ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is a 16-inch versatile laptop computer for the workplace, dwelling, and in every single place in between, on sale proper now for $879 (that is a whopping $620 off the common worth).
- It is powered by the most recent Intel and Nvidia {hardware}, and has a battery that may final all day.
- The laptop computer has a disappointing webcam and comes loaded with an excessive amount of bloatware.
With regards to laptops, skilled and scholar customers have extra in widespread than you would possibly assume. Each teams desire a versatile machine that may deal with the entire day’s work, whereas doubling as an leisure middle at night time, and each would agree {that a} long-lasting battery is a should.
Nicely, I’ve discovered the right laptop computer for each teams: Lenovo’s 2024 IdeaPad Pro 5i. This 16-inch laptop computer has every part an expert might ask for in a piece machine, whereas additionally being a stable selection for school college students.
Lenovo’s system is nothing wanting highly effective. Beneath the hood, you may discover an Intel Core Extremely 9 185H processor alongside an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, leading to rock-solid efficiency. I tested the hardware by operating many widespread office duties from net looking to writing paperwork and video conferencing platforms concurrently. It dealt with every part I threw at it with out skipping a beat.
Moreover, the Lenovo IdeaPad Professional 5i has 32GB of reminiscence, making certain load occasions are nearly nonexistent. This {hardware} configuration even permits the IdeaPad Professional 5i to behave as a succesful gaming laptop computer, excellent for these lengthy days if you wish to unwind with a sport.
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All this energy may be completely loved on the IdeaPad Professional’s hi-res 2K (2,048 x 1,280) OLED display screen that is able to displaying content material in beautiful element. The display screen has a speedy refresh charge of 120Hz, enabling reasonable motion pictures and a silky-smooth visible show.
Not like many different laptops with OLED shows, Lenovo’s machine would not sport a lot image-enhancing software program. There is no Dolby Imaginative and prescient, nor does it cowl 100% of the sRGB shade gamut. In consequence, colours aren’t as vibrant as on some competing gadgets. The IdeaPad Professional 5i does help HDR for prime distinction, however that is about it.
I ought to level out that the show is a touchscreen, however provided that this system is just not a convertible 2-in-1, I discovered the function to be a bit of gimmicky.
Sitting above the OLED display screen is the system’s 1080p webcam. It is satisfactory for video calls, though actually, its high quality is sort of lackluster. Recordings are grainy, and there’s no method to enhance the feed with out third-party software program, both. The fundamental webcam software program can solely reposition the digicam.
The IdeaPad Professional’s beneficiant heft permits for a full-sized keyboard, which, when paired with the rubber-like keycaps, lead to a really comfy typing expertise. I additionally admire how the arrow keys jut out from the underside, making them simple to entry. Producers, in my expertise, are likely to make the Web page Up and Web page Down keys on 14-inch laptops too small. The IdeaPad Professional 5i has thankfully solved this drawback.
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Lenovo additionally made some attention-grabbing design selections. The audio system, for instance, are situated above the keyboard. I am at all times glad to see laptops embrace upward-firing audio system, as I’ve by no means been a fan of muffled audio.
The IdeaPad Professional’s audio system stand out because of their Dolby Atmos help. The encompass sound know-how means the drivers can fill a room with sound. Not unhealthy for a laptop computer.
Battery life is nice, as effectively. The IdeaPad Professional 5i ran for about 8.5 hours straight in my normal livestream checks with out the battery saver setting on. With that lively, relaxation assured the system will final you the entire day after which some.
To be able to cost the laptop computer, you may have to make use of Lenovo’s proprietary 230W AC adapter. You’ll be able to’t use a spare USB-C charger. Fortunately, the adapter is not tremendous cumbersome so it is easy to hold round, though it could’ve been nice to have the choice.
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I additionally want to say a few issues that could be dealbreakers for you. First off, it is a hefty machine that weighs 4.27 kilos. Carrying this system round for an prolonged period of time could show tiring.
Additionally, remember the IdeaPad Professional 5i comes with a bunch of bloatware. The laptop computer’s 1TB of storage is extra like 880GB, when you consider all of the apps Lenovo preinstalled.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Pro 5i has all the fitting {hardware} parts to make it the premiere laptop computer for professionals and college students. It has a powerful CPU/GPU pairing, a 2K OLED show, and an honest keyboard, however its $1,500 price ticket will place it on the upper finish of the standard scholar’s price range. Thankfully, it is at present 41% off at $879.
If you happen to’re searching for a cheaper 16-inch laptop computer, Lenovo’s Yoga 7i is a number of hundred {dollars} cheaper, though you are buying and selling within the spectacular OLED display screen for one which’s far more low-key. If you need an OLED laptop computer in a barely cheaper bundle, try the Acer Swift X 14.
How we take a look at laptops
We use a mix of strategies to check laptops right here at ZDNET. First, we purchase information from benchmarking software program to research a system’s metrics beneath the hood, and evaluate these to marketed numbers. Then, we spend an prolonged period of time with the laptop computer (often every week or two) utilizing it the identical method a standard shopper would, with a view to analyze its portability, kind issue, and the way effectively the battery really holds up, amongst others. For an intensive breakdown, try our complete laptop testing methodology.
- Benchmarking: We run a collection of checks to place the pc’s {hardware} by means of the wringer with a view to see what it is able to. Cinebench is without doubt one of the most commonly-used {hardware} testing suites, which checks the laptop computer’s rendering efficiency on single and a number of CPU cores. PCMark 10 is one other highly effective program that covers all kinds of duties carried out within the office.
- Processor: The “mind” of the laptop computer, and some of the essential components that determines efficiency. That is examined in benchmarking software program.
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The graphics processor (GPU): We take a look at the GPU with a mix of benchmarking software program, gaming, and media playback.
- Battery testing: We take a look at a unit’s battery in a couple of methods. A handful of benchmarking applications have their very own battery testing parts, however we additionally will simply let the laptop computer run for so long as it will possibly beneath a medium load.
- The human component: As we talked about earlier, metrics and system information is essential, however numbers alone do not provide the full image. That is the place we weave in our private expertise with the system and faucet into the sensible use instances that customers really care about.
In the end, our objective is to interrupt down the capabilities of each laptop computer we take a look at into digestible phrases that actual individuals can discover helpful.