From students and business professionals to gamers and content creators, everyone needs a reliable laptop. No one wants a laptop that lets you down because it can't handle your multitasking on a busy morning. Or a machine that can't handle the latest, greatest video games. Especially since working from home became the new normal.
If you're in the market for something new, it's worth considering Lenovo. The brand makes some mighty fine laptops to fit a variety of needs and budgets.
It's never easy wading through all the technical jargon, so let us help with a quick look at what makes Lenovo so great — and which models will suit your laptop needs.
What are the different types of Lenovo laptops?
Lenovo is a major technology company and has been making some of the best laptops in recent years. Its lineup runs the gamut from simple, affordable Chromebooks all the way up to heavy-duty mobile workstations fit for the most demanding creative professionals. But if you're not sure about which line of Lenovo laptops is fit for your needs (and your budget), it can get a little confusing to find your best option.
Fortunately, we've got your back with a quick breakdown of the different types of Lenovo laptops to help you figure out which one may be right for you:
ThinkPad — These are Lenovo's business laptops. They tend to have great keyboards and long battery life, and include a lot of IT-friendly features. Within this line, there are subclasses noted by letter, including the elite ThinkPad X and X1 series.
IdeaPad — These laptops are aimed directly at the everyday consumer. The selection of Lenovo IdeaPads ranges from simple and affordable to high-end Ultrabooks.
Yoga — These are Lenovo's hybrid laptops, offering convertible functionality. Technically, they're known as 2-in-1 laptops, but they can really handle a great number of different configurations thanks to their sturdy 360-degree hinge. You may also see the Lenovo Flex line of laptops, which is a less expensive convertible laptop.
Legion — This is Lenovo's line of gaming laptops, which offer solid performance to handle even the most demanding video games. They stand up against competing gaming laptops, but some users might find the Legion style is plain in comparison.
Keep these ranges in mind when shopping for your next device.
What do you need to know before buying a laptop?
As you figure out which line of Lenovo laptop is the best choice for you, you'll also want to consider all the inner workings that make a laptop function at peak performance. It's important to understand what each part does before you choose your spec.
That said, let's break down all the different technical aspects that can vary — and often be customised — to help your laptop run the way you need it:
CPU — This controls your laptop and keeps things running smoothly. For demanding applications, such as editing software and games, you'll need a heavy-duty CPU. But if you're mostly emailing and browsing, a less powerful CPU is fine.
Display — You really don't want to dip below 1080p resolution (also known as Full HD, or FHD). Gamers and creatives may want to step things up to a 2K or even 4K display to get the most out of their visuals.
GPU — The GPU determines how well the visuals on your laptop are rendered, which is absolutely key for gamers and those working in creative fields. If you want to play video games at their highest settings, you'll need an impressive GPU, such as a Nvidia.
RAM — This is your system's short-term memory. 4GB will suit casual use, but if you do lots of multitasking (we see you, with your 40 open tabs), then you should opt for 8GB. To allow heavy-duty software and games, amp things up to 16GB.
Storage — Unless you're saving huge files, have lots of photos and videos, or need to install large programs or games, 512GB or 256GB will suit your needs. The Lenovo laptops of this list go all the way up to 1TB of storage, however.
We know this sort of thing can be confusing, but this is a good place to start on your shopping journey.
What is the best Lenovo laptop?
We've picked out a bunch of the best options for a variety of different wants and needs. Whether you're a business professional, gamer, content creator, student, or a little mix-and-match of them all, one of these Lenovo laptops should fit the bill.
These are the best Lenovo laptops in 2023.