The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers high performance suitable for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and engineering tasks, but it's less portable due to its larger size and weight. If you prioritize gaming or resource-intensive applications and don't mind the extra bulk and higher price, this laptop is a solid choice. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is lighter and much less expensive, making it more portable and easier on your budget. It still provides sufficient power for general and engineering use, and it manages tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning well, though not as proficiently as the ASUS. If you often work on the go and need a machine that balances performance with portability and affordability, the Lenovo may be the better option for you. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G18
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Strix G18.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
8.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i are both very good for gaming and AI, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and 3D due to its higher-end GPU and a screen refresh rate that excels for fast-paced visuals, whereas the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i, while still suitable for gaming and 3D, offers a slightly less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, which may not be as optimal for the most fluid gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
8.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i are both very good for engineering and design, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in engineering and design due to its high-end CPU and GPU, making it suitable for demanding tasks, though it's less portable due to its size and weight. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i, while offering slightly less powerful components, is more portable and still very capable for engineering and design, with a quality keyboard and lower operating noise.
Content Creation
8.6/10
8.0/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i are both very good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
8.0/10
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
343.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i offer high resolution and bright displays with panel types that provide sharp images and vibrant colors, which enhance everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. In engineering and design work, the importance of accurate colors is where the ASUS pulls ahead due to its wider color gamut coverage, making it preferable for tasks that require color precision such as photo editing or CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short with lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and slower response times, not ideal for fast-paced gaming or high-speed 3D rendering.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has 7 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,299
$1,055
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $2,299 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i costs $1,055.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, equipped with a higher-end CPU and marginally better screen quality due to brighter screen, is more suited for demanding tasks and thus edges out as very good for general use. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i offers greater portability and nearly equivalent screen quality, but with a CPU that's a step below, it ranks as good for general use, balancing performance with easier handling and transportability.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i compare to other laptops
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 acknowledges that a gaming laptop doesn’t have to be as thick as possible and can still ensure adequate cooling when the muscles need flexing. To this end, in the Slim 5 Gen 8, it finds a neat balance of refined, trimmed-down design that still lets its internals cruise (even above their max power ratings). Lenovo then added in some high-end build quality with an altogether excellent keyboard that’s useful for both work and play."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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