If you're looking for value and don't require the most advanced features, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i offers solid performance for everyday tasks and gaming at a more affordable price. However, if your work involves professional 3D rendering, machine learning, or you need top-tier performance, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out, though it commands a higher price and may not be as portable due to its size and possibly shorter battery life. 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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
368.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is good.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i offers sufficient processing power and memory for typical tasks, along with a decent screen, but its heavier build and shorter battery life make it less ideal for on-the-go usage compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, which provides excellent performance and screen quality, more memory, and a lighter design with longer battery life, albeit at a higher price point. The MSI also has an edge with better quality amenities such as storage, keyboard, speakers, and superior heat management, though both handle operating noise well.
Gaming and AI
8.0/10
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and Lenovo Legion Pro 5i are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, with its strong GPU and high screen refresh rate, provides a smooth and immersive gaming and 3D experience; however, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with a superior GPU and equally high refresh rate, guarantees even better performance and visual fluidity, making it preferable for those seeking top-tier performance. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the MSI's edge in graphics power is the decisive factor for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
9.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is very good.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, with robust CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality GPU, handles engineering applications efficiently, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its superior screen quality and even more powerful specs, excels in demanding design tasks. While both have satisfying keyboard and speaker qualities with managed operational noise, the MSI may be less portable due to its focus on top-tier performance components.
Content Creation
7.6/10
8.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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.
Software Development
7.5/10
8.2/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is 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.
Screen Quality
8.1/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio laptops have displays with high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general tasks where clarity and visibility are key. For engineering and design, these laptops offer wide color gamuts, ensuring precise color representation crucial for professional work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates can make fast-paced visuals less smooth, which might detract from the immersive experience.
Battery
3.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has 3.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 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
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
5.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability, though the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
$1,000
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
"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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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