A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo Legion 9i offers powerful performance suitable for high-end gaming and demanding tasks such as 3D rendering and machine learning. It comes with a high-quality Mini LED display, more storage, and a larger screen but is heavier and less portable. If your work involves intensive engineering applications and gaming, and you don't mind a heavier device with a shorter battery life, the Legion 9i might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is more affordable, lighter, and offers much longer battery life, making it more suitable for general use and portability while still performing well in business-related tasks. It also has a touchscreen, which the Legion 9i lacks. If you prioritize portability and battery life over top-tier performance, the ThinkPad Z13 would be more appropriate. 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 9i
- Very good for general use
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class overall display quality
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.4
7.8
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
682.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good.
The Lenovo Legion 9i stands out for general use due to its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, and high-quality Mini LED screen, but with a noticeable tradeoff in portability and battery life. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, while still providing good performance for general use with its competent CPU and ample RAM, boasts better portability and longer battery life, making it more suitable for users who prioritize mobility.
Gaming and AI
9.2
6.3
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion 9i provides a superior gaming and 3D experience owing to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 165, which leads to smoother visuals and better performance during fast-paced gaming scenarios.
Engineering and Design
9.6
7.3
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 9i is best in class for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good.
The Lenovo Legion 9i excels in engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful CPU, larger RAM, and superior GPU, which are crucial for demanding software, as well as its exceptional screen quality which is beneficial for detailed visual work.
Content Creation
8.7
7.8
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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
8.3
7.7
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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
9.7
7.0
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
682.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Lenovo Legion 9i boasts superior screen resolution and brightness, along with robust color representation which explains its excellence for general use and engineering tasks. However, its lower refresh rate may not be ideal for 3D work and gaming where smooth motion is crucial. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 also offers good resolution and color accuracy needed for general tasks and professional design work but similarly falls short for gaming and 3D purposes due to its refresh rate limitations.
Battery
3.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion 9i has 3 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo Legion 9i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$3,420
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a price of $3,420 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 costs $1,000.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Lenovo Legion 9i and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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 Lenovo Legion 9i and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion 9i | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,420 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.9'' x 1.01'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.64 lbs | 2.78 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.08" | 11.59" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.93" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13980HX | AMD Ryzen 7 6850U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | 51.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 2000 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 682 nits | 379 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion 9i
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | December 2023
"The Lenovo Legion 9i is meant as a top-end flagship showcase for enthusiasts, and on that, it delivers. You'll find flashier designs in this price tier—Razer’s all-metal build in a similarly sized laptop like the Blade 16, or monstrous 18-inch machines—but this is a well-thought-out laptop. The chassis is trim for a 16-inch powerhouse, the lid is unique, and bespoke liquid cooling takes performance to the next level."
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | September 2022
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Legion 9i or the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Lenovo Legion 9i vs. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023)
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion 9i vs. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion 9i vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024)
VS
Compare Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 vs. LG Ultra 16
VS
Compare Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 vs. ASUS Vivobook 16X
VS
Compare Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F17
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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
131,295
Recommendations made
28,448
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.
Featured in
