Lenovo Flex VS Lenovo Yoga: Which One Is Best?
Table of Contents
We know that the hunt for the ideal two-in-one laptop/tablet combo package can seem daunting at the least. Whether you are a student looking for a machine that can suit your studies and your leisure time, an executive who needs to type up reports but then also enjoy a little downtime of surfing and streaming in the evening, or just someone who generally wants something they can do some typing on but also stream movies, surf the Internet or combine all three – let us take the pain out of the search for the perfect Lenovo 2-in-1 for you.
Comparison Table
TOP PICK 
MSRP
$998.00
$679.00
$720.00
$779.00
$999.49
$1,072.00
More Information
Processor
1.6 gigahertz Intel 10th Generation Core i5-10210U
AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor
Intel i5 7200U
Intel 8th Gen Quad Core i5-8250u
Intel Core i7-8550U
RAM
12GB DDR4
12GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB
256GB NVMe SSD
128GB SSD
256GB SSD
Hybrid 512GB PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD
512GB PCIe SSD
Display
15.6" HD 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
14" HD 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
14" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Multi-touch Anti-Glare
15.6-inch Full HD Touchscreen (1920x1080) IPS
13.9" Full HD
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Radeon Vega 8
Intel UHD Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
Windows 10
TOP PICK
MSRP
$998.00
More Information
Processor
1.6 gigahertz Intel 10th Generation Core i5-10210U
RAM
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB
Display
15.6" HD 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
MSRP
$679.00
More Information
Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
RAM
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB NVMe SSD
Display
14" HD 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Graphics
Radeon Vega 8
OS
Windows 10
MSRP
$720.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
OS
Windows 10 Home
MSRP
$779.00
More Information
Processor
Intel i5 7200U
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
14" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Multi-touch Anti-Glare
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
MSRP
$999.49
More Information
Processor
Intel 8th Gen Quad Core i5-8250u
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
Hybrid 512GB PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD
Display
15.6-inch Full HD Touchscreen (1920x1080) IPS
Graphics
Intel Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
MSRP
$1,072.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-8550U
RAM
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB PCIe SSD
Display
13.9" Full HD
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Breaking It Down
When seeking out the perfect Lenovo 2-in-1 combo, we have assessed and compared the performance, design, and user-friendliness of this expansive series of laptop/tablet models on offer from Lenovo whilst considering the user target group.
Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
The first thing we want to mention about the Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 convertible laptop is the lightness. Once you pick it up, you will know exactly what we mean! Although, at 3.5 pounds, you probably would have expected that.
Unlike Lenovo’s higher-end products, this one comes in a single color — gray. This is honestly underwhelming to us. While it’s not ugly, it’s a big downgrade from the “clementine orange” models you can buy if you spend a little extra.
Anyway, we know that aesthetics isn’t the most important part for most of you here. So, let’s get on with it.
As far as the keyboard and touchpad go, both are pretty comfortable. The keys sport a slight dent which makes it super tactile when typing. However, it should be noted that it doesn’t have a numerical pad. For us, this isn’t a bad thing since it makes the whole keyboard much roomier.
Features
Right, let’s take a look at some of the interesting features, shall we?
The 9 Hour Battery Life
This can’t be said for a lot of laptops (yes, even to this day!). But, for a portable, convertible laptop it is essential to have great battery life — and Lenovo definitely got it right with this one. The best part is that you don’t need to compromise your full HD display for a fab charge!
The AMD’s Ryzen R5 Processors
What’s so special here then? Well, it ensures the device gets an amazing balance between both speed and efficiency. You are getting 3% more power than the older versions made by Lenovo. You can even add upgrades if you fancy it!
Although, for those of you wanting something that will support your intense gaming hobby, this one isn’t right for you.
