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Lenovo Legion Slim 5 (2023) Review

The Legion 5 is BACK!

Lenovo's Legion series has consistently been a top contender in the gaming laptop arena. This year, they've introduced the Legion Slim 5, which, despite its "Slim" moniker, is essentially an upgraded version of the Legion 5. Let's dive deep into its features and performance to determine if it's worth your attention.

Design & Build Quality

The Legion Slim 5 sports a sleek Storm grey finish. The lid is crafted from metal aluminum with an anodized finish, while the interior and bottom panels are made of plastic. The build quality is commendable, reminiscent of the previous year's Legion 5. However, there's a bit more keyboard flex than anticipated when pressed hard. During regular use, the laptop feels sturdy. The metal lid is robust, and the hinge operates smoothly. The lid's design facilitates easy opening, and the screen can be tilted all the way back for sharing.

Size & Weight

Although it's named "Slim 5", the laptop isn't exactly svelte. It weighs 5.2lb (2.4kg) on its own, and with the 230-watt charger, it's 7.1lb (3.2kg). It feels a tad heavy for its size.

Laptop Specs

The Legion Slim 5 model I reviewed is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, paired with Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics. It also boasts 16GB of RAM and a 16” 165Hz screen. However, various configurations are available to cater to different needs.

Specification	Details
Design	Storm grey finish, Metal aluminum lid with anodized finish, Plastic interior and bottom panels
Weight	5.2lb (2.4kg)
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
Graphics	Nvidia RTX 4060
RAM	16GB
Display	16” 165Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio
Battery	4-Cell 80Wh (also available in 60Wh variant)
Keyboard	4 zones of RGB backlighting
Touchpad	Plastic
Ports	2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3.5mm audio combo jack, SD card slot, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, gigabit ethernet, HDMI 2.1, power input
Cooling System	Two fans, heatpipes shared between CPU and GPU
Camera	1080p (also available in 720p)
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6E
Storage	512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (with an additional M.2 slot for upgrades)
Additional Features	MUX switch, Advanced optimus, G-Sync
Price (at time of recording)	$1530 USD (subject to discounts and sales)

Keyboard, RGB Lighting & Touchpad

The keyboard is equipped with 4 zones of RGB backlighting, but there's also a pure white option. All keys, including secondary functions, are illuminated. The lighting can be adjusted through Lenovo’s Vantage software. Typing feels comfortable, similar to other Lenovo laptops, with a subtle clicky feedback. The plastic touchpad is functional but feels a bit loose compared to some competitors.

Ports

The laptop offers a variety of ports. On the left, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. The right side houses an SD card slot and a switch for disconnecting the camera. The back features two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, gigabit ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and the power input. Icons above the rear ports make it easier to plug in devices without having to turn the laptop around.

Getting Inside & Internals

Accessing the internals is straightforward. Inside, you'll find the battery, two memory slots, an SSD, a spare M.2 slot, and the Wi-Fi 6E card. The Wi-Fi speed is commendable, and the installed 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD delivers impressive read and write speeds.

Wi-Fi, SSD & SD Card Speed

The Wi-Fi speed is decent, and the installed SSD performs well. However, the SD card slot's speed is a bit on the slower side.

Upgrade Options

The laptop offers excellent upgradeability. Unlike some of its counterparts, there's no soldered memory, and both M.2 slots can accommodate a double-sided 4TB SSD.

Speakers & Latencymon

The speakers, located towards the front, deliver decent sound quality. However, they can sound muffled at higher volumes. The Latencymon results weren't particularly impressive, a trend observed in many laptops this year.

Battery Size & Power Saving Features

The Legion Slim 5 comes with a 4-Cell 80Wh battery. There's also a 60Wh variant available. Lenovo's Vantage software offers features like adaptive refresh rate and conservation mode to optimize battery life.

Battery Life Comparison

In a YouTube video playback test, the laptop lasted for over 8 hours, which is impressive. However, it still lags behind some competitors, like Apple's MacBook.

Cooling Design & Thermal Modes

The laptop's cooling system comprises two fans, heatpipes shared between the CPU and GPU, and a phase change thermal compound. The Vantage software allows users to toggle between different performance modes, offering a balance between performance and noise.

Temperatures / Clock Speed / TDP

The laptop manages to maintain decent internal temperatures even under load. Performance mode caps the CPU at 45 watts, but with additional cooling, it can go higher.

Notebookcheck 60-100W RTX 4060?

There's been some discussion about the RTX 4060's power consumption. While some sources suggest it operates between 60 and 100 watts, the Legion Slim 5 seems to push it beyond these limits.

Game Performance in Different Modes

The laptop's gaming performance is commendable. In most games, there's hardly any noticeable difference between performance and custom modes.

Cinebench CPU Performance (On & Off Battery)

The laptop's Cinebench scores are impressive, especially when considering its price point. Performance remains robust even when running on battery power.

Does it Feel Hot - Keyboard Temperatures

The keyboard remains relatively cool during regular use. However, during intensive tasks, the space bar area can get a bit warm.

Is it Loud - Fan Noise & Cooling Pad

The fans can get loud under heavy load, especially in custom mode with the fans maxed out. Using a cooling pad can help reduce temperatures and fan noise.

New Screen

The Legion Slim 5 features a 16:10 screen, offering more vertical pixels and reducing the bottom bezel. The display looks vibrant and sharp, suitable for gaming.

Screen Color, Brightness, Contrast & Bleed

The screen offers decent color accuracy, brightness, and contrast. The backlight bleed is minimal, but this can vary between units.

Screen Response Time & Latency

The screen's response time is impressive, especially when the overdrive mode is enabled. The total system latency is slightly higher than some competitors but remains acceptable for most users.

Camera & Microphone Test

The laptop comes with a 1080p camera, which delivers decent video quality. The microphones also capture clear audio, making it suitable for video calls.

MUX Switch, Advanced Optimus & G-Sync

The Legion Slim 5 features a MUX switch, allowing users to toggle between dGPU and hybrid modes. It also supports advanced optimus and G-Sync for an enhanced gaming experience.

3 Game Comparison (1440p & 1080p)

In gaming benchmarks, the Legion Slim 5 holds its own against competitors, delivering consistent performance across various titles.

3DMark & Content Creation

In 3DMark benchmarks, the laptop performs admirably. It also handles content creation tasks efficiently, making it suitable for both gamers and creators.

BIOS

Lenovo's BIOS offers a decent level of customization, although it's not as extensive as some competitors.

Linux Support - Almost Perfect

Linux enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Legion Slim 5 offers excellent Linux support, with most features working out of the box.

Pricing, Availability & Laptop Deals

Prices and availability can vary, so it's advisable to check for the latest deals. The Legion Slim 5 offers good value for money, especially when on sale.

Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Worth It?

Considering its features, performance, and price point You can watch full review of the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 on Jarrod's Tech Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwUoLbMhiWk