The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 is one of the most ambitious hybrid devices to hit the market, offering a unique dual-boot system that combines Windows 11 and Android 13 in a single 2-in-1 form factor. Designed for professionals who need both productivity and mobility, this device promises the best of both operating systems—but does it deliver?

Design and Build Quality

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 sports a sleek, professional design with a premium aluminum chassis that feels sturdy and well-built. At just 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs) and 17.4mm thick, it’s portable enough for frequent travelers. The 14-inch IPS touchscreen display boasts a 1920x1200 resolution, providing crisp visuals with good color accuracy (100% sRGB). The hinge mechanism is robust, allowing smooth transitions between laptop and tablet modes.

Dual-Boot Experience: Windows 11 Meets Android 13

The standout feature of the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 is its dual-boot capability. Users can switch between Windows 11 and Android 13 with a simple reboot—no virtualization or emulation required. This is made possible by a custom BIOS that supports both operating systems natively.

Windows 11 Performance

  • Powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U processor and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • Handles multitasking, office applications, and light creative workloads with ease
  • Includes full desktop app support, making it ideal for business users

Android 13 Experience

  • Optimized for touch interactions with a tablet-first interface
  • Access to the Google Play Store for mobile apps
  • Lacks some productivity features compared to Windows (e.g., advanced file management)

Execution Challenges

While the dual-boot concept is innovative, the execution has some notable drawbacks:

  1. Slow Switching: Rebooting between OSes takes about 30-45 seconds, disrupting workflow.
  2. Storage Limitations: The 512GB SSD is split between both OSes, leaving limited space for apps and files.
  3. App Compatibility: Some Android apps don’t scale well to the larger display.
  4. Battery Life: Windows 11 mode lasts ~8 hours, but Android drains faster (~5 hours) due to background processes.

Keyboard, Trackpad, and Stylus Support

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 includes a backlit keyboard with decent travel (1.5mm) and a responsive precision touchpad. It also supports Lenovo’s Precision Pen 2, which works well for note-taking and sketching in both OSes.

Connectivity and Ports

  • 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
  • 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
  • HDMI 2.0
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • MicroSD card reader

Verdict: A Niche Device with Potential

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 is a bold experiment that will appeal to users who genuinely need both Windows and Android in one device. However, the compromises in performance, storage, and battery life may deter mainstream users. If Lenovo refines the dual-boot experience in future iterations, this could become a game-changer.

Pros

  • Innovative dual-boot system
  • Premium build quality
  • Good display and stylus support

Cons

  • Slow OS switching
  • Limited storage allocation
  • Inconsistent Android app experience