Lenovo is one of the most popular laptop brands in the world, and that's especially true among business users. While other companies can also make some great devices, it's no surprise to see Lenovo at the top. The company makes some of the very best laptops you can buy, and none more iconic than the ThinkPad lineup. But while the ThinkPad brand may be what you're most familiar with, Lenovo has become a powerhouse across different segments, and it makes some of our favorite laptops in general. So, in this article, we're highlighting the best of the best from Lenovo's lineup, whether that's business laptops or more consumer-focused ones.
Our top Lenovo laptops in 2023
Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023)
A premium laptop with everything you could want
The Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) is a beautiful, sleek laptop with an aluminum chassis and shiny curved edges. It's powered by 13th-gen Intel processors for great performance, and it has a stunning OLED display, including options for either a higher refresh rate or sharper resolution.
- It looks stunning in both color options
- OLED panel is fantastic, whether it's the 2.8K or Ultra HD+ model
- Top-tier performance with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor
- No storage for the pen
- No 5G option
The Lenovo Yoga series really hit its stride with the 2022 Yoga 9i, and for 2023, we got a small but welcome upgrade to the best laptop on the market.
Performance is the first major upgrade, as we now have a 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with 12 cores and boost speeds up to 5.2GHz. It's a nice upgrade over the 12th-generation models of last year and paired with 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB SSD, you get a great experience across the board here.
The display hasn't changed much, but the 14-inch 16:10 panel is now only available as either a 2.8K 90Hz OLED display or an Ultra HD+ 60Hz model. The previous model had a Full HD+ IPS option if you wanted something cheaper, but the OLED displays are what you really want in a premium laptop, and these are fantastic, especially the 90Hz model. The webcam is still a 1080p sensor, and it supports Windows Hello, so it's pretty good, though there are better webcams on some laptops.
Compared to its predecessor, the 2023 Lenovo Yoga 9i has pretty much the same aluminum design with shiny curved edges, and it looks gorgeous. It comes in Storm Grey and Oatmeal (pale gold) colorways, both of which look fantastic thanks to those curved edges. It weighs 3.09 pounds, which is reasonable for an aluminum laptop of this size. As for connectivity, you get three USB Type-C ports — two supporting Thunderbolt 4 — and one USB Type-A port, plus a headphone jack.
In our review of the 2023 Lenovo Yoga 9i, we called it the best laptop on the market, so we have no qualms about putting it at the top of this list. It's a phenomenal PC, and certainly one of the best laptops Lenovo makes.
Lenovo Yoga 6 Gen 8
Versatile design and great performance for a reasonable price
The Lenovo Yoga 6 Gen 8 is an excellent budget Windows convertible, sporting options for the Ryzen 5 7530U and the Ryzen 7 7730U CPUs. The convertible also has a sleek aluminum design that includes a 1080p webcam, and a 16:10 aspect ratio display.
- Finally refreshed with AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs
- Unique design with optional fabric-covered top
- 16:10 display with touch and pen support
- 1080p webcam with Windows Hello
- No USB4 support
- Pen isn't included and there's nowhere to store it
If you want a great laptop that doesn't break the bank, you can't do much better than the Lenovo Yoga 6, and the 2023 model is packing a welcome performance upgrade.
After using the Ryzen 5000 series for two generations in a row, The 2023 Lenovo Yoga 6 comes packing AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, up to a Ryzen 7 7730U with 8 cores and 16 threads. It's a modest upgrade from the previous generation, but a welcome one nonetheless. You can pair that CPU with up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so you get solid performance and storage space all around.
Otherwise, this iteration of the Lenovo Yoga 6 is mostly the same, starting with the 13.3-inch 16:10 display, which comes in Full HD+ resolution. It won't blow your mind, but it's very sharp for this size, and the tall aspect ratio is great to see, too, plus it supports touch and pen input. What's more, above the webcam is a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition, great to see in a laptop at this price.
The Lenovo Yoga 6 also retains the unique design that mixes a plastic base with a metal lid, which in some cases is covered in fabric for an even more unique look. It looks and feels great in the hand, and it's not overly heavy, starting at 3.02 pounds. As for ports, the Lenovo Yoga 6 has a very good setup, with two USB Type-C, two Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. For a laptop this small and cheap, it's a very well-rounded setup.
