Just lately, we obtained to check out the Legion Slim 5 2023particularly the 16IRH8 mannequin with a Thirteenth-generation Core i7 and an RTX 4050 GPU.
Through the years, we’ve reviewed many Lenovo and Legion laptops, and just about all of them ship nice gaming efficiency for the value. Now, the brand new Legion Slim 5 (16IRH8) guarantees to as soon as once more be one other succesful gaming machine because of its CPU and GPU combo.
What’s extra, the laptop computer has a 16″ WQXGA (2560×1600) show — that’s a better decision display than many different laptops as 1080p continues to be fairly widespread. Plus, the display has a 16:10 side ratio, that means it ought to be a superb match for productiveness.
Given the upper decision, it’ll be fascinating to see if the laptop computer’s {hardware} can play at present’s fashionable video games on the display’s native decision. Additionally, gaming efficiency is essential, however is the laptop computer additionally good for different use circumstances?
To seek out out, learn on right here in our Legion Slim 5 2023 assessment.
Geek-sthetic
To start out, let’s check out the laptop computer’s design. The Legion Slim 5 seems to be rather a lot like different Legion laptops earlier than with its modern and delicate styling. The one actual branding right here is the Legion emblem on the quilt’s higher left facet together with a small Lenovo emblem on the backside proper.
Whereas gaming laptops have a popularity for being eye-catching machines with a number of lights and angular design components, the look of this Legion laptop computer is extra subdued, making it mix even in an workplace setting. Although it’s noticeably greater than the sometimes small work laptop computer.
Although it has an enormous footprint, the Slim 5 is true to its “Slim” title. Although it has a big show, the laptop computer has a slim physique general, that means it ought to be pretty simple to carry with you whereas on the go.
The laptop computer’s hinge additionally permits the display to fold flat. Whereas this in all probability gained’t be mandatory for gaming, it’s one thing that could be helpful for some customers — say, if it’s good to present somebody what you’re engaged on in the identical desk.
The Slim title can be a superb descriptor for its display because the laptop computer’s 16-inch show has slim facet bezels. Although there’s a raised border on the prime to accommodate the webcam.
Some laptops both don’t put a webcam for slender bezels or they’ve the webcam under. For us, we a lot favor having a raised border like this on the prime to have the webcam on the correct location. That’s as a result of the low webcam place doesn’t have a flattering angle. Although we do want that the laptop computer had a bodily shutter. Whereas it does have an digital shutter, we favor the bodily one in different Lenovo and Legion laptops.
As for I/O, the laptop computer has a complete choice, together with 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 1 HDMI 2.1, 1 card reader, 1 ethernet, and 1 headphone/mic combo jack.
The cardboard reader is sort of fascinating as it’s accommodates a full-size SD card. That is nice for customers who’ve cameras that don’t assist micro SD playing cards. In any case, many laptops solely have microSD readers.
What’s additionally good is the place of the ports. As with different Legion laptops, lots of the ports are on the again, that means it’s simpler to maintain cables tidy.
Binge Watching Issue
Earlier than moving into the laptop computer’s gaming efficiency, let’s first see if it’s a superb match for binge-watching. In any case, many customers additionally watch their favourite motion pictures/exhibits on a laptop computer (particularly if there are a lot of individuals combating for restricted TVs in a single home).
For this objective, the Legion Slim 5 doesn’t disappoint as its display outputs good colours. Although it’s not an OLED display, the show ought to nonetheless be nice for many customers. Although we wished that the display is a bit brighter, particularly if you happen to’re in a spot with a variety of gentle.
Additionally, take be aware that as a result of it’s a taller display (with its 16:10 side ratio) most TV exhibits may have black bars on the prime and backside. Fortunately, we didn’t discover these distracting.
Sound Journey
As for sound, many gaming laptops don’t actually ship good audio. The Legion Slim 5 is a minimum of first rate on this regard as its onboard audio system have okay high quality for listening to music or watching motion pictures/exhibits, even at max quantity.
You’ll need to have it at max most occasions although because it doesn’t get that loud. This may be a problem for gaming, particularly underneath excessive load when the followers spin quick. At the least the laptop computer has a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack so you’ll be able to join your headphones for higher and louder audio.
Professional Gaming Controls
Because it’s a laptop computer with a 16-inch display, the Legion Slim 5 packs a full-size keyboard with a quantity pad. Relying on the configuration, it additionally comes with 4-zone RGB lighting. Whereas not per-key RGB, that configuration nonetheless provides customers a point of personalization for his or her machine.
For the typing expertise, the Legion Slim 5 feels nice to kind on because the keys have a good tactile really feel for a membrane keyboard. Although the location of the arrow keys took a while to get used to because it’s decrease than you’d count on to accommodate the opposite keys. As for the trackpad, it’s sufficiently big for me that I had no points utilizing it in lieu of a mouse (a minimum of for common use).
