Which Lenovo Laptop Should I Buy?

Lenovo have really ramped up on the amount of laptops and 2-in-1s they offer over the last few years. In 2022, there are plenty of options to suit your needs, from ThinkPads to Yogas to the company’s Legion gaming sub-brand. There’s something for everyone and it’s hard to know where to begin when looking for your next laptop.

Here’s everything you need to know before you buy your next Lenovo laptop or notebook PC.

How many kinds of laptops does Lenovo currently offer?

Lenovo offer a broad range of laptops and notebook PCs that vary from traditional clamshell designs to more-modern and flexible 2-in-1 alternatives. Independent of form-factor, Lenovo’s laptop range is broken out into five sub-brands, if we don't include Chromebooks:

  • Yoga
  • ThinkPad
  • IdeaPad
  • Legion
  • ThinkBook

What’s the difference between the Yoga, ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Legion and Lenovo ThinkBook ranges?

Lenovo’s mainstream consumer line-up is divided into five sub-brands.

First off, the ThinkPad line-up consists of modern workstations that deliver top-notch durability and performance. They’re envisioned as solid machines that you can rely on at home, in the office or anywhere in-between.

The ThinkBook range is ideal for business where you may be consuming or creating multimedia. These laptops are corporate workhorses, but they're powerful enough to take care of your entertainment needs when you knock off for the day. 

Then, the IdeaPad range represents Lenovo’s most entry-level laptops. They’re essentially ThinkPads with a few compromises and a more-modest starting price. Though the form-factors and spec-configurations vary, Lenovo’s IdeaPad devices are a good place to start if you’re looking to pick up an inexpensive “first laptop”.

As for Lenovo’s Yoga range, it’s envisioned as flexible 2-in-1 devices first and foremost. They’re pitched at those working in creative industries, pairing up slim and portable form-factors with hefty specs, and those who want their next laptop to offer a solid entertainment consumption experience in addition to productivity.

Finally, the Legion line-up represents Lenovo’s foray into the gaming laptop world. Available exclusively in clamshell-designs, the current roster of Legions services a variety of performance needs and price-points.

Yoga

Credit: Lenovo

If you’re sizing up one of Lenovo’s Yoga laptops, there are a few things you should expect. Most Yoga laptops feature 360-degree hinges that allow them to be used as either a tablet or a laptop. They also feature a technology called flip-to-start that switches them on as soon as you flip them open. Some Yoga laptops also come with styluses and powerful12th Gen Intel processors, or otherwise AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors, making them good options for creative professionals. 

The Yoga line-up breaks down into the following, with several spec-variants on offer for some of these models.

  • Yoga 2-in-1                                                                                                                                                         
    • Yoga 6 (13-inch)                                                                                                                                
    • Yoga 7 (14-inch)                                                                                                                              
    • Yoga 7i (14-inch & 16-inch)                                                                                                             
    • Yoga 9i (14-inch)
  • Yoga Slim                                                                                                                                                
    • Yoga Slim 7i Pro (14-inch & 16-inch)                                                                                                       
    • Yoga Slim 7i Carbon (13-inch)                                                                                                         
    • Yoga Slim 7i ProX (14-inch)                                                                                                          
    • Yoga Slim 9i (14-inch Gen 7)                                                                                                               
    • Yoga Slim 9i (14-inch Gen 5)                                                                                                              
    • Yoga Slim 7 ProX (14-inch)                                                                                                                
    • Yoga Slim 7 Pro (16-inch)

While the Yoga line-up features powerful processors, the range’s capabilities are more limited when it comes to graphics. Most Yoga Books rely on integrated graphics. For that reason, the Yoga range isn’t recommended for gaming.

ThinkPad

Credit: Lenovo

Since Lenovo acquired ThinkPad from IBM back in 2005, they’ve wasted no time in cranking out powerful, enterprise-focused notebook PCs that continue to push the legacy of the brand forward into the modern era.

There are seven series of ThinkPads on offer. Lenovo's newest ThinkPad series, the Z-Series, caters for users wanting an ecofriendly laptop made from recycled materials that also offers premium performance from AMD Ryzen 6000 mobile processors.

Lenovo's X1-Series ThinkPads provide top-of-the-line premium performance. They also have a few high-level security technologies for keeping your laptop secure.  

The X-Series is the option for those who want a premium experience that's equal parts performance and equal parts stylish design.

