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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Framework Laptop 13 and the Lenovo Legion 9i, consider how you will use the laptop. For general use, the Framework is less expensive, more portable, and has a good build quality, making it suitable for everyday tasks and easy to carry around. If you need a laptop for more intensive tasks such as engineering, 3D rendering, or gaming, the Lenovo Legion 9i, while more expensive and heavier, offers significantly higher performance with its superior processor and graphics capabilities. Additionally, the Lenovo's larger screen and high-end features may enhance user experience for professional and gaming 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 9i
- Very good for general use
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.4
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
682.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.3/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for general use, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
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.
Gaming and AI
6.3
9.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
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 9i is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.3
9.6
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 9i is best in class for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Lenovo Legion 9i stands out in engineering and design use with its high-powered Intel i9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics, ideal for demanding tasks, whereas the Framework Laptop 13, although repairable and customizable, has a more modest Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, which may limit performance in intensive applications.
Content Creation
7.5
8.7
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for content creation, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
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
8.3
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for software development, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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.
Screen Quality
7.4
9.7
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
682.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Framework Laptop 13 offers a balance of resolution and brightness, making it suitable for daily tasks and some design work, but the standard refresh rate limits its appeal for high-end gaming and 3D applications. The Lenovo Legion 9i, with its high-resolution display and superior brightness, excels in providing crisp and vivid images for both everyday and professional engineering tasks, also benefiting from wide color gamuts for accurate color work. However, despite these advantages, the limited refresh rate on the Legion 9i means it's not ideal for gaming or 3D content that requires smooth motion.
Battery
7.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 9i has 3 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
16.0in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo Legion 9i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Lenovo Legion 9i has very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,079
$3,420
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the Lenovo Legion 9i costs $3,420.
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion 9i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 13 (2023) | Lenovo Legion 9i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,079 | $3,420 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10.9'' x 1.01'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | 5.64 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.7" | 14.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.01" | 10.93" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1340P | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 3200 x 2000 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | 682 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"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."
Lenovo Legion 9i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | December 2023
"The Lenovo Legion 9i is meant as a top-end flagship showcase for enthusiasts, and on that, it delivers. You'll find flashier designs in this price tier—Razer’s all-metal build in a similarly sized laptop like the Blade 16, or monstrous 18-inch machines—but this is a well-thought-out laptop. The chassis is trim for a 16-inch powerhouse, the lid is unique, and bespoke liquid cooling takes performance to the next level."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion 9i
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.
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