Lenovo IdeaPad Pro Series 16" IdeaPad Pro 5i Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16-inch is a bit of a sleeper. It packs an Intel 255H CPU and an RTX 5050 GPU, which lands it in the 79th and 78th percentiles for performance, respectively. That's solid for a machine that weighs just 1.71kg. But the real star is the 16-inch OLED display, which sits in the 92nd percentile. At 2880x1800 with a 120Hz refresh and 500 nits of brightness, this screen is built for entertainment and creative work, and its scores reflect that. It's a laptop that prioritizes the experience of using it, from the screen to the Thunderbolt 4 ports, over being the absolute fastest in its class.

Performance-wise, this is a well-rounded package. The 16-core Intel 255H is a solid performer, handling multi-threaded tasks well and landing in the 79th percentile. The RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM is its perfect partner, hitting the 78th percentile. You're not getting flagship gaming or rendering speeds, but for a 1.71kg laptop, it's impressive. You can expect smooth gameplay at high settings on that gorgeous 120Hz OLED panel, and creative apps will run without a hitch. The 1TB NVMe SSD is fast, also in the 78th percentile, so load times are quick. The 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM is the only spec that's just average, sitting right at the 50th percentile. It's enough for most tasks, but power users might wish for 32GB.

At $1350, the value proposition is interesting. You're paying for that exceptional OLED panel and a balanced, capable performance package. You could find laptops with faster CPUs or GPUs for similar money, but they often skimp on the screen or build quality. This IdeaPad Pro 5i gives you a bit of everything done well, making it a strong all-rounder for the price. It's not the cheapest, but you're getting premium features without a flagship price tag.

Compared to an ASUS Zenbook Duo, you lose the dual-screen novelty but gain a much more powerful GPU and a larger, higher-refresh OLED. Against a gaming laptop like the MSI Vector 16 HX, the IdeaPad trades some raw GPU power for a far better screen, lighter weight, and better battery life. The most direct competitor might be a MacBook Pro 14-inch. The MacBook will have a better CPU (M4 Max) and insane battery life, but you're locked into macOS, pay a huge premium, and this Lenovo offers a larger, higher-refresh OLED screen and more gaming capability for less money. It carves out a nice middle ground.

If you want a single laptop that's great for watching movies, doing creative work, and playing games without being a dedicated gaming brick, this IdeaPad Pro 5i is a fantastic choice. The OLED screen alone is worth the price of admission for many. Just know that the 16GB RAM might limit future-proofing, and you'll want to keep the charger nearby. For $1350, it delivers a premium experience where it counts.