Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5 Intel laptop review: Core i7-1355U vs. Ryzen 7 7730U

After recently reviewing the ThinkPad E14 G5 AMD version, we’re now ready to tackle the ThinkPad E14 G5 Intel version. Both versions share the same chassis design and so we recommend checking out our review on the AMD version to learn more about the physical features of the model. Nonetheless, there are a few internal differences between the two which we will mention in the review below.

Our test unit is a middle Intel configuration with the 13th gen Raptor Lake Core i7-1355U CPU and 1200p FHD+ display for approximately $915 USD. Other SKUs start from the Core i3-1315U up to the Core i7-13700H with optional GeForce MX550 graphics and a higher resolution 2240 x 1400 IPS display. The configurable range is wider than expected especially for a 14-inch subnotebook.

Alternatives to the ThinkPad E14 G5 include other upper midrange business subnotebooks like the HP EliteBook 845 or Dell Latitude 7440 . More Lenovo reviews: Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish between the ThinkPad E14 G5 Intel and AMD versions is to look for the Thunderbolt logo along the left edge. The AMD versions lack both Thunderbolt and USB4 support giving the Intel versions the upper-hand when it comes to docking capabilities.

An Intel AX201 is included for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. 1 support. The pricier AX211 is optional for users who want Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

While the privacy shutter comes standard on all SKUs, the 1080p resolution and IR sensor are optional. Lower-end SKUs may ship with a 720p sensor. One interesting difference between the Intel and AMD versions is that the Intel version does not support full-length M.

2 2280 SSDs as shown by the comparison images below. Up to two drives (PCIe4 x4 + PCIe3 x4) can still be installed, but they each must be up to 42 mm (2242) in length. There are no extras in the box other than the AC adapter and paperwork.

A one-year limited manufacturer warranty applies if purchased in the US. Three display options are available as follows: While our AMD unit was configured with the 1400p panel, our Intel unit comes with the bolded option instead. We recommend the 1400p panel if your workloads demand more accurate colors and a higher contrast ratio.

Otherwise, other attributes like brightness and black-white response times appear to be consistent between all options. The display does not come pre-calibrated. Calibrating the panel ourselves with an X-Rite colorimeter would improve average grayscale and color deltaE values from 5.

3 and 4. 99 to just 1. 8 and 1.

87, respectively. Our ICM profile is available to download above for free. We set Windows to Performance mode prior to testing.

Lenovo does not include any specialized power profiles and instead relies on the Windows power profiles to reduce confusion. Processor performance is weaker than expected at about 10 to 15 percent slower than the average laptop in our database equipped with the same Core i7-1355U . The deficit can be attributed to the weak Turbo Boost sustainability of the system.

When running CineBench R15 xT in a loop, for example, the initial score of 1539 points would fall by as much as 35 to 40 percent by the second loop as shown by the graph below. When compared to the Ryzen 7 7730U in the AMD-based ThinkPad E14 G5, our Core i7-1355U offers 25 to 30 percent faster single-thread performance but 25 to 30 percent slower multi-thread performance once throttling has been accounted for. PCMark scores are generally lower than on the AMD configuration especially in the Productivity subtest where multi-thread performance matters most.

LatencyMon shows DPC issues when opening multiple browser tabs of our homepage. 4K video playback at 60 FPS is also imperfect with 5 dropped frames recorded during a 60-second period. Our unit comes with the 42 mm version of the WD PC SN740 whereas the AMD configuration ships with the 80 mm WD PC SN740.

This midrange PCIe4 x4 NVMe SSD offers read rates of up to 5000 MB/s but only for a couple of minutes before throttling kicks in as shown by the graph below. RAM is slower than average at just DDR4-3200 which negatively impacts integrated graphics performance. Our Iris Xe 96 EUs is about 10 to 15 percent slower than the average laptop in our database with the same GPU due to the throttling CPU and slow RAM.

Overall performance is about the same as the RX Vega 8 in the Ryzen 7 7730U version as a result. Fan noise between the AMD and Intel versions is not very different. High loads like games would reach similar maximums of just over 40 dB(A) on each version while slight fan pulsing would still occur during lower loads like browsing or streaming.

The fan is otherwise easy to ignore when running low to medium loads. Surface temperatures are warmest on the left half of the chassis and near the rear ventilation grilles. Hot spots on the keyboard and bottom surfaces can reach up to 41 C and 54 C, respectively, similar to what we recorded on the AMD configuration.

CPU clock rate and board power draw when initiating Prime95 stress would spike to 4 GHz and 52 W, respectively, lasting for about 30 seconds and at a core temperature of 97 C. The processor would then cycle between 1. 6 GHz to 3.

9 GHz and 14 W to 43 W thereafter in order to maintain cooler core temperatures as shown by the screenshot below. The clock rate throttling range is very wide which explains the slower-than-expected CineBench results mentioned above and the wide-ranging power consumption numbers in the next section. Core temperature would hover around 80 C when running stressful loads compared to just under 70 C on the Dell Latitude 7440 .

Power consumption behavior reflects the steep CPU throttling behavior mentioned above. When running Prime95, for example, consumption would cycle between 29 W and 67 W whereas the exact same test on the AMD ThinkPad E14 G5 would return a more steady rate of 47 W. Consumption can be as high as 67 W from the small (9 x 4.

7 x 2. 7 cm) 65 W USB-C AC adapter when the CPU is at 100 percent utilization. The Intel system is therefore more power demanding than the AMD system when Turbo Boost is at its fastest such as when multitasking or launching applications.

This can also be observed when initiating the CineBench R15 xT benchmark as shown by the comparison graph below. Otherwise, consumption is about the same between the two versions when idling on desktop or when running less demanding loads. The battery is smaller for some Intel configurations when compared to our AMD configuration (47 Wh vs.

57 Wh) and so users should expect shorter runtimes if configured with the smaller option. We’re able to browse the web for about 5. 5 hours before automatic shutdown compared to almost 10 hours on the AMD version.

Charging from empty to full capacity is otherwise very fast at just over an hour with the included AC adapter. Rapid Charge is enabled by default. Our Intel unit as configured with the Core i7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, 1200p touchscreen, and 512 GB SSD retails for about $915 USD compared to $865 for the Ryzen 7 version with the same RAM, touchscreen, and SSD.

Opting for the AMD version will net you faster multi-thread performance, longer battery life, and proper M. 2 2280 SSD support while the Intel version will net you faster single-thread performance and Thunderbolt support. Other aspects like graphics performance and fan noise are otherwise very similar between the two versions.

Thus, unless if you really value single-thread performance and Thunderbolt, the AMD version is easier to recommend over the Intel version for the majority of interested buyers. The Intel-based ThinkPad E14 G5 exhibits steeper throttling behavior than its less expensive Ryzen 7 alternative. A few business-centric auxiliary features like WAN and Smart Card are missing, but that is by design as the ThinkPad E series is supposed to be a more affordable alternative to the higher-end and much more expensive ThinkPad T series or X series .

Amazon is now shipping the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 as reviewed for $915 USD. Lenovo is also shipping the same model but with additional RAM for just over $1030. .