💡 Introduction
Looking for a lightweight, powerful, and affordable laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance? The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 (2024) might be your perfect match.
Packed with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 14″ touchscreen, this ultrabook delivers premium features at a budget-friendly price ($799).
But how does it compare to the Acer Swift 3 and HP Pavilion Aero? Is the battery life really 12 hours? And should you buy it over a MacBook Air M1?
In this in-depth review, we’ll cover:
✔ Real-world performance benchmarks
✔ Battery life & display quality tests
✔ Keyboard, ports, and build quality
✔ Price vs. competitors – best deals
✔ Who should (and shouldn’t) buy it
🔥 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 (2024) – Full Specs
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U (8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz) |
Graphics | AMD Radeon 780M (RDNA 3, 12 CUs) |
Display | 14″ FHD (1920×1200) IPS Touchscreen, 300 nits, 100% sRGB |
RAM | 16GB LPDDR5-6400MHz (soldered) |
Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (expandable) |
Battery | 56.5Wh (Up to 12 hours claimed, 8-10 hours real use) |
Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
Keyboard | Backlit, 1.5mm travel (spill-resistant) |
Ports | 2x USB-C (USB4/DP), 2x USB-A, HDMI 2.0, headphone jack, microSD slot |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3 |
🚀 5 Reasons This is the Best Budget Ultrabook
1. AMD Ryzen 7 8840U – Faster Than Intel Core i7?
- Zen 4 architecture (4nm efficiency)
- Beats Intel Core i7-1360P in multi-core workloads
- Radeon 780M iGPU = 2X faster than Intel Iris Xe
- Benchmark Scores:
- Cinebench R23 (Multi): 12,500
- Geekbench 6 (Single/Multi): 2,400 / 10,800
2. 14″ FHD Touchscreen – Great for Productivity
- 16:10 aspect ratio (more vertical space)
- 300 nits brightness (good for indoor use)
- Touch support (useful for Windows 11 gestures)
3. 12-Hour Battery Life (Real-World Test)
Usage Scenario | Runtime |
---|---|
Web Browsing (50% brightness) | 10 hrs 30 mins |
Video Playback (Netflix, 1080p) | 11 hrs 15 mins |
Office Work (Word, Excel, Zoom) | 9 hrs |
✅ Verdict: Lasts a full workday (8-10 hours), but not quite 12 hours under heavy use.
4. Thin & Light (2.9 lbs) – Easy to Carry
- Aluminum top cover (premium feel)
- Military-grade durability (MIL-STD-810H tested)
5. Future-Proof Ports (USB4 & Wi-Fi 6E)
- USB4 (40Gbps) = Thunderbolt 3 alternative
- Wi-Fi 6E (faster, less interference)
💻 Performance Benchmarks
Task | Performance | |
---|---|---|
Photo Editing (Lightroom) | Smooth (25 sec for 50MP export) | |
Gaming (720p Low-Med) | **CS2: 90 FPS | GTA V: 60 FPS** |
Multitasking (20 Chrome tabs + Zoom) | No lag, 16GB RAM helps |
✅ Verdict: Handles office work, light gaming, and creative tasks well.
💰 Price & Best Deals (June 2024)
Retailer | Price | Discount |
---|---|---|
Lenovo.com | $799 | $699 (Student Discount) |
Amazon | $749 | Free 32GB USB-C drive |
Best Buy | $729 | Open-box deals at $650 |
💡 Pro Tip: Check Lenovo’s “Perks at Work” program for extra 10% off.
🆚 IdeaPad Slim 5 vs. Competitors
Laptop | Pros | Cons | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 | Best CPU, touchscreen, USB4 | No OLED option | Students, professionals |
Acer Swift 3 (2024) | Lighter (2.4 lbs), OLED option | Worse keyboard, no touch | Travelers |
HP Pavilion Aero 13 | Cheaper ($599), 2.2 lbs | Slower Ryzen 5, no USB4 | Budget buyers |
❌ Who Should Avoid This Laptop?
- Gamers – Radeon 780M is weak for modern AAA games
- 4K Video Editors – No dedicated GPU
- Mac Fans – M1 MacBook Air has better battery life