My top gaming laptop of 2024 defended its crown with a redesign, but lost one of my favorite features

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Year over year, one of the top recommended gaming laptops is the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i.

Seizing the moment as Intel and NVIDIA introduced their latest hardware generations simultaneously, Lenovo utilized this chance to overhaul its premier gaming laptop and bring about significant enhancements.

Once more, this outcome makes it an effortlessly suggested choice for individuals hunting for the most potent 16-inch laptops available. However, not all modifications Lenovo implemented are favorable, according to me.

The latest Lenovo Legion laptop boasts an outstanding new screen, increased power, and a top-tier casing, but these improvements come with a steeper initial cost and the absence of rear-facing ports – a feature I found particularly appealing in earlier models.

Indeed, it seems that Lenovo has crafted an exceptional device for gaming enthusiasts. In truth, this laptop stands among the top-tier choices for gamers in the year 2025.

Legion Pro 7i review: Cheat sheet

  • What is it? A flagship, 16-inch gaming laptop powered by Intel and NVIDIA hardware.
  • Who is it for? Hardcore gamers who are willing to spend more to get the most powerful portable gaming PC they can.
  • How much does it cost? The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) starts from $2,909.99 at Lenovo.
  • What did I like? The rock-solid build quality, incredible OLED display, and top-notch performance.
  • What did I not like? The loss of rear-mounted ports, the rising price, and the lack of any biometric authentication option.

Legion Pro 7i review: Pricing and specifications

Over the recent generations, the cost of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, known for its high-end gaming capabilities, has seen an increase.

Currently, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) is priced at $2,909.99 on Lenovo’s website. This price comes equipped with a 16-inch OLED display, an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.

The model I inspected retails for $3,599.99 at Lenovo, offering a significant upgrade to an RTX 5080 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and a massive 2 Terabyte (TB) Solid State Drive (SSD) storage space.

Inside the box, you’ll discover your Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Generation 10 gaming laptop along with a 400-watt, exclusive DC power adapter.

The box contains your Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) gaming laptop and a custom 400W DC charger.

Legion Pro 7i review: Design and build quality

During my first practical use of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10), I took a moment to evaluate its characteristics against its predecessor. Since this model underwent a redesign, there are several distinct variations to observe.

In essence, there’s still the aluminum frame with a dark matte finish, yet Lenovo has made the Legion Pro 7i model somewhat thicker, larger, and surprisingly lighter compared to the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 9) I previously reviewed.

In my observation, when closed, the Legion Pro 7i’s lid sits snugly against its larger backside. This design adjustment is not without purpose; Lenovo has revamped this laptop’s cooling system and integrated substantial vents at the rear, enhancing the overall airflow for better heat dissipation.

This change, however, involves shifting the ports (details coming up), but Lenovo has additionally accentuated the vents with multi-colored RGB illumination and embellished the “Legion” emblem on the lid in the same style, resulting in a wider array of lights to customize.

Remarkably, the latest Lenovo Legion Pro 7i shares the robustness of a military tank in its construction. The exceptional build quality is evident, despite its bulky and weighty nature, creating an impression of superior elegance. Among all Lenovo Legion laptops I’ve encountered, this one stands out as my personal favorite in terms of both aesthetics and feel.

The expanded cooling system comes with a trade-off, however: there are now no available ports at the back of the laptop due to the increased vent size. As a result, they have been moved to the sides instead.

I greatly appreciate it when laptops have power, display, Ethernet, and a couple of USB ports at the back, as it helps keep cables tidy, even in a fully-equipped setup. This is particularly useful when using a mouse on one side, which many users often do.

Apart from being side-mounted, these ports on the Lenovo device are strategically placed about halfway down the case, making them hard to miss due to their prominent positioning.

It’s great to see an upgrade from USB Type-C to Thunderbolt 4 in this device, but it’s a pity that we’ve lost one USB Type-A port compared to last year’s model. Fortunately, Ethernet and HDMI 2.1 are still available, and you can still enjoy 140W charging using one of the USB Type-C ports if needed.

Legion Pro 7i review: Display quality

In my observation, a significant enhancement has been made to the screen of the updated tenth-generation Legion Pro 7i. Previously, an IPS LCD panel was in use, but now, it boasts a stunning OLED display instead – quite the visual treat!

The diagonal measurement remains at 16 inches, its aspect ratio remains taller at 16:10, it continues to offer QHD+ resolution for clear viewing, and it maintains a swift 240Hz refresh rate for smooth performance. However, it doesn’t support touch input and is framed by relatively slim plastic raised bezels.

