Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
July 7, 2025: With this update, we added the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 as our latest Best Budget Lenovo Laptop, replacing the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023). We also anointed the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 as our new Best Lenovo Laptop for High-End Design. Since our last update, we tested and evaluated 20 new laptops for inclusion in this roundup and our other laptop roundups. We are currently testing the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10, and the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Gen 10 for our next update.
- Handsome 2.8K IPS touch screen
- Impressive audio and battery life
- Plenty of ports
- Almost an ultraportable
- Shallow, awkwardly arranged keyboard
- No SD card slot or mobile broadband option
- Underwhelming AI modes
You won’t mistake its keyboard for a ThinkPad’s, but Lenovo’s 15.3-inch Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition laptop has a gorgeous touch screen and lengthy battery life for a fair price.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
15.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.6 by 13.5 by 9.3 inches
Weight
3.2 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
24:34
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition Review
- Potent gaming performance
- Looks sharp in Glacier White
- Bright screen
- Comfortable input devices
- Fingerprint reader
- Average battery life
- No G-Sync support
Lenovo’s Legion 7i Gen 9 pushes punchy gaming performance and premium features in a reasonably slim chassis with a luminous display for less than $2,000.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
Processor Speed
2.2 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 x 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.78 by 14.1 by 10.3 inches
Weight
4.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:23
Learn More
Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Review
- Sturdy 2-in-1 design mixes durability, flexibility
- Above-average ChromeOS performance
- Crisp display with touch and pen support
- Backlit keyboard
- Decent variety of ports
- Budget-feeling plastic construction
- Merely average battery life
- Stylus pen not included
Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an affordable 2-in-1 that showcases the Chromebook Plus generation with speedy performance and flashy features at a reasonable price.
Class
Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1, Budget
Processor
Intel Core i3-1315U
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel UHD Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.72 by 9 by 12.4 inches
Weight
3.52 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:43
Learn More
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Review
- A nearly perfect portable PC
- Remarkably light
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display
- Fine keyboard
- Generous array of ports for its size and profile
- No SD or microSD card slot
- WWAN option not available yet
Sure, you’ll pay for the privilege to carry it, but make no mistake: Lenovo’s refreshed, lighter-than-ever ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is a stellar achievement. This is the world’s best laptop.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.56 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches
Weight
2.17 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:49
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition Review
- Incredible battery life
- World-class keyboard
- Decent array of ports
- Trim, light design
- Screen not the sharpest
- OLED and WWAN options not yet available
- Windows Camera glitches
While its price fluctuates wildly, Lenovo’s T14s Gen 6 brings all the ThinkPad goodness to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AI platform to great effect for trendsetting enterprise users.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100)
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.72 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro (64-bit ARM)
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
33:33
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Review
- Sleek, slim, and light
- Sensibly priced
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED touch screen
- Above-average audio
- Not Lenovo’s best keyboard
- No USB-A port or SD/microSD card slot
- No mobile broadband option
Lenovo targets Apple’s MacBooks with an ultraportable work laptop for small offices that can’t afford the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Overall, the ThinkPad X9 14 succeeds in design, pricing, and display quality.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 130V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.51 by 12.3 by 8.4 inches
Weight
2.74 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:31
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition Review
- Formidable power for high-demand apps
- World-class keyboard
- Speedy 165Hz display
- Up to 192GB of RAM
- As bulky and heavy as its asking price
- Storage ceiling is 8TB to HP Fury’s 16GB
- Wi-Fi 6E, not 7
Lenovo’s flagship mobile workstation, the ThinkPad P16 Gen 2, is a heavyweight performer for demanding professional apps in every sense of the word.
Class
Workstation, Business
Processor
Intel Core i7-14700HX
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada
Graphics Memory
12 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.19 by 14.3 by 10.5 inches
Weight
6.5 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:50
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 Review
- Among the least expensive convertible laptops on the market
- Sharp touch screen
- Tablet portion has a high-quality build for its price
- Headphone jack is back
- Test model includes stylus pen
- All models include bundled keyboard
- Middling performance and battery life
- Keyboard has squishy keys, is designed for smaller hands
The latest Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a low-cost ChromeOS detachable 2-in-1 for students, younger users, and budget buyers. It feels surprisingly well built for the money; just don’t plan on quick performance.
