IdeaPad Pro 5 (16 inch): The Best $1000 Laptop

Summary

The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 offers a balanced performance for its price, featuring Intel or AMD processors, Nvidia RTX 3050, a 16-inch display, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Despite its solid build and comfortable keyboard, it has average displays, slow USB transfers, and a poor webcam. Ideal for users needing a mix of CPU and GPU power, but not for those seeking gaming or professional color work. Recommended at a sale price below $1,000.

Takeaways

• 💻 The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 is considered underrated and offers a good value for its price.
• 💰 It has an MSRP of around $1,100, featuring a latest Intel or AMD processor, Nvidia RTX 3050, 16-inch high-resolution display, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage.
• 🔥 The AMD variant is recommended over the Intel version due to better performance and power efficiency.
• 🎮 The laptop's dedicated RTX 3050 performs well, even outperforming some RTX 4050s in other laptops.
• 🌡️ Lenovo manages heat and fan noise effectively, with the keyboard deck warming up to 39°C and fan noise at 49 dB under max load.
• 🔋 The laptop has a large 84Wh battery, but performance tasks can drain it quickly when unplugged.
• 🖥️ The chassis is well-built with minimal screen flex and a comfortable, standard keyboard layout.
• 👀 The laptop features Windows Hello facial recognition for fast login.
• 📺 The display options are decent but not exceptional, with one being an IPS matte panel and the other an OLED with better color accuracy.
• 🔌 Ports are plentiful but have slow USB transfer speeds, and the SD card reader is also slow.
• 💬 The laptop has a dedicated button for Microsoft's AI co-pilot and a loud click on the trackpad.

Q & A

What is the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 compared to in terms of value?

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 is compared to eating at a nice hotel buffet in terms of value, where everything is present and good, but nothing is amazing. It offers a good balance of features for the price paid.

What is the MSRP of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16?

The MSRP of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 is around $1,100.

What are the key specifications of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16?

Key specifications include the latest processors from Intel or AMD, a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050, a 16-inch high-resolution display, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage.

Is there an option to upgrade the graphics card in the AMD model of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16?

Yes, at the time of the video, the AMD model could be upgraded to an RTX 4050 for an additional $70.

How does the performance of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16's Intel processor compare to its AMD counterpart?

The AMD processor was found to be the better option, delivering more performance and being more power efficient, resulting in better battery life.

What is the performance of the dedicated RTX 3050 in the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16?

The RTX 3050 performs well, even outperforming some RTX 450s in other laptops, due to Lenovo providing it with a lot of power.

How does the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 handle heat and noise under max load?

The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 manages heat and noise well, with the keyboard deck getting warm but only reaching 39° C and fan noise at 49 dB under max load.

What are the battery life expectations for the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 when performing performance tasks while unplugged?

The battery life will drain fast when performing performance tasks while unplugged, due to the laptop maintaining its excellent max CPU performance.

What are the drawbacks mentioned for the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16's display options?

Both display options are considered okay but not great. The 2560 x 1600 IPS matte panel is not very bright and lacks color accuracy, while the 2480 x 1280 OLED panel offers better color accuracy but lacks clarity and definition.

What are some of the cons mentioned for the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 besides the display?

Other cons include slow USB transfer speeds, lack of bass in the speakers, a loud trackpad click, a poor-quality webcam, and the memory being soldered with only a 16GB option available at the time of the review.

Why might the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 be a must-buy if it goes on sale?

