Qualcomm is back with another wave of Snapdragon chips, and they don’t disappoint. Well, they mostly don’t. Before I jump into everything I like and don’t like about the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Gen 11, let’s get one thing out of the way: ARM chips, in general, are a pain.
The fact that Windows apps like Google Play, third-party antivirus software, and competitive games don’t yet run on ARM means that this Snapdragon laptop will be dead on arrival for some folks. Sure, the platform is becoming more accessible every year, but I wouldn’t count on these chips becoming interchangeable with x86 architecture anytime soon, especially when it comes to app compatibility.
That said, if you’re positive that the apps you need are covered (or you’re already on an ARM device that’s serving you well) and aren’t expecting the bells and whistles of premium lines like the ThinkPad, the IdeaPad Slim 5x could serve you well without breaking the bank. It offers the long battery life I want to see from a Qualcomm-equipped laptop, and the performance is pretty solid: it’ll do what it needs to do without complaint. The bouncy keyboard and clicky trackpad make for comfortable navigation, and, to boot, the thin, light chassis is easy to carry around.