Class
Chromebook, Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
MediaTek Kompanio 838
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
eMMC Flash Memory
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
10.95 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-G57 MC3
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.30 by 10.1 by 6.6 inches
Weight
1.12 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:01
Learn More
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 Review
- Fabulous glass-topped design
- Gorgeous borderless OLED touch screen
- High-res webcam hidden within the display
- Expensive
- No headphone jack, USB-A ports, or HDMI
- Some poor keyboard design choices
Lenovo’s super-spendy Yoga Slim 9i is one of the prettiest ultraportables you can buy—and a thoroughly capable one, if you set aside its lack of ports and some keyboard quibbles.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.61 by 12.3 by 8 inches
Weight
2.76 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:46
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Review
- Lighter than many big-screen budget laptops
- 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD boost the value proposition
- Spacious keyboard with number pad
- Configuration with 1TB SSD is trickier to find than the 512GB
- Ho-hum display with narrow color coverage
- Limited performance ceiling
- Short battery life
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 delivers acceptable everyday usability and generous RAM and storage for the price, but its short battery life and middling CPU performance limit its appeal.
Class
Budget
Processor
Intel Core 5-120U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 14.2 by 9.4 inches
Weight
3.57 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:42
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 Review
- Crisp 1080p display
- Comfortable keyboard
- HDMI port
- Multiple color options
- Lightweight
- Long battery life and snappy storage
- No USB-C ports
- Dim 220-nit screen backlight
- Uses relatively slow AMD Athlon Silver processor
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 1 14 proves that you can have a decent, and even enjoyable, Windows 10 experience on an under-$300 laptop, as long as you don’t need USB-C ports and can make do with a basic processor.
Class
Budget
Processor
AMD Athlon SIlver 3050e
Processor Speed
1.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
4 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
TN
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.78 by 12.88 by 9.25 inches
Weight
3.09 lbs
Operating System
Windows 10 S
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:01
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14 Review
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The Best Lenovo Laptops for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Lenovo Laptops for 2025
Which Series of Lenovo Laptops Is Best?
Because Lenovo makes every one of its laptops with a specific set of customers in mind, we can’t point you to one line of Lenovo laptops as the absolute “best” for every situation. With that in mind, we’ve listed and covered each of Lenovo’s laptop series below to help you decide which type of Lenovo laptop is best for you.
Lenovo’s conventional laptops include ThinkPads (business laptops), ThinkBooks (small-business work machines), and IdeaPads (general-use laptops). Gaming machines fall under Lenovo’s Legion (higher-end) and LOQ (budget) lines, while 2-in-1 hybrids come in Yoga (premium) and Flex (budget) varieties. First, let’s look at the laptops that started it all: the ThinkPads.
Professional Classics: ThinkPads and ThinkBooks
Lenovo ThinkPads are classically styled, business-oriented laptops with a wide range of configurable features: touch screens, cellular connectivity, biometric login hardware, and docking options. Their primary commonality? They almost always come colored in Lenovo’s classic matte black.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon isn’t just Lenovo’s best business laptop, it’s the best business laptop, period. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
These machines tend to provide IT-friendly features for monitoring, management, and business-oriented wired and wireless connectivity. To help position certain models within the larger laptop market, Lenovo divides its ThinkPads into a host of sub-classes indicated by a letter. These include the ultraportable ThinkPad X and top-of-the-line X1 lines, the entry-level ThinkPad L family, and the ThinkPad P mobile workstations. The 14-inch X1 Carbon is the company’s executive flagship, joined by the 13-inch X1 Nano, which is the lightest ThinkPad at 2.13 pounds.
Lenovo’s newest addition to the ThinkPad family is the X9 series, ultraportable laptops aimed at discriminating consumers and trendy small businesses as a direct competitor to Apple’s MacBook Air line. Most notably, they’re thin-and-lights with fan-cooled processors.
