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Linus Tech Tips's Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 Review

Lenovo · Reviewed by Linus Tech Tips · Published 2026-07-01

Rating 4/5Source quality 75/100Evidence 15Claims 10Q&A 6Pros 6Cons 2Sponsored

Based on a review by Linus Tech Tips (accessed 2026-07-01).

What they actually found

  • Loved — High performance and long battery life from Snapdragon X2 Plus chip
  • Annoyed by — Mushier keyboard feel compared to other Lenovo models

Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about high performance and long battery life from snapdragon x2 plus chip — just accept mushier keyboard feel compared to other lenovo models.

This source's evidence 🎬

Source verdict

The reviewer concludes that Snapdragon X2 chips represent significant progress, enabling laptops with high performance, excellent battery life, and surprisingly capable integrated gaming. While acknowledging some persistent software compatibility challenges for specific applications or anti-cheat-protected games, they emphasize the strong single-threaded performance and overall productivity gains across the lineup.

About this source

This review provides an extensive overview of several Snapdragon X2 series laptops, ranging from affordable to high-end models. It covers various aspects including design, build quality, display characteristics, input/output capabilities, and performance benchmarks for gaming and productivity applications. The reviewer highlights specific features and drawbacks of individual models from Lenovo, ASUS, and HP to demonstrate the new chip's capabilities.

Review notes

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 is a highly recommended convertible for users prioritizing comprehensive features and long battery life. Its 14-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen display with a 2-in-1 design offers versatile use cases, allowing for adjustments like enhanced airflow during gaming or movie watching. However, the Lenovo-grade keyboard has a mushier feel compared to other laptops in the roundup, which might detract from the typing experience. If you need a laptop that adapts to various viewing angles and offers extensive port selection including a micro SD slot, this model is a strong contender. Conversely, if a premium, crisp typing experience is paramount, you might find its keyboard somewhat disappointing.

What the reviewer liked

  • High performance and long battery life from Snapdragon X2 Plus chip
  • Machines sleep and resume properly
  • Comprehensive features including touchscreen, 2-in-1 design, Windows Hello, and webcam privacy shutter
  • Innovative inverse notch design reduces footprint and aids opening
  • Excellent I/O selection, including a micro SD slot and decent front-facing speakers
  • Sturdy plastic and aluminum hybrid body

What the reviewer criticised

  • Mushier keyboard feel compared to other Lenovo models
  • Sturdy but not super premium build feel

Structured claims

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1, as an entry-level Snapdragon laptop, comes equipped with an X2 Plus chip, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a 1TB SSD.

specification_claimstrong

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 incorporates an "inverse notch" design that reduces the laptop's footprint, facilitates opening, and integrates a webcam with Windows Hello sensors and a hardware privacy shutter.

reviewer_claimstrong

The keyboard on the Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1, despite having contoured keys, has a mushier feel compared to other Lenovo keyboards.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The Neural Processing Unit in the Snapdragon X2 chip provides up to 80 AI TOPS, representing nearly double the power of the previous generation.

measurement_claimstrong

Qualcomm claims the new Adreno GPU architecture in Snapdragon X2 chips achieves a 2.3x increase in performance per watt over the last generation, contributing to strong overall results alongside X86 emulation improvements.

specification_claimstrong

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X boasts a sturdy all-metal construction with less flex than the IdeaPad 5X, and includes two fans, suggesting a higher-end design.

reviewer_claimstrong

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X offers limited connectivity, featuring only three USB 4 Type-C ports and omitting common ports like Type-A, video outputs, or a headphone jack, necessitating dongles.

reviewer_claimstrong

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X is equipped with a 14-inch, 1920x1200, 60Hz OLED touchscreen display that is HDR 500 True Black certified, providing a standout visual experience.

specification_claimstrong

The Asus ZenBook A series keyboards have significant layout issues, specifically combining "delete" and "insert" on a single key and placing it next to the power button, leading to accidental inputs.

reviewer_claimstrong

The ASUS ZenBook A series stands out with its Ceramluminum coating, which offers excellent scratch and fingerprint resistance, surpassing competing materials.

