Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Gen 8 2023 (16" AMD 16ABR8 2-in-1) Review

A review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Gen 8 (16" AMD 2023) 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop. (AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, 16GB DDR4 4266MHz, 512GB PCIe Gen4 NMVe M.2 2242 SSD, AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 GPU)
16 inch laptops are becoming more ubiquitous in 2023 thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio larger displays. Also working from home users are demanding flexible 2-in-1 laptops for work and play. To cover the best of both worlds, Lenovo have launched the budget friendly IdeaPad Flex 5 Gen 8 16 inch laptop with 12th Gen Intel and AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. Does it offer enough flexibility to win over your hard earned cash?
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Design
01:53 Display
03:05 Lenovo Digital Pen
04:07 Connectivity
04:41 Keyboard & Touchpad
05:15 Audio & Webcam
05:45 Performance
06:49 Benchmark Results
08:40 Graphics
08:57 Gaming
09:24 Battery Life
09:54 Security
10:06 The Good, The Bad and the Really Bad
10:08 Value For Money
10:23 Decent Display
10:43 Good Webcam
10:57 Soldered Memory
11:07 Too Big?
11:24 No USB4
11:37 Build Quality
11:52 Competition
12:17 Summary
13:33 Outro
If you wish to purchase or need support for this device (UK only), please contact us at www.dovecomputers.com. We are Microsoft / Lenovo Partners.
Let us know what videos you would like to see from us!
Facebook: Facebook.com/dovecomputers
Twitter: @dovecomputers
Instagram: @dovecomputers
LinkedIn: Dove Computer Solutions Ltd
We own no rights or claim to the TV shows and games shown in this review.
UK SKU’s: 82XY0002UK £850 inc. VAT (£640 at sale price)
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16ABR8
Competition::
HP ENVY x360 15-ey0001na
ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED
Acer Spin 5 AMD
Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1
MSI Summit E16 Flip EVO
#Lenovo #Flex5Gen8 #IdeaPadFlex5

[@rancanganaktualisasi824]

Detailed review and soothing voice, clean environment and fun! Thanks for everything!

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

I am 2 minutes and this is already on of the best reviews in terms of information and format I've ever seen, and I've seen A LOT! Great job, sir!

[@terrysiegel3402]

Thank you!! That means a lot, since I am no nerd, and no computer expert. Matter of fact, I am not even a sir. I am a 72 year old woman!

[@locomocoto]

Amazing review! It really helped in my decision making process. Thanks!

[@Hyperdriveuk]

Awesome reivew! Thankyou!

[@rodclift38]

Very nice review. Right to the point.

[@BCJSimon]

I bought the 14 inch one and i don't regret it very great Laptop thanks for a great and informative video!

[@rocogreen]

Thanks a lot for the review 👍🏾👍🏾 ! You don't beat around the bush and you go straight to the point with vital informations. I ended up buying it 🥰! So excited 🤩

[@Dovecomputers]

Thanks! Bought one myself, I use it as my daily driver. 👍

[@tar7983]

I purchased the computer to draw, but mine didn’t come with a pen, and the Lenovo website says that there’s no pen that is comparable with this computer that I can buy. What can I do?

[@SilvioMichal1]

very solid review of a great value for money laptop. I am almost sure I will buy one for this price point its a very convenient purchase. thank you for your review!

[@Dovecomputers]

Thanks. Bought one for the same reason! 👍

[@mindfulnessess]

does lenevo 2 pen ultra-tacticle support IdeaPad 5 ?

[@marvinplettner]

The list of comparable laptops one might consider purchasing instead is a fantastic review feature.

[@evi9751]

Hello! Do you know if it supports active pen 3?

[@user-mo1mh2it4e]

Bought this Ebay refurbed for $500. Looking forward to receiving it.

[@snvvs369]

I just wanna buy an anti glare screen guard for lenovo ideapad flex 5 16inch which I can't find in online. can I purchase screen guard of yoga 7i 16 inch for my laptop?

[@leonkoren8176]

Wich pen should i use for it?

[@deepakravi9708]

Is the 14 inch a good device for graphic design and video editing? With the Gen 8 of course.

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Thanks for sharing this really detailed and helpful review. Do you know if that usb-c port can be used to charge it too?

[@Dovecomputers]

Yes you can!

[@GeordiLaForgery]

@@Dovecomputers That's good, I couldnt find that info on the spec page. Thanks!

[@user-rw8mx1jh3v]

just bought it. It was for sale at almost 1000. Im super excited to get it. I am a video editor and was wondering if you have tried After Effects on it?

