Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen5 Hybrid
Specifications
Primary Camera: 13 MPix + 5MP
Price comparison
Average of 8 scores (from 11 reviews)
Reviews for the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen5 Hybrid
The hybrid Windows-Android approach can effectively replace your existing laptop and tablet all at once. However, the 2-in-1 Lenovo machine isn't necessarily better than a standalone laptop and standalone tablet in terms of battery life and weight.
Source: Android Central
On one hand, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is something that I want to recommend to anyone and everyone. On the other, I think that between the price and how cumbersome it can be to detach the screen, it needs a bit more time in the oven. However, I'm really (and I mean REALLY) hoping that Lenovo doesn't give up on this idea. Lenovo has a tendency to try out different things, releasing one iteration and then moving on to something else. I'd like to see Lenovo continue attempting to refine the design to make it both less heavy and somehow easier to detach the screen.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/18/2025
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Techradar
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is technically a powerful Android tablet and competent Ultrabook in one. It’s a unique form factor that redefines the meaning of two-in-one, plus it allows for access to two different OS’ (which you can share between) and an accurate and sensitive stylus. This unique form factor will only intrigue a small group of people, not to mention that it’s prohibitively expensive when not discounted.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/12/2025
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 80% performance: 90% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: PC Mag
With the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5, Lenovo cleverly merged a Windows laptop with an Android tablet into a single device. It’s an excellent choice for those who need to multitask across operating systems or appreciate the convenience of having two devices in one, particularly for traveling. The physical integration is well done; most people wouldn’t realize the screen is an Android tablet. The tablet itself is commendable for its performance in use and stunning OLED display. Lenovo also includes a stylus for inking and an easel stand for the tablet. However, this clever combination isn’t flawless: It is heavier and thicker than a typical 14-inch laptop, and you'll find minimal software integration between Windows and Android. Plus, the whole device is more expensive than buying a Windows laptop and an Android tablet separately. These drawbacks are enough to keep the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 from higher honors, but if you value the unique 2-in-1 experience the device provides, you surely won't find that anywhere else.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/17/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Techaeris
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is a very cool concept, but I think this is for a very niche audience. For most people, buying a decent $1,000 laptop and a $500 tablet is still going to be a better option. That doesn’t mean this device isn’t cool and useful, it’s just not for everyone. Because the audience is so narrow and the price is high, I just wouldn’t recommend this for everyone. But if this is what you’re looking for, then this is one, if not the only, choice for you.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/09/2024
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 85% performance: 95% display: 95% mobility: 90% workmanship: 95%
Source: Android Police
Here comes the real crux of the matter. Does it make sense to buy a premium tablet and laptop built into one cohesive unit? For some users, this may be a resounding yes. The convenience of carrying around a laptop that can quickly transform into multiple devices is hard to ignore. Both devices are well-built, performance champions that will provide a great experience. My struggle with this device ultimately keeps coming back to a broader question: is a device like this needed in today’s market? I suspect it’s not necessary for most.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/19/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Zdnet.com
The Lenovo ThinkBookPlus Gen 5 Hybrid starts at $3,518. Due to its high price tag and unorthodox dual system, I can't recommend this to most people. The fifth-generation ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 just doesn't offer an engaging laptop experience beyond its, admittedly fun, gimmick. Not only is it expensive, but its design makes it difficult to use. This model has only four ports: three USB-C and one for headphones. There's nothing for USB-A or HDMI. For most users, I recommend getting something that specializes in either Windows 11 or Android, such as the Lenovo Slim 7.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/03/2024
Source: Zdnet.com
The Lenovo ThinkBookPlus Gen 5 Hybrid starts at $3,518. Due to its high price tag and unorthodox dual system, I can't recommend this to most people. The fifth-generation ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 just doesn't offer an engaging laptop experience beyond its, admittedly fun, gimmick. Not only is it expensive, but its design makes it difficult to use. This model has only four ports: three USB-C and one for headphones. There's nothing for USB-A or HDMI. For most users, I recommend getting something that specializes in either Windows 11 or Android, such as the Lenovo Slim 7.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/03/2024
Source: PC World
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is a very cool machine. I’m glad Lenovo is creating interesting and unique experiences like this one and bringing them to market. (I was also impressed by the dual-screen Lenovo Yoga Book 9i laptop, which I reviewed earlier this year). The elephant in the room is the price. $3,518 is a lot of money for a laptop. For that much money, you could get both a capable Windows laptop and a high-quality Android tablet. You could use both devices at once. In fact, you’d probably spend less than $3,518 on that dual-device setup – even if you splurged. Many people looking at a machine like this one may prefer a 2-in-1 that runs Windows in both modes, like Microsoft’s Surface Pro.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/25/2024
Rating: Total score: 76%
Source: Digital Trends
