Discover the power and performance of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 gaming laptop
Table of Contents
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 Review: A Balanced 16-Inch Gaming Powerhouse
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8: Overview
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8, starting at $1,429, strikes an impressive balance between size, speed, and price, making it one of the best 16-inch gaming laptops you can buy from Lenovo. While its fans can be quite loud, this robust machine delivers substantial gaming power at a competitive price.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 16-inch WQXGA 165Hz display offers an excellent balance of speed and resolution.
- Strong performance at a competitive price point.
- Sturdy chassis with ample ports.
Cons:
- Loud fans that can overshadow the audio.
- Limited battery life.
Price and Configuration
The reviewed model of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is priced at $1,839 and features:
- Display: 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-C, 4x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack
- Size: 14.3 x 10.25 x 1.05 inches
- Weight: 5.51 pounds
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Design
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 maintains a professional look with its “Onyx Grey” aluminum lid, complemented by RGB keyboard lighting that adds a touch of gaming flair. The chassis is sturdy, providing confidence in its durability, although it is quite heavy.
Display
The 16-inch display offers a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate, hitting a sweet spot for both speed and resolution. However, the screen’s brightness averages 318.6 nits, which can be insufficient in brightly lit environments.
Ports
The Legion Pro 5 comes equipped with a variety of ports:
- Left Side: USB-C and USB-A ports.
- Right Side: USB-A port, 3.5mm audio jack, and an E-shutter switch for the webcam.
- Rear: Additional USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet, and power input.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The full-sized keyboard is comfortable and responsive, featuring customizable RGB lighting. The spacious trackpad is smooth and reliable, though most users will likely opt for an external mouse for gaming.
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Audio
The stereo speakers deliver decent sound quality but lack bass. More importantly, the loud fans often compete with the audio output, making headphones a better option for an immersive gaming experience.
Performance
The Legion Pro 5 delivers competitive performance across various benchmarks and gaming tests. With its Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, it handles modern games at high settings with ease, although it does get hot and loud under heavy load.
Battery Life and Heat
Battery life is a notable drawback, lasting under five hours in general use and less than an hour during gaming. The laptop also runs quite hot, particularly during intensive gaming sessions.
Webcam
The 1080p webcam is functional but not exceptional, and it lacks Windows Hello support. The included Tobii Experience app offers head-tracking features, but its utility is limited.
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Software
Pre-installed software includes Lenovo Vantage for diagnostics and Legion Arena for game management. However, McAfee LiveSafe bloatware is a nuisance and best uninstalled.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a solid choice for gamers seeking a powerful, mid-sized laptop without breaking the bank. While it has its drawbacks, such as loud fans and poor battery life, its performance and build quality make it a compelling option at this price point.
For those willing to spend a bit more, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 offers better performance, more RAM, and a higher refresh rate display, making it a worthy consideration for a superior gaming experience.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 Review: Detailed Analysis
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a powerful 16-inch gaming laptop designed to deliver a great gaming experience without an exorbitant price tag. Priced starting at $1,429, it combines a high-quality display, robust performance, and a sturdy build, making it a top contender in the mid-range gaming laptop market. However, it does come with its own set of drawbacks, which we will explore in detail.
Pros and Cons Breakdown
Pros:
- Display Quality: The 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display with a 165Hz refresh rate provides excellent visuals and smooth gameplay. It hits a sweet spot between resolution and refresh rate, making it suitable for both gaming and general use.
- Performance: Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, this laptop delivers strong performance for both gaming and productivity tasks.
- Build Quality: The aluminum chassis feels sturdy and durable, giving the laptop a premium look and feel. The design is simple yet elegant, with just enough gaming flair to stand out.
Cons:
- Noise Levels: The fans can get quite loud, especially during intensive gaming sessions. This can be distracting and may require the use of headphones to fully enjoy the audio.
- Battery Life: The battery life is relatively short, lasting under five hours during regular use and even less during gaming. This means the laptop needs to be plugged in most of the time, especially for prolonged gaming sessions.
Price and Configuration Options
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 comes in various configurations to suit different budgets and performance needs. The base model starts at $1,429 and features:
- Display: 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600 pixels)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (5200MHz)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
The reviewed model, priced at $1,839, comes with upgraded specs:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (5200MHz)
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Other customization options include upgrading to Windows 11 Pro, choosing an Intel CPU, increasing storage capacity, and opting for a higher refresh rate display panel.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is both functional and stylish. The “Onyx Grey” aluminum lid gives it a sleek, professional look, while the RGB lighting on the keyboard adds a touch of gaming aesthetics. The laptop measures 14.3 x 10.25 x 1.05 inches and weighs 5.51 pounds, making it relatively portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop. The build quality is impressive, with a sturdy chassis that can withstand the rigors of daily use and travel.
Display Quality
The 16-inch display is one of the standout features of the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8. With a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a refresh rate of 165Hz, it offers sharp visuals and smooth motion, which are essential for gaming. The display also supports various color profiles, including sRGB and Rec. 709, making it suitable for creative work as well. However, the brightness level, averaging 318.6 nits, is on the lower side, which can be an issue in bright environments.
