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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Lenovo Legion 9i and the MSI Raider GE78, both are similarly priced with high-end features, including the same main processor and similar battery capacity. The Lenovo Legion 9i offers a slightly smaller screen with higher resolution, while the MSI has a larger screen but a lower pixel density. The MSI Raider GE78 comes with more storage and a more powerful GPU than the Lenovo, providing an edge in 3D rendering and machine learning tasks. Both are substantial in weight and come with Windows pre-installed, with the Lenovo on Windows 11 Home and the MSI on Windows 11 Pro. The MSI's larger screen size and weight make it less portable than the Lenovo, which could be a consideration if you need to carry the laptop regularly. The Lenovo has a Mini LED display, which typically provides better contrast, but the MSI has a higher refresh rate screen that might be preferable for gaming and fast-motion videos. Both laptops are well-suited for intensive tasks such as gaming, with high performance scores across the board. If portability and screen sharpness are your priorities, the Lenovo might be the better fit, but if you require more storage right out of the box, a more powerful GPU, and don't mind a larger screen size for a less portable option, the MSI would be more suitable. 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
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Best in class overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE78
- Best in class for gaming and AI
- Good battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.7
8.6
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
682.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a better screen than the MSI Raider GE78 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo Legion 9i excels due to its high-resolution, bright display, and the panel type which enhances the viewing experience with clear images and vibrant colors. When it comes to engineering and design, its superiority is derived from the wide color gamuts it covers, ensuring precise color representation that is critical for professional work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate hampers the experience, lacking the fluid motion that high refresh displays like those on the MSI Raider GE78 offer, despite the MSI having a lower resolution and a different panel type that's not quite as well-suited for color-sensitive tasks.
Battery
3.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion 9i has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE78 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
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
5.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The Lenovo Legion 9i has only fair portability, while the MSI Raider GE78 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$3,420
$4,386
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a price of $3,420 and the MSI Raider GE78 costs $4,386.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.4
8.7
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
682.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and Lenovo Legion 9i are both very good for general use.
The Lenovo Legion 9i offers a balance of performance and portability with a high-quality screen and decent battery life, making it versatile for various tasks, while the MSI Raider GE78, with its more powerful graphics and larger, but lower resolution screen, leans towards users prioritizing performance over portability, albeit with a slight compromise on battery life.
Gaming and AI
9.2
9.5
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE78 to be best in class for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Legion 9i is excellent.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
9.6
9.4
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion 9i to be best in class for engineering and design, while the MSI Raider GE78 is excellent.
The Lenovo Legion 9i boasts a high screen resolution Mini LED display and an RTX 4080 GPU, making it well-suited for engineering and design tasks where color accuracy and graphics performance are crucial. The MSI Raider GE78, on the other hand, has a more powerful RTX 4090 GPU for potentially more demanding engineering applications, and doubles the storage, but its IPS display has a lower resolution which may impact fine detail work, although it compensates with a larger screen size for enhanced visibility.
Content Creation
8.7
8.8
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE78 and Lenovo Legion 9i are both very 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
8.3
8.5
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and Lenovo Legion 9i are both very 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
8.5
8.5
The Lenovo Legion 9i and MSI Raider GE78 both have very 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 Legion 9i and the MSI Raider GE78 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion 9i | MSI Raider GE78 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,420 | $4,386 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.9'' x 1.01'' | 15'' x 11.7'' x 1.13'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.64 lbs | 6.83 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.08" | 14.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.93" | 11.73" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13980HX | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 2000 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 682 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion 9i
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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."
MSI Raider GE78
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | March 2023
"Performance-wise, the GE78 offers a significant boost over the GE77 for just slightly higher power consumption. You'll have to get the RTX 4080 or 4090 configurations to see the performance advantages, however, as the RTX 4070 is closer in performance to the older RTX 3080 Ti. In terms of design, some users might prefer the 16:9 minimalistic look of the older GE77 over the 16:10 retro-inspired GE78 and vice versa. We wouldn't call one better than the other in terms of aesthetics, but we'll give the edge to the GE78 for its stronger hinges and larger keys and clickpad."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Legion 9i or the MSI Raider GE78
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.
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