Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16-inch Gaming Laptop

Key Features of Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16-inch Gaming Laptop

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a next-generation gaming laptop that offers a blend of high-end performance and value. It’s particularly notable for its combination of powerful hardware and relatively accessible pricing.

Unique Features and Specifications

1. Design and Build: The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 features a refined and understated design, moving away from the overt gaming aesthetics of previous models. It boasts a smooth aluminum finish, rounded corners, and a minimalist yet premium look with a brushed aluminum badge. This design choice makes the laptop versatile for both gaming and professional environments.
2. Display: The laptop is equipped with a 16-inch IPS display, offering a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. It supports a high refresh rate of 165Hz, ensuring smooth gameplay and sharp visuals. However, it’s worth noting that the screen’s color gamut coverage may not be as wide as some competitors, with a focus on sRGB rather than wider color spaces like AdobeRGB or DCI-P3.
3. Performance: At its core, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor and an Nvidia RTX 4070 laptop GPU. This combination delivers top-tier gaming performance, capable of handling the latest games at high settings. The laptop also comes with 32GB of DDR5-5200 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, providing ample memory and storage for gaming and other demanding tasks.
4. Connectivity and Ports: The Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (with DisplayPort 1.4 and 140W power delivery), an HDMI 2.1 port, and an Ethernet jack. However, it lacks Thunderbolt support and a card reader.
5. Keyboard and Trackpad: The keyboard is consistent with previous Legion models, offering a comfortable typing experience with slightly concave keys and 1.5mm key travel. It includes a full layout with a Numpad and features basic RGB backlighting. The trackpad, likely made of smooth plastic, is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures.
6. Battery and Weight: The laptop is equipped with an 80 watt-hour battery, but its performance in terms of battery life is not detailed. The device weighs 5.51 pounds, making it slightly heavier than some competitors, potentially affecting its portability.
7. Price: The high-end configuration of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8, as reviewed, is priced at around $1,600. This model includes top-of-the-line specifications, offering good value for its performance capabilities.

Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 stands out for its excellent gaming performance, high-quality build, and sensible pricing. It offers a compelling option for gamers seeking a powerful, yet affordable, gaming laptop with a more professional aesthetic. While it has a few limitations, such as a screen with limited color gamut coverage and a slightly heavier build, these are offset by its overall performance and design quality.

Specification

Specification Category	Details
General
Model	Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 (16″ AMD)
Available Colors	Onyx Grey
Processor
Type	AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Mobile Processors
Graphics
GPU	NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ up to 4070
Memory
RAM	Up to 32GB DDR5-6000
Storage
Type	Fast, esports-ready SSD storage
Capacity	Up to 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Display
Size	16-inch
Type	WQXGA, 16:10, non-touch, matte
Resolution	2560 x 1600 px
Refresh Rate	240 Hz 3ms response, VRR support
Brightness	500 nits
Color Coverage	100% sRGB
Keyboard and Touchpad
Keyboard	4-zone RGB backlit keyboard with NumPad, 1.5 mm travel
Touchpad	Plastic surface
Connectivity
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
LAN	1G
Ports
USB Ports	1x USB-C 3.2 (DP 1.4), 1x USB-A 3.2 on left; 1x USB-A 3.2, e Shutter on right; DC-in, 1x USB-C 3.2(DPP 1.4+PD 140W), 2x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet on back
Other Ports	HDMI 2.1, Ethernet
Battery
Capacity	80 Whr
Power Adapter	300 W, USB-C charging up to 140W
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions	363.4 mm x 260.35 mm x 21.9-26.75 mm (WxDxH)
Weight	From 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) + power brick
Additional Features
Cooling	Legion ColdFront 5.0 cooling technology
Webcam	FHD with E-shutter
Audio	2x 2W stereo speakers
Operating System	Windows 11 Home
Special Features	Lenovo AI Engine+ for AI-tuned performance

Performance

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16-inch Gaming Laptop demonstrates robust performance in daily usage, particularly for users with a focus on gaming and multimedia tasks. Here are key aspects of its performance:

Keyboard and Trackpad

• Keyboard: The keyboard maintains a design consistent with previous models, featuring slightly soft keys that are quiet and comfortable for typing. It includes a full layout with a Numpad, full-sized arrow keys, and multimedia functions, making it versatile for various typing tasks.
• Trackpad: The trackpad, possibly made of smooth plastic, performs well with reliable gesture and tracking capabilities. It’s been noted for its adequate size and effective palm rejection.