In terms of image quality, there isn’t much common ground between the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) and its competitors. The Legion Pro 7i significantly outshines them in various aspects, such as vibrancy, color accuracy, contrast, speed, and reliability.

Regarding OLED displays, this particular panel is truly remarkable. Lenovo has skillfully calibrated it, and these enhancements are supported by X-Rite, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, and TÜV Rheinland High Gaming Performance certifications. In simpler terms, the display’s performance is impressive, and it has been fine-tuned to meet high standards for low blue light emission and gaming performance, as verified by X-Rite and TÜV Rheinland.

The Legion Pro 7i (Generation 10) effortlessly achieves 100% coverage for both sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. To maintain the display’s calibration, Lenovo incorporates X-Rite Color Assistant software into it.

As a researcher, I must share my excitement about this particular display. Not only does it reach an impressive brightness of over 500nits, significantly surpassing the typical 300-400nits we’re accustomed to in other OLED displays, but it also offers a delightful darkness level, ensuring smooth gaming experiences even during those late-night sessions.

Regardless of the brightness settings, the black tones are incredibly deep and the color balance between whites is nearly flawless and consistently excellent. In essence, this display is visually appealing in every way.

The performance on the new Legion Pro 7i is exceptional, not just because of its 240Hz refresh rate, but also due to its lightning-fast sub-1ms response time. Additionally, it offers NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus support, ensuring smooth and seamless gameplay with no ghosting, screen tearing, or lag.

The Legion Pro 7i boasts exceptional support for High Dynamic Range (HDR), going beyond the norm. Not only does it feature Dolby Vision, but it’s also VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certified, a rarity. In essence, this means that small sections of the screen can reach extremely high brightness levels, significantly enhancing the vibrancy of HDR content.

As an analyst, I acknowledge that while the display in question presents a notable improvement compared to many other OLED displays, it employs Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming. This technique has its drawbacks, particularly for those who are highly sensitive to the characteristic flickering associated with PWM. However, since this display is less extreme in terms of this issue compared to others, most users should not experience significant discomfort due to the flicker.

I’m equally frustrated by the limited software features and customization options available for the Legion Pro 7i’s OLED screen. The only setting for burn-in protection is a one-size-fits-all toggle, and there isn’t much else beyond the X-Rite app. However, it’s worth noting that ASUS continues to set the bar high in this area. On top of that, I find the display a bit too glossy for my preference.

Legion Pro 7i review: Performance and thermals

Year after year, Lenovo equips its laptops with the most potent Intel and NVIDIA components available, and this latest model, the Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10), is no exception. In fact, it’s holding its own against larger laptops that theoretically should boast greater power on paper.

Each Legion Pro 7i device will run on the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a formidable 24-core processor that outperforms its predecessor (Intel Core i9-14900HX) in many situations despite having 8 fewer threads and a lower maximum clock speed.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m excited to share that this laptop can be loaded with up to a whopping 64GB of DDR5 RAM and boasts a massive 2TB SSD storage. With two CSODIMM slots and two M.2 2280 slots, you have the flexibility to scale your memory and storage needs in the future. Plus, Lenovo allows for upgrades, though my specific configuration doesn’t include it, but you can upgrade the main 1TB SSD to PCIe Gen5 for blazing-fast speeds if you’re all about top performance!

Instead of opting for the top-tier NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, it’s wiser to stick with the RTX 5080 as the Legion Pro 7i performs exceptionally well even at this level. The RTX 5090 might not be a smart investment unless you have unique requirements such as its enhanced VRAM or RT cores. In essence, consider saving your money and settling for the RTX 5080.

This laptop is incredibly powerful, able to handle most computing tasks effortlessly, thanks to its robust hardware that can easily manage heavy workloads.

In benchmark tests, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) either surpasses or nearly matches the records set by Windows Central. It performs exceptionally well under heavy CPU or GPU load, making it a formidable machine. Compared to last year’s model, it represents a significant upgrade.

Lenovo’s enhanced cooling system is quite remarkable, as well. We’re also evaluating the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025), which shares the same CPU, RAM, and storage as the Legion Pro 7i… but boasts a more potent RTX 5090 graphics card.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i usually outperforms larger and pricier laptops in most aspects, and it frequently surpasses them. In the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, the Legion Pro 7i’s RTX 5080 graphics card showed only a 4% lower score compared to the RTX 5090 in the SCAR 18, demonstrating its impressive performance in terms of gaming and graphics.

