Lenovo will give a keynote at CES 2023, but the company isn’t waiting until then to announce new laptops. A refresh of its consumer-focused IdeaPad line includes updated versions of the Slim 5 and 5i.
The 2023 versions aren’t huge upgrades, but there are some significant changes from last year, particularly in the display department. Both laptops now have the option of having a 16-inch (up from 15.6-inch) or OLED display, but you can’t have both on the same device.
Only the 14-inch model is available with an OLED touchscreen, pairing it with an improved resolution of 2240 x 1400 pixels. The 16-inch version ups that to 2560 x 1600, but you’ll have to live with an IPS LCD panel instead. Most people will be happy with either, but OLED screens generally offer deeper blacks and better contrast.
If you’re in the US or Canada, the choice is removed as the 14-inch model won’t be sold in North America.
Lenovo
The other main change is one you’ll see in almost all 2023 laptops: new processors. The ‘i’ in the Slim 5i name refers to Intel, while the standard Slim 5 features AMD. Lenovo describes them as the “last” processors, but are generally expected to be the next 13e-gen Raptor Lake and Ryzen 7000 series respectively, although there is no confirmation on this.
Combined with 8 or 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB to 1 TB SSDs, you can expect solid performance. Don’t expect it to handle serious gaming or video editing without a discrete GPU.
Batteries range from 47 Wh to 56.5 Wh on 14-inch models or 75.4 Wh on 16-inch models. Those lower capacities are a slight concern for battery life, but fast charging support means you can expect up to 2 hours of use from just 15 minutes plugged into the mains. .
Charging relies on one of the two USB-C ports, while you also get two USB-A ports, full-size HDMI, a micro SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack. Good to see Lenovo not compromising on connectivity.
Other features of note include a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello face unlock, dual Dolby Audio speakers, and Windows 11 Home software. Curiously, a privacy shutter for the webcam is exclusive to North American models.
The Slim 5 and 5i will begin shipping in May 2023, with 16-inch models starting at $649.99/$649 (AMD) and $749.99/$699 (Intel). The 14-inch version will only be available in Europe, but UK pricing has yet to be revealed.
IdeaPad Pro 5 and 5i
The Pro-level IdeaPads are less exciting upgrades. You now get AMD’s new processors under the hood, but there’s no option for Intel here.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch screens have 120Hz refresh rates for a smoother experience, but only the latter offers the option for Nvidia’s ‘next-gen laptop GPU’. This almost certainly refers to the mobile versions of the RTX 40 series, which are also expected at CES 2023.
Lenovo
Only the 16-inch Pro 5i will be available in North America, starting at $1,499.99 and going on sale in May 2023. European customers can expect it in March 2023, but starting at $1,899, the UK information not yet revealed.
New Chromebook and Android tablet
It is also worth mentioning two other products that Lenovo has launched in advance. The IdeaPad Flex 3i is a convertible Chromebook that will start at $349.99/$399 when it also arrives in May/June 2023, but there are some useful upgrades here.
A much improved design features slimmer bezels and a larger 1920×1200 display. You also get a physical webcam shutter and even a backlit keyboard, which is still rare among Chrome OS devices.
Lenovo
Then there’s the budget Tab M9, a $139.99/$159 Android slate (with free folio case) that arrives in March in Europe but in Q2 in North America. It combines a 9-inch 720p screen with dual stereo speakers and claims up to 13 hours of battery life, but the MediaTek Helio G80 chip means it’ll only be good for the basics.
We only know US pricing for all new devices at this stage, but we’ve reached out to Lenovo for UK and European information.
