Lenovo will ship a keynote at CES 2023, however the firm isn’t ready till then to announce new laptops. A refresh of its consumer-focused IdeaPad line consists of up to date variations of the Slim 5 and 5i.
The 2023 variations aren’t big upgrades, however there are some important modifications in comparison with final 12 months – notably within the show division. Each laptops now have the choice for a 16in display (up from 15.6in) or OLED, however you possibly can’t have each on the identical gadget.
Solely the 14in mannequin is out there with an OLED touchscreen, combining it with an improved decision of 2240 x 1400 pixels. The 16in model will increase that to 2560 x 1600, however you’ll should dwell with an IPS LCD panel as an alternative. Most individuals can be proud of both, however OLED shows typically supply deeper blacks and higher distinction.
In case you’re within the US or Canada, the selection is taken away as a result of the 14in mannequin gained’t be offered in North America.
Lenovo
The opposite principal change is one you’ll see in virtually all 2023 laptops: new processors. The ‘i’ within the Slim 5i title refers to Intel, whereas the common Slim 5 is supplied with AMD. Lenovo describes these because the ‘newest’ CPUs, however that’s extensively anticipated to be the upcoming 13th-gen Raptor Lake and the Ryzen 7000 Sequence respectively, although there’s no affirmation of this.
Mixed with 8- or 16GB of RAM and SSDs from 256GB to 1TB, you possibly can count on strong efficiency. Don’t count on it to deal with severe gaming or video enhancing and not using a discrete GPU, although.
Batteries vary from 47Wh to 56.5Whr on 14in fashions or 75.4Whr on 16in fashions. These decrease capacities are a slight concern for battery life, however quick charging assist means you possibly can count on as much as 2 hours of use from simply quarter-hour plugged in to the mains.
Charging depends on one in all two USB-C ports, whilst you additionally get two USB-A, full-size HDMI, micro SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack. It’s good to see Lenovo not compromising on connectivity.
Different options of notice embrace a 1080p webcam with Home windows Howdy face unlock, twin Dolby Audio audio system and Home windows 11 Dwelling software program. Oddly, a privateness shutter for the net cam is unique to North American fashions.
Each the Slim 5 and 5i will start transport in Might 2023, with 16in fashions beginning at $649.99 (AMD) and $749.99 (Intel). The 14in model will solely be accessible in Europe, however UK and European pricing for all gadgets is but to be revealed.
IdeaPad Professional 5 and 5i
The Professional-level IdeaPads are much less thrilling updates. You now get AMD’s new CPUs beneath the hood, however there’s no possibility for Intel right here.
Each the 14in and 16in shows have 120Hz refresh charges for a smoother expertise, however solely the latter provides the choice for Nvidia’s ‘next-gen laptop computer GPU’. That nearly definitely refers to cellular variations of the RTX 40 Sequence, that are additionally anticipated at CES 2023.
Lenovo
Solely the 16in Professional 5i can be accessible in North America, beginning at $1,499.99 and happening sale in Might 2023. Pricing and availability elsewhere haven’t been confirmed but.
New Chromebook and Android pill
It’s additionally value mentioning two different merchandise that Lenovo has launched forward of time. The IdeaPad Flex 3i is a convertible Chromebook that’ll begin at $349.99 when it additionally arrives in Might 2023, however there are some helpful upgrades right here.
A much-improved design consists of slimmer bezels and a bigger, 1920×1200 show. You additionally get a bodily webcam shutter and even a backlit keyboard, one thing that is still uncommon amongst Chrome OS gadgets.
Lenovo
Then there’s the funds Tab M9, a $139.99 Android slate that arrives someday in Q2 of 2023. It combines a 9in 720p show with twin stereo audio system and claims of as much as 13 hours of battery life, however the MediaTek Helio G80 chip means it’ll solely be appropriate for the fundamentals.
We solely know US pricing for all the brand new gadgets at this stage, however have reached out to Lenovo for UK and European data.