New Lenovo Laptops and GO Accessories (Pepcom Home Now! 2021)
Back to: Pepcom Home Now! Main Page (June 2021)
Super exciting new products from Lenovo’s new Thinkpad L line to GO accessories (like the wireless laptop charger) for the mobile worker. Let’s go down the line starting with:
CHROMEBOOKS
New Ideapad 5i Chromebooks in 2 different flavors – the clamshell model and Flex version.
![Lenovo 5i & 5i Flex Chromebooks](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_5i_Chromebooks-1024x650.jpg)
They’re built for 2 types of people, the first being mainstream users and the second, those new to Chromebooks. For new users, they’re designed to be “comparable” to systems they already might have used when it comes to entertainment features with a usable, modern design.
Both models have in common:
- Screen: Full HD (1920×1080) IPS touchscreen with 100% sRGB color gamut
- Processor: up to i5 TigerLake
- RAM: up to 8GB
- Storage: up to 512 GB PCIe SSD
- WiFi 6 (802.11 ax) & Bluetooth 5.1
- Webcam with privacy shutter
And differences?
The Flex is a 360 degree rotating screen at 13” and 250 nits. Want a 50x faster response time? There’s an optional OLED screen that reads better in direct sunlight. It’s got a tablet mode with pen support with which you can draw and write notes. The exterior has a dual tone color wave when seen in different lighting angles that come in Abyss Blue or Iron Grey color.
The 5i is a clamshell with a 14” touchscreen and 300 nits. This one has a double paint job with a glossy part and a matte part in Sand or Storm Grey color. The lip has a cutout for easy lid lifting that glows an LED light when it opens. You’ll know the battery life is good when this light flashes green or running low if it’s amber.
THINKPADS
A new line of L13 and L13 Yoga laptops offer improved performance and battery life using AMD Ryzen 5000 processors.
![Lenovo Thinkpad L13 & L13 Yoga Gen2 Series](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Thinkpad_L13_Gen2_Series-1024x644.jpg)
It’s their lowest cost ThinkPad and sits above the ThinkBook line. It’s got a new set of unified communications keys on top of keyboard, a modern standby function and supports faster memory (up from 2600mHz to 3200 mHz). Plus, it’s affordably priced starting at $799 for the clamshell and $999 for the Yoga. Good for small businesses and consumers who want the Thinkpad level of build quality.
The Thinkpad X1 Extreme is a premium laptop with a carbon fiber outer shell and a (37 degree twill) weave pattern aesthetic.
![Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Thinkpad_X1_Extreme-1024x636.jpg)
Major features include:
- Screen: 16” display (16:10 aspect ratio) at 400 nits brightness
- Full HD camera (1920×1080)
- Speakers placed on top (next to keyboard)
- Fingerprint reader built into the power button (convenient log-in)
- Up to Nvidia RTX 3080 discrete graphics
Huge hardware improvements like the inclusion of RTX 3080 are made possible due to the massive cooling system. It offers great thermals using vapor chambers and heatpipes as well as improved airflow throughout. Prices start at $2100 for this beast. It’s a great starting price considering the level of hardware being offered.
LEGION GAMING LAPTOPS
The Legion 5 Pro and Legion 7 both have 16:10 aspect screen ratios and offers high performance specs:
- 165 Hz refresh
- 500 nits
- Dolby Vision HDR
On paper, 16:10 might not sound so different from the usual 16:9. But it gives much needed relief in vertical real estate, especially with complex programs adding more toolbars.
![Lenovo Legion 7 & 5 Pro](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Legion_7_5Pro-1024x528.jpg)
The outer shell of the 5 Pro has the Legion logo on the lid with a sporty cutout that reminds me of a Formula-1 race car. The 7 on the other hand is a wolf hidden in sheep’s clothing. It’s toned down enough that you could use it for work; nobody would think twice about it.
On both machines, they’ve placed most ports on the back, reducing cable clutter. They’re also nicely labeled so you don’t have to hunt around when plugging things in.
The 7 is highly configurable and uses AMD processors, full RGB keyboard lighting, 32GB RAM and PCIe SSD storage. Because of the the great thermal design with vapor chamber cooling, graphics can be maxed out to RTX 3080. The 5 Pro maxes out at RTX 3070.
ACCESSORIES
L15 Mobile monitor
![Lenovo L15 Mobile Monitor](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo-L15-Mobile-Monitor.jpg)
If you ever needed a second screen for a laptop (or a larger screen for a smartphone), this L15 Mobile monitor is super light and portable. Specs at a glance:
- 15” anti-glare screen @60Hz
- Full HD, 16:9 aspect ratio (1920×1080)
- Super light at 1.9 lbs
- USB-C in and out Power pass-through
The front of the monitor has a hinged foot that raises the screen a bit to help level it with your laptop screen.