In the meantime, gaming on the Legion Slim 5’s keyboard can be a superb expertise personally. Even after hours of gaming, I discovered it to be fairly cozy and I didn’t run into any points throughout my time with it. Your mileage might fluctuate after all, however for many customers, the keyboard right here ought to be passable.
Gaming Prowess
Lastly, we’re going to discover the Legion Slim 5’s gaming efficiency. The laptop computer has an Intel Core i7-13700H together with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6 and 16GB of RAM.
On paper, it is a succesful mixture. However after all, specs aren’t every thing. So, does this laptop computer ship? Fortunately, it very a lot does for each esports titles and triple-A video games.
In our checks, we performed video games on the laptop computer’s native decision. Whereas you’re going to get higher efficiency at a decrease decision (like 1920 x 1200), we examined on the native decision to see if the laptop computer’s show may be taken benefit of.
To start out, listed here are the outcomes for Dota 2 and Overwatch:
As you’ll be able to see, each video games ran easily on the max graphics setting for every sport on the native decision. The 1% low numbers are additionally good as this implies each titles ran easily, with the hitches being barely noticeable. You possibly can reap the benefits of the 165Hz refresh charge of the display much more by reducing the decision, however most players will probably be proud of these outcomes.
In the meantime, we examined a number of fashionable triple A titles on the Excessive to Max settings with NVIDA DLSS High quality Mode. Whereas we might get a greater indication of efficiency by not utilizing DLSS, we opted to make use of it as we expect it’s value turning on to get greater framerates.
We sometimes don’t like how DLSS seems to be at 1080p because the upscaling doesn’t look that nice, however for 2560 x 1600 in High quality Mode on this laptop computer, most gamers shouldn’t see a significant distinction, particularly in the event that they’re taking part in on the Legion’s show.
As for the outcomes, they’re fairly spectacular as all video games ran at above 60FPS on common. The 1% low numbers are additionally fairly good for a lot of the video games we examined. Even Management had a 1% low of 44.7 FPS, that means even when the framerate dips, it shouldn’t be too unhealthy.
In the meantime, listed here are the laptop computer’s benchmark scores on 3DMark Time Spy and PCMark 10 for reference:
For reference, the Legion 5 that we reviewed some time again had shut 3DMark outcomes, however the brand new Legion Slim 5 has a noticeably greater PCMark rating, that means it ought to carry out even higher for productivity-related duties.
One factor to notice for gaming is that the laptop computer by default has NVIDIA Optimus GPU switching on which ought to neatly change between the NVIDIA and Intel graphics. Whereas it labored, it was a bit annoying in our time with it as, at any time when it switched, the laptop computer’s display would go black for round a second.
On a regular basis Relicapability
As its PCMark rating implies, the Legion Slim 5 can be a fantastic machine for on a regular basis use because it was quick and snappy all through our time with it. Whether or not it’s for typical workplace work makes use of like spreadsheets and shows, or for some content material creation workloads, the Legion Slim 5 ought to be a fantastic performer.
Even with its nice efficiency for gaming and every day use, we discovered the laptop computer to be pretty simple to lug round when exterior for a gaming laptop computer that’s. Make no mistake, this isn’t an ultraportable that you could simply chuck in a small backpack or tote bag. However when you have a superb backpack, this gained’t be an excessive amount of of a problem to carry when going out.
For those who do have to exit, you’ll need to carry the laptop computer’s charger. That’s as a result of the Legion Slim 5 isn’t the perfect in terms of battery life. After taking part in a 2 and 1/2 hour film at 50% brightness and quantity, the laptop computer solely had underneath 30% remaining. This isn’t splendid as chances are you’ll solely get a few hours of use on this. However it’s best to get extra battery life if you happen to tweak the settings.
Final Geek Life-style Verdict
General, the Legion Slim 5 2023 is a succesful gaming laptop computer because of its nice gaming efficiency, day-to-day reliability, and its good display. The one actual knocks towards it’s the battery life, a minimum of in our take a look at.
However if you happen to’re somebody who prioritizes gaming efficiency, the Legion Slim 5 is not going to disappoint, particularly if you happen to like taking part in at present’s fashionable triple-A titles.
Lenovo Legion Slim 5 (16IRH8) specs:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13700H
- Put in Reminiscence: 16GB
- Working System: Home windows 11 House
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Show: 16″ WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS 300nits Anti-glare, 165Hz
- Ports:
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (All the time On)
- 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (assist knowledge switch and DisplayPort™ 1.4)
- 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (assist knowledge switch, Energy Supply 140W and DisplayPort 1.4)
- 1x HDMI 2.1, as much as 8K/30Hz
- 1x Card reader
- 1x Ethernet (RJ-45)
- 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)
- 1x Energy connector
As for worth, the Legion Slim 5 (16IRH8) is on the market in lots of PH retailers, however in its RTX 4070 configuration at round PHP 122,950. At this worth, the RTX 4070’s efficiency ought to make the laptop computer value contemplating for individuals who need a extra premium gaming machine.