PROS
- Wonderfully thin
- Very light
- Competitively priced
- A fingerprint reader was installed in the deck of the keyboard for added security
- Slide the shutter over the webcam to promote privacy
- Battery life is long
- Boasts quick performance
- An accessible touchscreen thanks to the 300-degree hinge
CONS
- No discrete graphics option is offered
- No Thunderbolt 3 expansion options are included
- The screen is rather dim
- The stylus isn’t included so you will need to buy it separately if that’s the primary reason why you’re looking to buy it
- It is a little bit too heavy for a tablet
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14″ Convertible Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex is a great convertible laptop for those on a budget. As time goes on, laptops and/or tablets are becoming far more expensive. Why? Because of the technology inside. However, Lenovo has remade that idea and brought you a fab budget option.
This model is decorated in the usual matte black that Lenovo loves so much. It makes it look wonderfully stylish but we know that some people find that it looks a tad cheap or even tacky. You’ll have to decide whether you like this or not.
The display sports a 1080p resolution that works well for the size of the screen. Regardless of how much you zoom in, you will benefit from sharp, crisp lines and details. Not to mention that the contrast is great too.
There is one thing we’d change about the display. We wish it was just a touch brighter. Ultimately, this isn’t a dealbreaker for us though.
Read Related Topic: Acer vs Lenovo
Features
Flexibility
This model supports a 360-degree hinge which is far more flexible than the traditional “clamshell” laptops out there. If you fold it past the 180-degree angle, you can set it up like a tent, fold it flat like a tablet, or use the keyboard as an easel-type rest. The world is your oyster.
Performance Power
Okay, we won’t lie to you. It isn’t great for those of you who need to work with high-quality 3D graphics manipulation and video editing. However, for the price point, you are getting light gaming and occasional image editing abilities.
Battery Life
Depending on how you use your 2-in-1 laptop, this model will last you all day with a single charge. You will be hard-pushed to find a laptop that grants you a better deal in this area.
PROS
- Fantastic 2-in-1 features
- Impressive battery life
- Supports USB-C charging
- Exceptionally comfortable keyboard
- Very sturdy and durable design
- Fantastic value for money
- Boasts six-core performance
CONS
- An underwhelming display
- Does not support WiFi 6
- Wobbly and fairly laggy touchpad
- Dim screen
- Questionable portability
Lenovo Flex 5 80XA0000US 14″ Laptop
Generally speaking, flexibility and performance are saved for the high-ticket devices. That said, the Flex 5 80XA0000US 14” laptop can provide both. The whole package is relatively affordable and comes in an eye-catching two-color design that also boasts an optional Nvidia 940MX GPU and the Core i7 CPU.
As it’s not at the super top end of the price table, you can of course expect a few downsides to this deal. It has a good appearance and performance, but when compared with its competitors it isn’t quite as easy to use. The keyboard is fairly thin and at times the display does appear to be quite dim. There are also moments where the screen simply switches itself off… but it’s still value for money.
The design of the Flex 5 is on the plain side but it is nevertheless appealing with its black plastic lid bearing the silver Lenovo logo. The inside of the laptop is kitted out in a gray aluminum look and offers a 1080p 14-inch touchscreen display.
You could argue that the Flex 5 is a bit weighty with its 12.9 x 9 x 0.8 inches and 4.1 pounds – and that would be true – but some of its competitors of the same size are actually heavier.
See Related Topic: Lenovo Flex 5 vs Lenovo Yoga 720: Which One is Best?
Features
Power
The Lenovo Flex 5 is an appealing and powerful package that offers value for money. It’s not as out there as some of its competitors but considering the price, you’re getting a good deal for your dollar.
Battery Life
This laptop will quite happily give you a good day of power without a hitch and with just one charge. Again, considering its cost, the price-performance ratio here is pretty good.
Performance
With its 2.7-GHz Intel Core i7-7500U CPU and a good 16GB of RAM, it comes as no great surprise that this laptop is capable of your standard daily use. You can have numerous tabs open without it in any way balking at the prospect.
PROS
- Very attractive in appearance
- Beautiful two-tone aesthetic
- Solid performing device
- Extremely responsive to the touch
- Very fast
- The rotating screen works wonders
CONS
- Shallow keyboard
- Bland display to view
- Dim screen
- The screen started flickering very quickly
Lenovo Flex 5 15.6 Inch 2-in-1 Touch
The Lenovo Flex 5 15.6-inch 2-in-1 model is part of Lenovo’s more affordable “Flex” series. This model represents a 2-in-1 that’s the main claim to fame is that it has an all-day battery life – and let’s face it, that’s a fairly positive claim.
