One of the best budget laptops of 2024 has a clever feature (but it's not for everyone)

ZDNET's key takeaways

Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 2-in-1 is available now at Walmart for $679.It's a durable budget laptop that comes with Windows S mode, a restricted but streamlined version of the operating system that improves performance.The restrictions that come with Windows S mode won't make sense for everyone, and the laptop is on the heavy side.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 is a solid budget 2-in-1 laptop in its own right, but it's designed with a special purpose in mind: optimization with Windows' light and limited S mode.

If you're not familiar with S mode, it's a restricted, simplified mode of Windows 11 that is more secure and lightweight, resulting in better performance -- especially for machines with lower-end hardware. This isn't the operating system for everyone, but for students, workers, enterprise machines, or people who just want a more secure experience, it has a lot of potential. 

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The IdeaPad Flex 5 is a sturdy little 14-inch 2-in-1 starting at $679, making it an attractive budget option that puts it in Chromebook territory. But it's not only the price point that draws these comparisons. The modest hardware and Windows 11 S mode make for a lightweight device that's optimized for a practical, albeit limited use case. 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 has specs that look like a Chromebook. It's got an Intel i5 processor, either 8GB or 16GB of soldered (read: un-upgradeable) RAM, an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU, and 512GB of storage. The touchscreen display is a 300-nit, 60Hz WUXGA screen that looks just fine for everyday use, and a 2-in-1 form factor that easily swaps between tablet and laptop mode. 

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In terms of connectivity, it has all the bases covered: two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, one USB-C Thunderbolt, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader. To charge, it can use either Lenovo's proprietary port with the charger it came with, or charge via USB-C Thunderbolt if you have one one. This wide range of ports makes for a versatile laptop that can integrate well with already-existing IT systems. 

The IdeaPad Flex 5 is not particularly lightweight, weighing in at 3.42 pounds, but its overall form factor is slim enough. Overall, it feels well-made and sturdy, with a slightly grainy texture that resists fingerprints and feels durable enough to perform well after changing hands many times. 

That's certainly something Lenovo had in mind with this machine's use case with Windows S. It's not the sleekest, boldest design on the market, but it's well-suited to act as a machine for students or in an enterprise setting. 

Let's look a little closer at Windows S mode. 

When Windows S was first released, developers and consumers alike had mixed feelings, to say the least. Now, however, the use cases for Windows S are a little more clear. The key thing to understand is that you can only download apps from Microsoft Store, similar to Apple's "walled garden" in iOS. This means no random .exe files you download off the internet. If it's not in the official Store app, it won't run. 

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This restriction prevents any unverified applications from running on the machine, greatly reducing the risk of things like viruses and malware, while boosting performance by keeping the registry clean. Users also can't access command-line shells in any way, which prevents any kind of registry changes or risky system settings alterations that might break things. 

This results in a device that's pretty locked down, but that could be especially useful, particularly in an educational or workplace setting, or for users who don't need the extra choice. 

Since choice is the main thing you give up, that means no Google Chrome (likely ever), as you'll be relegated to Microsoft Edge as the only approved default browser (you can download Opera, however, and a handful of other lesser-known browsers).  

This lack of choice alone might be a dealbreaker for some, as most of the basic industry-standard productivity apps are available (Slack, Outlook, Dropbox), but more dedicated apps like Adobe Creative Cloud are not (except Photoshop Express). In return, what you get is a squeaky-clean, streamlined laptop that will never be bogged down by bloatware.

Do you have to run the IdeaPad Flex 5 with Windows 11 S? The answer is no; you can swap to "regular" Windows at any time, but you won't be able to swap back -- it's a one-way street. That being said, I wouldn't recommend this laptop if you're just going to run traditional Windows 11. There are plenty of other budget laptops with more memory that would make more sense if you don't want the restrictions of Windows S.

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So is the IdeaPad Flex 5 comparable to a Chromebook? Absolutely. But keep in mind that Chromebooks have gotten quite a bit more spicy these days, especially with the release of devices like Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus. For example, for around $200 more, Samsung's device has an OLED display, is thinner and a pound lighter, with ChromeOS' handful of new AI features. But it's not Windows, which is sometimes what you need.

ZDNET's buying advice

Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great laptop for what it's designed for. Whether it's for use in schools, an enterprise setting, or for users who want a locked down and highly optimized laptop, its modest suite of hardware (and agreeable $679 price point) go much further than they would otherwise. 

If you don't like the idea of using Windows S mode, there are other budget laptops that I'd suggest instead, like Acer's Aspire Go 15 for $299. If you like the idea of a streamlined and efficient laptop for an agreeable price, but want more integration with Google's suite of apps and services, you'd be better off with a Chromebook like Lenovo's Duet Gen 9.