Lenovo Legion 5i (15IRX10): A Deep Dive into Performance, Display, and the Pricing Puzzle

The Legion 5i 15IRX10 offers a compelling gaming experience for its price, but potential buyers should navigate Lenovo’s pricing structure with care.

The gaming laptop market is a complex landscape, often characterized by a constant push for higher performance and premium features, which frequently translates to substantial price tags. In this environment, the Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 emerges as a contender that aims to strike a balance between powerful internals and affordability. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ While its core components deliver a commendable gaming experience, particularly its exceptional OLED display, the company’s approach to pricing presents a significant hurdle for consumers seeking the best value. This review delves into the intricacies of the Legion 5i 15IRX10, examining its performance, design, display quality, and the critical factor of its pricing.

Context and Background

Lenovo’s Legion series has established itself as a prominent player in the gaming laptop segment, known for offering a range of configurations designed to cater to different budget levels and performance needs. The Legion 5i 15IRX10 represents an effort to position a potent gaming machine at a more accessible price point, without making drastic compromises on core components. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The reviewed model, specifically the 15IRX10, is part of a generation of gaming laptops that leverage recent Intel processors and NVIDIA’s RTX graphics cards. The source article highlights a specific configuration, priced at $1,199 through Walmart, as a particularly strong value proposition, closely mirroring the specifications of the review unit. This pricing strategy, however, is contrasted with Lenovo’s own first-party configurator, which the review notes as being “unnavigable” and often presenting significantly higher prices. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

The laptop’s specifications, as detailed in the review, paint a picture of a capable machine. It features an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor paired with 32GB of DDR5 memory and an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU with a 40-watt TGP. The standout feature is undoubtedly its 15.1-inch 1600p OLED display, boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support, along with VESA Trueblack 600 certification. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Storage is handled by a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, and connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Notably, the review also points out that Lenovo offers various customization options, including different generations of Intel processors (13th Gen, 14th Gen, and Intel Core Ultra processors) and GPU upgrades, leading to a wide spectrum of potential prices and feature sets. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

In-Depth Analysis

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 adopts a design that can be described as understated rather than overtly aggressive, a common trait in many gaming laptops aiming for broader appeal. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The chassis is predominantly black, with subtle branding in the form of a Legion logo on the power button and minimal Lenovo branding on the rear. While this minimalist aesthetic can be appealing, the review notes that the black finish is prone to showing finger oils quickly. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The build quality is generally solid, with a polycarbonate upper deck and an ABS plastic bottom, exhibiting minimal flex. The display is framed by modest bezels, and a premium touch is added with an aluminum lid featuring an embossed Legion logo. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

From a thermal management perspective, Lenovo’s design incorporates an extended section at the top of the display to house the webcam and provide a lip for easier lid opening. The hinges are positioned slightly forward, creating a thermal shelf at the rear that accommodates heat sinks and exhaust vents, with no side ventilation. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The underside features substantial rubber feet for stability and elevation, ensuring adequate airflow to the bottom-mounted fans. While the overall design isn’t particularly groundbreaking, it feels sturdy and practical. At 4.3 pounds, it’s not excessively heavy for a gaming laptop, and its relatively thin profile further enhances its portability. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard experience on the Legion 5i 15IRX10 is characterized by a mix of positive attributes and some nuanced feedback. The keys are noted for their surprising stability and a pleasant dish shape that aids in tactile feedback. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ However, the key travel is described as “rubbery,” with a return spring that can feel slightly unusual to some users, though it potentially aids in faster key presses. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The inclusion of a full-size arrow key cluster and a number pad is a welcome addition for many users, though the slim keys on the number pad may feel somewhat cramped. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

The RGB lighting, distributed across 24 zones, is described as potentially excessive for a system that doesn’t offer per-key customization. While it allows for smoother lighting effects and audio-reactive patterns, the vertical column zoning limits its functional application and precise customization. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Brightness and preset adjustments are handled via Lenovo’s Legion Space software, with Fn+Space serving as a shortcut for cycling through presets. The key legends are well-illuminated. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The trackpad, while functional for general navigation and gestures, is considered rather small for the laptop’s size and is positioned towards the left edge, which could be awkward for right-handed users. Its Mylar surface could also benefit from being smoother. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Display and Audio

The display is arguably the strongest suit of the Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10. The 2560×1600 OLED panel offers impressive sharpness, vibrant contrast, and ultra-fast pixel response times, all crucial for a high-quality gaming and entertainment experience. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, and the panel’s brightness, reaching up to 523 nits, is commendable. Color accuracy is also a highlight, with a low average dE1976 of 0.51, making it suitable for color-sensitive work as well as gaming. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

The audio performance, while not reaching the same heights as the display, is described as adequate. The Nahimic app is employed to enhance the sound, providing sufficient volume for gaming and movies. However, spoken content in some videos was found to be surprisingly quiet on default settings. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The bottom-firing speakers, positioned at the outer edges, offer limited stereo separation, which may detract from an immersive audio experience. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics

The 5MP webcam delivers decent image quality, though it can appear soft and slightly grainy in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, despite managing natural exposure. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Notably, it lacks infrared technology for facial recognition, and the laptop also omits a fingerprint scanner, leaving users without biometric authentication options. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

The microphone array, unfortunately, underperforms, especially in noisy environments. While it attempts to reduce background noise, it does so at the expense of voice clarity, often making speech unintelligible when combined with ambient sound. Even in quiet settings, the microphone can produce distant-sounding audio with noticeable room echo. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Connectivity