The Flex 5 is in fact for sale in the 14 and 15-inch versions and both offer AMD and Intel CPUs. It can be a bit confusing when you’re looking to purchase one of these, as there are numerous variations of CPU too, however this particular model is indeed powered by the latest 10th generation processor from Intel.
Considering the good price of this model, the main feature isn’t that it’s all singing and dancing, but more that it is simply a good value all-round for your money. There’s always going to be something that isn’t quite 100% when you’re looking at a model in this price range, and this would probably be the rather low 4GB of RAM on offer – so you’ll find that you’re running out of system memory if you’re into having lots of tabs open on your browser.
Features
Battery Life
The Flex 5 does offer a very reasonable 65-watt charger and the supporting boast of being able to handle over 10 hours of battery life. Not bad considering the price!
Design
Some of the bigger players out there in this entry-level sector have put quite a lot of R&D into the design of their models. The Lenovo Flex 5 can be included in this. We know it’s no Apple MacBook in terms of quality of materials, but it actually looks and feels high quality – you don’t feel like you’re holding a cheap bit of tin in your hands.
Performance
The Lenovo Flex 5 can handle most things that are thrown at it. The dual-core Intel i3-1005G1 chip, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB M.2 SSD provide for a fairly intuitive and acceptable experience with the expected limitations of a laptop in this price range.
If you’re happy having two or three windows open on your browser whilst you’re writing your novel in a text file, then you’ll find that everything is as it should be. It goes without saying that as you increase your open tabs the 4GB of RAM starts to show its spots.
PROS
- Large screen
- Substantial battery life
- Ports located on both sides of the laptop
CONS
- A quite dim screen
- Some limits to its performance
- Awkward to use in tablet mode
Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1 13.9″ Laptop
The Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1 is fairly uncompromising. It offers a fantastic battery life and is brought to you in a robust design. It has a few good features that shouldn’t go unnoticed, including the fact that it is a 2-in-1 laptop that includes a 360° hinge. This allows it to be used both as a standard laptop or actually also as a tablet.
Generally speaking, the Yoga C930 is a fairly standard model that boasts a strong, quad-core processor from Intel and a rather speedy SSD. It could be considered a fairly out-there competitor to the Surface Pro 6 offering from Microsoft – but this is more of a tablet than it is a 2-in-1.
The Yoga C930 has a sleek design and works well as just a laptop with the added benefit of it being able to provide you with a tablet should you desire one. The alloy casing doesn’t feel at all tinny or of low quality, and that cool 360° hinge is sturdy and of high quality. When we consider the screen, it has an attractive slender edge on 3 of its sides, and that generally helps to reduce dimensions, however, it does have a rather large section below the actual screen display.
Features
Display
The Lenovo Yoga C930 really does have an attractive display that is sharp and pleasant to the eye. It’s not the brightest display out there but the colors are rich and it does boast good contrast. The touchscreen operates really well, and the stylus is a positive surprise. It’s amazingly accurate and responds well – on top of that, it’s not obtrusive when it’s put away in its compartment, making it nice to use when you have it in “yoga” mode.
Design
The Yoga C930 is most definitely portable enough for such a 2-in-1 scenario, but it’s also true that a laptop that is designed ultimately to be just that will offer more portability and will be lighter in weight and smaller in dimensions. This model is more like the MacBook Pro in terms of size. Of course, the main feature of this model is the 360° hinge that enables the unit to fold onto itself and become a tablet – hey presto!
Trackpad
The trackpad in the Yoga C930 is a Microsoft Precision pad that boasts some add-on Windows movements and gestures. This is one of Yoga’s best features. The pad on this 2-in-1 really does feel compact and sturdy without the backless feeling you can often get with a cheaper variant – some of them even start to remove themselves from the casing of the unit.
