If performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and general engineering tasks is a priority and you're fine with a heavier laptop, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, being a gaming-oriented device, is better equipped. It has a superior graphics unit that helps in demanding visual tasks but is less portable due to increased weight and size. However, if you value portability, longer battery life for typical usage, and a touchscreen, along with machine learning capability not being as critical, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers a lighter, more compact solution at a lower price point, making it suitable for less intensive applications. 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 TUF Gaming A16
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.3/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is better suited for gaming and 3D applications because it features a high-performance AMD RX 7600S GPU and a screen with a high refresh rate of 165Hz, which provides smoother visuals and better responsiveness in fast-paced games. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a moderate Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate, making it less capable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
7.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor and AMD RX 7600S GPU offers robust performance for engineering and design tasks where computational power and graphics are critical, while its high refresh rate, color coverage, and contrast ratio ensure a high-quality visual experience. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, while not as powerful in graphics with its Intel Iris Xe, is lighter and thus more portable, with a high-resolution screen that still delivers on clarity and detail for design work, along with a higher-quality keyboard and less operating noise, valuable for extended use in quieter environments.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a satisfactory display for everyday tasks and engineering work because of its decent resolution and brightness, along with acceptable coverage of professional color gamuts, making it suitable for viewing fine details and color-accurate work. However, its lower refresh rate is less ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smooth movement and rapid screen updates are crucial. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i provides average display quality across the board with fair brightness and resolution for daily use and enough color accuracy for some engineering and design tasks but falls short for gaming and 3D work due to similar limitations in refresh rate.
Battery
12.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$930
$828
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $930 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a robust AMD Ryzen 7 processor and adequate RAM for smooth multitasking, along with a high-quality IPS screen and a battery that supports longer use, making it suitable for various general tasks. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i with its Intel i5 processor provides dependable performance for everyday activities, and its lightweight design coupled with a high-quality screen offers a good balance between portability and visual experience for general use.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for content creation.
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.
Software Development
7.3/10
7.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for software development.
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
7.2/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
168,195
Recommendations made
36,443
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.