Lenovo’s 2-in-1 convertible notebook series has just been refreshed with a couple of new models. The Lenovo Flex 4 80VD0007US model I’ll review today is a sturdy, mid-range touch enabled convertible laptop that comes with good hardware and plenty of features for a sub $750 laptop (as of 11/1/2016).
Review
Unlike other 2-in-1s or even similarly priced laptops, the Lenovo Flex 4 80VD0007US doesn’t strike me as a “premium” device. Its design is geared more toward functionality and practicality, with less emphasis being put upon style or sophistication.
Considering it has a price tag of just under $750 (as of 11/1/2016), I think this Lenovo is a sensible choice for folks on the lookout for a better-than-average 2-in-1 laptop.
Performance
As many other mid-range laptops, the Lenovo Flex 4 80VD0007US comes with a 7th generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor. This is a 2.5GHz (max. turbo up to 3.1GHz) dual core CPU with a cache size of 3 megabytes. It’s a perfectly adequate choice for the Flex 4, giving you, the user, great power and flexibility when using the 2-in-1. This notebook would have worked just fine even with an i3 installed, but I guess for $700+, an i5 is to be expected.
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It also comes with 8 gigabytes of DDR4-2133 of memory installed. While the vast majority of users won’t hit any walls with 8 gigs of RAM in the next couple of years, some may feel the need to upgrade. You can double the amount of system memory, to 16 gigabytes. It’s unclear at the moment if there’s one or two memory modules available, so I’d check with Lenovo first before upgrading.
As for storage space, the Lenovo Flex 4 has a 256-gigabyte SATA3 SSD installed. This number also depends on the user. Personally, I think it’s enough, since most users won’t buy this 2-in-1 to act as the preferred or primary computing device. Therefore, I think that using an external hard drive is a good compromise in order to also benefit from the speed boost given by the zippy solid state drive.
Graphics and display
This model, the Flex 4 80VD0007US features the Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated video card. It’s clear this is not a great laptop to use if you want to play games. It will run some older titles and non-pretentious games, but that’s about it. Although integrated graphics cards have come a long way in recent years, they’re still providing poor performance in games.
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Countering the lack of a dedicated video card is the 14 inch FHD IPS matte touch enabled display. It’s quite a spectacular display and, thanks to IPS technology, you’ll get great viewing angles (up to 178 degrees). Also, the FHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) works great on a 14-inch panel. Colors are rich, vivid and text is sharper when compared to an HD display.
Interface and networking options
Unfortunately, no USB-C has been added to this iteration, but I believe this assortment of interface options is satisfying and should work for most people:
2 x USB 3.0- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x COMBO audio jack
- 1 x SD/HC/XC card reader
As for networking, the presence of Ethernet alongside the 802.11ac wireless card is an unexpected bonus, perfect for home or office users who may need a wired connection for Skype calls or higher speed transfers:
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth 4.1
Portability and battery life
The Lenovo Flex 4 80VD0007US is not the lightest of convertible laptops. However, considering the fact that it also has a larger display than most (14 inches), perhaps all that extra weight is justified. Also, the presence of a touch enabled screen will add weight, no matter the model. So, the Lenovo Flex 4 weighs 3.8 pounds and measures 0.8 inches thick.
Battery life is better than expected. The 53 Whrs battery pack will hold a charge for up to 9 hours, which is just enough to get you through a whole work day.
Adding the battery stats to the moderate portability of the Flex 4, I can only conclude that this isn’t as much of a device oriented toward travelers, as it is for home/office users or students.
Final words
All in all, the Lenovo Flex 4 80VD0007US is a good choice for most users who don’t want to impress. It’s a sturdy, well built blue-collar convertible laptop which skips the flashy bits, offering above average performance at a fair price.
