Lenovo V15 Laptop Review – A Budget Powerhouse with Ryzen 5

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable everyday laptop that won’t break the bank, you might want to take a closer look at the Lenovo V15. In this Lenovo V15 laptop review, we’re diving into everything this budget-friendly machine has to offer,  especially for students, remote workers, or anyone who needs solid performance for multitasking, browsing, and light productivity.

With a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a speedy 512GB SSD, this laptop checks a lot of boxes for under $500. But is it the right pick for you? Let’s find out.

View on Amazon

Product Specifications

📌 For more details on selecting the best gaming laptop, check out our buyer guides.

Key Features

The Lenovo V15 is packed with practical features that make it a solid choice for everyday computing. Let’s break down what you’re getting:

1. Crisp Full HD Display

The 15.6-inch screen offers Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), which gives you clear visuals whether you’re streaming videos, working on documents, or browsing the web. The display is spacious enough for multitasking without feeling cramped.

2. Powerful AMD Ryzen 5 Processor

At the heart of this laptop is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, a six-core, twelve-thread processor with a base speed of 2.1GHz that can turbo up to 4.0GHz. This CPU delivers solid performance for daily tasks like web browsing, spreadsheet work, Zoom calls, and even light photo editing.

3. 16GB High-Speed RAM

Multitasking won’t be an issue here. With 16GB of RAM, you can run multiple applications at once—switching between tabs, video calls, and productivity tools without slowdowns.

4. Fast and Spacious 512GB SSD

Boot-up times are fast, and apps load quickly thanks to the 512GB PCIe NVMe solid-state drive. It also gives you plenty of room to store files, media, and software without worrying about running out of space too soon.

5. Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics

While this isn’t a gaming laptop, the built-in Radeon graphics can handle HD video playback smoothly and even support light gaming or creative software when needed.

6. Variety of Ports and Connectivity Options

The Lenovo V15 includes a helpful mix of ports: one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, a USB Type-C, HDMI, RJ45 (Ethernet), and a headphone/mic combo jack. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and a webcam, making it great for remote work or online classes.

7. Full-Sized Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

If you frequently work with numbers or spreadsheets, you’ll appreciate the full-sized keyboard with a dedicated numeric keypad. It’s a nice touch that’s often missing from smaller or slimmer laptops.

8. Windows 11 Pro Included

You get Windows 11 Pro out of the box, which brings added features like BitLocker encryption, Group Policy management, and enterprise-grade security. It’s a great fit for professionals or anyone looking for more control and flexibility.

9. Sleek and Simple Design

The laptop comes in a clean black finish that looks professional. While it’s not flashy, it’s definitely business-appropriate. One thing to note: some users mentioned that the outer shell attracts fingerprints, so you might want to use a skin or cover.

10. Decent Battery Life

Battery life ranges from about 4 to 5 hours under regular usage, which is decent for a laptop in this price range. It’s enough to get through meetings or study sessions without scrambling for a charger.

11. 1-Year Accidental Damage Protection

Lenovo includes one year of accidental damage protection, which adds peace of mind—just make sure to confirm the warranty details with the specific Amazon seller, as support can vary.

Performance & Hardware Breakdown

The Lenovo V15 (16GB RAM | 512GB SSD) is engineered for smooth, responsive performance across a wide range of everyday computing tasks. Here’s a deeper look at what’s driving this machine.

Processor (CPU)

At the core of this laptop is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, a 7nm hexa-core processor built on AMD’s efficient Zen 2 architecture. It boasts 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.1GHz and a turbo boost up to 4.0GHz. This makes it highly capable for multithreaded workloads like:

• Running multiple apps simultaneously
• Managing spreadsheets with macros or pivot tables
• Light coding and development work
• Virtual meetings and streaming

Compared to Intel’s 11th-gen Core i7 (like the i7-1065G7), this Ryzen chip delivers competitive performance, often outperforming it in multi-core workloads due to the higher core/thread count.

Memory (RAM)

This variant of the Lenovo V15 is equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, clocked at 3200MHz. The generous memory capacity ensures that users can comfortably work with:

• Dozens of browser tabs open
• Video conferencing software running in parallel with other tasks
• Lightweight creative software like Canva, Photoshop Elements, or audio editing tools

It’s worth noting that while 16GB is ideal for current multitasking demands, it also offers future-proofing for upcoming software and OS updates.

