Comparison Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16AHP9 [S5 16AHP9 83DD003DRM] vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 14AHP9 [5 14AHP9 83D3003CRA]

General device type.

In addition to traditional laptops, nowadays you can find varieties such as netbooks, ultrabooks, 2 in 1 tablet laptops and transformers. Here are their main features:

— A laptop. Laptops of a more or less traditional format that do not belong to any of the specific categories described below. The classic, most popular screen size in these models is 15.6 ". 13.3" and 14" laptops are considered compact, laptops with a 17.3" screen are large-format, and larger displays are found in advanced gaming models. At the same time, devices from this category are also very diverse in terms of characteristics and capabilities: they range from “typewriters” designed for education and home tasks, to high-end gaming solutions, and workstations and multimedia complexes.

— Ultrabook. High-end laptops that combine compactness, light weight and advanced features. The diagonal in ultrabooks ranges from 11 "to 14", the thickness of the case does not exceed 21 mm, while the internal equipment usually includes powerful processors, a large amount of RAM, fast drives like SSD and other similar solutions. In addition, many devices from this category are made in a characteristic stylish design and are also designed for...the role of fashion accessories.

— Transformer 360°. Another type of laptop that can turn into a tablet. However, unlike the laptops-tablets described above, in this case, not a removable keyboard is used, but a special swivel connection of the upper and lower blocks. The design of this connection is such that the top of the device can be rotated 360° and placed face up on the keyboard. Thus, the transformer can be converted from a laptop to a tablet without removing the bottom half; this is the fundamental difference between such models and the “2-in-1” described above. This format of work is generally more convenient — no need to look for a place for the removed keyboard, there is no risk of forgetting or losing it; in addition, the mounting design usually allows you to use the device in the format of a “photo frame” — an inclined tablet on a stand without a keyboard. Thus, transformers have become more widespread today than collapsible laptops-tablets. Their disadvantages include the inability to reduce weight by removing the keyboard. The diagonal of such devices can be from 12" to 17".

— 2 in 1 (laptop-tablet). Laptops that can turn into tablets. In such models, the entire “hardware” (or at least its key components) is placed in the upper half, the screen is made touch-sensitive, and the lower half with the keyboard can be completely separated. From traditional tablets, which can also be equipped with keyboards, such devices differ in three main points. The first is more powerful hardware: in particular, most 2-in-1 models carry full-fledged laptop processors (up to and including Core i7), while tablets mainly use CPUs similar to smartphone chips. The second point is a larger screen size, usually 13 – 15". The third caveat is that the keyboard of a laptop-tablet can include not only a set of keys and a spare battery, but also some system components: a discrete graphics card, an additional drive, etc. .
In general, 2-in-1 models are more versatile than traditional laptops; however, nowadays they are much less common than another similar type of laptop — transformers (see below). This is due to the fact that the removable keyboard is not always convenient: when using a device in tablet format, it usually has to be removed; it is not always possible to find a place nearby for the removed keyboard; besides, it can be forgotten or lost through inattention. However, this design also has advantages: for example, if there is enough tablet on the road, there is no need to carry additional cargo in the form of the lower half of the device.

Diagonal size of laptop display.

The larger the screen, the more convenient the laptop for watching high-definition movies, modern games, working with large-format graphic materials, etc. Large screens are especially important for multimedia and gaming models. On the other hand, the diagonal of the display directly affects the size and cost of the entire device. So if portability is key, it makes sense to pay attention to relatively small solutions; especially since most modern laptops have video outputs like HDMI or DisplayPort and allow connection of large-format external monitors.

In light of all this, the actual maximum for laptops these days is 17"(17.3"); however larger devices (18") reappeared at the beginning of 2023. The standard option for general purpose laptops is 15"(15.6"), less often 16", a diagonal of 13"(13.3") or 14" is considered small by the standards of such And smaller screens can be found mainly in specific compact varieties of laptops — ultrabooks, 2 in 1, transformers, netbooks; among such devices there are solutions for 12 ", 11" and even 10" or less.

