Lenovo Lenovo V14 G4 IRU 14" Full HD Notebook Computer, Review

The Lenovo V14 G4 IRU is a basic workhorse. It's got a 14-inch screen, a Core i5 processor, and 8GB of RAM, all packed into a 1.4kg body. That's the pitch: a simple, portable laptop for getting stuff done.

And for the most part, that's what it is. It runs Windows 11 Pro, has a backlit keyboard, and boots fast off its 256GB SSD. It's not trying to be flashy. It's just a laptop.

The Intel 1335U CPU is fine for everyday tasks like web browsing, documents, and video calls. It lands in the 32nd percentile for CPU power, so don't expect it to blaze through heavy workloads. The integrated Iris Xe graphics are predictably weak, sitting in the 18th percentile. This thing scores a 7.9/100 for gaming, so yeah, it's not for that. The 8GB of RAM is its biggest bottleneck, ranking in the bottom 10%. You'll feel that if you have too many Chrome tabs open.

At $950, it's a tough sell. You're paying for the Windows 11 Pro license and the Lenovo business brand, but the core specs feel dated for the price. That 8GB of RAM and small battery are real compromises. You can find more modern-feeling machines with better performance and battery life in this price range.

Stack it up, and the weaknesses show. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers way more innovation with its dual-screen design for similar money. An Apple MacBook Air with an M-series chip runs circles around it in performance and battery life, though you lose Windows. Even within Lenovo's own lineup, other IdeaPad or ThinkBook models likely offer better specs for this budget. The V14 G4 feels like it's competing on price from a few years ago.

This is a laptop for a very specific buyer: someone whose company is supplying it and needs Windows 11 Pro out of the box. For a student or a personal buyer spending their own $950, look elsewhere. You can get more RAM, a better screen, and much longer battery life for the same cash.