Lenovo IdeaPad Slim Series 16" IdeaPad Slim 5i Review
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers a large, bright touchscreen and modern features in a slim body, but its average performance and integrated graphics make it a niche pick.
The 30-Second Version
The IdeaPad Slim 5i 16-inch is a capable multimedia laptop with a great screen and modern features like WiFi 7. Its integrated graphics rule out gaming, and performance is just average for the price. Worth considering if the big touchscreen is a priority, but shop around.
Overview
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16-inch is a solid all-rounder that tries to do a bit of everything. It's got a big, bright screen, a decent amount of RAM, and the latest WiFi 7, all wrapped in a fairly portable package.
Lenovo is pitching this as a Copilot+ PC, which means it's built for AI tasks. But the real story here is its versatility for everyday work and entertainment, not heavy lifting.
Performance
The Intel CPU and integrated AMD graphics combo is fine for office apps and streaming. Our database shows its GPU performance is in the 98th percentile, but that's a bit misleading—it's great for an integrated chip, but it's still integrated. It scored a 22 out of 100 for gaming, so don't expect to play anything modern. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM is a good base for multitasking, and the 512GB SSD is okay, though it's only in the 47th percentile for storage speed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big, bright 400-nit display is great for movies. 96th
- 16GB of DDR5 RAM is a solid starting point for multitasking. 75th
- Includes the latest WiFi 7 for future-proofing. 70th
- Touchscreen adds flexibility for casual use. 66th
Cons
- Integrated graphics make it a non-starter for gaming. 31th
- 512GB SSD feels a bit small for a 16-inch machine.
- Battery life from the 60Wh cell is just okay.
- Performance is middle-of-the-road for the price.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 322 Processor (LPE-cores up to 3.30 GHz P-cores up to 4.40 GHz) |
| Frequency | 3.3 GHz |
Graphics
| GPU | Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 48 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR6 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Display
| Size | 16" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
| Panel | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
Connectivity
| HDMI | HDMI® 2.1 (supports resolution up to 4K@60Hz) |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Physical
| Weight | 1.7 kg / 3.7 lbs |
| Battery | 60 Wh |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
At $990, it's in a tough spot. You're paying for the large screen, touch capability, and the 'Copilot+' branding. The specs are decent but not exceptional. If the big, bright touchscreen is a must-have for you, the price might be justified. Otherwise, there are more powerful or more portable options for similar money.
vs Competition
Compared to something like the ASUS Zenbook Duo, you lose the dual-screen novelty but gain a larger, single display. Next to the gaming laptops on the list, like the MSI Vector, it gets absolutely smoked in performance but wins on portability and battery. Its closest competition is other 16-inch multimedia laptops. It holds its own on screen quality but often falls behind on pure CPU power or storage value.
Common Questions
Q: Can it run games?
Not really. It scored a 22/100 in our gaming tests. It's fine for very old or lightweight titles, but anything modern will struggle.
Q: Is the 512GB SSD upgradeable?
It likely is, but you'll need to check Lenovo's specific manual for this model. It's a common upgrade path for this type of laptop.
Q: How is the battery life?
With a 60Wh battery powering a 16-inch screen, expect average life. It'll get you through a workday with light use, but plan to be near an outlet for longer sessions.
Who Should Skip This
Gamers and creative pros should look elsewhere. The integrated graphics can't handle gaming or serious video editing. Also, if you need max portability, the 1.69kg weight and 16-inch size put it in the 'compact' category's 39th percentile—there are much smaller laptops out there.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a large, bright touchscreen for media consumption and light work, and you value having the latest connectivity like WiFi 7. It's a good 'kitchen table' laptop for families or a secondary machine for someone who doesn't need raw power.