If you're more of an AMD fan but you still want a laptop with a unique premium design while also being easy to carry, the Lenovo Yoga 6 is an easy choice, especially with this year's performance upgrade.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
Classic design and business features
Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the most iconic business laptop on the market, and the latest model packs 13th-generation Intel Core processors with vPro, while keeping the classic ThinkPad design. It also has some AI improvements for the webcam.
- Fast 13th-gen Intel processors with optional vPro support
- Iconic ThinkPad design makes sense for business environmments
- Great connectivity and ports
- Optional MIPI camera with Computer Vision
- ThinkPad design may not be for everyone
- RAM is soldered onto the motherboard
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the longest-running family in the ThinkPad business lineup, and it's absolutely iconic. The latest model is faster than ever and keeps the classic ThinkPad design.
Performance is really the most notable change, as we now have 13th-generation Intel Core processors up to a Core i7-1365U or a Core i7-1370P. The U series processors favor battery life, while the P-series models offer more raw performance, though both are plenty fast for basic business use. You also get up to 64GB of RAM for the first time, and the SSD goes up to 2TB.
The display is mostly the same as with the previous iteration. It's a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and it starts at Full HD+ resolution, with options to add touch support and a privacy filter. You can also opt for the 2.8K OLED panel, which is both sharp and color accurate, covering 100% of DCI-P3. Above that display is a 1080p webcam by default with an optional Windows Hello camera, and you can even opt for a MIPI camera that has better quality and supports Computer Vision. Lenovo has also made some software improvements, so you get better image quality from the webcam.
Design-wise, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is exactly what you'd expect, with a mostly black chassis with red accents. Some models include a carbon fiber pattern on the lid for a more unique look. The laptop is very light, at 2.48 pounds, thanks to the use of carbon fiber. The laptop has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. You also have the option for 4G LTE or 5G connectivity, so you can get work done from anywhere.
It goes without saying, but the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of the best business laptops on the market, and you really can't go wrong with it. We've reviewed the Gen 10 model, which is nearly identical if you'd like to know more.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
Powerful performance in a versatile form factor
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 brings several smaller advancements over last year's Gen 7 model. There are new 13th-generation Intel processors under the hood, as well as software improvements for the webcam that can make you look better on your video calls.
- 13th-gen Intel processors with optional vPro features
- Same classic design as the X1 Carbon with a versatile form factor
- Built-in garaged stylus
- Solid number of ports
- Somewhat expensive
- Soldered RAM
If you want everything that makes the X! Carbon great but in a more versatile form factor, then the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is almost exactly that.
Performance-wise, it's basically the same, with up to 13th-generation Intel Core i7-1365U or Core i7-1370P processors, depending on whether you favor battery life or raw performance. You also get up to 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, just like the X1 Carbon Gen 11. The display is also similar, being a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The configuration options are a bit different, though, since you get the option for a 4K OLED panel, which is extremely sharp, in addition to having the benefits of an OLED panel. The base model is still Full HD+ resolution and you can add a privacy filter, but touch and pen support is included by default. The pen is even included and built into the laptop, so you don't have to worry about charging it or losing it. Above the display is a similar 1080p webcam with optional Windows Hello support, or an optional MIPI camera with better quality and Computer Vision.
Unlike the X1 Carbon, the X1 Yoga comes in a Storm Grey colorway, but it looks very similar otherwise, including the classic red accents and the subdued design. It's also a bit heavier since it uses aluminum for the chassis, and it comes in at 3 pounds. The ports are also the same, including two Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A ports, along with HDMI and a headphone jack. Cellular connectivity is also available as an option, including 4G LTE or 5G configurations.
This is pretty much a convertible version of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and for that reason, it's very easy to recommend if you want a business convertible. You can read our review of the Gen 7 model to learn more.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8
Top-tier performance for gamers
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a high-performance gaming laptop with top-tier specs to run all the latest games with very little compromise. It has a great 16-inch display, too, plus a premium-feeling design made primarily of aluminum.