The resolution of the screen installed in the laptop — that is, the size of the screen in pixels horizontally and vertically.

Higher resolution, on the one hand, gives a sharper, more detailed image; on the other hand, it increases the cost of the laptop. The latter is connected not only with the cost of the displays themselves, but also with the fact that in order to work effectively at high resolutions, you need the appropriate filling (primarily a graphics card). This is especially true in games; so if you are looking for a laptop with a high-resolution screen that can effectively "run" modern games — you should pay attention not only to the characteristics of the display, but also to other data (the type and parameters of the graphics card, test results, the ability to work with certain games — see everything below). On the other hand, if the device is planned to be used for simple tasks such as working with documents, surfing the Internet and watching videos, you can not pay much attention to the “hardware” parameters: anyway, they are selected so that the laptop is guaranteed to be able to cope with such tasks on full resolution of the "native" screen.

As for specific numbers, the resolution options that are relevant today can be divided into 3 groups: Full HD (1080), Quad HD and UltraHD 4K. Here is a more detailed description of them:

...— Full HD (1080). Initially, the Full HD standard provides a frame size of 1920x1080, and it is this resolution that is most often used in laptop screens from this category. However, in addition to this, other resolution options are also included in this format, where the vertical size is at least 1080 pixels, but does not reach 1440 pixels. Examples include 1920x1200 and 2560x1080. In general, Full HD displays provide a good balance between cost, image quality and laptop hardware requirements. Because of this, nowadays they are extremely widespread; matrices of this standard can be found even in low-cost devices, although they are mainly used in more advanced technology.

— Quad HD. A transitional option between the popular Full HD 1080 (see above) and the high-end and expensive UltraHD 4K. The vertical size of such screens starts from 1440 pixels and can reach 2000 pixels. Note that QuadHD resolutions are especially popular in Apple laptops; most often, such devices have 2560x1600 screens, although there are other options.

— Ultra HD 4K. The most advanced standard used in modern laptops. The vertical size of such screens is at least 2160 dots (up to 2400 in some configurations); the classic resolution of a modern UltraHD matrix is 3840x2160, but there are other values. Anyway, a 4K display allows for high image quality, however, it costs accordingly — including due to the corresponding requirements for a graphics adapter; in addition, to work with high resolutions, it can be more convenient to connect an external monitor to the laptop. Thus, such screens are used relatively rarely, and mainly among premium laptops.

Connection connectors provided in the design of the laptop.

This paragraph mainly indicates data on video outputs: VGA, HDMI(versions 1.4, 2.0, 2.1 and their varieties), miniHDMI / microHDMI, DisplayPort, miniDisplayPort). In addition, the presence of other types of connectors can be specified here: audio S / P-DIF, service COM port. But information about interfaces such as full-sized USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt and LAN is provided in separate paragraphs (see below).

— VGA. Analogue video output, also known as D-Sub 15 pin. Technically considered obsolete: it has low noise immunity, does not provide sound transmission, and the maximum supported resolution in fact does not exceed 1280x1024. However, VGA inputs are still quite common in monitors today, and are also found in other types of video equipment — in particular, projectors. Therefore, some modern laptops, mainly for multimedia purposes, are equipped with similar outputs — counting on connection to the mentioned video devices.

— HDMI. The most popular modern interface for working with HD content. Uses digital data transmission, allows you to transmit high-def...inition video and multi-channel audio over one cable at the same time. Most modern monitors, TVs, projectors, and other HD-enabled video equipment have at least one HDMI input; so outputs of this type are extremely common in modern laptops.

— microHDMI and miniHDMI. Reduced varieties of the HDMI described above: they are completely similar in functionality and differ only in the size of the connector. They are installed mainly in the thinnest and most compact laptops, for which full-size HDMI is too cumbersome.