Keyboard
We’re rather impressed at the accuracy and the responsive nature of the keyboard. Of course, it’s not up there with the Apples of this world and it can feel a little stiff, but this is to be expected from a 2-in-1. You just have to get used to it.
PROS
- Very strong build
- Fantastic battery life
- Includes a stylus
- Wonderfully thin and lightweight
- It comes in lots of different colors
- The metal casing is incredibly stylish
- It supports Dolby Vision (HDR)
- The 4K display is optional
CONS
- Does not include an SD card reader
- Graphics are weak. (In our opinion, this doesn’t apply.)
- Upgrade options are pretty expensive
- Comes with a bit of bloatware
Lenovo Yoga 730 2-in-1 15.6″ Laptop
The Lenovo Yoga 730 2-in-1 laptop/tablet combo represents a positive mix of strength, portability, affordability, and of course performance. It is a model that has been made well, is compact, and handles your standard daily operations without smarting at the prospect.
The battery life is acceptable but perhaps not considered outstanding for this sector and you could argue that this is the only aspect that lets it down when compared to its competitors.
The design of the Yoga 730 has seen a few amendments, but nothing that immediately stands out. It has become more slender and a tiny bit lighter and you do notice that the edges have more of a curve to them. All of these little tweaks make it more user-friendly as a tablet with either your fingers or the Active Pen 2 which is available as an option and boasts over 4000 levels of sensitivity.
Although not much has changed since the predecessor model, with its battery lifespan and its speakers not seeing much of an improvement, it can sit relatively proudly within its price-performance sector.
As it says on the tin, the Yoga 730 boasts the best of both worlds and although it’s a bit of a heavyweight design and the display leaves a little to be desired, it can handle all your usual daily work with ease, and will even let you watch the odd movie.
Features
Design
As we’ve alluded to earlier, the 730 is a bit heavy when you consider how slender and petite it looks from the outside. That said, it’s still fine to carry around even if it isn’t the lightest model out there. Irrespective of its weight, this model is slender and has a really pure and minimalist appearance with the “Yoga” logo featured in the corner of the aluminum case.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The silky finish of the trackpad may not be to everyone’s tastes but it is responsive and ultimately accurate without any really evident delay. Although not a massive hit where gaming is concerned, if you’re wanting to use it for standard stuff, it’s fine. One of the rather finer features here is the white backlit screen which can be switched off if required.
The keyboard affords the same precision and reliability as the trackpad and has a fairly short travel span. As with the C930, it’s rather stiff with little to no bounce, but that’s to be expected from a 2-in-1.
PROS
- It sports a fantastic 4K touchscreen display
- A stylus is included in the box
- Amazing performance speed and quality
- Fantastic graphics
- Very durable construction
- Charges quickly
- The trackpad is very responsive
CONS
- Weak and low-quality speakers for the price point
- Battery life isn’t as good as the others on this list
- Quite heavy for a laptop
- The screen is too dim
Lenovo Yoga C940 14 FHD Touch 10th Gen
The Lenovo Yoga C940 is an outstanding two-in-one in the premium segment, particularly if you’re after more of a display. It goes without saying that it’s also a bit speedier than its predecessor, so in terms of processing power and general functionality, it really does tick the box.
This extra processing grunt is quite evident as it’s a lot quicker to get going in the morning, to unlock, and even to start up. It has been developed together with Intel to offer you performance that is more akin to your cell phone than a computer – and with comparable speed. So, when you lift the top it wakes up with a start!
The Lenovo Yoga C940 14 FHD Touch in its 10th generation is worth a look at with its enhanced battery power and improved productivity.
Features
Performance Power
With the Intel Core i7 processor providing the heartbeat of the C940, we’re really impressed with its power compared to some of the other one-to-one units. In addition to the processing power, the Intel Iris Plus graphics have a lot of meat to them and can cope with some serious gaming fun.
Battery Life
The Yoga C940 package comes with nice long battery life and also boasts some super quick charging. Coming in both full-HD and ultra-HD displays, if you’re after a super impressive battery lifespan then go with the FHD display, as this has proven to last over 11 hours when subjected to a streaming test.
