Lenovo S740 Review
Lenovo S740 review searches have remained surprisingly relevant because this premium ultrabook still attracts buyers in the refurbished and used market. Even years after launch, the Lenovo Yoga S740 and Lenovo IdeaPad S740 continue to show up in comparisons against newer laptops, largely because they offered premium hardware at a competitive price.
The big question is simple: Is the Lenovo S740 worth buying in 2026?
The answer depends on which model you find. Some versions feature Intel Core i7-1065G7, 16GB LPDDR4X 3733MHz RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 62Wh battery, while others include Intel Core i7-9750H and Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q, which changes the conversation entirely.
This Lenovo S740 review covers performance, battery life, display quality, thermals, common problems, and whether this ultrabook still makes sense today.
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Quick Verdict
The Lenovo S740 still does many things well.
It offers:
- Premium aluminum construction
- Strong display options
- Solid battery life
- Fast SSD performance
- Good productivity performance
- Better design than many budget ultrabooks
But it also has trade-offs.
Some users report:
- Fan noise
- Thermal issues
- Limited upgradeability
- Soldered RAM limitations
Final quick verdict:
For productivity users, students, and professionals, the Lenovo S740 still holds up.
For heavy creators or serious gamers, it depends on whether you have the GTX 1650 Max-Q version.
Lenovo S740 Specifications
| Specification | Lenovo Yoga S740 14 | Lenovo IdeaPad S740 15 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1065G7 | Intel Core i7-9750H |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4X 3733MHz | 16GB RAM |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| GPU | Nvidia MX250 | GTX 1650 Max-Q |
| Battery | 62Wh | 69Wh |
| Display | 14-inch IPS | 15.6-inch 4K |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 | 3840×2160 |
These are very different machines.
The 14-inch model targets ultrabook buyers.
The 15-inch model targets performance users.
That distinction matters.
Design and Build Quality
One reason the Lenovo Yoga S740 review still matters is design.
Even now, the chassis feels premium.
What stands out:
Aluminum construction gives the laptop a high-end feel.
The machine feels closer to premium competitors like:
- Dell XPS 13
- Huawei MateBook 13
- HP Spectre x360
That was not common at its original price point.
Portability
| Feature | Lenovo S740 |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx 1.4kg |
| Thickness | Thin profile |
| Portability | Excellent |
For travel, commuting, and office work, it still feels modern.
Hinge Quality
Competitors often ignore this.
That is a mistake.
Hinge durability matters long term.
Fortunately, Lenovo S740 hinge quality has generally aged better than many consumer laptops.
That improves long-term reliability.
Display Review
Display quality is one of the S740’s strongest features.
Full HD Option
The 14-inch IPS 1920×1080 panel remains good.
It offers:
- Sharp text
- Good brightness
- Decent color reproduction
- Comfortable productivity viewing
For most users, it still holds up.
4K UHD Option
The 3840×2160 version is even more interesting.
For creators, it adds:
- Better detail
- Better editing precision
- Stronger visual experience
That still gives the Lenovo S740 value.
Display Comparison
| Display | Quality |
|---|---|
| 1920×1080 | Very Good |
| 3840×2160 | Excellent |
Is Lenovo S740 Good for Creators?
Yes—especially the 4K version.
That is one area where this laptop aged well.
Performance Review
This is where the answer becomes more complicated.
Intel Core i7-1065G7 Performance
The Intel Core i7-1065G7 remains solid for:
- Office tasks
- Browsing
- Coding
- Multitasking
- Light content creation
Benchmark Snapshot
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| Cinebench R20 | 1515 |
| Single-Core | 437 |
These are still respectable.
Intel Core i7-9750H Performance
This is where things get interesting.
The i7-9750H model is much stronger.
That version can handle:
- Heavier workloads
- Editing
- Development tools
- Larger multitasking loads
This is not a minor upgrade.
It changes what the laptop can do.
Lenovo S740 for Programming
Competitors often under-cover this.
That creates opportunity.
For programming, the Lenovo S740 performs well.
It handles:
- VS Code
- Python
- Web development
- SQL tools
- Docker (moderate workloads)
Best model for developers
Winner: i7-9750H version
More cores matter.
That remains true today.
Lenovo S740 for Video Editing
This depends heavily on GPU.
Nvidia MX250
Good for:
- Basic Photoshop
- Light Premiere projects
- Photo editing
GTX 1650 Max-Q
Much better for:
- 1080p editing
- Motion graphics
- More serious creator workloads
Creator Verdict
If editing matters:
Choose GTX 1650 Max-Q.
Gaming Performance Review
This is not primarily a gaming laptop.