The HDMI and mini/microHDMI ports on modern laptops may correspond to different versions:

• v 1.4. The earliest of the commonly used standards, released in 2009. Allows you to transmit a signal in resolutions up to 4096x2160 at a frame rate of 24 fps, and with Full HD resolution, the frame rate can reach 120 fps; 3D video transmission is also possible.
• v 1.4a. The first addition to version 1.4, in which, in particular, two additional 3D video formats were added.
• v 1.4b. The second update of the HDMI 1.4 standard, which introduced only minor clarifications and additions to the v 1.4a specifications.
• v2.0. Global HDMI update introduced in 2013. Also known as HDMI UHD, it allows you to stream 4K video at frame rates up to 60 fps. The number of audio channels can reach 32, and up to 4 audio streams can be broadcast simultaneously. In addition, support for the 21:9 aspect ratio and some improvements regarding 3D content have been introduced.
• v2.0a. First HDMI 2.0 update. A key innovation was compatibility with HDR content (see "HDR support").
• v2.0b. Second update of version 2.0. Key innovations have affected mainly work with HDR — in particular, support for HDR10 and HLG has been added.
• v2.1. One of the newest versions, released in the fall of 2017. Further increases in bandwidth have made it possible to support 4K and even 8K video at frame rates up to 120 fps. In addition, key improvements include enhanced HDR capabilities. Note that to use the full capabilities of HDMI v2.1, HDMI Ultra High Speed cables are required, although basic functions are available with regular cables.

— Display port. Digital high-speed port, allows you to transfer both video and audio in HD quality. It is similar in many respects to HDMI, provides a higher data transfer rate and allows the use of longer cables, but is less common, mainly used in computer technology.

— miniDisplayPort. A smaller version of the DisplayPort described above, designed to make the connector more compact; except for the dimensions, it is no different from the original interface. Some time ago it was a regular video connector for Apple laptops; and even the Thunderbolt interface that replaced it, in versions 1 and 2 (see below), uses a connector identical to the miniDisplayPort connector.

Both full-size DisplayPort and its smaller version may be different versions. Here are the most popular options today:

• v 1.2. The earliest version common in laptops, released in 2010. Among the most important innovations presented in this version are 3D support, the ability to work simultaneously with several video streams for serial connection of screens (daisy chain), as well as the ability to work through the miniDisplayPort connector. Bandwidth v 1.2 is enough to fully support 5K video at 30 frames per second and 8K video — with certain limitations.
• v 1.2a. Update version 1.2, released in 2013. One of the most noticeable innovations is the ability to work with AMD FreeSync (see above). Bandwidth and supported resolutions remain unchanged.
• v 1.3. DisplayPort version released in 2014. Compared to the previous version, the throughput has been increased by 1.5 times for 1 line and almost 2 times for the whole connector (8.1 Gbps and 32.4 Gbps, respectively). This, among other things, made it possible to provide full support for 8K video at 30 fps, as well as increase the maximum frame rate in 4K and 5K standards to 120 and 60 fps, respectively. In daisy chain mode, this standard makes it possible to work with two 4K UHD (3840x2160) screens at a frame rate of 60 Hz, or with four 2560x1600 screens at the same frequency. In addition, Dual-mode support was introduced in this version, providing compatibility with HDMI and DVI interfaces through the simplest passive adapters.
• v 1.4. Version introduced in March 2016. Bandwidth, compared to the previous standard, remained unchanged, but some important features were added — in particular, support for Display Stream Compression 1.2 compression, HDR10 standard and Rec. 2020, and the maximum number of supported audio channels has increased to 32.
• v 1.4a. An update released in 2018 "quietly" — without even an official press release. The main innovation was the update of Display Stream Compression technology from version 1.2 to version 1.2a.

— S/P-DIF. Output for digital audio transmission, including multi-channel. It has two varieties — optical and electrical; the first is absolutely insensitive to interference, but uses rather delicate cables, the second does not require special care in handling, but can be subject to pickups (although the wires are usually made shielded). Laptops use mainly optical S/P-DIF, while for compactness this connector is combined with a mini-Jack jack for connecting headphones. However, anyway, it's ok to clarify the specific features of this interface separately.