I also subjected the Legion Pro 7i to a continuous benchmark test for 25 rounds, and it demonstrated an impressive framerate consistency of 98.7%, which undeniably wins my endorsement. Throughout my rigorous testing or gaming sessions, the Legion Pro 7i never gave off a warm sensation, and its fans, although audible, maintained a steady, low-toned hum.

Here’s how the Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) handled the usual slate of games I use to benchmark:

  • Forza Horizon 5 — 158 FPS (Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution/Intel XeSS 2/NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution/Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency disabled) | 233 FPS (Max settings, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to Auto, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency enabled)
  • Gears 5 — 134 FPS (Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, uncapped framerate, v-sync enabled)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 — 145 FPS (Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to Performance, NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation disabled)
  • Cyberpunk 2077 — 80 FPS (Ray Tracing: Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution Transformer Model set to Auto, NVIDIA DLSS Reflex Low Latency enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation disabled) | 179 FPS (Ray Tracing: Overdrive preset, NVIDIA DLSS Ray Reconstruction enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Multi-Frame Generation 4x enabled)

During gameplay, the Legion Pro 7i consistently delivered smooth performance, showing minimal lag or hiccups based on my tests.

The RTX 50-series GPUs are more capable of utilizing the latest DLSS 4 technologies, such as Multi-Frame Generation, but they aren’t necessary to witness improved frame rates across various games compared to the previous generation. For instance, in Forza Horizon 5 and Gears 5, there is a noticeable improvement of approximately 21% and 13%, respectively.

Legion Pro 7i review: Software and AI experience

On the Legion Pro 7i, Windows 11 operates smoothly and flawlessly, while Lenovo’s additional software offerings are generally helpful or, at the very least, they don’t interfere with the overall experience.

The settings for the device have been divided between the existing Lenovo Vantage application and a fresh Legion Space launcher, which seems acceptable. The new launcher at least appears clean and user-friendly, but there’s a significant absence of advanced settings, such as overclocking options. You can only toggle GPU overclocking; there are no deeper customizations available for it.

I’m not a fan of the bothersome, unwanted pre-installations like Lenovo Subscription Marketplace (Lenovo Now), McAfee Antivirus, and their spammy nature. However, it’s recommended that you retain the rest of your software setup.

Currently, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) functions as an AI PC, yet it falls short of meeting the criteria to be classified as a Copilot+ PC. This seems to be due to Intel’s decision to equip their high-end CPUs with a relatively weak Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

Indeed, you’re tapping into a staggering 13 TOPS of AI computational power with that NPU, complemented by Lenovo’s proprietary “AI Engine+”. These components offer an edge to certain programs, enhancing performance and efficiency. Interestingly, the latter appears to facilitate machine learning for performance optimization, making it more efficient over time.

While The Legion Pro 7i might not be an undeniable part of AI’s future in Windows, it should be noted that the entire NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs are specifically designed for heavy-duty artificial intelligence tasks, and they certainly excel in this area.

Legion Pro 7i review: Battery experience

Typically, the essence of this section could be rephrased as “Usually, the battery life isn’t impressive in Lenovo Legion laptops, which might not come as a surprise.

Despite its persistent poor battery life, I’ve been delightfully impressed by the latest generation Legion Pro 7i. It appears that the 99.9Whr battery is reaping benefits from the more efficient Intel and NVIDIA components, as well as any under-the-hood optimizations Lenovo may have implemented.

Running a one-hour Microsoft Office task and an HD video on the default Balanced performance setting led to approximately 32% and 35% battery drain, respectively, while maintaining a display brightness of 200nits at 240Hz refresh rate, utilizing RGB lighting, and keeping speaker volume at 50%.

Running for an hour a Microsoft Office workload and an HD video on the Balanced performance mode resulted in about 32% and 35% battery depletion, respectively. The settings included a display brightness of 200nits at 240Hz refresh rate, using RGB lighting, and setting speaker volume to 50%.

Or more concisely:

Running a Microsoft Office task and an HD video on the Balanced performance mode for one hour caused approximately 32% and 35% battery drain, respectively. Settings included display brightness of 200nits at 240Hz refresh rate, RGB lighting, and 50% speaker volume.

To clarify, I didn’t alter the settings significantly. I left the RGB lighting active, kept the display refresh rate at 60Hz, and didn’t reduce the performance settings to the minimum level.

Performing a Windows Battery Report corroborated the findings, meaning I can anticipate approximately 3 hours of real-world use (keeping in mind that this is for less intensive tasks like regular work, not gaming).

While this device may not function as a full-day work laptop, you can still achieve satisfactory battery life by adjusting your settings and turning off certain features.

