Lenovo Legion 5 Pro review: A solid gaming laptop at a superb price

Price When Reviewed

$1,999

Best Prices Today: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (2022)

$1999

Performance-per-dollar is all the time related to a laptop computer however, for players, it’s crucial. Gamers slam their {hardware} with demanding workloads and, in contrast to professionals, stick round to witness each millisecond. A laptop computer that’s a bit gradual in a Blender render would possibly drive you to seize a snack. A laptop computer that’s a bit gradual in Apex Legends can get you fragged. 

That’s why players will benefit from the Legion 5 Pro. It’s not good, nevertheless it delivers sturdy recreation efficiency at a mid-range worth. That’s laborious to disregard. Plus, we actually just like the keyboard and connectivity choices.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro specs and options

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro we examined is a mid-cycle replace to Lenovo’s current Legion 5 Pro chassis. The new mannequin upgrades from Intel Core 11th-gen to 12th-gen processors and provides RTX 3070 Ti graphics.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: RTX 3070 Ti @ 150 watts
• Display: 2560 x 1600 non-touch IPS display screen
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Webcam: 720
• Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A Gen 2, 1x USB-A Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 80 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.02 inches huge x 10.41 inches deep x 1.07 inches thick
• Weight: 5.4 kilos
• MSRP: $1,999

My explicit evaluate unit is offered solely at Walmart for $1,999. Lenovo affords a inexpensive Legion 5i Pro with Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics and in any other case related {hardware}. It retails at $1,399.99. Older fashions with AMD Ryzen 5000-series processors and RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 graphics can be found, as properly. 

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro has the look of a gaming laptop computer when it’s closed on a desk, particularly if seen from the rear. It’s a beefy laptop computer, measuring as much as 1.1 inches thick, and its aggressive strains come collectively in a girthy rear with massive vents and many ports. Lenovo tones down the design with a easy gunmetal colorway and unspoken emblem, however there’s no mistaking this for a ThinkPad. 

Open the laptop computer, nonetheless, and the Legion 5 Pro transforms. The show has a 16:10 side ratio, skinny bezels, and small but sturdy hinges. There’s no large vents or giant speaker grill, leaving ample room for a keyboard that appears similar to these discovered on Lenovo IdeaPad laptops. 

It’s an intriguing alliance of enterprise and pleasure. The Legion 5 Pro is unapologetically giant, a reality you’ll bear in mind when packing the 5.4 kilos chassis. Yet it’s additionally an approachable laptop computer when used for productiveness. There’s no turbo button or LED-backlight emblem to distract you. Function takes precedence. 

This is a inflexible, sturdy laptop computer. A touch of flex is seen when lifting the show lid or dealing with the laptop computer roughly, however solely a touch. Most of the laptop computer’s contact factors are aluminum and contact factors, just like the keyboard and palmrest, are rock strong. The Legion’s seems to be aren’t on par with Alienware’s extravagant laptops, nevertheless it feels simply as sturdy. 

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

Keyboard high quality is a spotlight, matching the standard of most Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad laptops. Keys supply respectable journey and activate with a agency but forgiving motion that gives tactile suggestions.

I just like the structure, which feels spacious regardless of the inclusion of a numpad. Aside from the Backspace key, which is reduce quick for the numpad, all keys really feel giant and straightforward to search out. The Numpad keys are a bit skinny, nonetheless, so those that use it often would possibly really feel shortchanged. 

Other giant gaming laptops, just like the Razer Blade 17 or Alienware x17, both ditch the numpad completely or present bigger keys. The Legion 5 Pro, which has a smaller 16-inch display screen, is extra cramped. 

Lenovo affords three backlight choices: white, blue, and 4-zone RGB. My evaluate laptop computer got here with the latter. It’s vivid and straightforward to customise by way of Lenovo’s Vantage Software. The backlight is vivid however has bother reaching deep, wealthy colours. Red seems pink and yellow skews in the direction of white. 

The touchpad measures about 4 and half inches huge by three inches deep. This is a good measurement for a laptop computer touchpad and supplies room for Windows multi-touch gestures. The touchpad is fast and responsive, although I might have most popular extra distinction between the feel of the touchpad and the encircling palmrest.

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro has a 16:10 show side ratio. Its bezels are slim, as properly: 1 / 4 inch alongside the highest and sides and three-quarters of an inch on the backside. This fees the laptop computer’s character. 

