Lexar Play microSDXC: One-minute review

The Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I Card is a versatile microSD/TF card that offers a high-capacity storage solution and has been specially designed to cater to the demands of gaming, multimedia and devices such as dashcams and consoles like the Nintendo Switch. Despite the small size of the card, Boasting a maximum transfer speed of 95MB/s in our real-world test, it offers a great solution for a variety of applications beyond its primary focus. This card proved robust in performance and was able to handle large game files and high-definition media content, which all helped to make it a great choice for gamers and anyone wanting to store and view multimedia. 

Through the testing using the AJA System Test light, the card showed read speeds that not only facilitated smooth gameplay and media playback but also made it a decent option for photography and action cameras, where quick data transfer for high-resolution images and videos is crucial. This adaptability goes someway to justifying the price, enabling you to use the card in gaming consoles as well as other devices like smartphones, tablets, and cameras. We've tested loads of the best microSD cards, and while it may not be the absolute fastest in the market, its balanced performance across different use cases makes the Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I Card a great option. 

Lexar Play microSDXC: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? $129
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I Card is available in different capacities, including 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, and 128 GB. The 1TB version looked at in this review is ideal for gaming devices, smartphones, and tablets and is available for purchase at Amazon. 

The card is widely available, but the price may vary. It can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon, Target, B & H Photo, or directly on the Lexar website.

Lexar Play microSDXC: Benchmark

Using AJA System Test Light, the MS70 achieved remarkable speeds with a read speed of 1042.17MB/s and a write speed of 1017.53MB/s; this actually exceeds the stated write speed from the manufacturer. These speeds show the drive's capability to handle large files and demanding applications.

Lexar Play microSDXC: Specs

Lexar Play microSDXC: Build and Handling

The Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I Card maintains the industry-standard form factor that is expected of microSD cards with its compact and lightweight design. Measuring just 71.5 x 43.5 x 8mm and weighing a mere 1 gram, it is what it is: a standard MicroSD / TF Card.

The card is encased in a durable plastic enclosure, and this offers ample protection against the typical handling it might encounter during regular use, especially if this card is going to be used by kids in their game consoles. 

One design feature to highlight with the Lexar Play microSDXC card is its UHS-I interface, which is marked by a single row of connectors. This design choice ensures excellent compatibility with a wide range of devices.

Lexar Play microSDXC: Performance

The Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I Card has been designed to cater to the needs of gamers, multimedia enthusiasts, and smartphone users. While far from the fastest option on the market, the price and quality of the card make it a good value item.

The high-speed performance is advertised with read speeds of up to 150MB/s, although in our test with AJA System Test Light was closer to 95MB/s. While this falls below what we expected, no doubt due in part to our benchmarking kit, this speed was still decent compared with competitors that boast faster speeds. In the real-world tests, this transfer rate was more than enough to ensure quick loading times and swift data transfer - a crucial aspect for gaming and high-definition media playback. 

Lexar recognizes the varied needs of its users, offering the Play microSDXC card in multiple capacities. Ranging from 128GB to a massive 1TB, in our test, we looked at the larger capacity version, which was used directly in a Nintendo Switch. Then, the SmartPhone was able to keep up with the data demands put on it. Likewise used in an adapter and used in the Sony A7 IV, the card was able to store still images and video captured by the camera without any lag or issues. The larger capacity was especially useful when capturing 4K video, which produces huge video files. 

As the card on the test is the 1TB version, it comes with the A2 class rating. This classification refers to the card's App performance. This is especially beneficial if your Smartphone or games console uses a MicroSD card for app or file storage. 

Watching back high-quality media directly from the card highlights the ability to handle 4K video and shows that this card is suitable for working capacity as well as file storage.

One of the advantages of buying a card from a trusted manufacturer is the quality of the guarantees that come with the card. As with all cards, the Play has gone through extensive testing in the company's Quality Labs, which should hopefully ensure it performs consistently and for many years.

Backing this up is a 5-year limited warranty, so if something does go wrong, you do at least have some peace of mind about the possibility of getting a replacement. 

