This $679 Lenovo IdeaPad has a smart feature that makes it a winning budget laptop

by Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 It’s an affordable 2-in-1 laptop on its own, but it’s designed with a special purpose in mind: optimizing for Windows’ light and limited S mode.

If you’re unfamiliar with S mode, it’s Windows 11’s simplified, limited mode that’s safer and lighter, delivering better performance — especially for machines with lower-end hardware . This isn’t the operating system for everyone, but for students, workers, business machines, or those who just want a more secure experience, it has a lot of potential.

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The IdeaPad Flex 5 is a rugged compact 14-inch 2-in-1 that starts at $679, making it an attractive budget option that puts it in Chromebook territory. But it’s not just price that drives these comparisons. The modest hardware and Windows 11 S mode make for a lightweight device optimized for real-world, albeit limited, use cases.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 has the same specifications as a Chromebook. It has an Intel i5 processor, 8GB or 16GB soldered RAM (read: non-upgradeable), integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU, and 512GB of storage. The touchscreen is a 300 nit, 60Hz WUXGA display that looks great for everyday use, and the 2-in-1 form factor easily switches between tablet and laptop modes.

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In terms of connectivity, it has all the bases covered: two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, one USB-C Thunderbolt, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader. For charging, it can use Lenovo’s proprietary port with the included charger, or charge via USB-C Thunderbolt if you have one. This wide range of ports makes for a versatile laptop that can integrate well with existing IT systems.

The IdeaPad Flex 5 isn’t particularly light, weighing about 3.42 pounds, but its overall profile is slim enough. Overall, it feels well-built and sturdy, with a slightly rough texture that resists fingerprints and feels durable enough to hold up well after changing hands multiple times.

That’s definitely what Lenovo had in mind when using this machine with Windows S. It’s not the prettiest, boldest design on the market, but it’s very suitable to function as a student machine. employee or in a corporate environment.

Let’s take a closer look at Windows S mode.

When Windows S was first released, developers and consumers alike There are mixed feelings, to say the least. However, the use cases for Windows S are a bit clearer now. It’s important to understand that you can only download apps from the Microsoft Store, which is similar to Apple’s “walled garden” in iOS. This means no random .exe files you download from the internet. If it’s not in the official Store app it won’t run.

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This restriction prevents any unverified applications from running on the machine, greatly reducing the risk of things like viruses and malware, while also increasing performance by keeping the registry clean. The user also cannot access the command line shell in any way, which prevents any kind of registry changes or risky system setting changes that could break things.

This results in a device that is quite locked down but can be especially useful, especially in educational or workplace settings, or for users who don’t need additional options.

Because choice is the most important thing you have to give up, that means no Google Chrome (possibly never)because you’ll be relegated to Microsoft Edge as the only approved default browser (however, you can download Opera and some other lesser-known browsers).

This lack of choice alone may be a stumbling block for some, as most industry-standard basic productivity apps are available (Slack, Outlook, Dropbox), but specialized apps are available. More applications like Adobe Creative Cloud do not (with the exception of Photoshop Express). In return, what you get is a laptop that’s neat and clean and never bogged down by bloatware.

Do you have to run IdeaPad Flex 5 with Windows 11 S? The answer is no; You can switch to “regular” Windows at any time, but you won’t be able to switch back – it’s a one-way street. With that said, I wouldn’t recommend this laptop if you’re only running traditional Windows 11. There are plenty of other cheap laptops with more memory that make more sense if you don’t want the limitations of Windows S.

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So is the IdeaPad Flex 5 comparable to a Chromebook? Absolute. But keep in mind that Chromebooks have become a bit more attractive these days, especially with the release of devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus. For example, for about $200 more, Samsung’s device has an OLED display, is thinner and 1 pound lighter, with some new ChromeOS AI features. But it’s not Windows, sometimes that’s what you need.

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Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great laptop for what it is designed for. Whether it’s for use in schools, corporate environments, or for users who want a locked and highly optimized laptop, its modest hardware suite (and affordable price) is 679 USD) will go much further than what they have.

If you don’t like the idea of ​​using Windows S mode then there are other cheap laptops I recommend, like Acer Aspire Go 15 for $299. If you like the idea of ​​a streamlined and productive laptop at an affordable price but want more integration with Google’s suite of apps and services, you’re better off with a Chromebook like Duet Gen 9 from Lenovo.