Once you’ve tasted the beauty of computing on a good 2-in-1 laptop, you won’t want to go back. Conventional laptops won’t just feel as if they are exciting enough – and they are not.
When the first generation 2-in-1 laptops came out, people really didn’t understand the power of these incredible machines. And that was made worse by the software glitches in the Windows-powered ones. But fast forward to today and 2-in-1 laptops are fast taking over the portable computer market. And they are still advancing in power, performance, and portability.
With the advent of new super-powerful 8th generation CPU upon us, the new generation of 2-in-1 laptops is sure to leave the MacBook Pro in the dust. Sure it is the most exciting laptop, but it doesn’t have the new Coffee Lake 8th generation Intel processor, or a vivid 4k display like the new generation of 2-in-1’s has. The new breed of 2-in-1 laptops is certainly making waves in today’s market due to the versatility and power with which they come packaged with.
But what exactly is a 2-in-1 laptop you ask? Glad you asked. I’m so in love with these machines I can talk about them all day. But for fear of droning on and on, I won’t. I’ll keep it simple.
Lenovo Flex 5 - 2 in 1 Laptop
In simple terms, a 2-in-1 laptop is a portable computer that provides the user experience of a tablet with the computing power of a laptop. With a 2-in-1 laptop, you have the option to turn your device either into a tablet, or a full laptop. You have the best of both worlds in that you have the physical keyboard at your disposal for work-heavy tasks, while the display is fully touched responsive for those times when you simply need the convenience and ease of use of a touchscreen.
The biggest advantage of a 2-in-1 laptop is its combination of portability and usability. It’s portable enough to carry anywhere and yet powerful enough to perform most, if not all your computing needs. 2-in-1 laptops, like the Lenovo Flex 5, are the definition of mixing business with pleasure – and without feeling guilty about it.
So, if you are looking for a device that you can throw in your purse and use as a tablet one moment, and transform it into a powerful laptop the next, then a 2-in-1 laptop is what you should order. Besides, getting a 2-in-1 (or convertible as they are often called), eliminates the need for you to carry around multiple devices. I mean, why would you when you can have a tablet and a laptop in the same device?
But the beauty (or practicality) of 2-in-1 laptops doesn’t at laptop/tablet mode. Because of their ability to fold all the way back, convertible laptops can actually function in 4 modes (thanks to the Lenovo Yoga series):
4 Modes Of The Lenovo Flex
1. Laptop mode. For your more work-heavy tasks.
2. Tablet. For your normal tablet tasks.
3. Presentation (stand). Especially if your 2-in-1 has a relatively big screen like the Lenovo Flex 5’s 15.6-inch screen. You can set it up in stand mode (with the keyboard facing down and at a 300-degree). You can also do a presentation. I know, cool right.
4. Tent. The tent mode is usually the best position for watching movies or your social media interactions.
Related Posts:
Lenovo Flex 4 Review: 2 in 1 Touchscreen Laptop
Lenovo Flex 3 Review: 2 in 1 Touchscreen Laptop
Choosing the Right 2-in-1 Laptop for You
With the 2-in-1 laptop market becoming fast populated with many models, sizes, and even colors of devices. Choosing the best 2-in-1 laptop for you can be quite a confusing. Here are a few tips to help you decide.
1. Size Does Matter
The size of the device does matter, contrary to popular belief. For example, if you are a student, a smaller sized device will better suit you as you can easily throw it in your bag. But if you want to do presentations without having to depend on a projector, then a bigger device with a bigger screen will do you wonders.
2. Get the Right Specs
Depending on your needs, get a 2-in-1 that is a level above what you really need. Convertible laptops come in a lot of impressive specifications and you have a lot of configurations you can choose from. If you are a power user, an i7 processor with minimum 8GB RAM will keep you flowing smoothly. And be sure to get a good graphics card too. As for storage, make sure you get SSD as it will significantly increase your speed.
3. Convertible or Hybrid?
2-in-1 laptops come in 2 distinct types - convertible and hybrid. Convertible ones are the ones with a hinge that allows the device to bend all the way while hybrid ones have a detachable keyboard. You can pick one depending on your taste as the performance is the same.
4. How Big is Your Budget?
With the proliferation of 2-in-1 laptops, you can get some low budget ones for as little as $150 for basic models to well beyond $3000 for premium models. With such a broad range, there’s bound to be a 2-in-1 to suit your budget. Usually, the better the specs, the more you have to pay.
