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[Wizard57M-TR]

Need Advice: Is the IdeaPad Flex 5 Laptop a Good Choice for Hybrid Work Set

Tags: Operating Systems, Software, Tablets

Hello TechRepublic Community,

I’m currently in the process of upgrading my work setup, and I need some advice on choosing a new laptop that fits both my professional and personal needs. I work in a hybrid environment, where I split my time between the office and working from home. My primary tasks include web development, running virtual machines, and attending video meetings. I also do some light graphic design work in my spare time, and occasionally stream content for personal projects.

I’ve been considering the IdeaPad Flex 5 Laptop, as it seems like a solid option for my needs. The flexibility of being able to convert it into a tablet mode is appealing, especially for sketching ideas or watching media when I’m not working. The 14-inch touchscreen and relatively compact design seem ideal for portability, which is important because I often take my laptop to client meetings.

However, I’m unsure if the specs are enough to handle the load I typically put on my laptop. I’d be using it to run Docker containers, a few virtual machines for testing, and some heavier software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The IdeaPad Flex 5 comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and integrated graphics, which seem adequate for basic tasks, but I’m concerned about how it might handle more resource-intensive programs over time.

A few specific questions I have:

Does anyone here have experience with the IdeaPad Flex 5 Laptop for development tasks? How well does it perform when running multiple applications simultaneously?
For those who use it for creative work (like design or video editing), is the performance smooth or does it get sluggish under heavier workloads?
How well does the battery hold up when using it for more demanding tasks like virtual machines or editing large files?
I’d really appreciate any feedback from those who’ve used this model, or any suggestions for alternatives that would suit my hybrid work setup.

Thanks in advance!

• This topic was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Wizard57M-TR.
• This topic was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by kees_b.

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Reply To: Need Advice: Is the IdeaPad Flex 5 Laptop a Good Choice for Hybrid Work Set

In reply to Need Advice: Is the IdeaPad Flex 5 Laptop a Good Choice for Hybrid Work Set

I clicked on the link in your post and, unfortunately, it said the model you linked to is no longer available. So I deleted it, the more so since we see too much Lenovo spam here on the forums.

A few remarks:
– What are the specs of your current laptop, and are you happy with how good it handles your workload? Then you know what specs (RAM, storage, screen size, graphics) your new laptop should have at least. Then buy something 50% better, and you’re probably done for the next 2 or 3 years.
– Consider buying a separate tablet. You can use the more luxury models as a second screen for your Window laptop. My experience is that having a second screen for some tasks increases your productivity.
– The battery doen’t seem to be important since you can connect it to the mains both at the office and at home, and I don’t think you’ll be doing many demanding tasks when visiting a client.
– Consider a laptop with a bigger screen than 14″ if you don’t use it with a good desktop monitor. A 17″ laptop is quite portable, assuming you can take it with you in your car.

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