Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Review: A Solid Windows Laptop

The keyboard is great with plenty of travel and zero mechanical flexibility. Interestingly, Lenovo added a fingerprint scanner that works faster every time I use the login screen. it’s a bit mushy and requires slightly different pressure to register a click depending on where I put my finger.

Surprisingly, the webcam on the IdeaPad Flex 5i is solid. It’s a clear and crisp 1080p shooter that looks good enough for a video phone, especially considering the price. There is also a secret lock that you can easily close when not in use.

The quality of the laptop is good. There isn’t much flex in the chassis no matter what pressure you use, which is always a good sign when you have a 2-in-1, where you’ll be flipping the display all the time. It also feels dense, giving me a heavy presence that gives me confidence that it won’t break if dropped.

Unfortunately, one major disappointment is its speakers. I was hopeful when I saw the speaker cutouts looking up at the keyboard, but I was quickly disappointed when I pulled up the YouTube video. The sound quality is very thin, making even the loudest songs sound weak. You can easily solve this problem by using two wireless headphones or headphonesbut it is sad.

Limited Windows

Perhaps the most surprising decision with the IdeaPad Flex 5i is that Lenovo chose to ship Windows 11 in S mode. If you don’t know, this version of Windows 11 only allows you to install apps from the Microsoft Store. Out of the box, you can’t download and install anything from the web, which surprised me when I tried to install Google Chrome as soon as I turned on the laptop.

However, you he can easily switch to S Mode, which changes the OS to Windows 11 Home. Once updated, you can install apps and software from anywhere, although it’s technically more secure than sticking with the Microsoft Store. It’s a simple enough process, but it’s a daunting task for anyone who doesn’t know what they’re getting into.