Important points of ZDNET
- Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid Runs both Windows 11 and Android 13.
- You can enjoy the best apps from both environments with superior hardware.
- The device’s high price (over $3,500) and lack of ports will scare off most interested users.
Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus series is an interesting family of laptops. Each generation does something completely different from the previous generation. The 4th generation has an e-ink display, while the previous generation had a small screen next to the keyboard. The 5th Generation Hybrid is Lenovo’s literal take on the “2-in-1 laptop” idea, and it’s doing something outside the box once again.
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A 2-in-1 computer is often just a laptop with a touchscreen that curves all the way to the end. of ThinkBook Plus 5th Generation HybridOn the other hand, is two devices rolled into one. It consists of a tablet and a keyboard, each with different hardware.
It’s not a big device and has a brilliant 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen. Still, the tablet is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC running Android 13, and the keyboard is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor running Windows 11. This means you have two different ecosystems on the same device and can move back and forth between them. Press the Super key next to F12.
The two do not operate completely separately. You can send files from one system to another through hybrid folders.
For example, let’s say you have a big work project. You can run intensive workloads on Windows 11 and then send the files to the Android side for further editing, creating images, or whatever you want.
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The Android side works similarly to a Chromebook. You get all G Suite apps and some YouTube apps. You can always detach the display from the keyboard and use it as a tablet, but you’ll have to use a little force to pull it (the magnets in the connection are very strong).
I had a lot of fun using the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid at first. But the more I used it, the more I wondered why anyone would want to use it on a regular basis. It’s a niche product, so I don’t think it will become widely available.
My main problem is that the integration of both systems is only at a surface level. They are not deeply intertwined. Each half has its own storage space, RAM, processor, and more. You cannot install an app on the Windows side and access it on the Android side.
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Lack of uniformity aside, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 is a very good laptop and tablet. I was able to navigate the Internet, write, and handle multiple open pages without experiencing significant slowdowns.
Benchmark tests on the Intel Core Ultra 7 revealed that it performs at a similar level to other laptops with the same hardware. Benchmark tests performed on an Android tablet showed that the device’s performance was not at the level of the Galaxy S23, but better than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Very good, but not amazing.
Despite having two batteries, Lenovo’s device doesn’t have a long run time. With the two halves connected and running Windows 11 in best performance mode, the ThinkBook Plus ran for almost eight hours. The “Best Power Efficiency” plan lasted a little longer, at about 8.5 hours.
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I was surprised to see this because I thought power efficiency would extend battery life considerably, but that wasn’t the case. We also tested the Android tablet’s battery separately from the keyboard, and the results were much better. I ran for almost 10 hours straight.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to use Windows 11 on just a tablet. Must use Android.
ZDNET purchase advice
of Lenovo ThinkBookPlus 5th Generation Hybrid From $3,518. Due to its high price and unconventional dual system, it is not recommended for most people. The fifth-generation ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 certainly doesn’t offer an engaging laptop experience beyond a fun gimmick.
Not only is it expensive, but the design is difficult to use. This model only has four ports: three USB-C and one for headphones. There’s nothing on USB-A or HDMI. For most users, we recommend purchasing a product that focuses on either Windows 11 or Android, such as the Lenovo Slim 7.
