Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 5 2025, Core Ultra 7 165U, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Black

A compact, secure business 2-in-1 that's great at being small and average at everything else. Paying over $2,200 for 512GB of storage and integrated graphics feels like a ThinkPad tax.

The Core Ultra 7 165U is a 12-core chip that handles everyday multitasking without breaking a sweat. Our database puts the CPU at the 54th percentile, which sounds average until you remember this is a thin-and-light business machine, not a desktop replacement. The 16GB of LPDDR5 is right where it should be for this class. What surprised us is how well the compact design holds up under real work. The 89th percentile compact score means Lenovo didn't sacrifice usability for size. The integrated GPU is the weak link, landing at the 56th percentile. Fine for spreadsheets, rough for anything graphically demanding.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition is the most direct competitor here. It offers a better screen and more premium build quality for similar money, though you lose the 2-in-1 flexibility. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 absolutely destroys this in GPU performance if you need any graphics capability, but it's heavier and aimed at a different user. The MacBook Pro M4 Max is in another league entirely for performance, but it's also significantly more expensive and not a touchscreen convertible. For pure business productivity in a compact package, the ThinkPad holds its own. For anything else, the competitors pull ahead.

At $2,213 to $2,250 USD, this is a tough sell. You're paying a premium for the ThinkPad name, vPro security, and the 2-in-1 form factor. But the storage is mediocre, the GPU is basic, and the port selection is thin. For that money, you could get a Surface Laptop 7th Edition with better build quality or save several hundred dollars on a non-convertible business laptop with similar specs. The value proposition only works if you specifically need vPro and the touchscreen in a compact ThinkPad body.

The ThinkPad L13 Gen 5 is a compact 2-in-1 that nails the basics for business users. You get a Core Ultra 7 165U, 16GB of RAM, and a 13.3-inch touchscreen in a package that's genuinely portable. The standout here is the compact score, which lands in the 89th percentile. That's the whole pitch: a small, capable work machine that won't weigh you down.

But this isn't a powerhouse. The integrated Intel Graphics and 512GB SSD put it firmly in productivity territory, not creative or gaming work. If you need a laptop for spreadsheets, email, and the occasional Netflix session, this fits. If you want to edit video or play anything beyond solitaire, look elsewhere.

If you need any real graphics performance, skip this. The integrated GPU scores in the 56th percentile and will choke on video editing, 3D work, or any modern game. Get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 instead. If you want a premium ultrabook experience without the 2-in-1 gimmick, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition is the better buy for similar money.

The ThinkPad L13 Gen 5 is a solid business 2-in-1 that does exactly what it promises. It's compact, secure, and capable enough for office work. But the price is hard to justify when the storage is mediocre and the GPU is basic. Buy it if you need vPro security and a touchscreen in a small ThinkPad. Otherwise, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition gives you more polish for the same money.