Lenovo's New IdeaPad: An Affordable Windows Laptop with AI Capabilities

Lenovo's new $749 ThinkBook may be the best-value Windows laptop of 2024. Here's why

Lenovo's seventh-gen ThinkBook 16 is said to have "multi-day battery" and the new IdeaPad 5x convertible sports a vivid 14-inch OLED touchscreen. Like Acer and Asus, Lenovo is making a big splash at IFA 2024, revealing multiple new Copilot+ PCs. However, the brand is taking a different direction than its contemporaries by focusing more on affordability. There are two that caught our eye: the seventh-generation ThinkBook 16 and the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. Also: 5 most interesting Copilot+ laptops revealed at IFA 2024 (including one for gaming) Beginning with the former, the upcoming ThinkBook is aimed primarily at enterprise users. It houses Qualcomm's new lightweight Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor. The CPU is paired up with its own dedicated NPU enhancing the computer's performance and enabling its AI features. Lenovo claims the chipset will allow users to enjoy "multi-day battery life," though the company doesn't mention the average runtime. They do, however, point out that the model possesses a large 84Whr battery, which is larger than most. Naturally, it's a sizable laptop sporting a 16-inch display. The ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 won't be cumbersome to carry around as it only measures 16mm (about half an inch) thick when closed. In our experience, ultrathin laptops tend to run hot; however, the 8-core processor shouldn't cause too much overheating. Also: I demoed Lenovo's auto-swiveling ThinkBook at IFA 2024, and it's as bizarre as it sounds Lenovo's ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 launches this October. While U.S. prices are unknown at this time, online reports claim it'll cost around $749. That makes it the most affordable and accessible Copilot+ laptop to date. There will also be a ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 Plus launching in December. It has a slightly larger 85Whr battery, an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU, and a dedicated AMD Radeon GPU. Exact prices for the Plus version are unknown, although it may be around $1,300. As for the IdeaPad 5x, this is a consumer-grade convertible laptop. It sports the same Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, so expect similar performance. The model comes equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM for "smooth multitasking" and an up to 1TB SSD. The IdeaPad 5x's biggest difference is its 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels) OLED touchscreen. Its display covers the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, delivering "crisp visuals" when used in laptop or tablet configurations. It's also "highly portable," clocking in at 3.3 pounds and measuring 17.5m (roughly 0.69 inches) thick. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 will be released later this month. Prices are also unknown for this model, but online sources state it'll cost $849, making it similarly affordable for a Copilot+ laptop as the ThinkBook.

Lenovo's IdeaPad convertible is one of the most affordable Copilot+ PCs yet | Stuff

This year's IFA show was overflowing with new Copilot+ PCs, thanks to Intel and AMD getting in on the act with flagship-grade chips. But Qualcomm has done the top-tier thing already, so is now looking to bring AI computing to the masses as well. Lenovo was one of the first firms to announce its selection of Snapdragon X Plus-powered machines, including 2-in-1s as well as traditional laptops. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 will land later this month for £900/€999, nudging Copilot+ smarts under four figures. Its 8-core Snapdragon X Plus chipset has a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) for AI-based jobs, more than enough oomph for desktop duties, and stamina that practically matches the latest MacBooks. This 14in convertible doesn't skimp on hardware to keep the price down, with 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and a touch-friendly OLED display. OK, so it's a 60Hz panel, but colours were wonderfully vibrant during my demo and contrast was suitably epic. It'll be a great choice for creative types as well as those who want to kick back with a movie. At 1.49kg it's perfectly portable, and not short on connectivity either; twin USB-C ports, two USB As, HDMI 2.1 and a 3.5mm combo port all make the cut. I'd have preferred a full-size SD card reader, but the microSD slot is still a handy inclusion. There's a fingerprint sensor for secure login, and a manual shutter to cover the webcam should you want some privacy. A brief typing test suggests the island-style keys will be a treat to tap away at, and the expansive touchpad was perfectly responsive, too. Unlike Intel and AMD's Copilot+ machines, Snapdragon-powered models like the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 won't have to wait months for software features like Live Caption and Studio Effects; they're baked into the machine at launch.