— COM port. Universal interface for connecting various external devices — in particular, dial-up modems — as well as for direct connection between two computers. Also known as RS-232 (after the connector). Nowadays it is considered obsolete due to the spread of more compact, faster and more functional interfaces, primarily USB. However, many types of equipment, including specialized ones, use the COM port as a control interface. Such equipment includes uninterruptibles, satellite receivers and communication devices, security and alarm systems, etc. Thus, COM ports, although almost never used in consumer-level laptops, are still found in some specialized models.

The number of USB-C 3.2 gen1 ports provided in the laptop (these connectors were previously labeled USB-C 3.1 gen1 and USB-C 3.0).

USB-C is a relatively new universal connector designed for use in desktop and laptop computers and other devices. It is slightly larger than microUSB, has a convenient double-sided design (it doesn’t matter which side you connect the plug), and also allows you to implement increased power supply and a number of special functions. In addition, the same connector is standardly used in the Thunderbolt interface versions v3 and v4, and technically it can be used for other interfaces; so in some laptops USB-C has a combined purpose — see "Alternate Mode" for more details. And in some models (mostly the most compact ones), USB-C can also charge the device’s own battery.

Specifically, USB-C version 3.2 gen1 allows connection speeds up to 5 Gbps. As for the number of such ports, it is most often small — usually 1 – 2. This is due to the fact that peripherals for USB-C are produced noticeably less than for full-sized USBs. However, in some configurations, the number of connectors of this type can reach 4.

The number of USB C 3.2 gen2 ports provided in the laptop (previously, such connectors were labeled USB C 3.1 gen2 and USB C 3.1).

USB C is universal connector created relatively recently and designed for use in desktop and laptop computers. It is slightly larger than microUSB, has convenient double-sided design (no matter which side the plug is connected to), and also allows for increased power supply and number of special functions. In addition, the same connector is standardly used in the Thunderbolt v3 interface, and technically can be used for other interfaces; so in some laptops USB C has combined purpose - see “Alternate Mode” for more details. And in some laptops (mostly the most compact ones), USB C can also charge the device’s own battery.

Specifically, the USB C 3.2 gen2 version allows for connection speeds of up to 10 Gbps. As for the number of such ports, it is most often small - usually 1 - 2. This is due to the fact that significantly fewer peripherals for USB C are produced than for full-size USB. However, in some configurations the number of connectors of this type can reach 4.

The number of USB4 connectors provided in the laptop.

USB4 is a high-speed revision of the USB interface introduced in 2019. It uses only symmetrical USB-C connectors and does not have its own data format — instead, such a connection is used to transfer information according to several standards at once: USB 3.2 and DisplayPort as mandatory, as well as PCI-E as an option. Another feature is that USB4 is based on Thunderbolt v3 and uses the same USB-C connector, which often makes USB4 devices and connectors compatible with Thunderbolt v3 (although this is not strictly required), and Thunderbolt v4 support for this interface is built-in . It is also worth noting that this USB revision allows connecting devices in a daisy chain and by default supports Power Delivery technology, which allows you to optimize the process of charging external gadgets (provided that they also implement this technology).

The maximum data transfer rate for such a connector should be at least 10 Gbps, in fact, options for 20 Gbps and even 40 Gbps are often found (depending on the technologies and standards supported by a particular port). At the same time, the USB4 inputs are quite compatible with peripherals for earlier versions of USB — except that devices with a full-size USB A plug require an adapter.

A decoder can be broadly described as a standard in which digital audio is recorded. For normal playback of such sound, it is necessary that the corresponding decoder is supported by the device. It should be noted that in the case of laptops, compatibility with one or another standard largely depends on the software used on a particular device. However, if support for a particular decoder is directly stated in the specifications, this means that the laptop is at least optimized for the use of this decoder and is able to realize all its capabilities without any problems. And some models can also be equipped with special software tools (for example, an advanced sound settings system built into a proprietary gaming software package).

