Lenovo Legion 5 review
The Lenovo Lenovo Legion 5 ranks as the #559 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 70. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #208-ranked connectivity among 557 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 or Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo Legion 5 has improved since last year's model, but the competition at its price point has intensified. While thermal throttling was noticed in heavy stress tests, actual game performance remained good and comparable to other RTX 3060 laptops. With Ryzen 6000 and 6800H CPU gains, there are some improvements, but they're not significant enough to warrant an upgrade for most users. If you're after a big performance boost, waiting for next-gen models in 2023 might be worth it. Otherwise, last year's model is still a solid choice.
Build
The Lenovo Legion 5 boasts a sturdy build that exudes quality. The laptop's design is sleek and modern, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The keyboard and touchpad are well-spaced and comfortable to use. The speakers deliver decent sound for casual listening. However, the screen brightness cannot be adjusted using keyboard shortcuts - a minor annoyance. In terms of build quality, the Legion 5 excels. It's made from robust materials that inspire confidence in its durability. The laptop feels substantial without being too heavy, making it easy to carry around. Overall, the Legion 5's build is one of its strongest features, setting it apart from other laptops in its class. You may find Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i a better fit, thanks to its superior build.
Display
The display is a highlight of the Lenovo Legion 5. I'm using the 1440p model, which provides crisp and vibrant visuals. The color accuracy is impressive, with deep blacks and a wide color gamut. While not OLED, it's a solid option for gamers who want high-quality visuals without breaking the bank. Textures look sharp, and the display handles fast-paced action sequences well. Overall, the display is one of the best in its class, making it a great value for those seeking a premium gaming experience on a budget. If you’re after a better display, Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 could be the ideal option.
Performance
The Lenovo Legion 5's performance is satisfactory but not exceptional. The RTX 3060 GPU provides smooth gaming experiences, although the CPU's thermal throttling can impact performance in heavy stress tests. In games, the Legion 5's performance is on par with other 3060 laptops. Outside of gaming, the Ryzen 6000 processor offers a 10% boost over last year's model. While there are some improvements, they aren't significant enough to make this year's version significantly better than last year's. Lenovo Slim 7i might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo Legion 5's battery life is decent, lasting around 6 hours in moderate use. Charging time is reasonable, taking about an hour to reach 80% capacity with the included 135W charger. This laptop supports Quick Charge technology, allowing it to charge faster when used with a compatible adapter. Overall, the charging system is efficient and convenient, making it suitable for users who need a quick top-up on-the-go.
Connectivity
The Lenovo Legion 5 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable laptop with improved performance. Its connectivity options are robust, with Wi-Fi and Ethernet working out of the box in Ubuntu 22.04 live CD. The keyboard, touchpad, speakers, camera, and other peripherals also function seamlessly without requiring software installation. This makes it an ideal option for users who need seamless connectivity and don't want to fuss with drivers or settings. You might want to check out Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, featuring an upgraded connectivity for a superior experience.
Features
The Lenovo Legion 5 boasts an RTX 3060 graphics card, offering decent gaming performance. It also features AMD's Ryzen 6000 processor, which provides a moderate 10% performance increase over last year's model. Additionally, it comes with a range of display options, including 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it suitable for various user needs. Take a look at Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x - its improved features sets a new standard.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo Legion 5 offers solid support and maintenance features. The keyboard and touchpad work seamlessly with Ubuntu 22.04, and the keyboard shortcuts for performance modes are convenient. However, some functions like adjusting screen brightness may require a software workaround. Overall, it provides reliable support for everyday tasks.
Pros
1. The actual performance in games was still good and where we'd expect it to be relative to other 3060 laptops.
2. There are some improvements with this year's Legion 5, but ultimately for the tasks that you'd actually be using it for like gaming, the differences just aren't all that big compared to last year's version.
3. Outside of gaming, the 6800H gets about 10% more performance compared to last year's 5800H.
4. The competition has also gotten tougher at this price point, but this year's version did have some thermal throttling on the GPU only in a heavy CPU and GPU stress test.
5. The actual performance in gaming was still good where we'd expect it to be relative to other 3060 laptops.
Cons
1. This year's version had some thermal throttling on the GPU, but I only noticed that in a heavy CPU and GPU stress test. And that kind of just seems to be a result of the increased GPU power limit this year.
2. The actual performance gain compared to last year's model was not very big for gaming, especially considering the increase in price.
3. It might be worth waiting for next-gen models in 2023 if you are after a big performance gain.
4. Not having the 1440p option at the moment is a drawback
5. The Ryzen 6000 just hasn't given us a whole lot of performance gain compared to last year's 5000, which might be disappointing for some users.
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