the more modern 14- and 16-inch screen sizes and in a mix of distinctive designs, with more features specifically aimed at a gaming audience than the IdeaPad Gaming models offer.Last year, Lenovo also began to sell a revamped budget line of gaming laptops known as LOQ, most of which contain entry-level graphics and processing hardware focused on fast and responsive 1080p play. They’re one of the more attractive lines of budget gaming laptops, but it will take another update generation or two to see whether LOQ can rise to the top.Which Lenovo Laptop Is Most Durable?According to Lenovo’s website, “ThinkPad products are currently tested for 12 total methods and 20 procedures” under the US Department of Defense’s MIL-STD 810G standards. These include tolerance for mechanical shock, humidity, sand, dust, and even fungus, among other hazards and contaminants. Like most laptop brands, Lenovo doesn’t emphasize durability to the same degree in its general-use, budget, ultraportable, hybrid 2-in-1, and gaming laptop categories.However, Lenovo isn’t known for producing “true rugged” machines that can resist significant damage and weather exposure. Dell, Durabook, Getac, and Panasonic are players in that market. For those, check out our buying guide for the best rugged laptops.Which Lenovo Laptop Is Best for Students?While we often recommend students buy a MacBook Air for school, or a Dell XPS laptop if they’re set on Windows, Lenovo has comparable models in its Yoga and Slim series that would serve much of the same function. Currently, these are the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 and the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i.If you’re on a tighter budget, or your coursework doesn’t require such a well-equipped machine, Lenovo’s IdeaPad line would serve you better. This series serves up budget-to-midrange systems for basic workloads and entertainment needs.Finally, Lenovo’s ThinkPad and ThinkBook lines feature laptops with top-end processing hardware and even professional-grade parts for academic workloads in the areas of computer science, software engineering, and media editing, to name a few. (The high-end engineering stuff is best reserved for workstation models like the ThinkPad P line.)So, What Is the Best Lenovo Laptop to Buy?For more of our favorite machines (that is, the ones outside the Lenovo sphere), check out our favorite laptops overall, as well as our guides to the best cheap laptops and business laptops. But for our current, ever-evolving list of Lenovo favorites, scroll down for a detailed spec breakout of our picks up top.
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