The port selection on the Legion 5i 15IRX10 is functional but not particularly generous. It includes two USB-C ports (one with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1, the other with DisplayPort 1.4), three USB-A ports (all 5Gbps), an RJ45 Ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The side ports are noted for their awkward spacing. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ While the USB-C ports offer decent data transfer speeds and video output capabilities, they do not reach the higher speeds of Thunderbolt 4 (though this is an option on Core Ultra models). _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 through a MediaTek card ensures modern wireless connectivity, which proved fast and reliable in testing, with a minor caveat of a slight delay in reconnection after waking from sleep. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Performance

In terms of raw performance, the Legion 5i 15IRX10 is equipped to handle demanding tasks, including modern gaming and light creative workloads. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ In PCMark 10, which measures overall system performance, the laptop performs well, contributing to smooth and responsive operation. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ However, the review notes that in some synthetic benchmarks, it falls slightly behind comparable gaming laptops that utilize lower-tier CPUs or previous-generation GPUs, suggesting that while capable, it may not always lead its class in every metric. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Where the Legion 5i 15IRX10 truly shines is in CPU-intensive tasks, particularly in Cinebench’s multi-core testing, where it significantly outperforms many competitors, closely rivaling systems with higher-end CPUs. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ This strong CPU performance, combined with the RTX 4060 GPU, translates into excellent graphics performance. In benchmarks like 3DMark’s Port Royal, the Legion 5i 15IRX10 pulls ahead of systems with similar GPUs but less capable CPUs, demonstrating the benefit of a well-balanced internal configuration. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

This performance advantage is evident in real-world gaming scenarios. The laptop achieved an average of 153 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, outperforming systems that were bottlenecked by their CPUs. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Similarly, in Metro Exodus, it maintained a strong lead, showcasing the synergy between its processor and graphics card. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Even in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it achieved a respectable 82 fps average at 1080p Ultra settings. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ The system also demonstrated consistent performance during sustained load, with stable framerates and manageable CPU/GPU temperatures, aided by relatively quiet fans. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

While the native 2560×1600 OLED display is a significant asset, gaming at this resolution can be demanding. For lighter titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, frame rates remained high (98 fps average). However, in more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, the frame rate dropped to 48 fps at native resolution, suggesting the use of upscaling technologies like DLSS would be beneficial for a smoother experience. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Battery Life

As is often the case with high-performance gaming laptops, the Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 exhibits relatively short battery life. In a local video playback test, it lasted just under four hours, a figure that is not only low for a gaming PC but also significantly shorter than some competitors, such as the Alienware 16 Aurora which offered a 10-hour runtime. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ Normal usage scenarios, such as streaming movies or web browsing, provided a similar runtime, typically around three to four hours. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_ This limited battery longevity means that users planning to use the laptop away from a power outlet for extended periods will likely need to carry the charger. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
• Respectable 1080p gaming performance powered by a strong CPU and RTX 4060 GPU.
• Exceptional 1600p OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, excellent color accuracy, and brightness.
• Fans remain surprisingly quiet even under load.
• Moderately portable at 4.3 pounds and with a relatively slim profile.
• Solid build quality with a premium aluminum lid.
• Includes modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
• User-upgradeable RAM, allowing for easy memory expansion.
• Full-size arrow keys and a number pad on the keyboard.
• Cons:
• Lenovo’s pricing structure can be confusing and inconsistent, often leading to higher costs on their own configurator.
• Short battery life, typically under four hours for mixed usage.
• Keyboard key travel is described as “rubbery” and the RGB lighting customization is limited.
• Trackpad is relatively small and positioned awkwardly for some users.
• Webcam performance can be soft and grainy in suboptimal lighting.
• Microphone quality is poor, especially in noisy environments.
• Limited port spacing on the sides.
• USB-C ports do not support Thunderbolt 4 on the reviewed configuration.

Key Takeaways

• The Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 offers a compelling package for gamers seeking strong performance and an outstanding display at a competitive price point, particularly the $1,199 Walmart configuration.
• Its combination of a potent Intel CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU delivers smooth gameplay in most titles, especially at 1080p.
• The 1600p OLED display is a standout feature, providing excellent visual fidelity for both gaming and general use.
• Users should be mindful of Lenovo’s varied pricing, with first-party configurations often proving less economical than pre-built options.
• Battery life is a significant drawback, necessitating the use of the charger for extended use away from a power source.
• While the keyboard and trackpad are functional, they present some compromises in terms of feel and ergonomics.
• The webcam and microphone performance are areas where the laptop falls short compared to its strengths in display and processing power.

Future Outlook

As Lenovo continues to evolve its gaming laptop lineup, addressing the inconsistencies in its pricing strategy will be crucial for consumer trust and market competitiveness. The potential to offer configurations with Intel Core Ultra processors and updated NVIDIA GPUs presents opportunities for enhanced performance and efficiency. Improving the quality of integrated webcams and microphones, and perhaps optimizing battery management software, could further enhance the user experience. For those considering the Legion 5i 15IRX10, staying vigilant about sales and pre-configured bundles from retailers like Walmart is likely to yield the best value. The underlying strengths of the display and performance core suggest a solid foundation for future iterations of the Legion series.

Call to Action

For consumers in the market for a gaming laptop that offers a premium display and robust performance without breaking the bank, the Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10, particularly the Walmart configuration at $1,199, warrants serious consideration. However, it is highly recommended to carefully compare pricing across various retailers and Lenovo’s own configurator to ensure the best possible value. If an exceptional OLED screen and strong gaming performance are primary concerns, and battery life is a secondary consideration, the Legion 5i 15IRX10 presents a strong case. Explore the available configurations and check current pricing to make an informed purchase decision. _(Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2875214/lenovo-legion-5i-15irx10-review.html)_