The Lenovo Legion 5 collection slots neatly between the funds LOQ vary and the top-of-the-line Legion Professional fashions. This 12 months’s Legion 5a Gen 11 is not any completely different, promising premium efficiency with out pulling out all of the stops.
Total, it’s a extremely succesful machine with a delicate aptitude. After all, it’s a gaming laptop computer initially, so its options are centered on this function. Besides, it feels fairly well-rounded and sensible, making it appropriate for extra than simply play.
What Am I Trying At?
In the event you’ve been acquainted with the Legion collection (and even the entry-level LOQ fashions, for that matter), then this laptop computer will most likely appear and feel fairly acquainted. It retains the straightforward, minimalistic strategy from the earlier generations. This understated look is designed to assist the system mix in with the extra professional-oriented merchandise. Nonetheless, this solely actually works out in the event you decide the Eclipse Black model, which, because the identify says, is the usual black.
Then again, our overview unit is the Glacier White variant. The stark white chassis provides a little bit of aptitude and makes the Legion branding on the lid stand out a bit extra. It’s not fairly as delicate, however it does really feel a bit extra trendy. That stated, it does require extra maintenance if you wish to retain that pristine look, as any little bit of filth is quickly seen.
No matter color, you get an aluminium lid that protrudes barely on the centre. This protrusion is the place the webcam lives. There’s additionally a bump, which makes it simpler to flip the system open. I ought to point out that the hinge lets the display screen lie fully flat, which might be a superfluous characteristic to have on a tool of this measurement.
When you open the laptop computer, you’re confronted with a shiny 15.3-inch OLED show and a full-sized keyboard, full with a numeric keypad. Notably, part of the keyboard stands proud barely to accommodate a set of full-sized arrow keys. After all, the RGB backlight completes the gaming aesthetic.
In the meantime, the trackpad is shifted barely to the left. That is plastic, very like the remainder of the laptop computer’s physique, which distinguishes this mannequin from the model’s most premium choices. As for the ability button, it sits above the keyboard, retaining it protected from any unintended presses.
Moreover, the laptop computer homes most of its ports on the rear. Right here, it sports activities two USB-A ports and a HDMI port. The again of the chassis can be the place you plug within the energy connector. On the left aspect of the system, you get two USB-C ports and an Ethernet port. As for the appropriate aspect, it includes a single USB-A port and a 3.5mm jack. There’s additionally a bodily shutter for the webcam.
Beneath the hood, you may stand up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop computer GPU. That stated, this specific mannequin packs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop computer GPU. It additionally comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is absolutely the minimal you will get for the Legion 5a.
What’s Good About It?
So far as design goes, the Legion 5a feels sensible to a fault. The port placements hold issues good and tidy, so that you’re much less prone to have a cable salad in your arms. Moreover, the exhaust vents are behind the system, so that they’re not blowing scorching air in your fingers as you’re employed or play.
Talking of play, the laptop computer affords stable efficiency when operating demanding titles like Battlefield 6, Doom: The Darkish Ages, Helldivers 2, and Cyberpunk 2077. These video games ran at nicely above 60fps on the very best graphics settings, with Battlefield 6 attaining 156fps on common. The exception right here is Helldivers 2, which ran at 35fps. It’s value noting that these figures are with the laptop computer operating in balanced mode.
I must also point out that I did many of the testing utilizing Cyberpunk 2077, operating the sport with path tracing enabled. I switched the thermal profile to efficiency mode whereas streaming the sport in a Discord name. Beneath these circumstances, the sport ran at 55fps on common, albeit with the occasional stuttering.
One other spotlight is the intense and vibrant visuals, due to the OLED panel. The show affords stark contrasts, with deep blacks and vivid colors. I might say that it might make the laptop computer a perfect alternative for inventive functions too. However alas, this show just isn’t a touchscreen, which is a little bit of a missed alternative, given the truth that this laptop computer can open to virtually 180 levels.
Nonetheless, there’s rather a lot to love in regards to the Legion 5a, such because the microphone. It’s fairly dependable for choosing up your voice, providing clear audio throughout calls. After all, it doesn’t beat having devoted audio gear, however it does the job nicely sufficient for informal streaming.
Aside from that, the Legion 5a might be the quietest gaming laptop computer I’ve ever come throughout. It’s as silent as a mouse through the day-to-day duties, even with out switching to quiet mode. After all, it does get louder because the followers ramp up throughout lengthy gaming periods, however the noise stays at an appropriate degree.
Whereas I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the laptop computer is slim and light-weight, it’s unexpectedly not as cumbersome because it appears. Certain, at roughly 1.87kg, I don’t suggest trying to hold it round one-handed. However, it’s definitely much more transportable than a couple of different gaming laptops I’ve dealt with, and to not point out sturdier.
What’s The Catch?
I solely actually have a couple of gripes with the Legion 5a’s design. Firstly, utilizing the keyboard does really feel awkward at occasions, because it packs the complete unfold of keys. I typically discovered myself by chance hitting the num lock when attempting to press backspace. Granted, this can be a matter of non-public choice, and a few conditions do name for a numpad.
The opposite criticism issues the audio system. Whereas the Legion 5a comes geared up with a fairly respectable set of audio system, the truth that they’re pointed downwards implies that you do should be conscious of the place and the way you place the laptop computer. Even then, they’re not as loud as they need to be, and the bass is a bit missing. On the very least, although, they produce clear and crisp audio, which is enough for calls.
It most likely shouldn’t come as a shock that battery life just isn’t the Legion 5a’s robust go well with. Gaming laptops usually don’t final you the day, and this one is not any completely different. As my day by day driver, the system often supplied about 4 to 5 hours of use earlier than demanding I attain for the charger. At finest, I might get it to final simply over six hours. Nonetheless, this was with very gentle use and the display screen dimmed all the best way down.
Talking of which, the shiny OLED panel could be a downside in sure contexts. On the bottom brightness setting, the show just about turns into a mirror. After all, any smudges or fingerprints are unimaginable to disregard.
Competitors
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 very a lot adopts the standard gaming laptop computer aesthetic, with its aggressive angles and futuristic detailing. Past that, it includes a 16-inch IPS show that helps as much as WQXGA+ decision, a 180Hz refresh fee, 3ms response time, and 100% sRGB color protection.
Internally, the laptop computer is provided with an Intel Core i7 processor, paired with as much as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop computer GPU. Furthermore, it will get 16GB of DDR5 reminiscence and as much as 1TB of PCI NVMe 4.0 storage. Different options embody the model’s fifth Gen AeroBlade 3D cooling fan system, WiFi 6E connectivity, and DTS:X Extremely Audio. This all comes at a beginning worth of RM7,299.
Ought to I Purchase It?
Given its beginning worth of round RM6,275, the Lenovo Legion 5a Gen 11 isn’t precisely low cost, however that just about comes with the territory. With that in thoughts, you must take into account it in the event you’re in search of a dependable machine for each pleasure and enterprise.
After all, being a gaming laptop computer, it does include the drawbacks related to the product class. That stated, I might argue that Lenovo has achieved nicely in minimising these flaws. Subsequently, it doesn’t really feel just like the system suffers from crippling specialisation. All in all, it’s a flexible laptop computer that gives greater than meets the attention.
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