Should I buy the Lexar Play microSDXC?

How I tested the Lexar Play microSDXC 1TB

For this test the card was used in several different devices all of which support the exFAT. Before starting this test the card was reformated to give the greatest compatibility for the real world tests and also for testing through the benchmarking software.

The softare used included the latest versions of CrystalDiskMark, Atto, AS SSD and AJA benchmarks, noting the best scores achieved in each. They are all free and can be downloaded by anyone. After the standard benchmarks I then use the card in a variety of tech, including a GoPro Hero12 Black, Insta360 Ace Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro to ensure compatibility and performance over a sustained period. I then transfer a folder of files, roughly 10GB in size, to get a rough idea of real life performance. 

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Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Two-minute review

In the world of the best business laptops, Lenovo's ThinkPad series stands as an iconic brand, and with such a diverse lineup, Lenovo caters to a wide range of needs, from premium ultralights to mainstream corporate models and the best mobile workstations. Into this mix, the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 is positioned somewhere between entry-level and enterprise, aiming to be a capable workhorse for professionals. 

Starting at $723 for the base configuration, you can definitely get in on the lower end of the price spectrum with this device, though whether it will offer enough performance out the gate is debatable, and getting a truly functional machine will require greater investment.

Typing on the L15's keyboard is a first-class experience, offering a quiet yet snappy and responsive feel. Lenovo's unique placement of the Fn key to the left of Ctrl in the lower left corner may take some getting used to, but Lenovo Vantage software allows users to swap these keys if desired.

Performance-wise, the ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 delivers mixed results. While it easily handles routine tasks like word processing and spreadsheet work, it falls short in more demanding scenarios such as content creation or multimedia editing due to the lack of dedicated graphics.

Fortunately, the battery life is decent enough for a cheap business laptop, as professionals need a reliable machine for on-the-go work. While it's not the longest-lasting laptop in its class, it should provide enough juice for a typical workday.

Software wise, the Lenovo Vantage control panel centralizes system settings, including Dolby Audio settings, software updates, Wi-Fi security, and various utility features such as freezing the keyboard, touchpad, and touch screen temporarily for cleaning. This software suite enhances the user experience and simplifies system management, and it's a great way to manage your device if you're tech savvy enough to use a computer for work but rarely find yourself digging into Windows Control Panel.

While the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 offers the reliability and build quality that Lenovo is known for, it faces stiff competition in its price range, especially from the likes of the Dell XPS 15 or HP Spectre. For those seeking better value, Lenovo's own budget-friendly ThinkPad E series and the small-office-oriented ThinkBook series are worth exploring, as these alternatives may offer similar performance and features at a lower cost.

That said, the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 is a competent workhorse with the signature ThinkPad build quality and comfortable keyboard, and for more casual business users looking for a decent enough work machine without breaking the bank, then this is definitely worth considering, though only if the price is right.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Price & availability

Starting at $723 for the base configuration with a 13th-gen Intel Core i3-1315U processor with Intel UHD graphics, 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB NVMe SSD, this is definitely one of the most affordable business laptops around, but with those specs, you're not going to get a lot of performance. The unit I got to review, loaded with an Intel Core i7-1365U vPro, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD and selling on Lenovo's website for $1,333.20

This puts it in the same rough price category as the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 and HP Dragonfly Pro, at least for the configurations worth considering (honestly, anything less than a Core i5 should be passed on as a business laptop, no matter the price). In this vein, the ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 runs about even with these competitors, but if you end up straying too high in terms of specs, it might be worth your while to look instead to the Dell XPS 15, as these start around $1,500 and offer discrete graphics.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Specs

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Design

As for the design, you're getting a fairly straightforward, classic look that's familiar to anyone who's used a Lenovo laptop before. While it may not win any awards for its aesthetics, the L15, like other ThinkPads, has been put through MIL-STD 810H torture tests for travel hazards such as shock, vibration, and temperature extremes. That means it'll withstand the rigors of daily use and travel, ensuring durability and longevity - it might not be the best rugged laptop out there, but for the crunch of the commute or a busy office, it's absolutely more than robust enough. 

