Hi Mike,
It sounds like you're on a quest for a laptop that's not just capable but also aligns with your aesthetic preferences (and your wife's insistence on it lasting a while!). The Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5i with the Intel Core Ultra 5 is indeed an interesting choice. The Ultra series is designed to be a step up, typically providing better performance compared to the standard i5, particularly for multitasking and handling demanding applications.
Regarding your concern about the reflective OLED screen, it's a common issue with many OLED displays. While they offer vibrant colors and deep contrasts, reflections can be a pain, especially in well-lit environments. Here are a couple of alternatives that give you the performance but may come...