reviewer_claimstrong

Evidence items

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X Configuration

specification_claimneutralt=00:46–00:59

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 configuration reviewed features a Snapdragon X2 Plus, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a 1TB SSD.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X Build Quality

reviewer_claimneutralt=00:59–01:05

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 has a plastic and aluminum hybrid body, giving it a sturdy but not super premium feel.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X Inverse Notch Design

visual_inspectionpositivet=01:21–01:31

The IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 features an "inverse notch" that reduces the laptop's footprint, makes it easier to open, and houses Windows Hello sensors alongside a webcam with a hardware privacy shutter.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X Keyboard Feel

hands_on_demonegativet=01:35–01:40

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 has a keyboard with contoured keys, but the reviewer found it to have a mushier feel compared to other Lenovo keyboards.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X I/O and Speakers

reviewer_claimpositivet=01:41–01:47

The IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 offers excellent I/O, including a microSD slot, and features decent-sounding front-facing speakers.

Snapdragon X2 NPU Performance

specification_claimpositivet=02:15–02:18

The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in the Snapdragon X2 offers nearly double the power of the last generation, reaching up to 80 AI TOPS.

Snapdragon X2 Adreno GPU Efficiency and X86 Emulation

specification_claimpositivet=02:19–02:27

Qualcomm claims the new Adreno GPU architecture delivers a 2.3x increase in performance per watt over last gen, combined with two years of X86 emulation improvements leading to strong results.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Build and Cooling

reviewer_claimpositivet=02:42–02:45

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X has a sturdy all-metal build with less flex and incorporates two fans, suggesting a more robust design and cooling solution.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Limited I/O

reviewer_claimnegativet=02:50–02:57

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X has limited I/O, featuring only three USB 4 Type-C ports, and lacks Type-A, video output, or a headphone jack, requiring dongles.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Display Quality

specification_claimpositivet=03:10–03:13

The Yoga Slim 7X features a standout 14-inch, 1920x1200, 60Hz OLED touchscreen display that is HDR 500 True Black certified.

ASUS ZenBook A Series Keyboard Layout Flaw

reviewer_claimnegativet=04:00–04:09

The reviewer strongly criticized the ASUS ZenBook A series keyboard for combining the 'delete' and 'insert' keys and placing it next to the power button, increasing the risk of accidental sleep.

ASUS ZenBook A Series Ceramluminum Coating

hands_on_demopositivet=04:28–04:36

ASUS's Ceramluminum coating on the ZenBook A series offers excellent scratch resistance and even better fingerprint resistance, outperforming the competition.

Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Gaming Performance (Cyberpunk)

measurement_testpositivet=04:56–05:01

The X2 Elite Extreme delivers impressive gaming performance, running Cyberpunk at medium details around 40 FPS, which is notable for onboard graphics.

Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Cinebench Score

measurement_testpositivet=05:08–05:14

The X2 Elite Extreme in the ASUS A16 achieved over 7,500 points in Cinebench 2026, demonstrating strong CPU performance.

Snapdragon X2 Software Compatibility Challenges

reviewer_claimmixedt=05:31–05:45

While Adobe Premiere runs flawlessly on Snapdragon machines, some software like Premiere benchmarking tools and games such as Valorant or League of Legends (due to anti-cheat) still face compatibility challenges, and Blender rendering relies on the CPU, which is slower than GPU rendering.

Quick answers

  • What are the general performance capabilities of Snapdragon X2 laptops? The Snapdragon X2 chips, especially the Elite and Elite Extreme variants, deliver strong CPU performance, with the Elite Extreme scoring over 7,500 points in Cinebench 2026.
  • How good are Snapdragon X2 laptops for gaming? The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme delivers a surprisingly capable gaming experience for integrated graphics, capable of running demanding titles like Cyberpunk at medium details at approximately 40 FPS, which can be further boosted with upscaling.
  • Are there any software compatibility issues with Snapdragon X2 laptops? Adobe Premiere runs flawlessly on Snapdragon machines, providing a "flawless experience." However, some software, like specific Premiere benchmarking tools, encountered issues.
  • What is the build quality and design like for Snapdragon X2 laptops? The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 utilizes a sturdy but not exceptionally premium plastic and aluminum hybrid body and features an innovative "inverse notch" design for its webcam and sensors.

Buyer questions answered

What are the general performance capabilities of Snapdragon X2 laptops?

