Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6" 5 Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ALC05 is a budget laptop that covers the basics. For around $650, you get a portable Windows 11 machine for everyday tasks, but its 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage are major limitations. It's a solid choice if your budget is fixed, but consider stretching it for more future-proof specs.

If you're hunting for a budget-friendly laptop that can handle everyday tasks without breaking the bank, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ALC05 is a solid contender. For around $650, you get a 15.6-inch screen, an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, and 8GB of RAM. It's a classic example of a general-purpose laptop designed for browsing, streaming, and light work. People often search for 'best laptop under $700' or 'Lenovo IdeaPad for students,' and this model fits squarely into that conversation. It runs Windows 11 Home out of the box and includes a backlit keyboard, which is a nice touch at this price.

Performance is a mixed bag, which is typical for this price range. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U is a 6-core CPU, but it lands in the 29th percentile in our database. In practice, that means it's fine for web browsing, document editing, and video calls, but it will start to feel sluggish if you try to run multiple demanding apps at once. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics are about average for this class, scoring in the 68th percentile. You can do some very light gaming or photo editing, but don't expect to play modern AAA titles. The 256GB SSD is a weak spot, sitting in the 23rd percentile, so you'll likely need an external drive or cloud storage pretty quickly.

At $650, the IdeaPad 5 is priced right in the thick of the budget laptop market. You're getting what you pay for: a reliable machine for basic tasks, but with some clear corners cut to hit that price. The 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage are the biggest compromises. If your budget is absolutely fixed at $650, this is a reasonable choice. But if you can stretch another $100-$150, you'll often find models with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs, which are much better long-term investments.

Let's name some names. Compared to something like the Apple MacBook Pro with an M5 chip, there's no contest on performance or battery life, but you're also looking at triple the price. A more direct competitor might be an older model Acer Swift or HP Pavilion in the same price band, which often have similar specs. The real trade-off here is with other Lenovos. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a gaming beast, but it's in a completely different league and price point. For a similar all-purpose laptop, you might also look at the Microsoft Surface Laptop, which offers a better screen and build quality but costs significantly more. This IdeaPad wins on pure budget pricing, but loses on future-proofing.

Skip this laptop if you're a developer, a content creator, or a power user who multitasks heavily. The 8GB of RAM and slower CPU will hold you back. Also, gamers and anyone needing lots of storage should look elsewhere. For those use cases, consider saving for a laptop with 16GB of RAM, a more powerful CPU (like a newer Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i5), and at least a 512GB SSD. Even within Lenovo's lineup, a Legion or Yoga might be a better fit.

Should you buy this? It depends on how tight your budget is and what you need. If you need a no-frills laptop for school, basic office work, and streaming Netflix, and $650 is your hard limit, the IdeaPad 5 will get the job done. It's reliable and has the essentials. But we can't ignore the specs. The 8GB of RAM is a real problem for 2024, and the small SSD is frustrating. For most people, we'd recommend trying to find a model with 16GB of RAM, even if it means buying a refurbished or older-generation laptop. This is a 'good enough' machine, but just barely.