As with just about every Lenovo laptop at this point, the webcam (up to 1080p) comes with a privacy shutter, which is essential for any business user. The inclusion of IR face recognition and a fingerprint reader built into the power button provides two convenient ways to skip typing passwords, thanks to Windows Hello integration.

The laptop comes with a number of ports, including an ethernet connection, a microSD card slot, and a security lock slot. There is also an option for a SIM card for mobile broadband, which is great for getting work done on the go, even where WiFi connections might be spotty. If you do get WiFi, you can get up to WiFi 6E for even faster wireless speeds.

The display is a 15.6-inch full HD non-touch display with up to 300 nits of brightness, though it does stick with the 16:9 aspect ratio whereas a lot of laptops are spreading the screen out a bit further. The display can extend a full 180-degrees, so it's not quite one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but if you're collaborating with colleagues, you'll be able to share your work more easily without everyone hanging over your shoulders.

Speaking of looking over your shoulder, while the display offers broad viewing angles and decent contrast, the colors and brightness leave something to be desired. Many mid-price laptops now boast punchier colors and sharper resolutions, making the L15's screen seem lackluster by comparison. It's not particularly bright, and while you can get a 60Hz panel with up to 300 nits and white backgrounds appear clean, they generally lack vibrancy. 

For office tasks and mainstream productivity like spreadsheets, this might be ideal since no one wants to stare into the sun while staring at rows and columns of data, but if you're planning on doing more than staring at documents and reports, the display likely won't be sufficient for any real multimedia work, making it struggle to stand out in a competitive market.

On the plus side, Lenovo is renown for its laptop keyboards, and the ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 continues this tradition. The backlit keyboard is smooth and comfortable, providing an exemplary layout with dedicated Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys. Additionally, you'll find top-row shortcuts, including keys for Microsoft Teams calls, and a full-size tenkey pad on the right.

Like just about all Lenovo keyboards, it is a dream to type on for an extended period of time, so it will make long hours in the throes of work a good bit less taxing on your hands at least.

For cursor control, users have the option of a touchpad, which offers a slightly hollow but comfortable click, or Lenovo's signature TrackPoint mini joystick embedded in the keyboard, accompanied by three large mouse buttons below the space bar. This combination provides flexibility in navigation, although it slightly reduces the size of the touchpad.

Sound from the speaker grille located above the keyboard is clear but not particularly loud, although it can fill a room at maximum volume. The audio quality lacks bass but is listenable with crisp instrumentals, allowing you to distinguish overlapping tracks. Dolby Access software provides various presets for different scenarios, including dynamic, game, music, movie, and voice, along with an equalizer and microphone noise cancellation. The music setting adds a bit of fullness to the sound, although it may still come across as slightly hollow.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Performance

As far as performance goes, this laptop is generally let down by the lack of a discrete GPU, so really the only thing you'll be able to do with this device (assuming you have the Core i5 or better and 16GB RAM) is productivity software, cloud computing work, video streaming, and conference calls. For that, this laptop is sufficient, but you really don't want to step much further beyond that.

The Core i7-1365U CPU in my review unit didn't score especially well in CPU benchmarks. Its scores are about 7% higher in Geekbench 5's single core benchmar than the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 from 2022 did, and that device was running a Core i5-1235U, so it's a generation and a tier behind this chip. Even worse, the Core i7-1365U in the L15 Gen 4 scored about 11% slower than the Inspiron 15's older chip did.

For storage speed, the L15's SSD is pretty middle of the road with a 25GB file folder transfer rate of about 1,102MB a second, taking about 24 seconds to complete the operation. 

The productivity benchmarks are likewise fairly middling, with Crossmark's productivity score landing strictly in only-keep-one-office-app-open-at-a-time territory.

