Lenovo Yoga vs. Flex: Which Is the Better 2-In-1?
If you’re tired of looking for affordable laptops, you can rest your weary eyes on the Lenovo logo. When you see this little “L,” you know you’re getting a quality laptop.
But what if you want to go further than “affordable?” What if you want superior build quality and great battery life in your laptop?
Fortunately, Lenovo offers you two choices: The Flex series or the Yoga series. Either one will make for a worthy laptop, but I recommend getting a Yoga laptop.
Lenovo Flex vs. Yoga: Why These Two?
I’ll be pitting the Lenovo Flex vs. Yoga laptop lines here to show you which one is the better device. Spoilers: It’s the Yoga by a mile!
Lenovo laptops are something of an odd duck. They make the best laptops you’ll ever see, but they also make more affordable budget laptops.
But when it comes to 2-in-1 laptops, the Lenovo Flex and Yoga series are the only offerings from Lenovo that you should be looking at!
You can find Yoga models that are more suited for the casual user, and you can find Flex models with premium features. It all depends on what you need for a good laptop and your budget!
Lenovo Flex Series Overview
Let’s say you’re looking for convertible laptops, but you’re on a tighter budget. Here’s where the Flex line comes in!
The entire Lenovo Flex line sits firmly in the “affordable laptop” niche. Some are so affordable that they don’t even use Windows 10!
Instead, these more stripped-down laptops are made purely for productivity, so they come equipped with the Chrome OS.
When searching around, don’t get confused because most Flex laptops fall under the Lenovo Ideapad Flex line. Lenovo loves to add more models to already-existing laptop lines.
If you’re only planning to run lighter CPU-intensive tasks, then the Lenovo Flex is perfect for you. Lenovo Flex models are also ideal for students and other professionals who need to stay mobile.
Lenovo Yoga Series Overview
If you want to talk about premium Lenovo laptops, you need to look at the Yoga series.
A touchscreen laptop from the Yoga series promises improved build quality, better battery life, and (sometimes) an active pen to help you sketch your ideas out!
Keep in mind that the active pen is compatible with both the Flex and Yoga lines, so you won’t need a new pen if you ever decide to upgrade.
Most Yoga models also have USB-C ports for faster data transfer and more convenient plugging in.
Now despite the hype around them, not every Yoga series laptop is strictly better than a comparably-priced Flex model.
The Yoga series is positioned as the premium laptop range, with more features and a generally longer battery life. But Lenovo has different configurations for its laptops.
Lenovo Flex vs. Yoga: Part by Part
Let’s talk specifics for these two laptop lines!
Pricing
Here’s a general rule of thumb for laptop shopping: 4 figures is like a magic barrier.
Anything below counts as a “budget laptop,” while anything higher approaches “premium laptop” levels…at least for other brands!
Fortunately for you, Lenovo defies this rule, as they seek to make affordable and high-quality laptops. Call it black magic if you want, but Lenovo’s looking out for your wallet!
A Lenovo Flex comes with good features at an approachable price point, while a Lenovo Yoga is a much more serious piece of hardware with the price to match.
Everyone wants a better deal, and the Flex offers precisely that.
Winner: The Flex Line! Expect more bang-for-your-buck models as compared to the Yoga series.
Performance and Graphics Capabilities
Laptop performance is on everyone’s mind, whether they’re in the market for premium laptops or looking for a work laptop. Lenovo laptops are fairly consistent in this regard.
The Lenovo Yoga and Ideapad Flex lines have perfectly decent Intel and AMD processors inside. If you’re a big fan of multitasking or switching tabs, these devices are for you.
However, I’ll make no bones about it; Even the most high-spec Flex models can only compete with the lower-end Yoga models.
The graphics and processors on a Yoga just tend to be faster than their Flex cousins. Then there’s the type of storage to consider, too.
An HDD will always be slower than an SSD and Flexes usually come with HDDs or smaller SSDs.
Even though the Ideapad Flex 5 14 below has an SSD, it’s only 1/4th the capacity of similar Yoga models.
Winner: The Yoga series! These high-spec devices are faster and can handle more tasks than any Flex can!
Build Quality
As 2-in-1 laptops, the Lenovo Yoga and Flex series models can be detached for either tablet mode or swung back for tent mode.
You don’t want to accidentally break your laptop in half, so you need to ensure your device has sturdy hinges.
Luckily, Lenovo realized this, too, so both laptop lines have very tough hinges. While they won’t survive a drop test off a building, they can be folded and detached without worry.
However, their build quality follows their namesakes. While a Flex will be made of fairly pliable materials, it’s nothing compared to the rigid grace of a Yoga device.
The hallmark of a Flex is its decent plastic body coupled with its powerful hinges.
On the other hand, a top-of-the-line Yoga will sport a chassis made of carbon fiber blended with a magnesium-aluminum alloy. It’s practically unfair!
Winner: The Yoga series! While both of these machines have sturdy hinges, the Yoga’s chassis is worlds apart from the Flex.
Battery Life
A lightweight laptop’s portability isn’t worth much if it has a weak battery. Luckily, these Lenovo machines are built to deliver good battery life on average!
A major factor that will affect your battery life is the operating system of your device. Now, take the ChromeBook Flex 3 as an example.
Since Chrome OS is designed to be lighter than Windows 10, you can also expect an improved battery life! This makes the ChromeBook Flex 3 an ideal traveling device!
Not to leave the Yogas in the lurch, but their powerful internals come at a cost. Their energy will drain faster on average.
