A guide to Lenovo laptops: ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga and more

Man using a Levono to create 3D models

by William Austin-Lobley |
Updated on

What is Lenovo?

Lenovo is a big name in the tech world – so big in fact, that in 2021 it earned itself a place at the top of the computing pile by shipping the most PC units in the world.

How trusted is Lenovo? Well, its laptops are some of the best laptops you can buy. ThinkPad range is on the International Space Station, with the range’s iconic keyboard-mounted red-track point visible in many photographs of the ISS’s interior. If the technology Lenovo can produce is good enough to see astronauts through a few hundred loops of Earth, it’s good enough for our home office.

The brand has garnered a dedicated following – demonstrable by its six-million-plus Facebook followers. Innovation and reliability are at the heart of this trust, and here at What’s The Best, we are very much fans of Lenovo’s output.

A look at Lenovo laptop ranges:

Lenovo isn’t short of laptop ranges. Below, we briefly explore them but note – within these ranges you’ll find even more innovation, from simply excellent entry-level laptops to boundary-pushing tablet and touchscreen integrations, folding screens and much, much more.

ThinkPad

ThinkPad is one of Lenovo’s flagship laptop ranges, having sold over one hundred million units. ThinkPad is primarily a business and professional range, with a utilitarian design principle driving its creation and ongoing development. With this development have come some top-tier security features and the ability to put up with harsh climes. It’s not afraid to push boundaries in other ways – the ThinkPad X1 Fold, for instance, is a foldable powerhouse, as shown recently on the Lenovo Twitter page.

ThinkPad E14 Gen 4 (14" Intel)
Price: $712.80/€890 (starting)

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The E14 is our favourite ThinkPad because it combines what makes the range so potent, and packages in an affordable way that makes the most sense for daily office use. Plus, you still get all of Lenovo’s excellent security features.

ThinkBook

If one thing comes to mind when reflecting on the ThinkBook range, it’s ‘getting it done.” The range is all about making your life as a user smooth and speedy, ensuring that your projects can all get finished on time. Its productivity meets performance, with a splash of style.

ThinkBook 15 Gen 4
Price: $576/€899 (starting)

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A business laptop that can outperform its rivals, the ThinkBook 15 is a versatile and reliable machine, perfect for editing spreadsheets and leading conference calls. It’s got some nifty security features, too.

IdeaPad

If you use your laptop for entertainment and the occasional bit of life admin, then the IdeaPad range is what you need. The IdeaPad range encompasses everything from student-ready laptops to laptop-tablet convertible gadgets.

IdeaPad 5i Gen 7
Price: $990/€995 (starting)

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There isn’t much the 5i can’t do. Its sleek design and comfortable keyboard make it solid for a day of work, while the quality screen and speakers mean it’s just as good in the evening for streaming and listening to music. If you up the base specs when purchasing, it can even squeeze out a game or two.

Yoga

Like the best yogi masters, Lenovo’s Yoga range can transform its shape in seconds. The traditional laptop setup is ideal for work while folding the screen over into tent mode is perfect for watching some streamed entertainment. It can even join you on the sofa in tablet mode for an evening scrolling the socials. There’s not much it can’t do, something that Lenovo pointed out on its Insta page.

YogaBook 9i
Price: $1,120/€1,599 (starting)

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The YogaBook 9i carries an excellent OLED screen. This is great for creatives, as it makes the 14-inch screen feel vast, and the accurate colour representation and stunning contrast are a pleasure. Flip it over, and it’s just as enjoyable to create on tablet mode. Equally, it’s clear picture makes for comfort and clarity over a day of work. The brains over at Bowers & Wilkins take care of the speakers too, so it sounds as good as it looks. It’s the whole package, really.

Legion

With the Legion range of laptops, Lenovo offers up game-ready machines that make short work of even the most taxing releases, using some of the best AMD CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs. To get the best idea of what these gaming powerhouses can do, head to the @Lenovo YouTube channel to see them in action.

Our favourite Legion: 5 Pro Gen 7 (16" AMD)
Price: $1,648/€1,699 (starting)

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The Legion 5 Pro delivers a blisteringly fast gaming performance. This is thanks to its use of an AMD CPU, and Nvidia GPU with 6GB DDR6 RAM and 32 DDR5 RAM, but also its 240Hz screen. If a mobile gaming battle station is high on your list of needs, the 5 Pro will exceed your expectations.

Anything else?

As one of the world’s biggest tech names, there’s no surprise that Lenovo has a long and impressive history offering extensive ranges of other devices and gadgets – including tablets, smartphones and monitors.

William Lobley is the Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in technology, gaming, and outdoors.

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