Lenovo’s Legion 5 is back in 2024, but does it still hold the crown as the best mid-range gaming laptop? And how does it compare to the Legion Slim 5? This detailed review explores its build quality, specifications, performance, and differences to help you decide if it’s the right laptop for you.
Design and Build Quality
The 2024 Lenovo Legion 5i comes in a sleek Luna Grey finish. The design is simple and understated, giving it a stealthier look compared to flashier gaming laptops. Lenovo includes an extra plastic cover for the back, allowing some customization. However, replacing the default black cover with the blue-accented one can be tricky, but once secured with screws, it stays firmly in place.
The plastic interior has some flex when pressure is applied, but it feels sturdy during normal use. The aluminum lid provides a solid build with minimal wobble. The design includes a protruding middle section on the lid, making it easy to open. Additionally, the screen can fold back 180 degrees, making it convenient for content sharing. The hinges feel smooth and durable, even when opening the lid quickly.
Overall, the build quality is solid for a mid-range gaming laptop, offering a good balance between durability and portability.
Size and Weight
The Legion 5 (2024) is almost identical in size to the Legion Slim 5 but is slightly deeper and thicker. The laptop alone weighs around 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg), which increases to 7.4 lbs (3.4 kg) with the 230W charger. While not the heaviest 16-inch laptop available, it is slightly heavier than the Slim 5.
Hardware and Configuration
The reviewed configuration includes:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-14700HX
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4070
- Memory: 32GB RAM
- Display: 16-inch, 165Hz screen
The Legion 5 is available in different configurations, allowing buyers to choose based on their budget and performance needs.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The laptop features a 4-zone RGB keyboard, which illuminates both primary and secondary key functions. There is also an option for white-only lighting. Users can toggle between four different lighting presets using the Function + Spacebar shortcut, with customizations available in Lenovo’s Vantage software.
A downside is that there are no dedicated keyboard shortcuts for adjusting brightness; it must be done through the software, which only offers two levels of brightness adjustment, unlike most competitors that provide three or four.
The keyboard has 1.5mm key travel, providing a comfortable typing experience. The plastic touchpad is responsive, allows clicking anywhere, and performs well overall.
Ports and Connectivity
The Legion 5 has a variety of ports, but the placement of some could have been better:
- Left Side:
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (rear)
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (no Thunderbolt support)
- 3.5mm audio combo jack (front)
- Right Side:
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- MicroSD card slot
- Camera disconnect switch
- Gigabit Ethernet (rear)
- Back:
- HDMI 2.1 (left)
- Power input (right)
- Port icons for easy identification
A downside is that the right-side USB ports are placed forward, which could interfere with right-handed mouse users. Also, instead of a full-sized SD card slot, it includes a MicroSD slot, which feels unnecessary for a 16-inch gaming laptop with ample space.
Display and Graphics
The Type-C port closest to the front supports 140W charging. Both Type-C ports on the left have DisplayPort 1.4 support, directly connecting to the Nvidia GPU, even when Optimus is enabled.
The HDMI port also connects to the Nvidia graphics card and supports 4K 120Hz 12-bit with G-Sync, making it great for external displays.
Differences Between Legion 5 and Legion Slim 5
Many assumed Lenovo simply dropped the “Slim” branding for the 2024 model, but that’s not the case. The Legion 5 (2024) and Legion Slim 5 (2024) are both available, with key differences:
- Thickness & Weight: The Slim version is slightly thinner and lighter.
- Processor: The Slim version offers AMD Ryzen, while the Legion 5 is Intel-only.
- Port Layout: The Slim version has more ports on the back, which is a better placement for cable management.
Other than these minor differences, the two models are very similar.
Internal Components & Upgradeability
Getting inside the laptop requires unscrewing 10 Phillips-head screws (all the same length). The internal layout includes:
- Battery: Positioned at the front
- Memory: Two RAM slots in the center
- Storage: Two PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD slots
- Wi-Fi 6E Card: Located on the left
The 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD performs well, but the MicroSD card slot is slow. The SD card does not click in but is recessed enough to avoid accidental removal.
Wi-Fi performance is average, similar to most 6E-enabled laptops.
The upgradeability score is good, with no major drawbacks, except for a slightly tight Wi-Fi antenna cable placement near the second M.2 slot.
Speakers and Audio Quality
The speakers are positioned underneath on both sides towards the front. While they provide clear audio, the bass is minimal, and the overall sound quality is average for a gaming laptop.
LatencyMon results were not ideal, indicating potential issues with real-time audio processing.
Battery Life & Power Management
The 80Wh battery provides decent battery life. Lenovo’s Vantage software includes power management features such as:
- Adaptive Refresh Rate: Automatically drops to 60Hz when unplugged to save power.
- Conservation Mode: Limits charge to 75-80% to improve battery longevity.
- Rapid Charge: Disabled when Conservation Mode is on.
- Overnight Slow Charging: Extends battery life by charging slower.
The battery lasts nearly 6 hours in video playback tests, making it above average for an Intel HX processor-powered laptop.
Final Thoughts
The Lenovo Legion 5 (2024) continues to be a strong mid-range gaming laptop. It offers solid build quality, decent performance, good battery life, and upgradeability. While the Legion Slim 5 is slightly thinner and lighter, both models are very similar in terms of overall experience.
Pros: ✔ Sleek and simple design ✔ Solid build quality ✔ Great port selection ✔ Good battery life ✔ Upgradeable RAM and storage
Cons: ✘ USB port placement on the right side ✘ No dedicated brightness control for the keyboard ✘ Lacks full-size SD card slot ✘ Average speakers
For those looking for a reliable gaming laptop without breaking the bank, the Legion 5 (2024) remains a strong contender.
Tags
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