Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Review: Best Value at 110,000 Yen

In its latest review, Wired awarded the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x a high score of 9/10. The publication praised it as “the best laptop you can buy for $850 (approx. 110,000 yen),” achieving a level of completion that defies the norms of its price range.

A Price-Defying Balance

In recent years, laptop prices have been on the rise. Due to component procurement difficulties and inflation, even mid-range models often exceed 100,000 yen. Against this backdrop, the IdeaPad Slim 5x emerges as a truly surprising contender.

A Wired reviewer stated, “Even if this laptop cost $400 more, I’d still think it was a good deal.” At $850, it is $400 cheaper than a MacBook Air with the same 512GB storage and 16GB RAM configuration. Yet it makes no major compromises in quality, earning it the title of “MacBook Air killer.”

Display and Chassis

The screen size is 15.3 inches, a middle ground between the common 14-inch and 16-inch Windows laptops. It matches the 15-inch MacBook Air in screen size, while the body is only about 0.16 inches (approx. 4mm) thicker. It remains compact enough to carry in a backpack.

The chassis features a silver aluminum-like finish, with a “reverse notch” on the top lid to house the webcam—a traditional Lenovo design. Notably, despite the 15.3-inch body, it lacks a numeric keypad. The keyboard has generous space on both sides, with the touchpad centered. There is ample room for wrist placement, preserving typing comfort.

Touchpad and Speakers

A major weakness of inexpensive Windows laptops is touchpad quality. However, the IdeaPad Slim 5x’s touchpad is surprisingly accurate for its price range. In Wired’s tests, it clearly outperformed the HP OmniBook 3, OmniBook 5, and Asus Vivobook 14 in responsiveness, matching the performance of the Dell 14 Plus (before its price increase).

The only complaint is the loud click sound. In a quiet office, it might be noticeable to colleagues. However, the reviewer noted they preferred a responsive surface over a quiet click, considering it an acceptable trade-off.

Speaker quality also exceeds expectations for the price. While not reaching the MacBook Air’s level, it significantly surpasses the average for Windows laptops in the same price range. Music and video call audio are clear, with sufficient volume—good enough that external speakers are unnecessary.

Ports and Practicality

In this class of laptops, ports are often reduced, but the IdeaPad Slim 5x makes practical choices. It includes essential ports like USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, allowing daily connections without needing a dongle. Battery life is also long, enabling a full day of work outside without worrying about charging.

Points of Concern

The power button is located on the side, making it easy to accidentally press when taking the laptop out of a bag or carrying it. This setup is somewhat inconvenient. Along with the loud touchpad click, these are minor stress points but do not significantly detract from the overall evaluation.

Comparison with Competitors

The MacBook Air (15-inch) costs $1,299—a significant premium. The IdeaPad Slim 5x offers the same RAM and storage for about 65% of that price. The Dell 14 Plus has also recently increased in price, highlighting the IdeaPad’s advantage in value.

The HP OmniBook series falls short in touchpad quality, and the Asus Vivobook series lags in responsiveness. One key reason the IdeaPad Slim 5x stands out among Windows laptops is its “stress-free touchpad.”

Editorial Opinion

Short-term Impact: In the Windows laptop market around the 110,000 yen range, the arrival of the IdeaPad Slim 5x will likely force competitors to reconsider their pricing strategies. In particular, HP and Dell models in the same price bracket will need to differentiate themselves beyond price, given their inferior touchpad and speaker quality. Over the next 3-6 months, we may see price cuts or spec upgrades from competitors.

Long-term Perspective: Over a 1-3 year span, the realization of a “laptop with few flaws for $850” raises user expectations for the balance of price and quality. Manufacturers will be pressured to invest in “unseen components” like materials, touchpads, and speakers. As a result, we can expect a general quality upgrade in entry-to-mid-range laptops. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air faces a $400 price gap, and how Apple responds to this price segment will be noteworthy. However, ecosystem and OS differences prevent a simple comparison, and a mass exodus of Mac users is unlikely.

Editorial Question: Touchpad quality in Windows laptops has been a long-standing issue, but the IdeaPad Slim 5x solves it “without raising the price.” Why don’t other manufacturers use components of the same level? Is it a cost structure issue, or a deliberate differentiation strategy using inferior parts? Also, with a Windows laptop that reportedly outperforms the MacBook Air at around 110,000 yen, will corporate PC procurement standards change? We invite our readers to share whether they think PC selection criteria at their workplaces might shift.

References

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Review: The Best Laptop Under $1,000 - Wired — Published June 8, 2026