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Connectivity and Ports
The Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 offers a generous selection of ports, ensuring you have plenty of options for connecting peripherals and accessories. The ports are distributed across the left, right, and rear sides of the laptop:
- Left Side: USB-C port and USB-A port.
- Right Side: USB-A port, 3.5mm audio jack, and an E-shutter switch for the webcam.
- Rear Side: Additional USB-C port, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1 port, RJ-45 Ethernet jack, and the power input.
The absence of a microSD card reader might be a downside for some users, but the available USB ports can accommodate adapters if needed.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Lenovo is known for its excellent keyboards, and the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is no exception. The full-sized keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, with well-spaced keys and a responsive feel. The RGB lighting can be customized across four zones, adding a personal touch to your setup. The trackpad is large and responsive, making it easy to navigate and perform gestures. However, for gaming, you’ll likely want to use an external mouse for better precision.
Audio Quality
The stereo speakers on the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 are adequate for general use, but they lack the depth and punch that gamers might desire. The speakers can get loud, but the bass is weak, which can affect the overall audio experience. Additionally, the loud fans can interfere with the audio, making it challenging to enjoy games or music without using headphones.
Battery Life and Heat Management
Battery life is one of the weaker aspects of the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8. During regular use, it lasts under five hours, and during gaming, it drops to less than an hour. This means the laptop needs to be plugged in most of the time, especially for prolonged gaming sessions. The laptop also tends to get hot under heavy load, which can affect comfort during extended use. The fans, while effective at cooling, can get quite loud, adding to the noise level.
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Webcam and Additional Features
The 1080p webcam on the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is functional but not exceptional. It lacks Windows Hello support, which means you’ll need to rely on traditional passwords or PINs for login. The included Tobii Experience app offers head-tracking features, which can be useful in some games and applications, but its utility is limited.
Pre-installed Software
Lenovo pre-installs a few software applications on the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8. Lenovo Vantage is a useful tool for diagnostics, system updates, and customization. Legion Arena helps manage your game library, although it’s not essential for all users. Unfortunately, the laptop also comes with McAfee LiveSafe, which is often considered bloatware and can be uninstalled for a cleaner experience.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a solid choice for gamers seeking a powerful, mid-sized laptop without breaking the bank. Its strengths lie in its performance, display quality, and build quality, making it a compelling option for gaming and productivity. However, it’s important to be aware of its drawbacks, such as loud fans and limited battery life, which may impact your overall experience.
For those willing to spend a bit more, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 offers better performance, more RAM, and a higher refresh rate display, making it a worthy consideration for a superior gaming experience. However, if you’re looking for a well-rounded gaming laptop at a competitive price, the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is definitely worth considering.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 Review: FAQs
1. What is the price of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The base model of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 starts at $1,429. The reviewed model, with upgraded specifications, is priced at $1,839.
2. What are the key specifications of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The key specifications of the reviewed Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 model include:
- Display: 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS, 165Hz
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (5200MHz)
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-C, 4x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack
3. How is the display quality of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The 16-inch WQXGA display offers a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a refresh rate of 165Hz. It provides sharp visuals and smooth motion, ideal for gaming and general use. However, the brightness averages 318.6 nits, which may be insufficient in brightly lit environments.
4. Does the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 have good build quality?
Yes, the Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 has a sturdy and durable aluminum chassis. The design is sleek and professional, with RGB keyboard lighting adding a touch of gaming flair. The laptop measures 14.3 x 10.25 x 1.05 inches and weighs 5.51 pounds, making it relatively portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop.
5. What ports are available on the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 offers a generous selection of ports:
- Left Side: USB-C and USB-A ports
- Right Side: USB-A port, 3.5mm audio jack, E-shutter switch for the webcam
- Rear Side: USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 Ethernet, power input
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6. How is the keyboard and touchpad experience on the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The keyboard is full-sized, comfortable, and responsive, with customizable RGB lighting. The touchpad is large and smooth, providing a good navigation experience. However, gamers might prefer using an external mouse for better precision.
7. What is the audio quality like on the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
The stereo speakers provide decent sound quality but lack bass, which affects the overall audio experience. Loud fans can also interfere with the audio, making headphones a better option for gaming or enjoying media.
8. How does the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 perform in gaming?
The Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 performs well in gaming, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. It handles modern games at high settings smoothly, though it can get hot and loud under heavy load.
9. What is the battery life of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
Battery life is relatively short, lasting under five hours during regular use and less than an hour during gaming. This means the laptop needs to be plugged in most of the time, especially for extended gaming sessions.
10. Does the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 have a good webcam?
The laptop features a 1080p webcam, which is functional but not exceptional. It lacks Windows Hello support, meaning you’ll need to use traditional passwords or PINs for login. The Tobii Experience app provides head-tracking features, but its utility is limited.
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11. What software comes pre-installed on the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8?
Pre-installed software includes Lenovo Vantage for diagnostics and customization, and Legion Arena for game management. Unfortunately, it also comes with McAfee LiveSafe bloatware, which can be uninstalled for a cleaner experience.
12. Is the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 worth buying?
Yes, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a solid choice for gamers looking for a powerful, mid-sized laptop at a competitive price. Its strengths include performance, display quality, and build quality. However, be aware of its drawbacks, such as loud fans and limited battery life. For those willing to spend more, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 offers better performance and additional features.
