When it comes to gaming laptops, striking the right balance between performance, design, and price is no small feat. Lenovo’s Legion series has built a reputation for delivering just that—a good mix of power and practicality that appeals to both hardcore gamers and professionals. The Legion lineup is known for its sleek yet functional designs, capable hardware, and focus on user experience.
The latest Legion 5 16IRX9 aims to push these boundaries even further, offering a blend of cutting-edge performance and thoughtful design. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or tackling demanding creative tasks, this machine promises to keep up with your pace. But does it live up to its pedigree? Let’s start by taking a closer look at its design and build quality.
Pros
- Exceptional performance
- Solid build quality
- Great cooling
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Trackpad performance can be underwhelming
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6
- Memory: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 165Hz
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
- Ports: USB-C (with Power Delivery & DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet
- Battery: 80Wh
- Weight: Approximately 2.5 kg
- Price: Buy at Centrecom for $2799, or get JB HiFi to match or price beat Centrecom
Design and Build Quality
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 doesn’t scream “gaming laptop,” and that’s part of its charm. Its clean, understated design, finished in a professional gunmetal grey, makes it suitable for both work and play. The chassis is made of high-quality materials that feel sturdy, with minimal flex in the keyboard deck and screen, giving it a premium touch without being over the top.
At around 2.5 kg, it’s on the heavier side, but that’s expected given its powerful hardware and robust cooling system. The hinge is smooth and holds the display firmly, even when adjusting the angle frequently. Ventilation is cleverly integrated into the design, keeping the laptop cool during long gaming sessions. It’s clear Lenovo has prioritized both aesthetics and durability, making this a versatile device for a variety of environments.
Performance
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 is built to crush anything you throw at it—whether you’re gaming, editing 4K video, or running demanding software for work. Powered by the Intel Core i9-13900HX and paired with 16GB of RAM and an RTX 4060 GPU, this laptop is a multitasking beast.
During testing, it breezed through AAA games at ultra settings, hitting well above 100 FPS consistently on titles like FC25 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The 165Hz display ensures every frame is smooth, giving you a competitive edge in fast-paced shooters, while the WQXGA resolution brings every detail to life.
When it comes to productivity, the Legion 5 delivers just as well. It powered through our workload, which included running multiple browser tabs, editing high-res images, and managing large video files—all while remaining cool and responsive. This is where the 12-core i9 processor and RTX 4060 truly shine, handling intense workflows without so much as a stutter.
Display and Audio
Let’s talk about the 16-inch WQXGA display. If you’re coming from a standard Full HD panel, you’ll immediately notice the difference—colours pop, and details are sharper. The 165Hz refresh rate is perfect for gamers, ensuring smooth transitions in fast-moving scenes. While the G-Sync support keeps screen tearing at bay, the 100% sRGB colour gamut makes it ideal for content creators as well, offering true-to-life colour reproduction for photo and video editing.
Now, the audio—it’s not just there to fill the silence. Lenovo’s Dolby Atmos-powered speakers provide clear, rich sound with surprising depth for a laptop of this size. While it won’t replace your gaming headset, it’s more than enough for casual listening, movie watching, and in-game audio. You’ll get decent bass and clarity, making it enjoyable for media consumption without needing external speakers.
Battery Life
When you think of gaming laptops, battery life isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind—but Lenovo has done a commendable job with the Legion 5’s 80Wh battery. Sure, you won’t be gaming for hours without a charger, but for everyday use, the laptop holds up decently. During our tests, it lasted just over 6 hours on a balanced use case, which included browsing, watching videos, and light productivity work.
This isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s definitely above average for a gaming laptop with this much power under the hood. Of course, if you’re gaming at full blast, expect to be near a plug most of the time. While you won’t win any “battery endurance” awards with this one, it’s enough to get through a few hours of work or entertainment without the constant worry of plugging in. If you’re a gamer always near an outlet or working at a desk, this won’t be much of an issue.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Legion 5 laptops offers a full-sized keyboard with 1-zone RGB lighting, which is not only practical for gaming sessions in the dark but also adds a nice touch of style. The key travel is just right—not too deep to feel sluggish, but enough to provide satisfying feedback with each press. Gamers will appreciate the precision here, as the keyboard delivers a responsive typing experience, whether you’re slamming down commands in your favorite MOBA or typing up a quick email.
The trackpad is spacious and responsive, offering smooth navigation, but we still recommend using a mouse for the best experience, especially in games that require precision. It’s functional for everyday tasks and casual use, though it doesn’t quite match the performance of dedicated gaming mice in fast-paced gaming situations. Overall, the keyboard and trackpad are perfectly serviceable for both gaming and productivity, with the added bonus of customizable lighting.
Pros:
- Exceptional performance for gaming and productivity tasks, thanks to the Intel i9-13900HX and RTX 4060.
- 165Hz, 2560×1600 display provides sharp visuals and smooth gameplay.
- Solid build quality with a sleek design and RGB keyboard.
- Great cooling system that keeps temperatures in check even under heavy loads.
- Good I/O options for connecting all your peripherals.
Cons:
- Heavy at 2.5 kg, which makes it less portable compared to lighter competitors.
- Battery life could be better, especially when gaming or doing resource-intensive tasks.
- Trackpad performance can be underwhelming for precision gaming.
- The speakers are decent but not loud enough for a full gaming experience.
Who is the laptop Best for:
Gamers and professionals seeking a high-performance laptop capable of handling demanding applications and modern gaming titles
Final Verdict
The Lenovo Legion 5 is a beast of a gaming laptop—powerful, sleek, and capable of handling nearly any task you throw at it. With its Intel i9 processor and RTX 4060 GPU, it’s a gaming powerhouse that doesn’t shy away from content creation and productivity workloads either. Its WQXGA display is crisp and smooth, offering the kind of visual experience that both gamers and creators will appreciate.
While its weight and battery life leave something to be desired, Legion 5 compensates with its exceptional performance and build quality. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that can double as a high-performance workstation, this machine checks all the right boxes. For those who need portability or longer battery life, there are other options, but if raw power is your priority, the Lenovo Legion 5 is a solid choice. Would we recommend it? Absolutely—especially for gamers and power users looking to maximize their productivity and play without compromise.