[@403gtfo]

How do you feel with it 9 month on?

[@terrysiegel3402]

After watching your review, (and many more!) I ordered this computer. I got the version with the i7 gen 12 processor, 16 gb ram and 1 tb storage. I payed $711 US, including tax, and can't wait to get it! Thanks so much for the very informarive video!

[@rickyhall2648]

Hi where did you purchase your Laptop at?

[@terrysiegel3402]

I got my computer from Amazon I made a typo, however. I payed $811 for it. Still, VERY worth it!

[@talaqu8955]

@@terrysiegel3402 I am considering buying this laptop (the i5 gen) but i'm worried about brightness since I might use it in daylight , U think it does the work :)?

[@terrysiegel3402]

My display is extremely bright, and very good in a well lit room. The 2K, extra bright screen came with the my computer. Make sure the computer you order contains this in the specs.

[@talaqu8955]

@@terrysiegel3402 thankss a lot 🤍🤍🤍

[@rsa8209]

my dual array microphone doesnt work. I need help from Brazil

[@maukachauka8793]

Thanks for the review, I was wondering, would the pen and note-taking function still work well if Ubuntu or other Linux distros were to be installed on it

[@Dovecomputers]

Not sure Lenovo support Linux drivers for the pen. 🤔

[@maukachauka8793]

@@Dovecomputers Thx for the reply, would you know where I could find answers to my question, maybe on reddit or directly emailing Lenovo ?

[@ismaelvergaragarcia8224]

​@@maukachauka8793Hi. I have the same question, did you get answers?

[@maukachauka8793]

@@ismaelvergaragarcia8224 Hey, you're in luck I bought the 14inch of this and I'd recommend not to do it. You most likely won't get full functionality of the fingerprint and jenky touchscreen functions. If you want linux I recommend dual booting

[@ismaelvergaragarcia8224]

@@maukachauka8793 Thanks for your recommendation 👍

[@recklessvelociraptor2579]

Is 1tb max size ssd I can put in there?

[@venomkills802]

isnt the brightness 300 nits?

[@samdottori]

Can I edit 4k videos with this ? Please let me know. If not, can you recommend me a laptop that would allow me to do that and also I like to use the pen on the laptop, thank you

[@Dovecomputers]

It will probably struggle with this model. Look at the Yoga 7i 16 Gen 8 with i7-1360P instead. 👍

[@armorgeddonguides]

Amazing review! I am considering buy the Flex 5 but am unsure whether to go for this model or the Intel model. What would you recommend?

[@Dovecomputers]

IMO, the AMD version is better.

[@cogitoergosum9127]

Is it possible to limit the charging of the battery to 65% when keeping the Laptop connected to electricity 🔌? To safe the battery health? Is there any setting for that?

[@Dovecomputers]

The Lenovo vantage app and Windows 11 does allow you to do this now. Trickle charge the laptop battery like the latest smartphones.

[@SimonBauer7]

regarding the pen, if it annoys you get a precision pen 2, this one is a lot better, more sensitive and more accurate and feels better.

[@HellDiver_02]

I'm planning to buy a 14inch Variant but confused between i5 1235u vs ryzen 5 7530u. Which one should i pick for future proof technology and performance?

[@Dovecomputers]

Not much between the two processors. Make sure you get the 16GB memory model whatever one you choose.

[@zaidazam2592]

Thankx man for putting price in rupees .

[@eefat9735]

I ma torn between this model and the Yoga 7 Gen 8 (16" AMD). Any advice?

[@Dovecomputers]

Yoga 7 Gen 8 > Faster CPU, DDR5 memory and GPU (If you select Ryzen 7735U/680M GPU model) Extra USB-C port, Wi-Fi 6E, lighter weight. Downside, 1920x1200 45%NTSC display panel is worst than the review model, Flex 5 (16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, Glare, Touch, 100%sRGB, 400 nits) Hope than helps you. 😁

[@eefat9735]

@@Dovecomputers Thanks so much! The yoga wins in every way. unfortunately there is no option to improve display unlike the flex :( I wonder would it make a very noticeable difference in display

[@miko5869]

Please, what is your recommendation, buy the flex 5 ryzen 5 5500u or the flex 5 ryzen 5 7530u? this last one is 90 dollars more expensive. Thanks 😊

[@Dovecomputers]

Depends what you will be doing with the laptop? General use, the Ryzen 5 will be fine. If you will be photo or video editing, the Ryzen 7 will be better alongside 16GB min. memory.