Display

• Screen Quality: The 16-inch screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and 2560×1600 px resolution provides sharp images and minimal backlight bleed. Good viewing angles and a high brightness level (500 nits) make it suitable for gaming and multimedia consumption. However, it lacks wide color gamut coverage, topping out at around 100% sRGB, which might be a drawback for users needing more extensive color range for professional creative work.

Connectivity and Ports

• Ports: The laptop offers a variety of ports, including USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2 (supporting DP 1.4 and power delivery up to 140W), an Ethernet jack, and HDMI 2.1. Notably, it lacks Thunderbolt support and a card reader.
• Wireless Connectivity: It includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring stable and fast internet and peripheral connectivity.

Design and Build

• Construction: The laptop has a robust build, with a rear design that supports a larger internal cooling solution. The hinge allows for a 180-degree opening but shows some inconsistency in rigidity beyond 160 degrees. It’s somewhat heavier than some competitors, which might affect portability.
• Cooling: Equipped with a robust cooling solution, the laptop manages heat effectively during intensive tasks.

Overall Daily Performance

• Gaming and Multimedia: The laptop is particularly suited for gaming, benefiting from its high-refresh-rate screen and powerful GPU. For general multimedia use, the display quality and sound system make for an immersive experience.
• Work and Productivity: The laptop’s powerful processor and ample RAM support productivity tasks well, though it may be overkill for users with less demanding needs.

Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a solid choice for users who prioritize gaming and general multimedia usage. Its robust build, effective cooling, and powerful hardware make it a reliable daily driver for these tasks. However, the lack of wide color gamut support on the display and the absence of Thunderbolt and biometrics might be limiting for some professional users. The design, while sturdy, may also not appeal to those seeking a lighter and thinner laptop​​​​.

Pros

1. Design: The laptop has a unique design with sharp edges and rounded corners, setting it apart from other gaming laptops. The chassis surfaces are slightly roughened to reduce fingerprint buildup.
2. Build Quality: It features an anodized matte aluminum alloy outer lid with a robust PC-ABS bottom.
3. Hinge Design: One of the few gaming laptops with a 180-degree hinge, offering flexibility in screen positioning.
4. Cooling Solution: An elongated rear supports a larger internal cooling solution, ensuring better heat management.
5. Port Selection: A healthy selection of ports, most of them positioned along the rear for convenient access and cable management.
6. Connectivity: Comes standard with Intel AX211 for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, ensuring stable and fast internet connections.

Cons

1. Hinge Rigidity: The hinge rigidity is not uniform and weakens past approximately 160 degrees.
2. No Fingerprint-Power Button Combo: The laptop lacks a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, which is a common feature in many modern laptops.
3. Weight: The rear of the chassis is thicker than the front, contributing to a somewhat heavy weight, which might affect portability.
4. No Thunderbolt Support: Despite having a good selection of ports, it lacks Thunderbolt support, which might be a limitation for users requiring high-speed data transfer or connection to multiple external displays.
5. Wireless Performance: While it includes Wi-Fi 6E, its performance in wireless networking tests showed lower transfer rates compared to some competitors​​.

Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16-inch Gaming Laptop stands out in the competitive world of gaming laptops with a combination of robust performance and thoughtful design. Key features include:

1. Design: The laptop’s chassis is slightly roughened to reduce fingerprints, enhancing its aesthetic durability. It has a unique design with sharp edges and rounded corners, which sets it apart from typical gaming laptops.
2. Build Quality: An anodized matte aluminum alloy outer lid combined with a PC-ABS bottom offers a sturdy and durable build.
3. Hinge Design: It’s one of the few gaming laptops featuring a 180-degree hinge, allowing for versatile screen positioning, although hinge rigidity becomes less uniform past 160 degrees.
4. Port Selection and Connectivity: The laptop offers a variety of ports, most located along the rear for easier cable management. However, it lacks Thunderbolt support. It includes Intel AX211 for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring stable and fast internet connections.
5. Performance Aspects: The laptop is well-suited for gaming, thanks to its internal cooling solution and robust hardware. It’s designed to deliver a high-quality gaming experience, though some users may find the absence of certain features like a fingerprint reader and Thunderbolt port limiting​​.

FAQs