The best Lenovo laptops for every type of task

The best devices for gaming, studying, working, and more.
By
Joseph Green
,
Ashley Keegan
, and
Matt Ford
 on 
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Overview

Best For Versatility

Lenovo Yoga 7i

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Best For Business

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

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Best For Gaming

Lenovo Legion 7i

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Best For Reliability

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

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Best For Tight Budgets

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

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See 2 More

Table of Contents

From students and business professionals to gamers and content creators, everyone needs a reliable laptop. No one wants a laptop that lets you down because it can't handle your multitasking on a busy morning. Or a machine that can't handle the latest, greatest video games. Especially since working from home became the new normal.

If you're in the market for something new, it's worth considering Lenovo. The brand makes some mighty fine laptops to fit a variety of needs and budgets.

It's never easy wading through all the technical jargon, so let us help with a quick look at what makes Lenovo so great — and which models will suit your laptop needs.

What are the different types of Lenovo laptops?

Lenovo is a major technology company and has been making some of the best laptops in recent years. Its lineup runs the gamut from simple, affordable Chromebooks all the way up to heavy-duty mobile workstations fit for the most demanding creative professionals. But if you're not sure about which line of Lenovo laptops is fit for your needs (and your budget), it can get a little confusing to find your best option.

Fortunately, we've got your back with a quick breakdown of the different types of Lenovo laptops to help you figure out which one may be right for you:

ThinkPad — These are Lenovo's business laptops. They tend to have great keyboards and long battery life, and include a lot of IT-friendly features. Within this line, there are subclasses noted by letter, including the elite ThinkPad X and X1 series.

IdeaPad — These laptops are aimed directly at the everyday consumer. The selection of Lenovo IdeaPads ranges from simple and affordable to high-end Ultrabooks.

Yoga — These are Lenovo's hybrid laptops, offering convertible functionality. Technically, they're known as 2-in-1 laptops, but they can really handle a great number of different configurations thanks to their sturdy 360-degree hinge. You may also see the Lenovo Flex line of laptops, which is a less expensive convertible laptop.

Legion — This is Lenovo's line of gaming laptops, which offer solid performance to handle even the most demanding video games. They stand up against competing gaming laptops, but some users might find the Legion style is plain in comparison.

Keep these ranges in mind when shopping for your next device.

What do you need to know before buying a laptop?

As you figure out which line of Lenovo laptop is the best choice for you, you'll also want to consider all the inner workings that make a laptop function at peak performance. It's important to understand what each part does before you choose your spec.

That said, let's break down all the different technical aspects that can vary — and often be customised — to help your laptop run the way you need it:

CPU — This controls your laptop and keeps things running smoothly. For demanding applications, such as editing software and games, you'll need a heavy-duty CPU. But if you're mostly emailing and browsing, a less powerful CPU is fine.

Display — You really don't want to dip below 1080p resolution (also known as Full HD, or FHD). Gamers and creatives may want to step things up to a 2K or even 4K display to get the most out of their visuals.

GPU — The GPU determines how well the visuals on your laptop are rendered, which is absolutely key for gamers and those working in creative fields. If you want to play video games at their highest settings, you'll need an impressive GPU, such as a Nvidia.

RAM — This is your system's short-term memory. 4GB will suit casual use, but if you do lots of multitasking (we see you, with your 40 open tabs), then you should opt for 8GB. To allow heavy-duty software and games, amp things up to 16GB.

Storage — Unless you're saving huge files, have lots of photos and videos, or need to install large programs or games, 512GB or 256GB will suit your needs. The Lenovo laptops of this list go all the way up to 1TB of storage, however.

We know this sort of thing can be confusing, but this is a good place to start on your shopping journey.

What is the best Lenovo laptop?

We've picked out a bunch of the best options for a variety of different wants and needs. Whether you're a business professional, gamer, content creator, student, or a little mix-and-match of them all, one of these Lenovo laptops should fit the bill.

These are the best Lenovo laptops in 2025.

The Good & The Bad

  • 360-degree action
  • Stylus included
  • Dolby Vision and Atmos
  • OLED touchscreen
  • Heavier than other models
  • Battery could be better

Why We Like It

The point of the Lenovo Yoga range is that it can be used from any position, at any angle, anywhere — hence the Yoga name — and the Lenovo Yoga 7i Pro is the pick of the bunch. It’s nimble but has plenty of power under the hood.

It has 360-degree multimode versatility (for laptop, tablet, tent, and even flat-out modes) plus a reliable battery life, a built-in HD webcam with privacy shutter, a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and a Lenovo Active Pen that stores (and charges) right within the laptop's frame. 

Its Dolby Vision display paired with its Dolby Atmos Speaker System make for peak cinematic experiences (at least from a laptop) no matter the configuration. Other nice touches include noise cancellation, which is great for video calls, plus a selection of ports.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Powerfully hi-spec
  • Portable for commuters
  • Durable build
  • Security features
  • Big price tag
  • Average battery

Why We Like It

The durable, yet lightweight Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon means business. Quite literally. It’s built specifically for business needs, with hi-spec powered performance and plenty of business-minded add-ons.

