If you prioritize customizability and repairability, the Framework Laptop 16 is designed for easy upgrades and maintenance, which could save you money and extend its lifespan. However, if you're focusing on high-end gaming or intensive graphics work, the Lenovo Legion 7 generally offers more powerful graphics performance, making it a better choice, despite being less travel-friendly due to its weight and size. The Legion also commonly has shorter battery life compared to the Framework, which could be a consideration if you often work on the go without access to power outlets. 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
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 7
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.8/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
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 7 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion 7 stands out for gaming and 3D applications due to its superior graphics processing unit (GPU) and higher screen refresh rate, which provide smoother visuals and better performance in graphically demanding tasks. While the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers commendable screen quality and capable processing power, its GPU performance and refresh rate are not as optimized for intense gaming and 3D work as the Legion's.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
469.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion 7 for software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16 and the Lenovo Legion 7 both offer screens with high resolution and brightness, making for sharp and vivid displays suitable for everyday tasks and professional work in engineering and design where visual clarity and color accuracy are crucial. They support wide color gamuts, ensuring that colors are represented accurately, which is essential for design work where precise color rendition can be the difference between an average and an outstanding project. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates of these screens mean less fluid motion and slower response times, which can detract from the immersive experience and performance in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 7 has 6.5 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.
Cost
$1,699
$1,500
$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 7 costs $1,500.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Legion 7 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers a balance between performance and portability with a focus on screen quality and battery life, making it well-suited for users who prioritize a mobile and versatile general-use laptop. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion 7 delivers higher performance for demanding tasks due to its robust CPU and RAM, but with a trade-off in battery life and portability, catering to users who need more power and are less concerned with mobility.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 7 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo Legion 7 offers high-end processing power and superior graphics handling because of its top-tier CPU and GPU, along with a sizable amount of RAM, all of which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks; its screen quality also caters to those who need precise visuals for their work. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16, while offering good performance with a capable CPU, RAM, and a high-quality screen, prioritizes modularity and repairability, which may slightly limit its overall power compared to the Legion 7 but adds benefits in portability and the convenience of upgrades.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Legion 7 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
8.0/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo Legion 7 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 7 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 7 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) both have very 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion 7 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 Lenovo Legion 7 is a fast 16-inch gamer with 165 Hz display. The new Lenovo Legion 7 is a very good gaming notebook that, despite its comparatively compact compact 16-inch case, does not have to do without the most powerful components. Thanks to good cooling, no compromises are made in terms of performance. Both the Core i9-12900HX and the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti perform at a very high level."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion 7
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
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.