The Snapdragon X2 chips, especially the Elite and Elite Extreme variants, deliver strong CPU performance, with the Elite Extreme scoring over 7,500 points in Cinebench 2026. They also boast impressive integrated GPU capabilities, capable of running games like Cyberpunk at medium details around 40 FPS. Beyond gaming, these chips show great numbers in productivity applications like Photoshop and FFmpeg, demonstrating strong single-threaded performance that contributes to overall system responsiveness.

How good are Snapdragon X2 laptops for gaming?

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme delivers a surprisingly capable gaming experience for integrated graphics, capable of running demanding titles like Cyberpunk at medium details at approximately 40 FPS, which can be further boosted with upscaling. The X2 Plus is also capable but more suited for lighter gaming. However, there are significant compatibility issues with specific games such as Valorant and League of Legends due to their anti-cheat software.

Are there any software compatibility issues with Snapdragon X2 laptops?

Adobe Premiere runs flawlessly on Snapdragon machines, providing a "flawless experience." However, some software, like specific Premiere benchmarking tools, encountered issues. Furthermore, games such as Valorant and League of Legends are currently unplayable due to incompatibilities with their anti-cheat software. For creative work, while Blender scene creation is possible, rendering currently relies on the CPU, which is significantly slower than GPU rendering.

What is the build quality and design like for Snapdragon X2 laptops?

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 utilizes a sturdy but not exceptionally premium plastic and aluminum hybrid body and features an innovative "inverse notch" design for its webcam and sensors. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X boasts a more premium all-metal construction, demonstrating less flex and incorporating two cooling fans. The ASUS ZenBook A series is noted for being thin, lightweight, and rigid, further enhanced by a unique Ceramluminum coating that provides excellent scratch and fingerprint resistance.

How do the keyboards and trackpads compare on Snapdragon X2 laptops?

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 features a keyboard with a noticeably mushier feel compared to other Lenovo models. In contrast, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X offers a delightfully tactile keyboard. The ASUS ZenBook A series, despite having a large, high-quality glass-topped trackpad, is heavily criticized for its keyboard layout, particularly combining 'delete' and 'insert' keys on a single button placed inconveniently next to the power button, leading to accidental inputs.

What are the I/O and display options like across Snapdragon X2 laptops?

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 is lauded for its excellent I/O, including a microSD slot. Conversely, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X has limited connectivity, offering only three USB 4 Type-C ports and omitting Type-A, video output, or a headphone jack, necessitating dongles. Regarding displays, the IdeaPad 5X features a 14-inch, 1920x1200, 60Hz touchscreen. The Yoga Slim 7X stands out with a 14-inch, 1920x1200, 60Hz OLED touchscreen that is HDR 500 True Black certified, with an optional 2.5K 120Hz upgrade available for a small additional cost.

Specs mentioned in this review

Lenovo IdeaPad 5X Configuration
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 configuration reviewed features a Snapdragon X2 Plus, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a 1TB SSD
Snapdragon X2 NPU Performance
The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in the Snapdragon X2 offers nearly double the power of the last generation, reaching up to 80 AI TOPS
Snapdragon X2 Adreno GPU Efficiency and X86 Emulation
Qualcomm claims the new Adreno GPU architecture delivers a 2
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Display Quality
The Yoga Slim 7X features a standout 14-inch, 1920x1200, 60Hz OLED touchscreen display that is HDR 500 True Black certified
Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Gaming Performance (Cyberpunk)
The X2 Elite Extreme delivers impressive gaming performance, running Cyberpunk at medium details around 40 FPS, which is notable for onboard graphics
Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Cinebench Score
The X2 Elite Extreme in the ASUS A16 achieved over 7,500 points in Cinebench 2026, demonstrating strong CPU performance

Why this source is included

75/100 source quality

  • • Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • ✓ Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

Linus Tech Tips conducts a comprehensive review of new Snapdragon X2 laptops, examining models like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X, ASUS ZenBook A series, HP OmniBook Ultra, and ASUS ProArt PZ14 tablet. The review delves into each device's design, build materials, screen quality, keyboard, trackpad, and port selection. Performance testing includes gaming benchmarks with Cyberpunk at medium settings and productivity scores in Cinebench, Photoshop, and Blender. The reviewer also addresses general software compatibility and highlights unique features such as the IdeaPad's inverse notch and the ZenBook's Ceramluminum coating.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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About this page

This page converts Linus Tech Tips's review of the Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1 into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

Sponsorship & disclosure

Sponsored: this source is sponsored by the brand.

Brand relationship disclosed as: sponsored

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