Who Is This For?
The IdeaPad Slim 5 sits in the sweet spot between budget and mid-range:
- Students who want something nicer — the aluminum build looks and feels professional
- Remote workers — 1080p webcam and all-day battery make it video-call ready
- General productivity — the Ryzen 7 handles multitasking with ease
If you’re comfortable spending $600, this is a significant upgrade over sub-$400 options. If you can stretch to $800, a ThinkPad E-series adds a better keyboard.
Build Quality
This is the IdeaPad Slim 5’s biggest win over cheaper alternatives. The aluminum lid and palm rest give it a premium feel that you wouldn’t expect at $599. There’s minimal flex in the keyboard deck, and the hinge holds its position firmly.
Performance
The Ryzen 7 7735U with LPDDR5 RAM is noticeably snappier than the DDR4-equipped budget options. Apps launch faster, Chrome handles heavy multitasking better, and the faster SSD makes file operations quick. The Radeon 680M integrated graphics can handle casual games like Minecraft and Stardew Valley at 1080p.
Display and Webcam
The 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel is the same class as cheaper laptops — functional but unremarkable. Colors hit about 65% sRGB. The real differentiator is the 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter, which is a rare feature at this price.
Battery Life
The 57 Wh battery combined with the efficient Ryzen 7 delivers 10-11 hours of productivity. That’s all-day performance with room to spare.
The Bottom Line
The IdeaPad Slim 5 is the upgrade pick for budget buyers. The $200 premium over the Aspire Go 15 gets you aluminum build quality, a 1080p webcam, faster RAM, and 2+ extra hours of battery life. It’s the best value in the $500-$700 range.