Going for a 16:10 side ratio means the show seems taller, and a bit extra slim, than a 16:9 widescreen. This Is a bonus in on a regular basis use. The 16:10 side ratio is usually higher for multitasking, as you may simply view two paperwork or internet pages side-by-side.

The skinny bezels cut back the laptop computer’s footprint. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is just a few tenths of an inch smaller than the Alienware x15 and Acer Predator Helios 300, every with a 15.6-inch show. Thickness apart, its footprint is extra just like the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X.

Image high quality continues the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro’s sensible streak. It’s a matte IPS that serves up 2,560 x 1,600 decision and reaches a excessive most brightness of 565 nits. The show is usable in almost any state of affairs. 

When it comes time to recreation, nonetheless, it’s much less spectacular. The show’s decision is lots sharp for a 16-inch display screen. I additionally recognize the 165Hz show, which incorporates G-Sync help and supplies easy movement. Yet the show is held again by a merely okay distinction ratio of 1210:1, grayish black ranges, and a coloration gamut that doesn’t attempt to push past the realm of sRGB.

There’s an apparent lack of depth, immersion, and saturation. This is noticeable in each vivid, vivid video games, the place colours look muted, and in darker, extra atmospheric titles, the place a scarcity of distinction can steal element from darkish scenes. 

The audio system are merely satisfactory. They’re loud and clear at decrease volumes however grow to be muddy and distorted at larger quantity. Perceived high quality is impacted by the floor the laptop computer is on, as properly, as a result of the audio system face downwards. They’re high-quality for a fast recreation or listening to music at low quantity, however extra discerning listeners will shortly seize their headphones. 

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro has a primary 720p webcam squeezed into the skinny high bezel. Image high quality is okay, even in modest lighting, however usually seems comfortable and grainy. An digital privateness shutter is included and managed by a change close to the laptop computer’s 3.5mm audio jack. 

The microphone surprises with clear, crisp audio that delivers good quantity when talking quietly or dealing with barely off-center from the laptop computer. The microphone’s presentation has a deep and resonant high quality that appears skilled. You won’t look your greatest and conferences — however you’ll come by way of loud and clear. 

Lenovo doesn’t supply biometric login on the Legion 5 Pro. While biometric login is all the time most popular, I can’t criticize its absence. Most opponents lack this function and it could do little to make the Legion 5 Pro a greater gaming laptop computer.

Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro has a ton of USB connectivity. The left aspect affords one Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C port and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, with one other USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port round again. The rear USB-C Gen 2 port helps DisplayPort and as much as 135 watts of energy supply. 

There’s no scarcity of USB-A ports. You’ll discover two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports on the again, plus a further USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 on the best flank. The proper flank additionally has a 3.5mm combo audio jack, whereas Ethernet is positioned on the rear. 

Video connectivity is as much as trendy requirements. The Legion 5 Pro has an HDMI 2.1 port on its rear and, as talked about, the rear USB-C Gen 2 port supports DisplayPort. There’s no devoted DisplayPort output.

Enthusiasts will discover the rear USB-C port is a bit odd. It affords 135 watts of Power Delivery — greater than most USB-C ports however a lot lower than the maximum of 240 watts supported in the latest USB Power Delivery standard. It’s additionally lower than the Legion 5 Pro’s energy adapter, which is rated at 300 watts. 

This insanity is sensible while you see the laptop computer’s big energy brick. The USB-C port enables you to pack a smaller, lighter energy adapter. It gained’t cost the laptop computer when gaming nevertheless it’s high-quality for much less demanding use. 

Wireless connectivity is strong. The Legion 5 Pro helps the newest Wi-Fi 6E normal and Bluetooth 5.1. Wi-Fi obtain speeds over Wi-Fi 6E are just like Gigabit Ethernet when the laptop computer is utilized in the identical room because the router.