This 14-inch ThinkPad X9 is after businesses that are used to ordering MacBooks for their staff. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The bread-and-butter ThinkPads, though, are the T series, widely deployed business laptops that deliver a decent balance of cost, durability, and feature set, along with the famous ThinkPad keyboard. Current T-series models include 14- and 16-inch notebooks, which have replaced the 13- and 15-inch models of old. Some configurations feature an “s” suffix after their model numbers to indicate a slimmer and lighter system.
Beyond L, P, T, and X, Lenovo has also pushed two additional lines: E and Z. The E series is more of a hodgepodge than most, resolutely budget-minded, with CPUs from both Intel and AMD and models in 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, which have replaced the traditional 13- and 15-inch sizes. The newest ThinkPad expansion, the Z line, emphasizes aesthetics and sustainability and employs AMD Ryzen processors. You can still find 13-inch screens within the Z series and a more contemporary 16-inch size.
You’ll need a quick decoder to ThinkPad model numbers, whose logic changes every few years according to the moods of Lenovo’s marketing brain trust. Current models carry letters such as E, T, or X, plus two digits marking the screen size. So, a ThinkPad E15 is a budget-minded model with a 15.6-inch screen, while the ThinkPad T14 is the classic business fleet machine with a 14-inch panel. The premium ThinkPad X1 models don’t indicate a screen size in their model names since most of them are 14 inches.
Meanwhile, Lenovo ThinkBooks are a distinct line from ThinkPads. They serve small and medium businesses (SMB), and most lean toward the value end of the spectrum. (See our picks for the best business laptops overall.) Like most, the ThinkBook line has consolidated to 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, but even further down to solely normal-thickness variants—no more “s” models here. ThinkBooks simply use two digits in their names for the screen size.
The IdeaPad Line: Consumer Clamshells
Lenovo IdeaPads, on the other hand, are aimed mainly at consumers, though design-forward business users and entrepreneurs may gravitate toward using an IdeaPad as a primary PC. You’ll find some preloaded apps on many IdeaPad systems, particularly those bought from big-box stores.
Our newest top budget-priced Lenovo laptop is the IdeaPad Slim 3i 15. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Current IdeaPad models range from the extreme-budget IdeaPad 1 series to the IdeaPad 3 and IdeaPad 5 at the high end of this midrange lineup. The higher the number, the more premium the laptop. An “i” in the model name denotes an Intel processor, while some models have “Gaming,” “Slim,” or “Pro added to their names to indicate their intended uses. Screen size isn’t specified; for example, you can find IdeaPad 5 models with both 14- and 16-inch displays, and Lenovo has also dropped the 15.6-inch screen size.
Lenovo also sells a host of IdeaPad Chromebooks, popular choices for buyers on a budget. Google’s ChromeOS is simple to manage and use since it centers on the Chrome web browser and related apps. Lenovo’s Chromebook lineup includes inexpensive IdeaPad consumer models and more rugged ThinkPad-branded Chromebooks for businesses and schools. Lenovo is part of the Chromebook Plus program that Google launched to elevate budget Chromebook laptops with better specs and features as a baseline. (See our picks for the best Chromebooks.)
Yoga and Flex: Lenovo’s Hybrids (and Sometimes Clamshells)
Under the larger ThinkPad and IdeaPad umbrellas fall most of Lenovo’s wide range of touch-screen hybrids, which can function as both laptops and tablets: the Yoga and Flex laptops. Introduced in 2012, the first Yoga pioneered the 2-in-1 convertible laptop concept. Yoga laptops’ 360-degree screen hinges let you flip and fold the system into four positions: a conventional laptop mode, an easel-like stand mode for presentations, an A-frame or tent mode for viewing videos or using touch apps on an airline tray table, and a tablet mode for reading or for scribbling and sketching with a stylus.
In addition to high-end consumer systems called simply Lenovo Yogas, you’ll find ThinkPad Yogas and ThinkBook Yogas that target a business audience. They follow the naming and numbering schemes for the lines they fit into, such as the ThinkPad X1 series.
However, Lenovo has also started using the “Yoga” name to cover some of its premium clamshell (that is, non-convertible) laptops. These are often called out by the word “Slim” in the name to indicate their traditional laptop nature, like the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition seen below.
Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i has the broadest appeal of any in its product line. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The Flex models, meanwhile, are broadly similar but tend to be cheaper than Yogas. At various times, the Flexes have been their own brand, though they’re marketed under the IdeaPad banner at this writing. The latest Yogas and Flexes generally follow the single-digit naming scheme of the IdeaPads.
This 2-in-1 is Lenovo’s best Chromebook to date. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The screen stays attached to the keyboard with these machines, meaning they’re 2-in-1 convertibles instead of detachables—Windows tablets with removable keyboards akin to Microsoft’s Surface Pro slates. Lenovo also sells a ThinkPad X12 Detachable tablet, a business device with one of the best detachable keyboards on the market. The other prominent detachable 2-in-1s we’ve seen of late from Lenovo are the company’s consumer-oriented Chromebook Duet tablets.
Legion and LOQ: Meet Lenovo’s Gaming Brigade
Finally, to keep up with the growing popularity of PC gaming, Lenovo launched an all-new laptop line, the Legion family, in 2017. It did this to differentiate its gaming systems from the main IdeaPad line, where the gaming rigs were until then known as “IdeaPad Y”-family models. The Legion brand includes both gaming laptops and desktops, as well as gaming handhelds.
Lenovo’s Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 with RTX 4060 graphics is still going strong. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Current models bear single digits (a “5,” a “7,” or a “9”) that indicate a range from mainstream gaming to flagship gaming. Legions with an “i” suffix on the number use Intel Core processors, while others rely on AMD Ryzen CPU power. Given the models’ specs and feature sets, the Legion family’s pricing has been attractive. Today, you’ll see Legion laptops in the more modern 14- and 16-inch screen sizes and in a mix of distinctive designs.
Lenovo also has a budget line of gaming laptops known as LOQ. Most of these laptops contain entry-level graphics and processing hardware focused on fast, responsive 1080p play. They’re one of the more attractive budget gaming laptop lines, but it will take another generation or two of updates to see whether LOQ can rise to the top.
Which Lenovo Laptop Is Most Durable?
According to Lenovo’s website, “ThinkPad products are currently tested for 12 total methods and 20 procedures” under the US Department of Defense’s MIL-STD 810G standards. These include tolerance for mechanical shock, humidity, sand, dust, and even fungus, among other hazards and contaminants. Like most laptop brands, Lenovo doesn’t emphasize durability to the same degree in its general-use, budget, ultraportable, hybrid 2-in-1, and gaming laptop categories.
However, Lenovo isn’t known for producing “true rugged” machines that resist significant damage and weather exposure. Dell, Durabook, Getac, and Panasonic are players in that market. For those, check out our buying guide for the best rugged laptops.
Which Lenovo Laptop Is Best for Students?
While we often recommend students consider a MacBook Air for school, or a Dell Premium laptop if they’re set on Windows, Lenovo has comparable Yoga and Slim models that would serve much of the same function. Likewise, the new ThinkPad X9 series seems like a shoo-in for college campuses, being directly aimed at Apple’s thin-and-light titans.
Lenovo has clever tricks to maximize space in its thinnest and lightest laptops, like the ThinkPad X9 line. (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
If you’re on a tighter budget or your coursework doesn’t require such a well-equipped machine, Lenovo’s IdeaPad line would serve you better. This series provides budget-to-midrange systems for basic workloads and entertainment needs.
Finally, Lenovo’s ThinkPad and ThinkBook lines feature laptops with top-end processing hardware and even professional-grade parts for academic workloads in computer science, software engineering, and media editing, to name a few. (High-end engineering work is best reserved for workstation models in the ThinkPad P line.)
Ready to Buy the Right Lenovo Laptop for You?
We hope our explainer and product picks here have simplified things. For more of our favorite laptops (that is, including ones outside the Lenovo-sphere), check out our roundup of the best laptops overall, as well as our guides to the best cheap laptops and business laptops. But for our current, ever-evolving list of Lenovo favorites, check out our detailed spec breakout, and don’t forget to check back as we test and add new models.