As for this processor's integrated graphics, it again falls well short of the Core i5-1235U in the 2022 Dell Inspiron 16 -2-in-1, which was also able to run 3DMark's Fire Strike test, which the L15 Gen 4 wasn't able to complete without the benchmark crashing.

Given the specs and the performance so far, I definitely wouldn't recommend you game on this device with anything above Solitaire or similar, though you might be able to make Civilization VI playable on a plane ride if you turn all the settings to low and maybe consider playing at 720p rather than full 1080p.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Battery life

Given the weaker performance vis-a-vis the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1, you might expect that it would have better battery life at least, and to an extent, there is something to celebrate here.

While not getting a full eight hours of battery life, the L15 Gen 4 does at least get close, lasting about seven hours and 23 minutes in our Web Surfing battery test. Ever since the 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake chips, laptop battery lives have taken a nose dive, so while this laptop only gests seven and a half hours, it could honestly have been worse.

Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4?

Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If my Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider.

• First reviewed January 2024

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Two-minute review

The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 is the latest entrant in Lenovo's renowned ThinkPad series, known for its durability, robust security, and impressive performance, and often touted as the best business laptops on the market. So this device has a lot of pedigree behind it — and a lot to live up to. 

Positioned as a midrange convertible laptop for professionals on the move, it's priced between $1,200 and $1,600 and offers the classic ThinkPad experience with modern twists like a built-in pen for notetaking or sketching, optional 4G LTE connectivity, along with a revamped 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U processor. However, with stiff competition in the premium business laptop segment, the L13 Yoga Gen 4 does too little to stand out from the pack.

Design-wise, the L13 Yoga Gen 4 sticks to the traditional ThinkPad aesthetic—soft gray-black casing with Lenovo and ThinkPad branding. Its ability to flip from a laptop to a tablet emphasizes versatility, something that professionals looking for a hybrid 2-in-1 solution will find little to fault with this device. Despite its sleek look and competitive weight of 2.9 pounds, it's not without its flaws, however. Its thick bezels around the display are rather outdated, and the plastic base of the device has noticeable give to it, which isn't ideal.

The L13 Yoga Gen 4 does boasts a range of ports and connectivity options, though, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, HDMI, and the option for 4G LTE connectivity if you need an always-connected device. This alone is going to put it on a number of must have lists for on-the-go professionals. Furthermore, the device features a discrete TPM 2.0 security chip, fingerprint reader, and a privacy shutter for the webcam, underscoring Lenovo's commitment to security and privacy.

However, the device's display leaves something to be desired. The 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1200p screen is not as bright as one might expect from a device in its price range, a shortfall that becomes evident when viewing multimedia content. Moreover, the audio quality from the bottom-firing speakers is underwhelming, lacking depth and richness.

Performance is another area where I wish this Yoga had done better. Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1355U processor and 16GB of RAM, it handles multitasking and productivity tasks fairly well, but while its integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics offers enough power for everyday professional use, it's not cut out for the kind of visual design work that professionals who need the best 2-in-1 laptop are going to be looking for.

In terms of battery life, the ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 offers respectable longevity but it's not where you want to be with a premium laptop costing this much, and users who frequently work away from power sources might find this a significant limitation, impacting the device's overall utility. 

The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 is ultimately a device that borrows some very good things from the rest of the Yoga lineup and for most professional users, this will be a perfectly adequate 2-in-1 device, but it could be a lot better, and for the price, it really should be.

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Price & availability

The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 is positioned in the market as a midrange convertible laptop, with prices ranging between $1,200 and $1,600. This pricing puts it in competition with other premium business laptops, including Lenovo's own higher-end offerings like the ThinkPad X1 Yoga and ThinkPad X1 Nano. 

The most affordable configuration, available at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, features a Core i5-1335U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for approximately $1,439.99. On the higher end, a Lenovo L13 Yoga Gen 4 model equipped with a Core i7-1355U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is priced around $1,579.99 at Best Buy right now.

