Lenovo’s new Legion 7 gaming laptops combine power and aesthetics.
Lenovo is best known for its ThinkPad work laptops, but their Legion gaming systems are among the best I've seen in recent years.
The finest from Nvidia, Intel, and AMD are combined in a sleek design. Lenovo is best known for its ThinkPad work laptops, but their Legion gaming systems are among the best I’ve seen in recent years. Today, the laptop manufacturer is replacing the old with a new lineup that includes the Legion 7 and Legion Slim 7, both of which are available with AMD or Intel CPUs (denoted by a I in the model name).
These gaming systems feature numerous 16-inch display options, a plethora of connectors, big batteries, and some fun RGB lighting, in addition to the latest processors and graphics cards from the two major chipmakers. An subtle design with splashes of colorful lighting, 1080p cameras, and high-res displays is consistent across all platforms.
Lenovo Legion 7 and Legion Slim 7 pricing and release date
Let’s talk about pricing and availability first. When it launches later this month, the Legion 7i will cost $2,449 to purchase. The Legion 7, its AMD twin, costs $2,059 and will be available in June.
The Legion Slim 7 variants are less expensive, but still premium; the Slim 7i, which runs on Intel chips, will cost $1,589 when it ships this month, while the Legion Slim 7, which runs on AMD Ryzen processors, will cost $1,519 when it ships in June.
These are merely beginning prices; upgrades to the processor, graphics card, and display will cost more. I’m afraid that once you’ve adjusted these systems to your satisfaction, the price, which is already costly at the base levels, could easily spiral out of control.
Legion 7 and 7i from Lenovo
The Legion 7 and Legion 7i are geared for performance, while the Slim variants are designed for portability. These two systems are compatible with AMD’s (Legion 7) and Intel’s (Legion 7i) newest processors, up to a Ryzen 9 6900HX or Intel Core i9-12900HX, respectively. Each one can have up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM (16GB x 2) and a 2TB SSD.
The Legion 7i’s Intel CPUs are paired with Nvidia GPUs, either an RTX 3070 Ti (8GB of RAM) or an RTX 3080 Ti (8GB of RAM) (16GB RAM). With a Radeon RX6700M or RX6850M GPU, the AMD model goes all-in for Team Red.
In terms of design, the Legion 7 and 7i sport a simple, modest aluminum and magnesium unibody chassis. A CNC metal trim around the edges, as well as some dazzling RGB lighting bordering the deck, glowing through the vents and illuminating a full-size keyboard with a numpad and WASD Force Sensory keys that let you accelerate an in-game character based on the force you apply, are two notable design elements.
The Legion 7 isn’t the most portable gaming laptop, but it’s also not a fixed beast, measuring 14.1 x 10.4 x 0.76 inches and weighing 5.5 pounds. I wouldn’t carry it on a plane, but a quick trip to a neighboring cafe won’t result in any chiropractor visits.
In several ways, the laptop’s thickness compensates for its lack of ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are on the left side (or two USB 3.2 Type-C and a USB4 Type-C on the Legion 7i); a USB Type-C connection, a webcam shutter switch (for a 1080p webcam), and a headphone jack are on the right side; and two USB Type-A ports, another USB Type-C port, and an HDMI 2.1 port are on the back.
For the Legion 7, there are a few display possibilities, but one in particular looks promising. If you choose the premium screen, you’ll receive a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 3-millisecond reaction time, and a variable refresh rate that ranges from 165Hz to 240Hz (pay note, gamers). The other choice is the same as the first, but with a 165Hz refresh rate. They’re both VESA DisplayHDR 400 and Dolby Vision certified.
Finally, there’s a 99.99Whr battery, which isn’t something we see very often. Lenovo would risk getting in problems with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which sets the capacity limitations for batteries allowed on planes. It’s unclear what this entails for runtimes. What I can tell you is that the Legion can charge up from dead to 100% in roughly 80 minutes using “Super Rapid Charge.”
Slim 7 and Slim 7i from Lenovo
The changes between the Legion Slim 7 and the normal model aren’t difficult to discern. These are more portable versions for people who need to work or play away from their desks, such as students, professional gamers, or creative professionals.
The Legion Slim 7 and Slim 7i weigh 4.5 pounds and measure 14.1 x 10.1 x 0.67 inches, making them significantly lighter and smaller than their full-size equivalents. These don’t have an Ethernet port, but they do have an SD card reader.
What do you give up by downsizing? To begin, a little power. While the Slim 7i and Slim 7 may be upgraded to Core i9-12900HK or Ryzen 9 6900HK CPUs, they start with Core i5 and Ryzen 5 CPUs.
More options aren’t necessarily a bad thing, especially since you can increase the CPU power to match non-Slim models. The GPU is where the non-Slim version has an edge; the Slim 7i starts with an RTX 3050 Ti and goes up to the RTX 3070, but not the RTX 3080. A Radeon RX 6800S GPU is also available for the Slim 7, but not the 6850M. Memory is also reduced from 32GB to an unusual 24GB (8GB onboardas well as a 16GB slot). However, storage capacity remains at 2TB.
The screen choices are another significant distinction, and this is where the fine print really matters. A 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel mini-LED display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms reaction time is available with the Legion Slim 7i with Intel CPUs. This panel option, which will be available later this year, has a peak brightness of 1,250 nits and is VESA DisplayHDR 1000 and Dolby Vision certified. By the way, mini-LED is a relatively new technology that lies in between LED and OLED, delivering exceptional contrast, black levels, and brightness.
If that display upgrade is out of your pricing range, you can settle with a regular IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. Interestingly, the AMD variant lacks the mini-LED treatment, instead opting for a 2560 x 1600 IPS screen with a 165 to 250Hz variable refresh rate or a similar panel with a flat 165Hz refresh rate, which are both available on the normal version.
However, Lenovo managed to cram that 99.99Whr battery into the Slim variant as well. I can’t guarantee extended battery life, but you do get Super Rapid Charge, which allows you to charge the battery in under an hour and a half.