When I signed up to review the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid, I was looking forward to seeing how well a hybrid device could meet two very different needs. Let’s face it — what you want in a laptop isn’t exactly what you want in a tablet. And I can comfortably say that the two modes work well enough, separately and together, that you’re not compromising the experience to gain the integration. But outside of some challenges that are likely software-related, namely getting the machine to start up when switching modes, there’s one primary flaw that software can’t address. Namely, it’s how the tablet connects to the laptop base. It’s too finicky, and I often felt like I was forcing something that might break.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/22/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Lon.TV
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/19/2024
Source: Zdnet.com
The IdeaPad 5x's biggest difference is its 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels) OLED touchscreen. Its display covers the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, delivering "crisp visuals" when used in laptop or tablet configurations. It's also "highly portable," clocking in at 3.3 pounds and measuring 17.5m (roughly 0.69 inches) thick. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 will be released later this month. Prices are also unknown for this model, but online sources state it'll cost $849, making it similarly affordable for a Copilot+ laptop as the ThinkBook.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/14/2024
Comment
Model:
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid introduces a unique concept by combining a Windows 11 laptop with an Android tablet in one device, enabling seamless multitasking between both operating systems. This hybrid setup offers the convenience of carrying just one device instead of both a laptop and tablet, though it comes with some compromises, including imperfect software integration and a significant weight. At first glance, this device may look like a typical 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop with its Luna Grey chassis which is professional and durable along with its aluminium construction which resists flexing. However, the hybrid design allows the screen to detach and function as an Android tablet, offering flexibility not seen in traditional devices. The tablet works independently when removed and includes a stand and digital pen for inking. Despite its versatility, this model is bulky, weighing 3.87 pounds in total which is way heavier than most ultraportable laptops. While the dimensions (12.3 by 8.8 inches) are standard for a 14-inch laptop, the 0.63 inches thickness is bulkier than usual. The ThinkBook is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (16 cores, 4.8GHz turbo) with Intel Arc integrated graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it well-suited for demanding tasks. The tablet portion runs Android 13 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. While it may not compete with gaming PCs, the ThinkBook can handle most productivity tasks efficiently.
The laptop features a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels (16:10 aspect ratio), delivering vibrant colours, high brightness (411 nits), and excellent colour coverage. The screen is touch-enabled, and a pen is included for inking. However, the resolution may feel narrow for tablet use, where a 3:2 aspect ratio would be preferable. Battery life testing shows the ThinkBook performs well, though exact results depend on use. During video playback, it maintains a solid performance, with the OLED display contributing to lower power consumption. Charging is convenient via two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which also support charging both the base station and tablet simultaneously. The ThinkBook has limited ports: two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB Type-C port on the tablet for independent charging. Both devices support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The device’s keyboard and touchpad are top-notch, offering responsive typing and large touchpad areas. The 1080p webcam delivers average performance, while the tablet’s rear cameras (13MP and 5MP) are decent but impractical for tablet photography. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is an innovative but hefty device that merges the functionalities of a laptop and tablet. While it excels in display quality, performance, and versatility, its weight, limited software integration, and price tag may deter some users. It’s a powerful option for those looking for a hybrid device but may not fully replace the experience of using separate laptop and tablet setups.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Intel Arc 8-Core: Integrated graphics adapter based on the Xe LPG architecture (similar to the dedicated Arc GPUs, but with a focus on efficiency). Provides all 8 Xe cores (128 Xe vector engines) and 8 ray tracing units.
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Ultra 7 155H: A high-end Meteor Lake chip that debuted in December 2023. This 1st Gen Core Ultra processor has come to replace 13th generation Core chips; it has 16 cores (6 + 8 + 2) and 22 threads at its disposal. Its Performance cores, of which there are 6, run at up to 4.8 GHz while its Efficient cores, of which there are 10 (8 main cores plus 2 extra ones found in the Low Power Island) run at up to 3.8 GHz. The integrated AI Boost NPU offers two Gen 3 engines for hardware AI workload acceleration. This laptop processor's Base power consumption is 28 W while its Turbo power consumption is supposed to stay within 115 W. » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
14.00":
There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.
The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Lenovo: Lenovo ("Le" from English legend, novo (Latin) for new) was founded in 1984 as a Chinese computer trading company. As of 2004, the company was the largest laptop manufacturer in China and, after acquiring IBM's PC division in 2005, the fourth largest in the world. In addition to desktops and notebooks, the company manufactures monitors, projectors, servers, etc, and specializes in developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, enterprise solutions and related services.
In 2016, the company ranked first in the world in computer sales. It still held it in 2023 with about 23% global market share. Important product lines are Thinkpad, Legion and Ideapad.
In 2011, it acquired a majority stake in Medion AG, a European computer hardware manufacturer. In 2014, Motorola Mobility was purchased, which gave Lenovo a boost in the smartphone market.
74.91%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.