If the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 goes on sale and drops below $1,000, it becomes a must-buy due to its comprehensive feature set and good performance at an even more attractive price point.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Overview of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024

The reviewer starts by explaining that despite the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 coming in last in a poll for laptop reviews, they decided to review it because they believe it's underrated. They liken the laptop to a hotel buffet, offering a lot of features that are all good but not the best in any particular category. With an MSRP of around $1,100, the laptop includes a recent Intel or AMD processor, an Nvidia RTX 3050, a 16-inch high-resolution display, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The reviewer also mentions the option to upgrade to an RTX 4050 for an additional $70. They note that the laptop performs well, especially considering its price, and recommend the AMD variant over the Intel one due to better performance and power efficiency. The dedicated RTX 3050 performs better than some RTX 450s in other laptops, and the reviewer shares their positive gaming experience. The laptop handles heat and fan noise well, and battery life is good for light tasks but not for heavy performance tasks. The build quality is praised, with a rigid keyboard deck and thin bezels, and the keyboard is comfortable with a standard layout. The laptop also features Windows Hello facial recognition for quick logins.

05:06

🚫 Drawbacks and Final Thoughts on the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16

The second paragraph discusses the drawbacks of the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16. The reviewer mentions that there are two display options, neither of which are great. The one in the reviewed model is an IPS matte panel that is decent but not bright enough and not color-accurate for professional work. The other option is an OLED panel with better brightness and color accuracy but lower resolution. The laptop's ports, while numerous, have slow transfer speeds, and the SD card reader is also slow. The speakers lack bass, and the webcam quality is poor. The memory is soldered, and at the time of the review, only a 16GB option was available in the USA. Despite these drawbacks, the reviewer concludes that the laptop is a great value for the price, especially for users with multiple use cases like programming, gaming, video editing, and portability. They suggest that if the laptop goes on sale for under $1,000, it becomes a must-buy. The reviewer ends by expressing their personal preference for the laptop, stating it's one they would choose if shopping at around $1,000.

Keywords

💡IdeaPad 5 Pro 16

The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 is a laptop model from Lenovo, which is the main subject of the video review. It is described as underrated and offers a balance of features at a competitive price. The reviewer highlights its value for money, comparing it to a hotel buffet where everything is available and of good quality, but not exceptional. This laptop is positioned as a versatile option for various use cases such as programming, gaming, and video editing.

💡MSRP

MSRP stands for 'Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price', which is the price at which the manufacturer recommends that the product be sold. In the context of the video, the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 has an MSRP of around $1,100, which includes a range of high-end specifications, making it a good value proposition according to the reviewer.

💡Processor

A processor, or CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the computer. The video discusses both Intel and AMD processors, with the reviewer suggesting that the AMD variant might be a better choice due to its superior performance and power efficiency, unless specific applications favor Intel CPUs.

💡Nvidia RTX 3050

The Nvidia RTX 3050 is a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) mentioned in the video. It is part of the laptop's specifications and contributes to the laptop's gaming and graphics performance. The reviewer notes that the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16's RTX 3050 performs well, even outperforming some RTX 450s in other laptops.

💡Display

The display refers to the laptop's screen, which is a critical component for user interaction. The video mentions a 16-inch high-resolution display with a native resolution of 2560 x 1600. The reviewer discusses the pros and cons of the available display options, including brightness, color accuracy, and resolution.

💡Memory

Memory, or RAM (Random Access Memory), is the hardware in a computer that allows information to be stored temporarily. The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 comes with 16 gigabytes of memory, which is considered ample for most tasks. However, the reviewer points out that the memory is soldered and not upgradable, which could be a limitation for some users.

💡Storage

Storage refers to the laptop's hard drive space where data is permanently stored. The video mentions a 512-gigabyte storage capacity, which is a significant amount for a laptop and allows for storing a large number of files and applications.

💡Portability

Portability is the ease with which a device can be transported. The reviewer highlights the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16's portability, mentioning its compact and thin design, which makes it suitable for users who need to move around frequently with their laptops.

💡Fan Noise

Fan noise refers to the sound produced by the laptop's cooling system. The video discusses how the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 manages fan noise well, with the fan noise reaching 49 dB under max load, which is considered quiet and good for a laptop.

💡Battery Life

Battery life is the duration for which a laptop can operate without needing to be plugged in. The reviewer notes that while the laptop has an 84-watt-hour battery, performance tasks can drain it quickly when unplugged. However, lighter tasks like watching movies or taking notes yield better runtimes.