- Up to 24-core Intel processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series graphics
- Sharp Quad HD+ display with smooth 240Hz refresh rate
- Lots of ports
- Premium design and build quality
- Expensive, especially if you want a higher-end model
- Heavy
- Battery life isn't good
- No Windows Hello
Lenovo may be known for productivity, but the company is serious about gaming, too, and the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 is a prime example of that.
This is a beastly laptop with up to a 24-core, 32-thread Intel Core i9-13900HX processor, capable of boosting up to 5.4GHz for incredible performance in gaming and anything else. That's paired with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, which can handle the most demanding games without issues, running them at high resolution and framerate. Plus, you can get up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for great performance all around.
Those powerful specs drive a sharp 16-inch display that comes in Quad HD+ resolution and has a super-smooth 240Hz refresh rate. For more demanding games, you may not be able to get 240FPS, but having that option is fantastic. Lenovo built a 1080p webcam above the display, so you should look decent during video calls and meetings. Sadly, Windows Hello isn't supported, be it through the webcam or a fingerprint reader.
In terms of design, we're looking at a premium build mostly using aluminum, and considering the powerful specs, it's a heavy laptop, coming in at 6.17 pounds. It looks great, though, coming in a slick grey color and featuring smooth surfaces that give it a great in-hand feel. This large chassis does make room for lots of ports, including two USB Type-C ports (one with Thunderbolt support), four USB Type-A ports, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, and a headphone jack. Connectivity is fantastic on this laptop if you have lots of peripherals and don't want to buy a docking station.
While it does have some drawbacks, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an absolutely phenomenal gaming laptop with terrific performance, a great display, and great build quality.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5
Powerful performance in a ThinkPad design
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is a powerful laptop aimed at creative professionals, with the classic ThinkPad design and powerful specs to make it suitable for demanding tasks. It's also available with a 4K display that covers 100% of Adobe RGB.
- Powerful Intel processors and Nvidia GPUs
- Management and security features with Intel vPro
- Optional 4K display with 100% coverage of Adobe RGB
- Relatively lightweight for the specs
- Newer specs are already available
- Expensive
- You have to choose between 5G support and more powerful GPUs
If you're looking for a high-performance laptop for content creation rather than gaming, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 may be for you.
It hasn't been refreshed for 2023 yet, so we're looking at 12th-generation Intel processors, up to a Core i9-12900H with 14 cores and 20 threads, plus vPro support for extra management and security features. You also get the option to go up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, so there's plenty of power packed in here for creative professionals. Additionally, you can go up to 64GB of RAM and up to a massive 8TB of SSD storage, though you'll be limited to 4TB depending on the GPU you choose.
The display is a large 16-inch panel and it has a 16:10 aspect ratio. The base model comes in a simple Full HD+ resolution, but the most interesting option is the 4K Ultra HD panel, which is not only super sharp, but also covers 100% of the Adobe RGB color space, making it perfect for creative professionals. Alternatively, there's also a Quad HD+ option with a 165Hz refresh rate, which might be useful if you want to play some games. Above the display is a 1080p webcam that includes Windows Hello support by default.
At 4.14 pounds, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 is heavier than most typical laptops, but it's not overly heavy considering the specs it has. The design is just like other ThinkPads, and the use of magnesium and carbon fiber helps it stay relatively light. It has plenty of ports, too, including two Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A ports, an SD card reader, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a proprietary charging port. You'll be ready to connect to just about anything out of the box. You also have the option for 5G connectivity, but only if you opt out of the more powerful GPUs.
This is a very powerful laptop wrapped in an impressively thin design, and while it's a bit pricey, it definitely delivers the goods regarding performance.
Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3 (2023)
Solid capabilities without breaking the bank
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 for 2023 is an affordable but capable Windows laptop powered by AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. It has solid performance for day-to-day tasks and a large 15.6-inch display that's great for getting work done.
- Modern AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors deliver solid performance
- Large 15.6-inch display is great for juggling multiple apps
- Decently thin and light for a budget laptop
- Display colors won't look amazing
- 720p webcam
Not everybody can afford something as good as the Lenovo Yoga 9i, so if you want something cheaper, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a great option, and it's been refreshed for 2023.