NEW! LENOVO GO ACCESSORIES FOR MOBILE WORKERS
For working at home or on the road, these are peripherals in the areas like power (chargers), input (keyboards & mice) and audio (speakers, microphones & headsets).
Go Wireless Multi-device Mouse
![Lenovo Go Multi-device Wireless Mouse](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Multi-Device_WirelessMouse.jpg)
This mouse can connect to 3 different systems at the same time. For example, you can connect to a desktop, laptop and a smartphone and switch between them using a toggle button on top of the mouse.
A blue optical sensor will track on most surfaces. The battery lasts up to 2 months, charging via USB-C or wireless Qi.
Go Wireless Powerbank
![Lenovo Go Wireless Qi Powerbank](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Wireless_Powerbank.jpg)
It holds 10,000 mAh of power and charges devices with the built-in USB-C cable or wireless Qi. Being USB-C power in and out, you charge up this powerbank via USB-C. Use it to charge your Go wireless multi-device mouse mentioned above.
Go USB-C Wireless Charging Kit
![Lenovo Go Wireless Charge Mat](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Wireless_Charge_Mat-1024x693.jpg)
I’m convinced this piece of gear will change your life. It’s a wireless charging mat for your 13”-14” laptop, so no more plugging in a power cable. It’s a two step process involving two pieces of tech that goes like this:
First you connect your laptop’s power adapter to the first piece, the wireless charging mat. Next you attach the second piece, the accompanying charging strip to your laptop and plug it into the laptop’s USB-C charge port. And that’s it.
Whenever you place your laptop (with the strip) on top of the mat, charging will happen automagically – without having to plug anything in. Like evermore.
![Laptop with Lenovo Go Wireless Charge Mat](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Wireless_Charge_Mat_onLaptop-1024x631.jpg)
The GO wireless charging kit is designed to work with most 13”-14”laptops with charging at 65 Watts. As always though, there are some caveats. Lenovo states very specific requirements, with two of the biggest ones being that 1) the device be non-touch and 2) you use a Lenovo device.
However, my understanding is that these are “not hard and fast rules”. On a practical (and technical) level, any device that can charge via USB-C should work with this kit. The non-touch requirement stems from Lenovo reasoning that people are going to push their device around as they use it, which may stop charging if pushed around too much (like when playing a game). The second requirement that the device be made by Lenovo is a testing limitation. It’s not practical for them to test every device on earth to make sure it works. I mean, who can realistically test every existing device? And who’s going to keep updating a list for every new device that pops up? That someone is nobody.
So they, Lenovo, can say it definitely works on their own gear because they can test on them. In addition, I’m fairly sure it also works on many other devices that use USB-C charge ports (with exception to gaming laptops since discrete GPU’s need way more power than the 65W that this or any USB-C plug can provide.)
Having said all this, I’m really excited about this piece of gear. If you have a home base you work out of but move around a lot, this saves you a lot of collective time having to plug/unplug the power connector. Interesting to note, Lenovo have already started integrating this technology into several of their ThinkBook laptops.
Slated availability is October 2021.
Ergonomic & Wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo
Wireless Split-style Wireless Keyboard
![Lenovo Go Split Keyboard](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Split_Keyboard-1024x662.jpg)
It has island-style keys with 1.8mm key travel distance. The palm rest is treated cork that’s liquid resistant and very comfortable. You get up to 2 years of usage from 2 AA batteries (Yay! AA batteries!)
Lenovo Go Ergo Vertical Mouse
![Lenovo Go Vertical Mouse](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Vertical_Mouse.jpg)
It’s raised at an angle for a natural hand-shaped position. The idea here is to reduce wrist strain with accurate tracking by using blue optical sensors that work on most surfaces.
Lenovo Go Wired Speakerphone
![Lenovo Go Wired Speakerphone](https://firstl00k.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lenovo_Go_Wired_Speakerphoner.jpg)
I love great design, especially the volume dial which is the whole top ring of this circular device. Usage is maximized in meeting rooms with 2 omnidirectional mics for clear sound up to 1.5 meters away. It’s also integrated with Microsoft Teams and has a fold-away USB-C cable hidden underneath for a clean look and portability.
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More Info: https://www.lenovo.com
Event: Pepcom Home Now! (June 2021)