The Lenovo Legion 5i has made significant waves in the gaming laptop arena, attracting attention with its impressive specifications and competitive pricing. With a price tag of $1,299, this laptop is designed to meet the demands of both gamers and content creators alike. At its core, the Legion 5i is powered by an NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card, capable of running at an impressive 140 watts. When paired with a generous 32 GB of RAM, this combination ensures that users can enjoy a smooth and efficient performance across a range of applications.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Legion 5i remains consistent with its predecessors, featuring a sleek aluminum top lid that not only adds durability but also contributes to a sophisticated aesthetic. The laptop’s gray finish does give it a modern look; however, it has a tendency to attract fingerprints, which might be a concern for some users who prefer a pristine appearance. Weighing in at approximately 5.2 lbs, the Legion 5i strikes a balance between being reasonably portable and robust. Nonetheless, the included 230 W charger pushes the total weight close to 7 lbs, which is something to consider for those who plan to carry it around frequently.
Connectivity Options
Lenovo has ensured that the Legion 5i is equipped with a variety of ports to accommodate different user needs. On the left side, you’ll find a USB-A port, two USB Type-C ports (one of which supports charging up to 140 watts), and a handy combo audio jack. The right side is equally well-equipped, featuring a full-size RJ45 port, a microSD card slot, and two additional USB-A ports, along with a dedicated camera switch to disable the webcam for added privacy. The rear of the laptop houses a power connector and an HDMI port, providing excellent connectivity options. However, it is important to note that the Legion 5i does not support Thunderbolt 4, which may limit certain users who require high-speed data transfer capabilities.
Display and Keyboard
The 165 Hz IPS display of the Legion 5i is a standout feature, delivering vibrant visuals that enhance both gaming and design work. The screen’s refresh rate ensures smooth motion, which is crucial for an immersive gaming experience. While the brightness is adequate for indoor use, outdoor visibility can be somewhat challenging, particularly in direct sunlight. The keyboard, which includes a numerical keypad, is designed with customizable RGB lighting across four zones, allowing users to personalize their setup and enhance their gaming experience. However, it’s worth noting that the keys are somewhat squishy compared to Lenovo’s ThinkPad series, which may detract from the typing experience for users accustomed to a firmer key feel.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Legion 5i truly excels. Its RTX 4060 graphics card, paired with an HX CPU, provides robust single-core clock speeds and impressive multi-core performance, rivaling that of many competitors, including AMD’s latest offerings. The laptop handles gaming with ease, effortlessly managing older titles at a 2560×1600 resolution without significant drops in performance. However, in more demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077, users may notice some slowdown, especially in highly detailed scenes or during intense gameplay moments.
While the laptop performs admirably overall, one consideration for potential buyers is the fan noise in performance mode, which can reach up to 60 dB. For users seeking a quieter operation, there is an option to switch to quiet mode, but this comes with a trade-off in terms of performance, limiting the laptop’s capabilities during more demanding tasks.
Upgradeability and Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Legion 5i is its upgradeability. Users have the option to expand the RAM up to 64 GB, providing the flexibility to meet future computing demands. Additionally, users can replace the Wi-Fi card to take advantage of newer technologies, which is a great perk for those who value connectivity. However, the battery life is a notable downside; the 80 WHr battery typically lasts under four hours with regular usage, necessitating frequent recharging, which may not be ideal for users on the go.
Conclusion
At $1,299, the Lenovo Legion 5i emerges as a solid choice for gamers and casual users seeking a balance of performance and affordability. While it may not boast the most premium design or the best speakers on the market, its robust performance, ample connectivity options, and upgrade capabilities make it a great mid-range laptop. If you’re in the market for a reliable gaming laptop that delivers excellent value without compromising on essential features, the Lenovo Legion 5i is definitely worth considering.