On battery mode, the Legion Pro 7i maintains comparable multi-core CPU performance to the Razer Blade 16 (2025), albeit with a reduction of approximately 23%. The GPU performance is about equivalent to a mobile RTX 4070, experiencing a drop of around 46%. While these numbers might seem substantial, it’s important to note that on battery power, the Legion Pro 7i’s CPU performance remains competitive with the Razer Blade 16 (2025), and its GPU performance falls within the range of a high-end mobile graphics card.

The performance remains impressive, and it comes with an enormous 400W charger for rapid charging. If you’re not planning on intense gaming or heavy usage when traveling, a compact, 140W USB Type-C charger should suffice.

Legion Pro 7i review: Keyboard and touchpad

The “TrueStrike” keyboard on the new Lenovo Legion Pro 7i wasn’t significantly upgraded; instead, it received a stylish update with a vibrant, playful font and the “Legion” logo replacing the “O”. This keyboard was already exceptional on gaming laptops, so a fresh look was all it required to maintain its excellence.

The keyboard retains a mini numeric keypad, delighting some users while frustrating others. However, I personally find it a valuable feature, along with the full-sized navigation keys.

Lenovo continues to display all shortcuts when the “Fn” key is pressed, a practice that should be universal among all manufacturers. The individual RGB lighting remains visually appealing, though it may not be quite as streamlined as the one found in Razer’s Blade laptops.

This gaming keyboard delivers everything you could ask for: a spacious design, satisfying key travel, swift responsiveness, and quick snapback. The thoughtfully selected Fn row shortcuts add to its convenience. However, it lacks reprogrammable macro keys, which is understandable given that it includes a number pad.

The touchpad on this device hasn’t seen significant updates. It’s compact and not particularly appealing to use, but Microsoft Precision drivers make it functional. I’d certainly prefer a haptic touchpad that transforms into an immovable surface when deactivated, but Lenovo understands where to focus their efforts with their Legion laptops, and the touchpad isn’t high on that list.

Legion Pro 7i review: Other hardware

2025 finds us here, and though Lenovo’s top-tier gaming laptop retails for over $3,000, it lacks the comfort of Windows Hello biometric authentication via facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. I can’t help but long for this added convenience on this device.

As a tech enthusiast, I find that the webcam on the Legion Pro 7i is average, similar to the touchpad – aspects that aren’t top priorities for this device category. However, it does come with electronic privacy shutters on the side, which is a plus for privacy-conscious users like myself. This model appears to have missed out on the Tobii eye-tracking feature, a detail I suspect won’t significantly impact most users given its limited usage in previous models.

As an observer, I must say, this time there’s been an enhancement in the audio setup! Lenovo has doubled the number of speakers to four, all still fine-tuned by Nahimic. The difference is quite perceptible. These speakers are powerful and maintain a consistent volume level, offering clarity and detail suitable for music enjoyment.

As a researcher examining audio quality, I’ve noticed that while the Legion Pro 7i isn’t quite on par with the very best laptop speakers regarding low-end bass richness, clarity in the midrange, and high-frequency definition and depth, it still manages to surpass many others in its class, positioning itself above average.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m right at the bleeding edge of wireless technology with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, and I can happily report that both have been flawless in my experience.

Legion Pro 7i review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want the most powerful 16-inch laptop you can get.
  • You want a premium design with tank-like build quality.
  • You want the best OLED display you’ll find in a gaming laptop.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You really want a Copilot+ PC on the cutting edge of AI in Windows.
  • You need a laptop that’s easy to carry around and can last all day.

I really enjoyed the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 9), but its design seemed to be getting dated and required an update. To address this, Lenovo stepped up their game, launching into double-digit generations alongside a new Intel and NVIDIA era with some major improvements.

The latest model of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Generation 10) serves as a superb successor to one of our top picks from 2024, boasting increased power and capabilities compared to its predecessors.

This laptop, the Legion Pro 7i, excels like no other, offering a delightful blend of cool and breezy thermals, an exceptional OLED display that ranks high among those I’ve tested, and a robust construction that suggests it could withstand even a head-on collision with a rampaging truck.

As a devoted enthusiast, I must confess that I do yearn for the convenience of Windows Hello. When it comes to Lenovo’s software, there’s certainly room for improvement. And let’s be honest, this laptop doesn’t come cheap – it’s quite a substantial investment. However, if you’re seeking one of the top-tier 16-inch gaming laptops currently available on the market, then here it is.

You have the option to purchase the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) for $2,909.99 directly from Lenovo, however, be mindful that the cost could escalate with additional high-performance components. Just remember to steer clear of the RTX 5090.

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2025-05-03 15:12