💡Upgradeability

Upgradeability refers to the ability to improve or expand a device's capabilities after purchase. The video touches on the IdeaPad 5 Pro 16's upgrade options, such as upgrading the AMD model to an RTX 4050 for an additional $70, which adds value to the laptop for users seeking better graphics performance.

Highlights

The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 is considered underrated and special.

For an MSRP of around $1,100, it offers a good balance of performance and value.

It comes with either Intel or AMD's latest processors.

Includes a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card.

Features a 16-inch high-resolution display.

Equipped with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage.

Lenovo's chassis design is compact, portable, and of good quality.

The AMD model can be upgraded to an RTX 4050 for an additional $70.

The Core Ultra 5 performs well compared to many Core Ultra 7 laptops.

AMD's latest processor outperforms Intel in an identical laptop test.

The RTX 3050 in the IdeaPad 5 Pro performs better than some RTX 450s in other laptops.

The laptop handles heat and fan noise well under max load.

Battery life is good for light use but drains fast with performance tasks.

The chassis is well-built with minimal screen flex and a rigid keyboard deck.

The keyboard is comfortable with a standard layout and a number pad.

It has Windows Hello facial recognition for fast login.

There are two display options, but neither is great for professional color work.

Ports are plentiful but have slow USB transfer speeds.

Speakers lack bass but are loud and immersive with Lenovo's Vantage software.

The trackpad works well, but the click is loud.

The webcam quality is poor with color inaccuracies.

Memory is soldered, and at the time of the review, only a 16 GB option was available in the USA.

The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 is a great all-rounder laptop for the price.

It's suitable for users with multiple use cases like programming, gaming, video editing, and portability.

For gaming specifically, a dedicated gaming laptop might be a better choice.

If the IdeaPad 5 Pro goes on sale below $1,000, it becomes a must-buy.

The reviewer personally loves the laptop and would choose it if shopping at around $1,000.