Note that multi-channel sound formats are relevant mainly for games and watching movies; therefore, support for decoders is specifically indicated mainly in gaming and multimedia models. Top solutions include:

— DTS X. One of the newest and most advanced modern audio decoders. It fundamentally differs from the classic multi-channel audio formats in that it does not use a strict division into channels. Instead, the recording uses data about audio objects — individual sound sources. For each such source, information is given about the position and distance relative to the listener it should be, how to move, what additional effects it should sound with, etc. And the playback device with DTS X su...pport independently determines how exactly the sound needs to be distributed available channels to achieve the desired experience for the listener. Thanks to this, DTS X is not tied to a specific number of audio channels — theoretically, there can be as many as you like.

— DTS X Ultra. An advanced modification of the DTS X described above, created primarily for use in games, allows you to specify even more detailed data on audio objects, providing the most accurate positioning and, accordingly, a very pronounced and reliable presence effect.

Dolby Atmos. An analogue of DTS X from Dolby Laboratories. It uses the same basic principle of operation — processing audio objects without being tied to specific audio channels. In fact, for the average user, the difference between Dolby Atmos and DTS X (DTS X Ultra) is not fundamental, the question is rather in finding content recorded using a suitable decoder.

This paragraph may specify the availability of special digital and physical security features: fingerprint or face scanners, Smart Card reader and kensington/noble lock. Here is a detailed description of these features:

— Fingerprint scanner. Fingerprint recognition device. Almost the only way to use this function is to authenticate the user — during the initial boot or unlocking of the laptop, when logging into an account, when confirming payments, etc. This authorization method is convenient because the fingerprint is always at the user's disposal, his it is impossible to forget, lose or accidentally "surrender" to an attacker, like a normal password; and forgery of a print, although possible, is very difficult. Also note that some laptops with this feature allow you to memorize several users and automatically recognize them “by touch”.

— Face scanner (FaceID). A specialized scanner for facial recognition. Note that this is not just about “recognition by photography” (any webcam is capable of this — with the appropriate software), but about full-fledged three-dimensional scanning using a special IR sensor. This allows you to achieve very accurate and reliable recognition — face scanners often surpass fingerprint sensors in these indicators. And thanks to advanced algorithms, accuracy is maintained even when facial hai...r changes, putting on and taking off glasses, and other such changes. The weak point of this function is the recognition of twins, as well as children under 13 – 14 years old, who have not yet had time to form enough individual traits. As for the application, the main purpose of FaceID is to authorize the user when logging in and various accounts, making payments, etc. Separately, we note that support for this authorization method is built into Windows Hello, a biometric recognition system built into Windows 10. However, the data from the scanner can also be used for other purposes, sometimes quite original — for example, to animate a three-dimensional muzzle on the screen, copying the user's facial expressions.

— Kensington / Noble lock. The presence of a slot on the laptop case for a special security lock. Such a lock is usually used to fasten a strong metal cable, the other end attached to a fixed or heavy object. Thanks to this, theft "on a jerk" and other similar attempts to steal a laptop become almost impossible. This feature is especially useful if the device is in the public domain, such as on a display stand in an electronics store. Note that Kensington and Noble are two different types of security locks and are not mutually compatible. And the socket on the body can be designed for either one of these standards, or both at once; this point should be clarified separately.

— Smart card slot. A device for reading contact smart cards — plastic cards with built-in microchips. It is convenient to use such cards as user identifiers and/or access keys to protect confidential information. Note that an NFC (see above) can become an alternative to this function — it also allows you to read smart cards, only contactless ones. However, contact readers are somewhat cheaper, and they are also considered more reliable and secure. So such equipment does not lose popularity among business and professional laptops; and some models are equipped with both an NFC and a slot for smart cards.