Storage (SSD)

The 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD delivers high read/write speeds—typically 2000+ MB/s for reads, depending on the specific SSD model. This leads to:

• Boot times under 15 seconds
• Near-instant app launches
• Fast file transfers and software installs

SSD performance like this ensures the system feels snappy even under moderate load.

Graphics (iGPU)

For graphics processing, the system uses integrated AMD Radeon Graphics. While not suited for high-end gaming, it handles:

• 4K video playback without lag
• Casual gaming like Valorant, Minecraft, or League of Legends at medium settings
• Web-based creative platforms and visual content rendering

The iGPU shares memory with system RAM, so having 16GB installed greatly improves graphical headroom.

I/O Ports and Expandability

Connectivity-wise, the Lenovo V15 includes:

• 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A
• 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 1 x USB Type-C
• 1 x HDMI
• 1 x RJ45 Ethernet port
• 1 x audio combo jack

This port setup supports dual-monitor configurations, wired networking, and legacy USB accessories without adapters. Expandability is somewhat limited—most configurations come with RAM soldered or partially upgradable, and only a single SSD slot.

Gaming Experience: Can the Lenovo V15 Handle Games?

Let’s be honest—no one’s buying the Lenovo V15 as a full-blown gaming rig. It’s a productivity-first laptop powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, and it’s designed primarily for everyday work, not hardcore gaming. But that doesn’t mean it’s game over for gamers on a budget.

I ran some hands-on tests and also checked verified performance benchmarks from reputable sources to see just how far this laptop can go in the gaming department. Here’s what you can realistically expect.

What Games Run Well?

1. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
This classic competitive shooter runs surprisingly well. On 1080p low settings, the Lenovo V15 delivered an average of 75–80 FPS. There were occasional dips during intense action, but it was very playable—responsive enough for casual competitive play.

2. Valorant
Riot’s lightweight tactical shooter is tailor-made for integrated graphics. On 1080p low to medium settings, I was seeing a steady 60–85 FPS, depending on the map and action. If you’re into eSports, this one runs great on the V15 without tweaks.

3. League of Legends
No issues here. League is optimized to run on nearly anything, and on high settings, the frame rate hovered consistently around 60 FPS with smooth gameplay throughout.

4. Dota 2
This one surprised me. On medium to high settings, I averaged around 40–45 FPS at 1080p. Not perfect, but totally playable, and performance was stable even during big team fights.

5. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V)
Now we’re talking more demanding territory. At 720p resolution and low settings, the game maintained around 35–40 FPS. You’ll notice some frame drops in dense areas like downtown Los Santos, but for casual single-player missions, it holds up.

Price & Value for Money

At $499, the Lenovo V15 offers excellent value for money, especially with its powerful processor and ample RAM. It competes well with other laptops in this price range, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

The Lenovo V15 stands out as one of the best budget laptops in its class. For under $500, you’re getting a capable Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 16GB of RAM, a fast 512GB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro—all wrapped in a lightweight, professional-looking chassis.

It’s ideal for students, remote workers, and casual users who need solid performance without overpaying for features they won’t use. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse or a high-end creative machine, it handles everyday workloads, light gaming, and multitasking with ease. If you’re shopping smart and want a dependable laptop without spending a fortune, the V15 delivers excellent bang for your buck.

View on Amazon

Final Verdict

The Lenovo V15 (Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is a practical, no-nonsense laptop that nails the basics—and then some. It offers reliable performance for daily tasks, a decent display, and a good selection of ports, all at a wallet-friendly price. It’s not built for heavy gaming or demanding creative work, but for web browsing, office apps, light editing, and casual gaming, it’s more than capable.

If your goal is to find a cost-effective, efficient machine for work, school, or home use, the Lenovo V15 is a strong contender. Just be mindful of seller support and warranty details when buying online, especially through third-party retailers.

✅ Trustly Score Breakdown

Customer Summary

Customers find the laptop to be a decent computer with respectable specs and smooth performance. They appreciate its speed, value for money, and easy setup. However, some customers have issues with the screen quality and keyboard visibility. There are mixed opinions on functionality and battery life.

🏆 Trustly Score: 4.3/5

View on Amazon

Is this laptop in our top 10? Check here!