If you prioritize a high-performance machine suitable for gaming or demanding tasks, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 offers great value at a lower cost, but it's heavier, reducing portability. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 emphasizes repairability and lightness, favoring portability but at a higher price point. The Framework's design also allows for component upgrades over time, potentially extending its lifespan. If battery life is a concern, the Framework may offer longer usage between charges. Consider the Slim 5 if performance for the price is critical, or the Framework Laptop for its environmentally conscious design and future upgradeability. 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 display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Slim 5
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 16 comes with a capable internal graphics chip that can handle gaming and 3D tasks decently; however, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 includes a more powerful dedicated graphics card that boosts its ability to handle more graphically intensive games and 3D applications smoothly. While both laptops have good quality screens, the Legion Slim 5 often has a higher refresh rate, further enhancing the gaming experience with smoother visuals.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 Slim 5 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
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 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
8.4/10
7.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Framework Laptop 16 shines with its higher resolution and brighter screen, making text crisper and colors pop, which enhances your everyday browsing and productivity. Engineers and designers will appreciate the Framework's wider color gamut, meaning it can display a broader range of colors accurately, essential for detailed design work. However, gamers and 3D enthusiasts may find both laptops lacking due to their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion during fast-paced games or 3D rendering.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 has 7 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
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 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 Slim 5 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 Slim 5 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 Slim 5 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its high-quality CPU and RAM, delivers faster performance and a better screen for crisp visuals, ideal for daily tasks, and also offers the advantage of being lightweight and having a longer battery life for portability. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5, while still suitable for general use, leans towards heavier design and shorter battery life but compensates with adequate processing power and provides an immersive experience with its good keyboard and speaker quality, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize gaming or multimedia consumption despite reduced mobility.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.3/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Lenovo Legion Slim 5 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its modular design, offers respectable CPU and GPU performance ideal for engineering tasks, while its high-quality screen enhances design work; however, its RAM might limit the most intensive workloads. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5, with its superior CPU and GPU, excels in demanding engineering applications and offers ample RAM for complex designs, sacrificing a bit in portability due to its gaming-optimized build.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 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 Slim 5 Gen 8 acknowledges that a gaming laptop doesn’t have to be as thick as possible and can still ensure adequate cooling when the muscles need flexing. To this end, in the Slim 5 Gen 8, it finds a neat balance of refined, trimmed-down design that still lets its internals cruise (even above their max power ratings). Lenovo then added in some high-end build quality with an altogether excellent keyboard that’s useful for both work and play."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion Slim 5
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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