This affordable Lenovo laptop I tested handled my various workflows like a champ

ZDNET's key takeaways

The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 with the Snapdragon X Plus processor is available now, starting at $749.It's durable and reliable, runs cool, and features a comfortable keyboard and nice OLED display.However, it might not stand out in a market of similarly-specced devices that are lighter and cheaper.

We've tested many of Lenovo's newest devices with top-tier hardware over the last few months, but some of the more accessible models also deserve callouts. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is one such device, as a practical workhorse with a modest set of hardware and a relatively accessible $749 price tag.

It features a solid, sleek build with Lenovo's signature dual-hinge design in brushed silver, and upward-firing Dolby speakers. The 14-inch OLED touchscreen display completes the laptop's first impression, framed by thin bezels that make for a sleek, if non-descript design.

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It hits the right notes for a competent work device but keeps things low-key enough to stay affordable. For example, the OLED display looks great at 400 nits, but it's reigned in with a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. This results in a crisp visual experience for web browsing, entertainment, and some light gaming, but it doesn't try to push the envelope. 

The port selection on this laptop is also quite good, with two USB type C and type A ports, an HDMI, and a Micro SD slot. However, one of its biggest drawbacks is that the USB-C ports don't support USB4/Thunderbolt 4, which will leave you without external monitor access if you don't have an HDMI cord. This is by no means a dealbreaker for me, but it certainly could be for some users. 

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We got the first batch of Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip in mid-2024, and now that enough time has passed, we're seeing more noteworthy devices with the Snapdragon X Plus, the lower-tier chip. Take Asus' Zenbook A14, for example, which made waves at CES 2025 for its thin and light form factor paired with an accessible price point. 

These devices target a specific market niche: affordable laptops that look good, run cool, and have efficient batteries but appeal to a mainstream audience that doesn't need to break performance barriers. 

The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 fits that bill, with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor making it less powerful than the X Elite chip but competent nonetheless -- while generating a minimal amount of heat, even under a heavy load. This makes it a great laptop for workers who want a crisp OLED display and comfortable keyboard but aren't necessarily working with graphically demanding workflows.

The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, indeed. The keys are large, silent, and have a nice travel distance. I love the full-sized Backspace and L/R arrow keys, especially with the Home/End functions mapped onto them. These design choices alone make this a laptop an accommodating companion for long work hours. 

Measuring nearly 0.7 inches thick and weighing 3.28 pounds, it would not be considered "ultraportable," however, and probably would not be the best choice for someone who will end up toting it around. For that reason, the IdeaPad 5x takes a usability hit, especially when compared with the aforementioned Asus Zenbook A14, which has the same processor and RAM, OLED display, and USB 4 support but weighs a whole pound less.

Also: The best Lenovo laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Of course, it also costs up to $250 more than the IdeaPad 5x. This brings me to my last point about the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, which is that the battery life is good, but not exactly as good as I expected. Perhaps we're getting spoiled by 20+ hour batteries, but in my testing, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 only got around 13 hours on one charge.

This is a device that easily lasts an entire day at the office on one charge, and it can go beyond that, but in my experience, not by a whole lot. The 57Wh integrated Li-Polymer battery on board is simply limited in its capacity, even if the Snapdragon chip is exceedingly power efficient. 

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The rapid speed at which laptops have been developed, produced, and appeared on retail shelves over the course of the last year means that hardware tech often evolves faster than product development timelines. This results in models like the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 holding a unique position in the market for a blink of an eye before other devices show up with the same hardware but offer something unique or compelling that obscures its initial use case. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is an affordable 2-in-1 with a crisp, pro-looking OLED display, comfortable keyboard, and cool and quiet operation. Its accessible price means that there are some tradeoffs: the battery is good, but it's capacity is limited. The port selection is ample, but it doesn't support Thunderbolt 4. 

This is a laptop I recommend for the user who needs a reliable, affordable device, appreciates Lenovo's design approach and doesn't need to spend the extra bucks on a machine that makes its ultra-thin and light form factor its entire identity.