Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 Laptop Review (21JK009AGP): A Powerful Workhorse with Room for Improvement
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JK009AGP) Review
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JK009AGP) is a versatile laptop aimed at professionals and students who need a reliable and powerful machine for their daily tasks. It comes equipped with an Intel Core i7-1355U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU, making it capable of handling demanding applications and multimedia tasks. This review delves into the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5’s performance, features, and design to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 boasts a range of features that cater to productivity and security:
- 14″ WUXGA Display: The laptop features a 14-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display with a 300-nit brightness, delivering vibrant colors and sharp details. It’s perfect for working on documents, presentations, and enjoying multimedia content.
- Intel Core i7-1355U Processor: This powerful 12-core processor provides the necessary horsepower for multitasking and handling demanding applications. It’s also energy-efficient, ensuring decent battery life.
- 8GB RAM: With 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, the laptop offers smooth multitasking and application performance.
- 512GB SSD: The 512GB NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and quick loading of applications and files.
- NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU: The dedicated MX550 graphics card delivers enhanced graphics performance for casual gaming and content creation tasks.
- Backlit Keyboard: The ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 features a backlit keyboard with a familiar ThinkPad layout, providing a comfortable and responsive typing experience.
- Fingerprint Reader: Enhanced security is provided by the integrated fingerprint reader in the power button, allowing for quick and secure logins.
- Camera with Privacy Shutter: The laptop includes a full HD webcam with a physical privacy shutter, offering added security and peace of mind.
Performance
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some light gaming. The Intel Core i7-1355U processor handles demanding applications with ease, and the 8GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking. The 512GB NVMe SSD provides blazing fast boot times and application loading speeds. While the dedicated MX550 GPU is not top-tier, it handles casual games and content creation tasks with reasonable performance.
During testing, the laptop comfortably handled multiple open tabs in Chrome, several productivity applications, and even a few light games without showing any significant lag or slowdown. While demanding tasks like video editing or heavy gaming may require a more powerful graphics card, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 delivers solid performance for its target audience.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5’s strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-1355U processor for demanding tasks.
- Fast 512GB NVMe SSD for quick boot times and application loading.
- Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU for enhanced graphics performance.
- Comfortable and responsive backlit keyboard with a familiar ThinkPad layout.
- Integrated fingerprint reader for enhanced security.
- Full HD webcam with a physical privacy shutter.
- Durable and reliable build quality.
Cons:
- Limited RAM upgradeability (up to 40GB with one SO-DIMM slot).
- No card reader.
- Only one USB 2.0 port.
- Average battery life.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JK009AGP) is a solid choice for professionals and students who need a reliable and powerful laptop for everyday tasks. It offers excellent performance, a comfortable keyboard, and robust security features. While the limited RAM upgradeability and average battery life might be drawbacks for some users, the overall package makes it a worthwhile consideration.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded laptop with a balance of performance, features, and security, the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 is definitely worth checking out.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core™ i7-1355U, 10C (2P + 8E) / 12T, P-core 1.7 / 5.0GHz, E-core 1.2 / 3.7GHz, 12MB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX550 2GB GDDR6 |
| Chipset | Intel SoC Platform |
| Memory | 8GB Soldered DDR4-3200 |
| Memory Slots | One memory soldered to systemboard, one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot, dual-channel capable |
| Max Memory | Up to 40GB (8GB soldered + 32GB SO-DIMM) DDR4-3200 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe® Opal 2.0 |
| Storage Support | Up to two drives, 2x M.2 SSD |
| Storage Slot | Two M.2 slots |
| Card Reader | No card reader |
| Optical | None |
| Audio Chip | High Definition (HD) Audio, Synaptic CX11880 codec |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Atmos |
| Camera | FHD 1080p with Privacy Shutter |
| Microphone | 2x, Array |
| Battery | Integrated 57Wh |
| Power Adapter | 65W USB-C (3-pin) |
| Display | 14″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS 300nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC |
| Touchscreen | None |
| Keyboard | Backlit, English (UK) |
| Case Color | Graphite Black |
| Case Material | Aluminium (Top), Aluminium (Bottom) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 313 x 219.3 x 17.99 mm (12.32 x 8.63 x 0.71 inches) |
| Weight | Starting at 1.43 kg (3.15 lbs) |
| Operating System | None |
| Bundled Software | None |
| Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi® 6, 11ax 2×2 + BT5.1 |
| WWAN | None |
| SIM Card | None |
| NFC | None |
| Standard Ports | 1x USB 2.0 |
| Docking | Various docking solutions supported via Thunderbolt™ or USB-C® |
| Smart Card Reader | None |
| Security Chip | Firmware TPM 2.0 Enabled |
| Fingerprint Reader | Touch Style, Integrated in Power Button |
| Physical Locks | Kensington Nano Security Slot, 2.5 x 6 mm |
| Other Security | Camera privacy shutter |
