Pros
- Comfortable keyboard
- Attractive OLED display
- Performs well with its components
- 2 SSD slots & upgradeable RAM
Cons
- Gets uncomfortably warm on the keyboard deck
- Mediocre battery life
- Inconvenient port placement
In CPU benchmarks, the Legion Pro 5i holds its own against heavy hitters like the Strix G16 with AMD’s HX3D processor and even Apple’s M4 Pro MacBook. Intel’s efficiency gains are clear, delivering strong Cinebench results without excessive power draw.
Max CPU Performance
On the GPU side, the 5i shines. It tops our list of 5070 Ti laptops in 3DMark TimeSpy and Port Royal, only falling behind the RTX 5080-equipped Legion Pro 7i.
Timespy
In real-world gaming, titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Monster Hunter Wilds showcase the 5i’s edge, consistently placing it at or near the top. However, performance in Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail lags behind competitors, highlighting occasional inconsistencies.
Creative Workloads
For creators, performance is mixed. In Premiere Pro, it trails slightly behind the AMD-powered Strix G16, but in DaVinci Resolve it surges ahead thanks to Intel’s Quick Sync support. If video editing is your priority, this laptop makes a strong case.
Pros
- AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor is fantastic
- Excellent GPU performance due to high wattage
- While gaming doesn't get overly warm or hot
- Upgradeable memory
Cons
- Thick laptop
- Slippery palm rest material
- Expensive when not on sale
- Blows warm air on the back left and right of the laptop
Thermals & Noise
Here’s where the Legion Pro 5i stumbles. While CPU-only tasks keep the deck relatively cool, gaming is another story. Keyboard temperatures climb to 48°C in Balanced mode, with even the WASD keys getting uncomfortably warm. Fan noise is loud but typical for a gaming laptop in Performance mode. Palm rests remain cooler, which helps, but the heat spread across the keyboard can detract from extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Battery life is below average at around 5 hours of video playback or office tasks. Unlike the Legion Pro 7i, which benefits from a larger 100Wh battery, the 5i’s 80Wh cell limits longevity. As with most high-performance gaming laptops, expect to stay near an outlet.
Build & Design
The chassis feels sturdy with minimal flex, though it’s not thinner than higher-tier models. Its matte black finish looks sleek but collects fingerprints easily. Ports are abundant but their placement far forward on the chassis can clutter desk space with cables.
The OLED display impresses with a 2560x1600 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate (up to 240Hz in some configs), and over 500 nits brightness. Colors are rich, blacks are deep, and G-Sync is supported. However, it’s reflective, uses PWM dimming at certain brightness levels, and lacks Advanced Optimus, meaning GPU mode changes require a reboot.
The keyboard is a highlight—comfortable, spacious, and with a numpad included. Multi-zone RGB lighting looks good, though not as customizable as per-key options. Downsides include slightly rattly keys, no fingerprint sensor, and no IR webcam for facial recognition. The trackpad works fine but feels dated compared to modern haptic alternatives.
Speakers are clear but lack volume and bass punch. The webcam is serviceable, but Linux support is limited—our Fedora 42 test showed serious display issues.
Upgradeability
On the plus side, upgradeability is excellent. The Legion Pro 5i offers two full-size SSD slots, upgradeable RAM, a replaceable Wi-Fi 7 card, and easy access to the battery. Lenovo deserves credit for making a high-performance laptop easy to maintain.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is a powerhouse with standout CPU and GPU performance, a great keyboard, and a strong OLED display. But persistent heat issues, mediocre battery life, and inconvenient port placement hold it back from true greatness.
If you value a cooler, quieter gaming experience, consider the Asus Strix G16 or HP Omen Max 16. For similar specs at a lower price, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S is also worth a look—though it sacrifices some polish and acoustics.
Best for: gamers and creators who prioritize raw performance and upgradeability, and don’t mind extra heat or short battery life.
Pros
- Cooling solution is impressive; minimal heat you feel
- Very little fan noise for a gaming laptop
- OLED screen is vivid with minimal screen door effect
- Keyboard RGB is stunning, color around the keys is unique to other gaming laptops
- Keyboard is comfortable to type on
Cons
- GPU performance is around the same as a laptop RTX 4090
- Sometimes feels laggy when unplugged
- Three different screen options are confusing, make sure yours is the right config when you go to buy
- Poor battery life
Pros
- Pricing is excellent for a thin powerful gaming laptop
- Very fast CPU for a thin and light gaming laptop
- Light and compact for the performance it offers
- Keyboard is good. Very quiet to type on with large arrow keys
- 2.5 Gbe Ethernet
- Replaceable Memory, Storage, Wi-Fi, Battery
- Keyboard is comfortable
Cons
- Bad battery life
- Feels warm
- Loud fan noise during performance use
- Lid picks up fingerprints
- Not as premium feeling as the Blade 16 or Zephyrus G16
- Ports far down the laptop, may get in your way