It's also important to note that Lenovo often offers more customizable options through its official website, allowing users to tailor their device to their specific needs, though right now the ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4's page lists it as coming soon, so potential buyers are limited to pre-configured options available through third-party retailers for now.

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Specs

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Design

The design of the ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 adheres to the classic ThinkPad aesthetic, offering a sleek and professional look, even if it's a bit austere at this point.  The ThinkPad branding on the lid and keydeck definitely let you know what kind of device you're working with, and the iconic glowing red dot above the 'i' on the lid keeps the L13 Yoga Gen 4 connected aesthetically to the rest of the ThinkPad ecosystem. 

However, the design is not without its drawbacks. The display is surrounded by thick bezels, which feel outdated when compared to more modern designs. Additionally, the base of the laptop is made from plastic, which reduces weight but sacrifices rigidity. This lack of firmness is particularly concerning for a convertible laptop that may be handled more frequently than a standard clamshell model.

The L13 Yoga Gen 4 does offer a good range of ports and connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, HDMI, and optional 4G LTE connectivity, the latter of which will be absolutely essential for any professionals looking for an always-connected device. 

These features make the device highly practical for professionals who require a wide array of connections for their workflow, and the inclusion of a built-in pen for notetaking and sketching, and the charging garage on the side is a welcome addition, enhancing the device's usability in tablet mode.

The keyboard, as with just about all Lenovo laptop keyboards, is wonderful to type on and makes longer stretches of work pretty bearable on your hands. The trackpad is also pretty responsive, with a good bit of satisfying give and clickiness that makes for an easy enough go of it while working.

You also have the option of the trackbutton and mouse buttons above the trackpad that do reduce the useable space available, but make using the button much more intuitive for those who can't get enough track button action.

As with just about every Lenovo laptop I've come across in the last few years, there is a physical privacy shutter for the webcam, an absolute must have for any professionals on the road, and pretty much for anyone with a laptop at this point.

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Performance

The performance of the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 is where things really do take a bit of a sour turn. While the device's benchmark scores aren't terrible, they are really only good enough for general productivity and computing, and not for anything more robust that you might want to do with a 2-in-1 device. Like it or not, you really won't be sketching anything more than quick doodles to explain a concept to a colleague or client, so anyone hoping to indulge their creative chops with Adobe or similar creative apps will almost certainly be disappointed here.

In terms of CPU performance, the L13 Yoga Gen 4 isn't the worst performer, and does manage to beat out the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 5 by a healthy margin (no small feat for a 2-in-1), but going up against the likes of the Acer Swift Go 14 and the HP Envy x360, much less the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3), the L13 Yoga Gen 4 doesn't have a whole lot of CPU chops to keep up with similarly priced devices.

Another disappointing result from our tests comes from the SSD storage, which is way below what it should be for a device at this price. The Acer Swift Go 14, for example, copies a 25GB file folder almost twice as the L13 Yoga Gen 4.

In terms of productivity, the L13 Yoga Gen 4's performance is fairly middle of the road, nothing terrible, but nothing spectacular either.

The Intel Iris Xe graphics on the Core i7-1355U processor do manage to outperform the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 5, but these scores aren't really much to write home about, and if you're looking to get into more creative work with this laptop, you're bound to be disappointed.

Given the poor showing from the integrated Iris Xe graphics, this really isn't close to what the best gaming laptops can get you, even in a 2-in-1. I'd definitely recommend keeping things to strictly casual gaming at low resolution and settings if you must.

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4: Battery life

The battery life is another area where the L13 Yoga Gen 4 disappoints, but it could have been worse, really.

At eight hours and 39 minutes of web surfing time, the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 4 does much better than some competitors, but is also nowhere near where it should be for a device costing this much money, much less MacBook Air levels of battery life.  

This is a major drawback for professionals who need a device that can last through long hours away from a power source while traveling or out-and-about. Real-world usage suggests an average battery life of about six to seven hours, especially if you're using some more intenseive office or multimedia apps.

Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4?

Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If my Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 4 review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider.

• First reviewed January 2024