Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (15”) review
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (15”) — from 2021, 1.8 kg, performance 50.
Technical specifications
| Type | Convertible (2-in-1) |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 1005G1 , Intel Core i3 1115G4 , Intel Core i5 1135G7 , Intel Core i7 1165G7 |
| Graphics | GeForce MX450 2GB |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Battery | 52.5 Wh |
Performance scores
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (15″, 2021) — the budget convertible with a real card inside
The IdeaPad Flex 5 15 at $666 pairs an Intel Core i3 1005G1 with a GeForce MX450 (2 GB) and 16 GB of RAM. Graphics post 44.73 — 11.6 times the convertible-class median of 3.84, top quartile — and overall performance reads 50.01 (34% above class). The flagged weakness is memory: 16 GB against a 32 GB class median.
Where it holds up
Photo design at 71 (high) is the strongest axis on the sheet, with value at 68.55 (high) and office at 65.25 (high) stacked behind — a three-high card for $666 in a hinge format. The measured fits outrun the price tier: Overwatch, GTA V and Far Cry 5 clear their recommended bars — Far Cry 5 at 34 fps on the recommended tier — and Photoshop passes its minimum.
Where it falls short
Memory at 16 GB is the flagged ceiling, half the class median. Portability reads 46 (mid) for the 15-inch hinged body, engineering CAD 44 (mid) and 3D modeling 42 (mid) sit mid, and the i3 tier caps how fast the card gets fed. The 2 GB buffer frames the ceiling of the 71 photo figure.
Price and depreciation
No depreciation anchor is recorded (base $0); no curve or projection applies. The 2021 cohort rate is 11.12% per year — a settled slope for the budget tier.
Alternatives to consider
The Yoga Slim 7 13″ (Intel) at $566 is the lighter carry-only route with portability 82.9 and no card. The IdeaPad 3 (15″ AMD) at $399 is the plain-clamshell value play with office at 77.19. The Gram 16 (2021) at $739 adds the 80 Wh endurance cell with a 16 GB ceiling of its own.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. The budget card-convertible: photo 71, value 68.55 and office 65.25 with rec-tier titles at $666 — the 16 GB ceiling the one line that reads its year.
🧭 Your context
Stage: Vague sense of need
Browse category overviews to narrow things down.
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 49) ↔ price (median 355.7).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 68) ↔ overall performance (median 37.4).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 4.7).
IdeaPad Flex 5 (15”): verdict
➡️ Next step
Browse category overviews to narrow things down.