Lenovo’s Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop delivers compelling value in its base configuration, sealing the deal with a stunning OLED panel, the latest connectivity, and potent gaming performance for its price class.
Mainstream gaming laptops walk a fine line: They must provide more premium features to justify stepping up from budget models without crossing into high-end pricing. Lenovo’s Legion 5i Gen 10 ($1,499.99 in our Walmart-specific test model; otherwise starting at $1,559.99) hits that sweet spot in our review configuration, pairing an Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU. Its standout OLED display makes a compelling case for spending a bit more all on its own, delivering visual quality tough to match at this price. Aided by frequent sales—Lenovo often sells it for well below list price; ditto for this Walmart-exclusive build—the Legion 5i is a well-rounded performer with few compromises. It earns our Editors’ Choice award for midrange gaming laptops.Configurations: Many Options, But Watch for Sales
Positioned above budget gaming fare like the Lenovo LOQ 15, the Legion 5i offers premium features such as an OLED screen, a multi-zone RGB-lit keyboard, and enthusiast-grade graphics silicon. Our midrange review unit brackets mainstream gaming with a Core i7-14700HX “Raptor Lake” processor, a GeForce RTX 5060 graphics chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, though it’s not listed on Lenovo’s web store. The closest model we’ve seen is listed for $1,499 at Walmart, with half the memory (16GB), on sale for $1,199 at publishing time. Meanwhile, a variant costing $1,159 on Walmart further reduces the storage to 512GB. Lenovo’s own site starts with an RTX 5050 configuration for $1,559.99.
The varying pricing and specs pose a challenge for shoppers. For instance, not all retailers match Walmart’s discounts at the time of this review; Best Buy sells a less capable RTX 5050 model for $1,559. On the flip side, a $1,649 Walmart model steps up to a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 5070, providing significantly more horsepower for similar money. Meanwhile, newer Core Ultra 2 Series chips are also in play: a $1,489 Best Buy model pairs a Core Ultra 7 255HX with an RTX 5060. Lenovo’s own site tends to price higher, with a similar Core Ultra 7 model retailing for $1,709.99.
Bottom line: Lenovo’s pricing on the Legion 5i is volatile. Sales can dramatically shift the value proposition, underscoring the importance of cross-shopping retailers.
Although this review focuses on the Intel-based Legion 5i, AMD fans can opt for the same basic chassis with the standard Legion 5 (without the “i”). One Walmart listing features a Ryzen 7 260 and an RTX 5060 for $1,049. You can find other models with Copilot+ capabilities, thanks to a Ryzen AI 7 350, though at much higher prices.
Finally, don’t confuse the Legion 5 series with the more powerful Legion Pro 5 line, which bumps the display to 16 inches (up from 15.1), increases the refresh rate to 240Hz (versus 165Hz), and supports higher-tier GPUs. Pricing starts at $1,464 with an IPS panel, climbs to $1,649 with OLED, and tops out near $1,849 with an RTX 5070 Ti. (The standard Legion 5i caps out with the RTX 5070.)Design: An Aggressive Look, and Ample Connectivity
The Legion 5i looks gamer-serious: Its all-black frame, reflective Legion lettering, and finned rear thermal shelf clearly signal its performance roots. Most of the chassis is sturdy plastic, while the lid uses lightweight aluminum for a high-quality touch. The laptop overall feels reassuringly solid.
Instead of the 15.6- or 16-inch panel typically found in this class, the Legion 5i opts for a slightly smaller 15.1-inch diagonal with a taller 16:10 aspect ratio. Measuring 0.85 by 14.6 by 10.1 inches, the Legion is trimmer than the HP Victus 15 (0.93 by 14.1 by 10 inches) and the MSI Katana 15 HX (1.0 by 14.1 by 10.3 inches), which adhere to the classic 15.6-inch, 16:9 screen format. On the other hand, the Legion 5i is about the same size as the Alienware 16X Aurora (0.92 by 14.05 by 10.45 inches). Weight is where the Legion 5i really stands out: At 4.19 pounds, it’s significantly lighter than the HP (5.06 pounds), MSI (5.29 pounds), and Alienware (5.66 pounds) laptops.
Lenovo included well-rounded connectivity in the Legion package. Along the sides are two USB Type-C ports (one supporting Thunderbolt 4, the other 10Gbps), three USB-A connections (two 5Gbps, one 10Gbps), an Ethernet jack, and an audio port. Around back, you’ll find HDMI 2.