Speaking of budget/spec compromise, let me introduce you to the Lenovo Flex 5. This 2-in-1 laptop deviates from the norm in that it actually offers you more specs for the price.
Lenovo Flex 5 Review – More Specs for Little Money
If you are looking for an excellent midrange portable computer, stop your search and take a close look at the Lenovo Flex 5. This is not your average bang-for-your-buck deal, this is a device that gives you more bang for your buck. Let me show you why I say that.
Overview of Specifications
- Price as reviewed: $850
- Display size/resolution: 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 (touch display)
- PC CPU: 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-7500U
- PC memory: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM 2,400MHz
- Graphics: 2GB Nvidia GeForce 940MX
- Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
- Networking: 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.1
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
✓ Design and Build Quality
The Lenovo Flex 5 comes dressed in an onyx black chassis that is only broken by the Lenovo logo in the corner of the lid. Simplicity at its best. Lenovo really proved that when it comes to design, less truly is more.
Although the Flex 5 is not the slimmest in its class, measuring 0.8 x 14.3 x 9.7 inches, it can still contend for the sleekest as the design manages to give it that ultra-sleek look. As for weight, it doesn’t move the needle much on the scale at a mere 4.4 pounds. Sure it’s not light but it’s not heavy either. Besides, with the size of the screen (15.6-inches), it is a normal weight.
As for the quality of the materials used, the Lenovo Flex 5 actually looks and feels more like a premium laptop than the budget laptop/tablet that it is. The sleek lines and the clever engineering are one of the strong points of this superb machine. The big 15.6 screen comes with a 1080p resolution with IPS display, making it a brilliant screen for all purposes, especially streaming as it offers a wide viewing angle. With a display capable of emitting 270 nits of brightness, the Lenovo Flex 5's display is superior to the 258-nit category average and the 255-nit panel in the more expensive HP Spectre x360. The fact that it has a small bezel makes it much better.
When you convert your Flex into a laptop, you’ll definitely enjoy the Flex’s slightly recessed, chiclet-style keyboard as it is full-sized and comfortable to use. And below the keyboard is a large touchpad that is very responsive and very click-friendly. To the right, you’ll find a fingerprint scanner for extra security and ease of access.
✓Performance and Power
The Lenovo Flex comes in a number of configurations so when it comes to performance and power, you have a buffet to choose from. But for the best balance between power and performance, I suggest the 7th generation Intel i7, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. Couple that with a Nvidia GeForce GT 940MX graphics card. The graphics card will come in handy when it comes time to do a lot of photos or video editing. Don’t rely on it for gaming though as it will not be adequate for high-powered games. The configuration above will set you back $850. In general, it’s money well spent when it comes to a 2-in-1 laptop.
Whichever Flex 5 you opt for, the performance and power will more than satisfy you as the configurations are all optimized to give you a seamless experience.
✓Battery Life
When it comes to portable computers, the next biggest factor after power and performance is the battery life. Since you will be carrying it around and using it in some instances where there will be no power supply to plug into, you will need a good battery. And this is exactly what the Lenovo Flex 5 offers you. The battery can go for 8.5 hours according to Lenovo (but it is known to go even up to 10 hours). With that in mind, you can be comfortable knowing that you will be able to do all you need to do before you get an opportunity to plug in again.
✓Connectivity
The Lenovo Flex 5 comes with a limited number of ports if you pit it against a conventional laptop, but for a 2-in-1, I find them adequate. There are two USB 3.0 ports, one on each side of the device, and a USB Type-C 3.0, an SD card reader, an HDMI out and a combo mic/headphone jack. These are quite a lot of connections and should be enough to meet all your multimedia and data sharing needs.
As for wireless connectivity, the Flex comes with 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.1. These cable and wireless connectivity options definitely give you more than enough options to connect to other devices effortlessly and seamlessly.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Best Quality | $$ |
The Lenovo Flex 5 – More Bang for Your Buck
Whatever configuration of the Lenovo Flex 5 you get, you will be definitely getting more bang for your buck. Or is it more specs for your buck? The new Flex comes with 8th generation processors and features all the latest technology. It has the best design and engineering for an affordable price. Hence, the Lenovo Flex 5 is not a device to be taken lightly or ignored.
You may also like:
Lenovo Yoga 710 Review – Power, Performance, and Practicality
The ThinkPad Turned 25 So Lenovo Is Celebrating It With A Retro Model
Lenovo’s Yoga tablet 10 