That means it comes with AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors (though there's also an Intel model called the IdeaPad Slim 3i), and you can currently go up to an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U with six cores and 12 threads. It's more than fast enough for basic web browsing and day-to-day tasks like school work, and you also get 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD out of the box.
The display is a 15.6-inch panel, and it comes in the classic 16:9 aspect ratio and Full HD resolution. It's not mind-blowing, but it's sharp enough for most users. The 45% coverage of NTSC isn't impressive, either, but if you're mostly writing and reading text or you don't need super accurate colors, it's totally fine. The webcam is only a 720p sensor, and it doesn't support Windows Hello, though you do get a fingerprint reader. This is fairly standard for cheaper laptops like this.
Design-wise, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 comes in at 3.54 pounds, which is reasonable for a budget 15-inch laptop. It's available in either Arctic Grey or Abyss Blue, with the latter being slightly more interesting to look at. For ports, you get a decent selection, with one USB Type-C and two Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. Oddly enough, it still uses a proprietary charging port, though USB-C charging is supported if you have a compatible charger.
It's not meant to blow your mind, but the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a solid laptop for those on a budget. Even outside of sales, it costs under $700, and it deserves a recommendation.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Beautiful display and a portable design
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a sleek tablet with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor and a beautiful OLED display that makes it ideal for consuming movies and video. It also has solid specs for a Chromebook, so performance should be pretty good for day-to-day use.
- Full HD OLED display is ideal for watching movies and videos
- Front and rear cameras are great for video calls
- Detachable keyboard makes it versatile and portable
- ChromeOS can't do everything a Windows PC can
- Relatively low-end processor
If you're just looking for a great device to watch movies and videos on, the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is probably the best option in Lenovo's lineup. It has a great display and speakers, plus solid performance.
That performance is handled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, an octa-core Arm-based processor with boost seeds up to 2.5GHz that should deliver the goods for day-to-day tasks. It's not rivaling top-tier laptops, but it's good for this kind of device, especially with ChromeOS. It's also a great chip for battery life, and with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you're set for a good experience.
The main highlight here is the display, though. It's a 13.3-inch OLED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for watching videos. The OLED panel means colors are more vivid and blacks are truly black, resulting in a higher contrast ratio and more lively images overall. The resolution is Full HD, which is pretty good for this size. The tablet also has a quad-speaker setup for solid audio quality, and two great cameras handle video calls with the family very well, making this a great device to have around the home.
Design-wise, the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a detachable, meaning it's a tablet with a keyboard you can connect when you need to. The tablet itself is just 7.23mm thin and weighs 1.54 pounds, but the keyboard naturally adds some heft. Still, this gives you the ability to use the device in a variety of ways, depending on your needs. As you might expect, such a thin device has limited ports, with just two USB-C ports, one on each side. There's no headphone jack, which means you'll need Bluetooth headphones (or USB ones) if you want to watch movies in public.
While it's not a PC made for work or demanding tasks, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a great tablet to have around the house for basic tasks and watching movies thanks to that beautiful screen and solid specs. It's also very affordable, making it easy to pick up if you think it might be useful to you.
Best Lenovo laptops in 2023: The bottom line
As you can tell, Lenovo has a great portfolio of laptops on the market right now, and all of these are great choices. The Lenovo Yoga 9i is our top pick because it's such a great blend of everything we like to see in a laptop. It has top-tier performance, a beautiful design, stunning display options, and more. It's hard to go wrong with that one.
Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023)
The Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) is a beautiful, sleek laptop with an aluminum chassis and shiny curved edges. It's powered by 13th-gen Intel processors for great performance, and it has a stunning OLED display, including options for either a higher refresh rate or sharper resolution.
But everyone has different needs, so there's a little something for everyone here, and you're bound to find something else you like. If you want something cheaper, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a great option that offers solid performance and a decent display for a very affordable price, while still managing to be decently thin and light. The Lenovo Yoga 6 is another great affordable option if you want something a bit more versatile.
If Lenovo isn't what you're looking for, why not check out the best laptops from other brands? We have lists of the best Dell laptops, as well as one for HP laptops. These are also incredibly popular brands, and you can't go wrong with them either.