Atti Abderrahim
Table of Contents
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 continues the legacy of its predecessors by delivering a powerful gaming experience in a straightforward, yet effective design. With a large screen, robust configuration, and reliable build, this gaming laptop aims to maintain its competitive edge in a market that has seen significant advancements from other brands. But how does it stack up against the growing competition?
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 : A Familiar Yet Evolving Design
The Legion Pro 5i has not seen significant design changes over the years, and the 2024 model stays true to this trend. The laptop’s chassis is entirely plastic, which, while not the most premium material, is sturdy and well-constructed with excellent finishes. The plastic used is of high quality, giving the device a solid feel. However, the Legion Pro 5i is relatively bulky, with dimensions of 363.4 x 260.4 x 26.75 millimeters and a weight of 2.5 kilograms. It is thicker and heavier than many other 16-inch models, including competitors like the Dell G16. Additionally, the 300-watt charger is quite large and not particularly portable.
The keyboard is another area where the Legion Pro 5i could improve. While not bad, its configuration and feel are better suited for everyday use and office work rather than intense gaming sessions. This is disappointing for a gaming laptop, especially considering that this issue has been noted in previous models. The keyboard lacks RGB backlighting, offering only white-backlit keys, and the trackpad, while precise and effective for basic tasks, is small and unremarkable.
On a more positive note, the webcam has been upgraded, offering a wide-angle view and Full HD resolution, making it suitable for video calls on platforms like Zoom or Teams. However, the lack of biometric features such as facial recognition or a fingerprint reader is a notable omission at this price point, especially considering that many competitors now include these features as standard.
The laptop’s speakers are functional but do not impress. Positioned on the sides of the device, they provide a narrow soundstage with a slight boxy effect, and the maximum volume is underwhelming. Lenovo seems to assume that users will primarily rely on headphones for audio, which is likely true for most gamers.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 : Connectivity and Expandability
Where the Legion Pro 5i shines is in its connectivity options. Although it lacks an SD card reader and a Thunderbolt 4 port, it includes a good selection of ports: two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (one with 140-watt PowerDelivery support), four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an RJ45 Ethernet port, an HDMI 2.1 output, a power connector, and a headphone jack. The placement of these ports is practical, with USB ports easily accessible on the sides, which is a thoughtful detail for daily use.
The laptop also scores points for its upgradeability. Accessing the internal components is straightforward, requiring the removal of the bottom panel, which is held in place by a few Philips screws. Once inside, users can easily replace the RAM (SODIMM format), SSD (M.2 2280), Wi-Fi module, and even the battery, making it a versatile option for those who like to customize or upgrade their devices.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 : Display: A Reliable LCD Panel
The display on the Legion Pro 5i is another area where Lenovo has opted for a tried-and-true approach. The 16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600 pixels) IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate is the same as in previous models, but it remains a solid choice for gamers. The screen reaches a peak brightness of 489 nits, slightly under Lenovo’s claim of 500 nits, but it’s still bright enough for most environments, although outdoor use might still be challenging.
The contrast ratio is 1388:1, which is decent but not exceptional for an IPS panel. While this falls short of the deep blacks offered by OLED displays, it’s still satisfactory for most users. The color accuracy is impressive, with a Delta E of 1.6 and a color temperature of 6346K, which is slightly warm but within acceptable limits. The display covers 107.3% of the sRGB color space, but only about 70% of the DCI-P3 color space, which might disappoint content creators who need a wider color gamut.
Overall, the display quality is competitive with other mid-range gaming laptops, such as the Dell G16, Alienware m16 R2, or Gigabyte Aorus 16X. The screen’s uniformity and viewing angles are also good, ensuring a consistent viewing experience from different angles.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 : Performance: High-Powered Hardware for Gaming
Lenovo has equipped the Legion Pro 5i with powerful hardware, making it a formidable gaming machine. The model tested here includes an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. This configuration, priced around 2,100 euros, offers excellent value compared to competitors like the Gigabyte Aorus 16X.
In gaming performance, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 excels. It can handle the latest AAA titles in 2.5K resolution without any issues. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at an average of 54 frames per second (FPS) on “Ultra” settings with ray tracing enabled in QHD+. With DLSS 3 enabled, the framerate jumps to 75 FPS, providing a smooth and visually stunning experience in Night City. Similarly, Dying Light 2 runs at 86 FPS on average with the highest settings in QHD+, and up to 94 FPS with NVIDIA Frame Generation activated. Horizon Forbidden West maintains a solid 60-70 FPS with the best graphical options and DLSS 2.0 set to “Quality.”
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 also performs well in benchmarks. In 3DMark Time Spy Extreme, the RTX 4070 GPU scores 6140 points, outperforming the same GPU in the Alienware m16 R2 and Medion Erazer Deputy P60. The Intel Core i7-14700HX also impresses with 2027 points in single-core performance and 23,846 points in multi-core performance on Cinebench R23, easily surpassing the Core Ultra 7 155H in the Alienware m16 R2.
Conclusion: A Competitive but Familiar Offering
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 remains a strong contender in the gaming laptop market, offering solid performance, a reliable display, and excellent connectivity. However, its bulky design, lackluster keyboard, and absence of biometric features may be drawbacks for some users. Despite these shortcomings, the Legion Pro 5i’s powerful hardware and upgradeability make it a compelling choice for gamers looking for a reliable and high-performing laptop in 2024.
