If you prioritize repairability and customization, the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is a solid choice; it's also lighter and offers more portability with longer battery life, making it suitable for on-the-go use and general tasks. However, the Lenovo Legion 5 15" provides a more powerful CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a larger, higher resolution screen with a higher refresh rate, which is better suited for gaming, engineering, and 3D/machine learning tasks but with a tradeoff in weight, portability, and shorter battery life. If intensive performance is a necessity and you're less concerned about weight and battery life, the Lenovo might serve you better. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 5 15"
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
7.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.5/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has a superior dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, ideal for smoother gameplay and better 3D performance, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) uses the less powerful integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. Additionally, the Lenovo's larger screen size and high refresh rate enhance gaming and 3D experiences, but it may be less portable due to its size and weight compared to the more compact Framework.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.2/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" is very good for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Lenovo Legion 5, with a more powerful CPU and GPU, higher RAM, and a better quality screen for color accuracy and contrast, excels for demanding engineering and design tasks. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 13 trades graphical and processing power for increased portability and repairability, making it a more travel-friendly but less powerful option for intensive workloads.
Screen Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion 5 15" for software development, while the Lenovo Legion 5 15" has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop's screen provides clear images and good color representation, which is sufficient for general use and suitable for engineering tasks where color accuracy is essential; however, its refresh rate isn't high enough for the smooth visuals demanded by gaming and 3D applications. The Lenovo Legion 5 15", with a vibrant display and wider color gamut, excels in tasks that require precise color details, making it a good fit for both general use and design work, although it falls short for gaming due to its modest refresh rate. Both laptops would benefit from higher refresh rates for gaming and 3D work, where fluid motion is crucial, but they serve well for everyday tasks and professional design use where high color accuracy and resolution are key.
Battery
7.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has 4 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
Very Good
Fair
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo Legion 5 15" has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,079
$999
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the Lenovo Legion 5 15" costs $999.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 5 15" are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.4/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.0/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 5 15" 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
7.6/10
7.3/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 5 15" 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
7.8/10
7.6/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 5 15" both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion 5 15" compare to other laptops
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
"The Lenovo Legion 5 15 is an affordable gaming laptop with a lot of power. The new AMD processor Ryzen 7 5800H offers plenty of performance and it is also very efficient. The combination with the fast 130W version of the GeForce RTX 3060 ensures high gaming performance. We also like the fast 165 Hz display with the 1080p resolution. The automatic graphics switching causes some problems with stutters, which are very annoying. If you do not need long battery runtimes, you should definitely deactivate the hybrid graphics mode in Lenovo's Vantage app. The Legion 5 15 is never silent."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion 5 15"
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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