First off, it doesn’t matter whether you’re working from home or taking it to the office every day. At just 1.12 kilograms, it’s easy to carry around without having to worry about it getting banged up in your briefcase on your commute. 

It features fast performance and a whopping 32GB of RAM, which means you can multitask like a beast. A fingerprint reader enables you to get down to business the second you're on the clock, and offers extra security if you’re storing sensitive documents. It also has a fantastic keyboard that you'll be happy to tap away on all day.

It also has plenty of ports, and its webcam has a sliding shutter so you'll never have to worry about showing your WFH face on a Zoom call until you're ready. 

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Superb performance
  • Ace graphics
  • Impressive specs
  • Roomy RGB-lit keyboard
  • Expensive
  • Fairly bulky

Why We Like It

The Lenovo range really does have something for everyone. The Lenovo Legion 7i will satisfy the most serious-minded gamers, with the kind of spec and processing power that you’d expect from a gaming desktop. It will chew through all your favourite video games, no matter how demanding they may be. 

It has a top-of-the-line Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card to tackle the highest frame rates with ease, and a highly powerful processor to keep things running smoothly.

The Legion 7i also has thermal sensors and dual fans for keeping things relatively cool and quiet. Plus, its keyboard is designed specifically with gaming in mind, offering a tactile and responsive experience across a comfortable layout of keys and touchpad. Not to mention that RGB-lit gamer style.

Overall, it's incredibly well-made and hands down Lenovo's best gaming laptop, but you'll have to pay a serious price to get your hands on it.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Snap-on keyboard
  • OLED touchscreen
  • Stylus included
  • Huge battery life
  • Kickstand is flimsy

Why We Like It

The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 5 can be used in either tablet or laptop mode, thanks to a detachable keyboard that gives you the ultimate in both convertibility and convenience. It’s also affordable (in laptop terms) but has very respectable power and performance, which places this at the fancier end of the Chromebook spectrum.

As always with Chrome OS, it’s made for web-based tasks like browsing, emailing, and streaming. Indeed, the OLED touchscreen display is ideal for boxset binges.

Where this really comes into its own is the portability aspect — that keyboard snaps on and off very easily — and the sheer amount of heft in the battery, which lasts up to 15 hours. That will take you through a whole day of work or classes (or a Netflix mega-session) without that maniacal rush to find a plug socket. 

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Highly portable 2-in-1
  • Stylus included
  • Privacy features
  • Fast charging
  • Great all-rounder
  • Audio lacking in tent mode
  • Takes some adjustment

Why We Like It

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a fantastic mid-level laptop. It looks and feels like a back-to-basics model. Which is true. But this laptop punches well above its weight, outperforming its price point with ease while maintaining a pared-back approach to its overall style and user experience.

As with other Lenovo laptops, it converts quickly and easily between laptop, tablet, and tent — it’s so easy to flip from working mode to relaxing with a streaming session. It’s also pleasingly lightweight, meaning it’s ideal for anyone who likes to take their laptop on the go. And if creative work is your thing, it comes equipped with a stylus pen.  

If we’re being picky, the trackpad is very sensitive and takes some getting used to, but we’re quibbling. There aren’t many laptops that so perfectly combine work and leisure.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Great performance
  • Beautiful display
  • Ultra-lightweight
  • Built-in security
  • Minimal ports
  • Small touchpad

Why We Like It

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano is a scaled down version of the already-light ThinkPad X1. Slim, compact, and lighter still, it’s a highly portable laptop doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s a reliable little workhorse.

Its display may be smaller, but it's bright, crisp, and clear to deliver great views whether you're working, streaming, or simply scrolling. It also has a built-in HD webcam, backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and a robust battery life that outlasts bigger machines. 

The touchpad could be a little bigger (but it is meant to be compact, after all) and we wouldn’t say no to an extra port or two, but otherwise, this is a fantastic choice that’ll keep up with the busy schedule of anyone who's always on the go. 

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Sleek design
  • Webcam shutter
  • Port selection
  • Low battery life
  • Limited performance

Why We Like It

Not everyone wants to drop hundreds of pounds on a super-spec beast. Sometimes you just want a reliable machine that gets the job done. If that sounds like you, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is an excellent choice — not least because of the price, which is significantly lower that a lot of competing models.

It’s packed with respectable (if not world-beating) components that should ensure a smooth, lively experience. It’s the kind of laptop that does the basics very well, as long as you’re not expecting too much from it. And it does have a few nice bonus details, including a noise-cancelling mic, webcam shutter, and decent port selection.

There are downsides in this price bracket. It has smaller storage and RAM than more powerful machines, and a lower spec display. But if you’re shopping in this price range, those details likely won’t matter. It's a bargain regardless.

Details

Topics Lenovo

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor

Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.

Mashable Image
Ashley Keegan

Ashley Keegan is a freelance contributor to Mashable.

Mashable Image
Matt Ford

Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.


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