Design
Although not much has changed in terms of appearance since the C930, Lenovo has managed to add a few bits and bobs. It does still offer the same notch design as the clamshell S940, which makes it simpler to open the lid with just one finger. The Lenovo one-of-a-kind soundbar hinge is a single component providing a sleeker appearance. One minor change compared to the predecessor design is that it’s now simpler to remove the pen from the rear of the unit as they’ve included a little recess for it.
PROS
- Amazing quality speaker
- Easy-to-use keyboard
- Brilliant battery life – no need to turn the screen’s brightness down to achieve a long-lasting charge!
- It boasts a 4K display
- Includes USB-C and USB-A ports
CONS
- Ports are located only on one side of the laptop
- Some claim the battery life isn’t great. (However, we haven’t noticed the problem.)
Lenovo Yoga C740 15.6″ FHD Touch
The Lenovo Yoga C740 represents the perfect 2-in-1 laptop for those who want a powerful model that they can use for work and play – whether typing up that report for the boss, surfing the web, or streaming their favorite movie. As with other two-in-one models, the laptop is ultimately versatile and is also the ideal middle-of-the-road variant for students as it’s not ridiculously expensive but does pack a performance punch.
Featuring a full HD touchscreen and not to mention the Intel processor of the latest generation, as the middle model of the Lenovo C series, the C740 manages to sit somewhere between the Yoga C640 and the C940 of the same range. Combining a slender design and a cutting-edge feature set, the C series has provided us with some really exciting packages – and the C740 certainly doesn’t break that particular mold.
Features
Design
The Yoga C740 boasts a visually appealing monochromatic style and a subdued and elegant metallic finish with keys of the same color. The laptop is available in a silver-tone but also a darker “iron grey” version. When you shut the lid, you can still a mirrored version of the “Yoga” glinting back at you in the corner. Of course, the 360° hinge is the real highlight here. This lets you transform your laptop into a tablet – perfect for watching movies.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard of the Yoga C740 is really very expansive with keys that are broader than you would expect with decent spacing between them. Although the keys feel rather clicky, they press down low enough to provide a good press even though the keyboard appears to be quite shallow. This 15.6” version also comes with a numeric keypad but how often you’d actually use that we don’t know?
The trackpad is good to respond to and sleek in use; nevertheless with lots of grips so you don’t feel like you’re using a cheap one. You receive a robust and pleasing click when you press on the lower part of the trackpad.
PROS
- Great value for money
- Phenomenal battery life
- A full numeric keyboard
- The computer functions are good
- Incredibly bright display
- It supports HDR
- Includes a webcam privacy filter.
CONS
- tablet mode is unwieldy
- Lacks dedicated video outputs or Thunderbolt 3
- Does not support WiFi 6
Winner – Lenovo Yoga C740 15.6”
Well, with much assessing and comparing, it has definitely been an interesting challenge to compare the Lenovo Flex series to that of the Yoga. It goes without saying that our experiences might be different from those of other testers, but when all things are considered, we have decided to choose the Lenovo Yoga C740 15.6” as the winner. Controversial? Well, read on to see why we have chosen this particular model.
In our view, the Lenovo Yoga C740 15.6” represents ultimately great value for money for a laptop/tablet combo in this price-performance segment. Coupled with this is the phenomenal battery life that really doesn’t leave anything to be desired in this particular sector. We consider the C740 to be the ideal laptop for anyone who may need a powerful combo that they can use for both works and play. It represents the perfect model for students and corporates alike.
We are really impressed by its full HD touchscreen let alone the latest generation Intel machine that resides inside the housing. Its sleek and ultimately slender appearance, chic design, and C-series feature set that leaves no page unturned also speak volumes to us.
It may not be the “best” out there, but in terms of the performance it’s delivering in this price range, we’re convinced that it’s the best value for money if you’re looking for a two-in-one tablet/laptop combination that really packs a punch.
About the Author Marcus
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.
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