The T-Series is more everyday in form and function. Available in a variety of designs and spec configurations, this series is all about finding the ThinkPad that suits your specific needs and budget.

The P-Series offers up a more portable rendition of the usual ThinkPad experience, emphasizing mobility at the expense of performance.

Then, the E-Series is positioned as an entry-level option for those who want a ThinkPad on a budget.

This pitch is built on by the L-Series, which brings in ThinkPad-specific features like spill-resistant keyboards and improved web conferencing but pushes the asking price a little higher.

To recap, there are seven series here of ThinkPad to choose from:

Z Series

X1 Series

X Series

  • ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 3 (13-inch) Intel                                                                                                   
  • ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (13-inch) Intel                                                                                                           
  • ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (13-inch) AMD                                                                                                       
  • ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (13-inch)                                                                                                                       
  • ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 (13-inch) Intel                                                                                                         
  • ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 (13-inch) AMD

T Series

  • ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (16-inch) AMD                                                                                                             
  • ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (15.6-inch) Intel                                                                                                         
  • ThinkPad T14s Gen 3 (14-inch) AMD                                                                                                       
  • ThinkPad T14s Gen 3 (14-inch) Intel                                                                                                     
  • ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (14-inch) Intel                                                                                                     
  • ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (14-inch) AMD                                                                                                      
  • ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (14-inch) Intel                                                                                                    
  • ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (16-inch) Intel                                                                                                   
  • ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 (14-inch) Intel                                                                                                     
  • ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (14-inch) AMD

P Series

E Series

Credit: Lenovo

L Series

IdeaPad

Lenovo ThinkPadCredit: Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad

Set up as the more-affordable, mainstream sibling to the ThinkPad range, Lenovo’s IdeaPad laptops are a little-less enterprise in their aesthetics and more affordable in price.

The IdeaPad 3-Series include lightweight work or study laptops aimed at the budget conscious consumer. 

Meanwhile, IdeaPad 5-Series laptops are similarly lightweight but have a little more functionality for multimedia. 

The Flex-Series abandons a traditional clamshell form-factor in favor of a 2-in-1 approach.

If you can do without the trendy bells and whistles of the more expensive IdeaPads but still want a laptop that can handle multimedia, then an IdeaPad L-Series laptop could be a good option.

Finally, the D-Series offers 2-in-1 experiences built around a detachable keyboard.

Once again, the IdeaPad line-up is broken out into

IdeaPad 3

IdeaPad 5

IdeaPad Flex

Credit: Lenovo
IdeaPad L                                                                       

IdeaPad D

Legion

Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo have continued to refine their Legion gaming sub-brand, equipping these laptops with very decent CPU and GPUs combinations and also packing some with gamer friendly features like OLED displays and high refresh rates. 

There are two laptop series in the Legion sub-brand. Legion 5-Series laptops are the value-based offering, prioritizing power and performance over premium embellishments to the laptop chassis, display or keyboard. Legion 7-Series laptops on the other hand, go the extra mile, packing in both high-level processing power with a few premium embellishments, like durable all-metal chassis. These more expensive laptops appeal to power users chasing the most refined gaming experience.

Legion 5-Series

  • Legion 5 Pro Gen 7 (16-inch) AMD                                                                                                         
  • Legion 5 Gen 7 (15-inch) AMD                                                                                                                
  • Legion 5i Gen 7 (15-inch) Intel                                                                                                                
  • Legion 5 Pro Gen 6 (16-inch) AMD                                                                                                         
  • Legion 5i Gen 7 (16-inch) Intel

Legion 7-Series

Credit: Lenovo

ThinkBook

Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo’s ThinkBook Series of laptops are all about finding the right balance of design, performance, battery life and form-factor for small and medium-sized business users.

The Lenovo ThinkBook lineup is broken out as follows:

Which Lenovo Laptop Should I Buy?

It might sound like a bit of a cop-out, but the easy and obvious answer here is that it’s usually best to go for the laptop that actually meets your needs.

If you’re a power user looking for that classic ThinkPad experience, don’t stop at the IdeaPad line-up. If you’re a gamer looking for decent performance and the price to match it, the Legion line-up has you covered. If you’re after a laptop that’s as good for watching content as it is creating it, then the Yoga line-up is the way to go. If you're looking for a workhorse of a machine that doesn't break the bank, the ThinkBook range might be the best fit. Just make sure you do your research first.

Article updated December 2022