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Updated March 22, 2024·
When deciding between the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider that the Lenovo is more budget-friendly and likely delivers solid performance for everyday use and moderate gaming. The MSI, on the other hand, usually comes at a higher price point but offers superior graphics and processing power, making it suitable for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, advanced machine learning, and high-end gaming. The MSI may also feature a larger screen and potentially better build quality, but it will be less portable due to increased weight and size compared to the Lenovo. 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 Slim 5i
- The Lenovo Legion Slim 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 overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.0
8.9
8.4/10
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 Slim 5i are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i offers a solid gaming experience with a capable GPU that handles most games well and a high screen refresh rate which ensures smooth gameplay, however, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out with a more powerful GPU for even higher game detail and better 3D performance, alongside a comparable screen refresh rate for fluidity in fast-paced scenes. While both have good CPUs and high-quality screens, the MSI's superior GPU makes it especially well-suited for the most demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4
9.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.4/10
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 Slim 5i is very good.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i, with its capable CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, ensures smooth performance for engineering tasks, while the high-quality screen aids in precise design work. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, however, has a more powerful CPU and GPU, along with superior screen quality, offering even better performance for demanding engineering and design software, with the tradeoff of being less portable and potentially noisier under load.
Screen Quality
8.0
8.4
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
343.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i offers a high-resolution display and good brightness, making it pleasant for everyday tasks and viewing content, but its lower refresh rate limits its smoothness for gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio boasts a similar high-resolution and bright screen which aids in meticulous engineering and design work due to its wider color gamut for more accurate color representation. However, its screen also falls short for gaming and 3D work because, like the Lenovo, it doesn't have the high refresh rate required for optimal viewing of fast-paced visuals.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability, though the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,055
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has a price of $1,055 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
343.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i, with solid performance and a quality display, is sufficient for most day-to-day tasks and is easy to carry around, but its battery may not last as long as some alternatives. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, being more powerful due to better CPU and RAM, provides smoother multitasking and a superior screen, making it excellent for general use, though it is less portable and may come at a higher price.
Content Creation
8.0
8.5
9.0/10
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 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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
7.8
8.2
9.0/10
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 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.
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has 7 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion Slim 5i | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,055 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.3'' x 0.99'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.16" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.25" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 343 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.7/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
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 | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | August 2023
"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 Lenovo Legion Slim 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.
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