Lenovo 5 Series Legion 5i Gen 10 (15 Review

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is a 1.9kg laptop that punches way above its weight class. It's built around Intel's 16-core 255HX CPU and an RTX 5070 GPU, a combo that lands it in the 91st and 89th percentiles for performance. That's the kind of power that usually comes in a much heavier chassis. And it's all wrapped in a 15-inch OLED screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, which itself scores in the 88th percentile for display quality. This isn't just a gaming machine; it's a proper all-rounder with scores above 87 for entertainment, gaming, and creative work.

Let's talk about what those percentiles mean in real terms. The 255HX CPU is a beast. Being in the 91st percentile means it's faster than almost everything out there for heavy multi-threaded tasks like video rendering or code compilation. Pair that with the RTX 5070, and you've got a rig that will handle modern games at that gorgeous 2560x1600 resolution without breaking a sweat. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM is the one spec that holds it back a bit, sitting at the 63rd percentile. It's enough for most games and moderate creative work, but power users might feel the pinch. The 1TB NVMe SSD is solid, landing in the 78th percentile, so load times are quick.

At around $1783, this Legion 5i presents a compelling value. You're getting near-top-tier CPU and GPU performance, plus a fantastic OLED screen, in a package that costs significantly less than many of its direct competitors with similar specs. Lenovo often prices these Legion models aggressively, and this one is no exception. You're paying for pure performance and a premium screen, not necessarily the most RAM or the longest battery life.

Stacked against its rivals, the Legion 5i's value shines. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" with an M4 Max will crush it in battery life and likely in some creative apps, but you'll pay a huge premium and lose out on high-refresh gaming. The MSI Vector 16 HX or Gigabyte AORUS MASTER 16 might offer slightly more raw power or better cooling, but they'll be heavier and more expensive. The ASUS Zenbook Duo is a different beast entirely, focusing on dual-screen productivity. For the price, the Legion 5i offers the best blend of gaming prowess, a killer screen, and portability among this group.

If you want a do-it-all laptop that prioritizes gaming and media on a stunning screen, this Legion 5i is an easy recommendation. The CPU and GPU performance numbers don't lie—this thing is fast. Just know that the 16GB of RAM is its Achilles' heel for future-proofing, and you'll want to be near an outlet. For under $1800, it's hard to find a better-performing package with an OLED display.