Performance

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro I examined was geared up with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti cellular graphics. It additionally had 16GB of RAM and a 512GB strong state drive. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

PCMark 10 turns in a considerably lackluster rating of 7,146. This is a tad behind different gaming laptops PC World has lately examined. Most of those options have been powered by the identical Intel Core i7-12700H processor discovered within the Legion 5 Pro, however the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 had AMD’s new Ryzen 9 6900HS. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

It’s an identical story in Cinebench R20’s multi-threaded CPU benchmark. This demanding workload positioned the Legion 5 Pro a hair behind different related laptops with Intel {hardware}. It does defeat the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS. The Zephyrus is a smaller laptop computer, nonetheless, which takes the shine off the Legion 5 Pro’s victory. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro does a bit higher in our Handbrake take a look at, because it lands a smidge forward of the Razer Blade 17 and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It’s nonetheless behind the Alienware and Asus Strix Scar, nonetheless, and by a bigger margin than in different duties. 

These benchmarks present a development: the Legion 5 Pro has a quick, succesful processor, however opponents can barely outperform it. 

That’s not superb, however the real-world affect is questionable. You could discover the distinction when you run lengthy, heavy workloads, resembling encoding an hour-long 4K video for YouTube. If your most demanding work occurs in brief bursts, nonetheless, the distinction will likely be refined.

Now, let’s get to the true meat of the efficiency exams: gaming and 3D graphics. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

At a look, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro’s 3DMark Time Spy rating could appear underwhelming. Remember, nonetheless, that this mannequin has an RTX 3070 Ti, whereas others examined had RTX 3080 and RTX 3080 Ti cellular {hardware}. The Legion 5 Pro is delivering a whole lot of worth on this benchmark. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Legion 5 Pro doesn’t fall again in Rise of the Tomb Raider, both. This is now an older title that’s consultant of video games optimized for the final console era. It screams at 148 frames per seconds. It’s defeated solely by the Razer Blade 17 with RTX 3080 Ti graphics. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

It’s an identical story in Metro Exodus, the place the Legion 5 Pro as soon as once more beats most opponents, although by a smaller margin. Still, that is a powerful outcome, as Exodus is a demanding recreation.

The Legion 5 Pro’s recreation efficiency is because of the RTX 3070 Ti’s excessive most thermal graphics energy of 150 watts (125 watts with 25 watts of Dynamic Boost). Lenovo additionally pairs the laptop computer with an enormous 300 watt energy brick. I’m uncertain this has any affect on efficiency, nevertheless it’s bigger than the 240 to 280 watt energy bricks that ship with opponents, and it fees the laptop computer shortly. 

On stability, the Legion 5 Pro’s efficiency is strong. It’s not a record-setter however, at a retail worth of $1,999, it doesn’t should be. It merely must threaten costlier options – and that’s precisely what it does. 

Battery life

Lenovo ships the Legion 5 Pro with an 80 watt-hour battery. That’s a big battery, however not giant for the class. The Alienware x15 R2 has a 87-watt hour battery, the Asus Strix Scar 15 has a 90 watt-hour battery, and the Razer Blade 17 has an 82 watt-hour battery. 

The Legion 5 Pro helps Nvidia Optimus switchable graphics, which switches the laptop computer to Intel built-in graphics when discrete graphics efficiency isn’t known as for. This is routinely and normally seamless, although I did discover occasional display screen flicker when launching a recreation.

IDG / Matthew Smith

PC World’s normal battery take a look at, which loops the quick movie Tears of Steel, drained the laptop computer in about 5 hours and 10 minutes. That places the Legion 5 Pro proper consistent with opponents just like the Razer Blade 17 and Alienware x15 R2.

Your impression of battery life will rely in your perspective. Five hours is predicted for a Windows gaming laptop computer, however not nice in comparison with laptops targeted on productiveness and approach behind Apple’s MacBook Pro 16. You’ll must carry an influence adapter on most journeys. 

Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a remarkably highly effective, versatile laptop computer. Though it targets players, the Legion 5 Pro’s wide selection of connectivity, wonderful keyboard, 16:10 show, and sufficient battery life will attraction to many. It’s an incredible alternative for video games, photograph or video modifying, 3D rendering, and different demanding duties. 

It’s disappointing to see Lenovo ship the laptop computer with an underwhelming show. Games and flicks don’t look their greatest. Audio can be weak in comparison with options from Alienware and Razer. 

These flaws are forgiven by the value. The mannequin I examined will retail solely at Walmart for $1,999. That’s lower than an Alienware X15 or Alienware X17 with RTX 3060 cellular graphics and beats the Razer Blade 17 by a whole lot of {dollars}. The Legion 5 Pro’s worth makes it simple to advocate.