Lenovo has unveiled the IdeaPad Vibe, a budget-friendly productivity laptop starting at $700 that the company is positioning against Apple's MacBook Neo and the Dell XPS 13. Unveiled at IFA 2026, the device signals a shift in focus for Lenovo's often-overlooked IdeaPad range, aiming to offer stylish, well-built hardware at a lower price point as electronics costs rise amid a global RAM shortage.

The Vibe comes in seven bright colourways and offers far more configurability than the MacBook Neo, including a choice of Qualcomm Snapdragon X or AMD Ryzen AI 400 series chips, up to 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. It is available in 14- or 15-inch sizes, supports up to 120Hz OLED screens, and includes strong connectivity with four USB ports, an HDMI connector, a microSD reader and a 5-megapixel webcam. However, the base configuration ships with just 8GB of RAM, prompting the reviewer to recommend an upgrade if possible. AMD-powered models launch in October, followed by Snapdragon versions in November, with Intel variants to follow at an unspecified later date.