Transcripts

today I'm going to be reviewing the idea

pad 5 Pro 16 for 2024 I put a poll out

about which laptops you would like me to

review something I'm going to be

regularly doing anyway this one came in

dead last so I thought I'd completely

ignore you guys but in all seriousness I

actually really like this laptop and I

think it might be one of the most

underrated out there so today I'm going

to tell you why this laptop is so

special and some of the drawbacks that

you must be aware of before buying one

all right here's the skinny the idad 5

Pro is the equival of eating at a nice

hotel buffet pretty much everything is

there and it is good but nothing is

amazing to get amazing you'd want to go

to a specialist restaurant instead but

when you consider what you're getting

for the price you've paid the buffet

wins in value so let's translate this

into laptop speak for an MSRP of around

$1,100 you get one of Intel or amd's

latest processors you get a dedicated

Nvidia RTX 3050 a 16-in high resolution

display 16 gig of memory and 512 gig of

storage and it's all packed into a

quality Lenovo chassis that's reasonably

Compact and portable Plus at the time of

this video you can upgrade the AMD model

to an RTX 4050 for just $70 I bought our

model when it was released and at that

time only the Intel version was

available so the core Ultra 5 is what I

have in this chassis though Lenovo

really makes it sing in fact this core

Ultra 5 in this laptop perform very well

compared to many core Ultra 7 laptops

that we've tested that is likely because

Lenovo is fitting it a a ton of power

but before you go out and buy the Intel

version we recently tested both Intel

and amd's latest processors in an

identical laptop a Zenbook 14 the amd1

was hands down the better processor it

delivered more performance and it was

more power efficient which resulted in

better battery life so even though this

Intel processor performs very well in

this laptop unless your specific

applications perform better on Intel I'd

get the AMD variant an example of this

by the way is adobe's Premier Pro it

still seems to perform much better with

an Intel CPU back to the idea pad 5 Pro

though just like the CPU Lenovo feeds

its dedicated RTX 3050 a ton of power

that makes this RTX 3050 perform better

than some RTX 450s in laptops that don't

feed the graphics that much power like

Dell's new XPS 14 I played a round of

League of Legends at the screen native

2560 x600 resolution with everything set

to highest and I was able to comfortably

max out the 120 HZ refresh rate now with

all this power comes great

responsibility and Lenovo are being

responsible here the heaten fan noise is

surprisingly good when the processor is

under Max load the keyboard deck gets

warm but only to 39° C and the fan noise

hits 49 DB that is really good and in

light use the laptop is dead silent and

it only feels a tiny bit warm if you do

hold the laptop up to your ear yes you

will hear the fans going but when it's

on a desk you can't on battery this

laptop maintains its excellent Max CPU

performance but that means even with

this laptop's large 84w hour battery

you'll drain it fast if you're doing

performance tasks while unplugged that

being said if all you're doing is

something light like taking notes or

watching a movie it does give you good

run times but the good doesn't end there

the chassis is quite wellb built with

minimal screen flex and the keyboard

deck feels rigid its bezels around the

screen are thin making it look modern in

fact the laptop itself is surprisingly

thin given the hardware inside this

makes it very portable for what it is

the keyboard is very comfortable to type

on and it has a standard layout so no

issues of Mis pressing keys here it does

have a number pad which causes the

keyboard to be off center I personally

don't have issues with that but some of

you might also if you like to use

Microsoft's AI co-pilot there is a

dedicated button for it that's where the

right control key would have normally

been finally this laptop has Windows

hello facial recognition to get you

logged in fast that is a lot of good

stuff so here's the gotches that you

need to know before you run out and buy

one all right there are two displays

available just like the buffet that I

mentioned earlier both are okay but

neither are great my model came with a

2560 x600 IPS mat panel on the surface

it looks decent enough but it's not that

bright at 370 nits its colors also

aren't accurate enough for professional

color work the other display has a lower

248x 1280 resolution spread across a

large 16in panel many people who look at

small text all day like me we'll find

that this just doesn't provide enough

Clarity and definition that panel though

is an OLED one that is brighter and has

substantially better color accuracy if

you're wondering which of the two that I

choose it's this one the 2560 x600 panel

but right now unfortunately in the USA

that panel is only available with the

Intel processor the ports while

plentiful have slow USB transfer speeds

they're all 5 gbits and the SD card rer

is slow too USBC charging is supported

though let's talk about the speakers

they do not have any base and when I say

that it's like the entire base has been

completely deleted from the

music it's a Pity as the rest of the

speakers are pretty good they get really

loud and using lenovo's Vantage software

you can get a nice immersive Sound Stage

the trackpad works very well for a

laptop at this price point but the click

is

loud the webcam on this laptop is really

bad I mean folks colors are way off

finally the memory is soldered and at

the time of this review at least in the

USA you could only buy it with 16 gigs

so as you can see this id pad 5 Pro 16

for 2024 is a great laptop for the price

particularly if you're someone like me

who crosses use cases I program on my

laptops which in my case require CPU

performance I gamer my laptop which

requires GPU performance I Video Edit

and I like a large screen for that and I

move around a lot so I want something

portable this laptop gives me a good

amount of everything however if your

only use case is one thing such as

gaming you will do better if you buy a

dedicated gaming laptop instead and

we've frequently seen laptops with much

more powerful RTX 460s fall into this

price range now if this id pad 5 Pro

goes on sale and drops below $1,000 then

it becomes a must buy and if you're

looking to find the cheapest price on

all the laptops that we recommend check

out our new website we list all our

favorite laptops there for various types

of use cases as well as where to go to

get the best deal on them I want to end

this video a little differently

throughout my time using the idea pad 5

Pro 16 I regularly found myself uttering

the following I love this laptop and if

I was shopping at around $1,000 it is

the one that I would personally buy

ladies and gentlemen in 200 plus laptop

review videos it's pretty rare that I

say that josh out