But you don’t have to worry about getting tied next to a socket because Yoga laptops have a quick-charge function! With just a few minutes of charging, you can get a few hours of battery!
Winner: The Flex series! Their less power-hungry internals means that they offer better battery life!
Display Quality
Everyone should get a laptop screen that’s the right brightness for them, so you won’t have to constantly squint at your display.
If you’re going to use your laptop to make digital art, you also need to ensure it has a highly accurate color gamut. So how do these Lenovo laptops fare?
Well, Lenovo Flex models typically come with a dim display by my standards, and they only get dimmer when you compare them to Lenovo Yoga series machines.
The colors they produce aren’t exactly bright, but they don’t look sunbleached either. They’re acceptable, in a nutshell.
But Yoga series screens? This won’t be a surprise, but a premium model laptop from Lenovo has a premium screen to match.
Yoga screens are anti-glare, anti-smudge, and made of better glass. It’s no contest.
Winner: The Yoga series! Whether you want brightness or better colors, the Yoga laptops have the Flex beat!
Lenovo Flex vs. Yoga: Different Models
You already know you want a Lenovo laptop. The only question now is, which one?
I’ve reviewed 2 laptops each from both the Lenovo Yoga and Flex lines to give a fuller picture. They’re ordered from affordable models first, then high-end models.
Lenovo ChromeBook Flex 3 Review
I’m starting with a bonafide budget Flex laptop. Do you have a granddad who seems to be allergic to technology?
You know, the one who doesn’t want to learn how to use anything made after 1995? Try getting this for him. I think he’ll like it.
This machine is built for lighter tasks, so it’s perfect for monthly family calls and a bit of browsing on the side.
This ChromeBook will boot up nice and fast as a fairly bare-bones device, with no fuss.
It’s also designed to move all of your Google accounts over, so you can get set up even faster!
I must mention that some users have reported touchscreen errors on their Flex 3s, but this bug has since been squashed.
You can pick it up here.
Pros
- Sharp 11.6-inch screen
- Great port selection
Cons
- Screen edges are too thick and chunky
- Not enough storage space
Lenovo Yoga C740 Review
If the ChromeBook Flex 3 is for your tech-averse grandpa, this one’s for your grandma, who just discovered the joys of streaming.
With a larger full HD screen and about 15 times as much storage as the ChromeBook Flex, you can enjoy family movie nights and store hundreds of thousands of treasured family photos!
Thanks to this device’s Intel UHD graphics, your grandma can even play some lighter games like Stardew Valley.
Now, some users report that this Yoga laptop has a lower battery life than its cousins, so keep that in mind!
Also, the C740 is a little heavy for a convertible, so it’s more of a “tent-mode only” kind of device. Keep posted next to a socket! You can pick it up here.
Pros
- Stays cool and quiet under load
- Comes with a solid 8GB of RAM
Cons
- Slightly heavy for a 2-in-1
Lenovo ChroLenovo Flex 5 Review
This laptop’s a Yoga hiding in the body of a Flex. I mean, just look at the specs on this thing!
An AMD Ryzen processor and 16GB of RAM? This is a highly competent creative device, not just a humble convertible!
A smaller bezel frames the Flex 5’s HD and IPS touchscreen, which means you can enjoy more of its 14 inches. I’ve been talking up its screen, so you might be wondering if the keyboard is shoddy.
Well, it’s not! The keyboard is backlit, responsive, and feels good to type on. It’s not mushy like you might expect but pleasantly springy.
Personally, the only gripe I have with the Flex 5 14 is its storage space. It would’ve benefited greatly from a larger SSD. You can pick it up here.
Pros
- Incredible value for money
- Has an SD card reader for more flexible storage
Cons
- Doesn’t come with an active pen
- Smaller storage space
Lenovo Yoga ThinkPad X1 Titanium Review
This Lenovo device is the crown jewel of the Yoga series, and it’s no wonder! When Lenovo places the ThinkPad logo on a device, they also make it with better parts.
Its price might shock you a little, but this touchscreen laptop lives up to the ThinkPad reputation.
The X1 Titanium is built for professionals and high-power creatives, and it delivers style and versatility in spades.
With a responsive touchpad and an IPS QHD screen, you can expect to zip through your tasks faster and clearer!
And you won’t need to worry about this feeling cheap or flimsy; It feels like solid metal in all the right places. You can pick it up here.
Pros
- A fingerprint reader provides additional security
- Its carbon fiber and aluminum-alloy body will outlast you!
Cons
- Runs a little hot under load
- Low battery capacity for the price
Lenovo Flex vs. Yoga: Final Thoughts
What makes a better laptop for you will depend on your needs and your budget. You need to balance the two to get the most powerful laptop!
The main difference between the Lenovo Flex and Yoga laptop models is which features they can offer you.
An Ideapad Flex will cover your bases without leaving you broke, while a Lenovo Yoga is both made of and made for more challenging things.
If I were looking for a Lenovo laptop, I’d pick up a Yoga device in a heartbeat.
With a (generally) better battery life, unmatched build quality, and a better audio system than the Lenovo Flex, why would you settle for anything less?
Pick up a Lenovo Flex if:
- You’re on a tighter budget
- You intend to use your laptop indoors
- You’re always next to a socket
Pick up a Lenovo Yoga if:
- You’ve got some more spending money
- You’re a creative who needs a crisper and more color-accurate screen
- You need better battery life