I recently got my hands on a device that stands out for its unconventional approach: the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid. At first glance, it looks like your average Lenovo laptop, but there’s a twist. The screen detaches, transforming that portion of the device into an Android tablet while Windows still runs on the keyboard deck.
You can see it in action in my latest review.
This hybrid setup is well executed, although it comes with a hefty price tag of around $3,500. For that, you get the laptop, the detachable 14-inch 2.8K OLED touch display, a pen, and a stand. While the package is convenient, it’s worth noting that you could buy separate devices for less, but Lenovo seems to be betting on the appeal of having everything in one.
On the Windows side, the laptop is powered by a Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The Android tablet features a Snapdragon 8+ processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The device weighs in at around 3.87 pounds, heavier than other laptops, but considering it doubles as both a laptop and a tablet, it’s understandable.
Both systems run simultaneously, so pulling the screen off the keyboard deck will immediately switch the tablet display from Windows to Android. Windows will continue to run on the keyboard deck but a display will need to be connected to the keyboard deck in order for user interaction.
It’s also possible to switch between Windows and Android when the display is attached with a specialized key on the keyboard. When the key is pressed Windows continues to run but the keyboard, trackpad, webcam and pen all connect to Android.
One of the more unique features of the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is its “hybrid stream” functionality. This allows you to stream the Android tablet’s screen directly to the Windows side. Essentially, you can control the Android interface within a window on the Windows desktop, allowing for a fluid experience when switching between tasks. It’s a handy way to interact with Android apps without having to physically switch back and forth between the two systems. However, the reverse isn’t possible—you can’t control the Windows side from Android. While the stream works smoothly, there’s some minor lag, especially noticeable when using the touch display.
Another cross-system feature is the built-in file syncing between the two operating systems. Lenovo has included a shared folder, which appears as an “A:\” drive on the Windows side. This feature allows you to sync files between the Android and Windows systems. For example, if you save a file in the shared folder, it becomes accessible on both the Windows desktop and the Android tablet. This syncing isn’t live, so you’ll need to ensure you’re not editing the same file on both systems simultaneously to avoid conflicts. It’s not the most seamless integration, but it provides a functional way to share files across the two platforms when working between Android and Windows.
As far as battery life goes, you can get up to 20 hours of use if you switch between operating systems strategically. The Windows component does have a nice large 75wh battery which should get through most of a workday on its own.
Gaming and video editing are possible on both Windows and Android, though the hardware limitations might affect more demanding tasks. The Snapdragon processor handles Android apps and gaming smoothly, while the Intel chip delivers solid performance for Windows tasks with the capability to play some AAA titles at the lowest settings at either 1080p or 720p.
One area that might leave some wanting more is the pen experience. While functional on both systems, there’s noticeable latency, and using the pen on Windows can feel awkward since the display doesn’t lay flat. It’s not ideal for serious drawing or note-taking but works for basic tasks.
While many companies may never have a product like this leave their R&D lab, Lenovo likes to bring their concept ideas to market to see what sticks. It’s possible we may see a lower cost version of this in the future if they see some market interest.
But its high price tag make it more of a niche product. It’s a well-built machine, and if you’re looking for a device that blends Windows and Android as seamlessly as possible, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid delivers on that promise. But for most people, separate devices might still be the more affordable solution.
Disclosure: Lenovo provided this laptop on loan to the channel for this review but did not sponsor this video. They also did not review or approve this post or video before upload. All opinions are my own.