[@miko5869]

@@Dovecomputers Thank you very much for responding 😊 in terms of security, which of the two models do you recommend? I need a new computer to work on creating a website (WordPress) for my business, and I'm afraid of buying a computer with weak security :(

[@thomba34]

Does the laptop have some sort of heating issue? Just ordered it and I see a few posts on it

[@Dovecomputers]

We deployed 6 of these, back in April for a business client. Not had one issue with heat or the hinges. (Touchwood!) They get used every day in the field.

[@pengyuecai553]

Excuse me, Can type C port be used for charging?

[@Dovecomputers]

Yes it can. It is rated Power Delivery 3.0. 👍

[@stanleyng9491]

thanks for your honest review telling the writing isn't smooth on the touch screen.

[@Dovecomputers]

Thanks. Just ordered the new Dell Inspiron 16 7640 2-in-1, on paper great specs for the money. Hopefully get a full review out in the next few weeks. 👍

[@stanleyng9491]

@@Dovecomputers great. Let's see if the pen writing is better than the Flex 5. ❤

[@sureyyanurozil2819]

Omg the pen, I need this for my studies! Does it have the hinge problem that other Lenovo ideapads have had? That is the only thing holding me back :(

[@dzibanart8521]

There is no hinge issues I been using flex devices for a while now. I still have a flex 14 from 3 years ago and although the hinge is a bit loser that when brand new it still stronger than the most laptops regular hinge, I use it day in and day out in every position and environment possible 😂. I'd say I have less wabble than the Lenovo flex 5 16 granted the screen is smaller, I have not used the 16 version for long enough to know if there will be issues down the line. If anything you should consider the Lenovo Tab extreme it is 14in tablet but with very powerful processor and pen support.

[@sureyyanurozil2819]

thank you so much this was actually so helpful!! Yess this is why I love windows, since I was little I was just used to our laptops lasting for years. My last acer just recently died after 7 years of heavy use and my hp of 12+ years still works fine but I was a stupid teenager who cracked a lot of heavy editing programs on it so it's a bit too slow for school now ahhaahah. However all these popular laptops I am seeing people say they use for 2/3 years and then switch. Maybe that's just how it is but I am therefore very thoroughly looking for a good laptop, I also prefer 13 or 14 inch due to portability! I think I'll go for flex 5, just have to figure out what model exactly. Also btw do you know if the keyboard lightening can be turned on and off? or is it always on? I havent been able to find that info anywhere @@dzibanart8521

[@WS-hk4hp]

Possible to upgrade the ssd to a 2280 instead of the given 2242 ssd?

[@Dovecomputers]

I can confirm you can use a 2280 SSD instead.

[@HellDiver_02]

What are the drawbacks of 2242 over 2280 ?

[@user-tzean0324]

Can USB 3.1 Gen 1 do HDMI output?

[@Dovecomputers]

Yes you can, I plugged in a USB-C docking station with a HDMI output.

[@marijabarbaric5727]

I ser that the screen is very reflective, how much does that bother? Is it hard to work?

[@Dovecomputers]

No as you can easily adjust the display lid to reduce the glare.

[@dzibanart8521]

Insta purchase! Arrr Lenovo!! There is no AMD 7840u option 😢

[@pcswithignou3606]

Can i insert sim card here?

[@Dovecomputers]

No. You have to use a USB 4G dongle or a Mi-Fi device.

[@jacksmaia]

It haves powerdelivery?

[@Dovecomputers]

The USB-C port supports power delivery.

[@GameHEADtime]

My old ones screen cracked…

Its possible to upgrade ram from 16GB to 32Gb ?

[@Dovecomputers]

Soldered on memory, no upgrade option.

[@specialized29er86]

This one will do me for $1600 Aus.

[@laurgavrila]

The pen is included?

[@Dovecomputers]

Yes.

[@laurgavrila]

@@Dovecomputers I buy this laptop and the pen missing

[@fumano2679]

did you buy the "flex"? its only on it

[@njabulozimu7702]

The screen does not look like a 16:10 to me.

[@jesusgomez9538]

Necesito preguntar algo importante, acabo de comprar el mismo modelo de 14 pulgadas, he visto comentarios fatales acerca de las bisagras, ¿alguien puede resolver mi duda acerca de qué tan resistentes resultan las bisagras? La pregunta número 2 es: También observé comentarios acerca de un fallo en la laptop por actualizaciones, el cual consiste en que la pantalla se queda en color negro y según esto por un falla de tarjeta madre o algo relacionado ¿pueden decirme si es factible conservarla o devolverla ahora que puedo?