The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is less expensive and offers good performance for general use, with a lighter weight making it more portable and suitable for carrying around. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a higher-end model with superior performance, especially for 3D rendering, machine learning, and intensive gaming, thanks to its more powerful processor and graphics card. However, the Legion 5 Pro is heavier and has a shorter battery life, which might not be as convenient if you frequently travel or work on the go. Consider the IdeaPad Slim 5i for general productivity and everyday tasks, or the Legion 5 Pro if you require high performance for demanding applications and are willing to handle additional weight and shorter battery life. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
Good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
8.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
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 Pro 5 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 outshines the IdeaPad Slim 5i for gaming and 3D tasks due to its superior Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card and higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth visuals and fast-paced gameplay. In contrast, the IdeaPad Slim 5i is equipped with an Intel i5-1335U Iris Xe graphics card and a lower refresh rate screen, which may suffice for casual gaming but falls short for more demanding 3D applications and gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
8.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is geared toward engineering and design with a reliable CPU and integrated graphics, along with a quality screen, but the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is better suited for even more demanding tasks, sporting a more powerful CPU and a high-end dedicated GPU, coupled with a higher-resolution display, which together provide superior performance and visual clarity for engineering and design applications. While both are reasonably portable, the IdeaPad 5i is lighter and has a longer battery life, which may be preferable for those who prioritize mobility and longer work sessions away from power outlets.
Screen Quality
6.4/10
8.0/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
315.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with its fair screen quality, offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks but may lack the wide color gamut and high resolution necessary for precise engineering and design work. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 boasts very good screen quality with a wider color gamut and high resolution that benefits detailed engineering and design tasks, providing richer and more accurate colors. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications due to lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and slower response times during fast-paced activities.
Battery
8.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 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
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good portability, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$828
$1,320
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a price of $828 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 costs $1,320.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with its efficient CPU and sufficient RAM, meets the needs of most general tasks while being lightweight and offering a reasonable battery life, which enhances its portability for everyday use. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, although heavier and with shorter battery life, includes a more powerful CPU and dedicated graphics card, making it more suitable for demanding applications and enhancing screen quality but at the cost of portability.
Content Creation
7.4/10
7.8/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
7.4/10
7.6/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
7.6/10
7.4/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 compare to other laptops
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
"It doesn't quite match its Legion Pro 7i sibling as an Editors' Choice winner, but Lenovo's AMD-powered Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a stylish, well-built gaming laptop with solid performance at both 1080p and its sharper native resolution. It's cheaper than some comparably equipped machines and better than some similarly priced ones. That's a recipe for success, even without its frequent availability of discounts or sales. A brighter screen and longer battery life would be nice, but even as is the Legion Pro 5 earns a solid recommendation."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i or the Lenovo Legion Pro 5
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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