Lenovo Legion 5i, Worth to Buy?

The Lenovo Legion 5i, successor to the slim 5 series, has taken the gaming community by storm. Positioned as a mid-range contender, this laptop boasts a sleek chassis, sans flashy RGB aesthetics, and promises pure performance that elevates your gaming experience. However, as we embark on this review, let's dissect the device and uncover the nuances that accompany its gaming prowess.

Design and Build:
Lenovo opted for a more subdued design approach with the Legion 5i, steering clear of excessive gamer styling. The plastic body maintains excellent rigidity, although there's a hint of flex in the keyboard area. Despite this, the laptop feels reassuringly solid, and the rearranged IO, though scattered, offers a generous selection of ports, including a welcome addition of a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Keyboard and Touchpad:
Lenovo's keyboard prowess shines through in the Legion 5i, providing a satisfying tactile experience with a generous 1.5mm travel. While our unit featured a white backlight, enthusiasts can opt for the RGB variant. The touchpad, though functional, leaves room for improvement, particularly in the click department.

Display:
The 240Hz QHD+ panel on the Legion 5i delivers a snappy visual experience, making it well-suited for mid-range gaming. Despite some subtleties like halos at high brightness levels, the display excels in brightness and contrast, offering an enjoyable gaming and multimedia experience.

Performance Modes:
Lenovo offers three performance modes through its Vantage application, allowing users to tailor their experience based on preferences. From the performance mode maximizing the core components to the quieter operation of the quiet mode, the Legion 5i adapts to various usage scenarios.

Performance:
Powered by Intel's new Raptor Lake refresh CPU, the Legion 5i flexes its muscles in CPU performance using i7 14650 HX, maintaining snappiness in everyday use. The RTX 4060, with up to 115 watts, proves to be among the fastest in its class, providing excellent price-to-performance ratio.

Fan Noise and Temperature:
With great performance, however, comes noticeable fan noise. The Legion 5i, even in balance mode, leans towards the louder side. While temperatures are well-controlled, there's room for Lenovo to strike a better balance between cooling and acoustics.

Battery Life:
Contrary to the Legion's reputation for short battery life, the 5i surprises with an impressive endurance of around 7.5 hours. A commendable feat for a gaming laptop, making it a practical choice for on-the-go gaming sessions.

In wrapping up our exploration of the Lenovo Legion 5i, it's evident that this gaming laptop offers a compelling package. The well-made chassis, high-quality display, and impressive performance make it a clear recommendation for gamers looking to balance power and affordability. While fan noise may be a compromise, the Legion 5i stands tall as a versatile gaming notebook that won't break the bank. Cheers to Lenovo for a promising start to 2024 in the gaming laptop arena!