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.