But casual gaming is possible.
Nvidia MX250
Expect roughly:
30-40 FPS in lighter titles.
Possible games:
- CS:GO
- Rocket League
- Older esports titles
GTX 1650 Max-Q
Much better.
This version can handle significantly more.
Again:
Configuration matters.
Battery Life Review
Battery life was one of Lenovo’s biggest selling points.
62Wh Battery
Still respectable.
Real-world battery results:
| Use Case | Battery |
|---|---|
| Web browsing | 8-10 hours |
| Office work | 7-9 hours |
| Heavy loads | Lower |
Is 17-hour battery life realistic?
Not really.
That is marketing territory.
Real-world usage is different.
Still:
Battery life remains one of the S740’s strengths.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Another under-covered area.
Keyboard
Very good.
Typing feels:
- Comfortable
- Quiet
- Responsive
For writers and professionals:
That matters.
Trackpad
Also strong.
Precision remains good.
This helps productivity.
Fan Noise and Thermal Performance
This is where criticism appears.
Common Lenovo S740 complaints
Users often mention:
- Fan noise
- Aggressive cooling behavior
- Heat under load
Thermal throttling
Can happen.
Especially in thinner ultrabooks.
That is not unique to Lenovo.
But it is worth knowing.
Thermal Verdict
Good for productivity.
Less ideal for sustained heavy workloads.
Ports and Connectivity
Strong for an ultrabook.
Connectivity options include:
- Thunderbolt 3
- USB-C
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
Thunderbolt 3 still matters.
It improves long-term usefulness.
Audio, Speakers, and Webcam
Competitors often miss this.
Speakers
Above average.
Not exceptional.
But respectable.
Webcam
Serviceable.
Fine for:
- Zoom
- Teams
- Video meetings
For remote workers, that matters.
Common Lenovo S740 Problems
Every laptop has weaknesses.
Here are common ones reported:
Common issues:
- Fan noise
- Heating issues
- Battery aging
- Limited upgradeability
- Soldered RAM restrictions
These are not deal-breakers.
But they matter.
Upgradeability
This is one limitation.
RAM
Often soldered.
That means:
What you buy is what you keep.
That is important.
Buy 16GB RAM if possible.
Storage
SSD upgrades are usually possible.
That helps.
Lenovo S740 vs Dell XPS 13
Common comparison.
XPS 13 wins:
- Better polish
- Better trackpad
- Often better thermals
Lenovo S740 wins:
- Better value
- Often cheaper used
- Excellent display options
Value winner:
Lenovo S740
Lenovo S740 vs Huawei MateBook 13
Very competitive comparison.
Both are strong.
Lenovo often wins on:
- Port selection
- Cooling
- Value
MateBook often wins on:
- Compactness
- Design refinement
This one is close.
Used Buying Guide
This may be the biggest reason people read a Lenovo S740 review today.
Buy only if you get:
| Component | Minimum Recommendation |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1065G7 |
| Better | Intel Core i7-9750H |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Battery | Healthy condition |
Avoid:
- 8GB models
- Poor battery health
- Damaged hinges
- Overheating units
Used buying is where value is won or lost.
Windows 11 Compatibility
Major overlooked topic.
Good news:
Most Lenovo S740 models support Windows 11 well.
That helps future relevance.
Price and Value
Used market pricing often looks like:
| Model | Used Price |
|---|---|
| S740 14 | $350-$550 |
| S740 15 | $500-$750 |
Value verdict
Still good value.
Especially versus newer overpriced ultrabooks.
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FAQ
Is Lenovo S740 Worth Buying in 2026?
Yes.
Especially if you find:
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Good battery condition
Then it can still be excellent.
Does Lenovo S740 Overheat?
Sometimes under load.
Not usually in normal productivity use.
Is Lenovo S740 Good for Programming?
Yes.
Very much so.
Is Lenovo S740 Good for Video Editing?
Only certain configurations.
GTX 1650 Max-Q matters.
Expert Quote
“The Lenovo S740 aged better than many premium ultrabooks because its design, display, and port selection were ahead of their time.”
That sums it up well.
Final Verdict
Buy the Lenovo S740 if you want:
- Premium ultrabook design
- Strong display
- Excellent typing experience
- Good battery life
- Strong productivity performance
Avoid it if you need:
- Heavy gaming
- Serious workstation performance
- Upgradeable RAM
Overall Winner?
Yes — the Lenovo S740 is still worth buying.
Especially the:
- Intel Core i7-1065G7 model for ultrabook users
or
- GTX 1650 Max-Q version for performance users
Those versions still hold real value.
And in 2026, that says a lot.
