When deciding between the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, consider your primary use. The Framework is pricier but offers ethical advantages like repairability and sustainability, appealing if you prioritize longevity and customization. If gaming or graphically intensive tasks are your focus, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, while less portable due to size and weight, usually packs more power for a lower cost, offering a better gaming performance and experience but with potentially shorter battery life compared to the Framework. Choose based on whether ethical concerns or gaming power align closer with your needs. 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 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
8.0/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
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 Pro 5i is very good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i boasts a higher-end GPU and a faster screen refresh rate, which translates into smoother and more detailed gaming and 3D experiences compared to the Framework Laptop 16. While both laptops have quality CPUs and screens, the superior graphics capabilities of the Legion Pro 5i make it the preferable option for demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 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.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.1/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
368.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i both offer screens with resolutions and brightness levels that are appreciated in general use, making text crisp and videos vibrant. For engineering and design, their wide color gamuts cover a range of colors necessary for precise visual work, but they might not reach the highest standards of color accuracy required by some professionals. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates can result in less fluid motion, making them less suited for fast-paced visual content where smoothness is key.
Battery
9.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has 3.5 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
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.4/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i costs $1,000.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 is designed with a focus on portability and has a high-quality screen, which, along with strong CPU and RAM configurations, makes it well-suited for a variety of general tasks while also being easy to carry around; it also offers decent battery life to support mobile use. Conversely, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, while offering powerful CPU and RAM options that are great for heavier tasks, is bulkier and has shorter battery life, making it less ideal when frequently on the move but capable for more demanding software applications.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16, designed with modularity for easy upgrades, offers solid performance with its CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, but its GPU may not handle demanding engineering tasks as smoothly as the more powerful Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, which boasts superior gaming-grade graphics and processing capabilities but with added weight and reduced portability. While both have good keyboard and speaker quality, the Framework is quieter under load, and the Legion Pro 5i, catered towards gaming, may exhibit louder operating noise during intensive use.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 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.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"The midpriced Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 8 follows some of our favorite gaming machines, including last year's model and the higher-end Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 tested earlier this year. But pedigree doesn't count for much in the computer world, and gaming laptops require a certain level of power and graphics performance to justify their prices. The Pro 5i Gen 8 just doesn't do that, offering middling CPU and GPU performance rather than the sort of muscle that would make it a great value."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
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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