Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Review: Powerful Gaming And Content Creation In A Compact Package

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 is a compelling option for content creators who demand both power and portability. This sleek gaming laptop packs a punch with its latest Ryzen 7 processor and RTX 4060 graphics card, all while boasting a stunning OLED display perfect for color-critical work. In this Lenovo Legion Slim 5 review, we’ll delve into its features, performance, and suitability for content creation tasks.

Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Review: Design and Build Quality

The design of the Legion Slim 5 14 reflects a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality, making it suitable for both gaming and professional environments. Its aluminum chassis not only exudes elegance but also promises durability, ensuring it can handle the rigors of daily usage and travel.

Portability and Weight

Weighing in at just 3.82 pounds and measuring a mere 0.819 inches in thickness, the Legion Slim 5 14 is exceptionally portable. Its compact form factor allows it to fit easily into most backpacks, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go content creators. While some competitors in the 14-inch gaming laptop category may offer a lighter build, the Legion Slim 5 strikes a balance between size and functionality that many users will appreciate.

Connectivity

The connectivity options on the Legion Slim 5 14 are solid, featuring four USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, a USB-C Power Delivery port, and an HDMI port. However, it’s worth noting that the absence of USB4 and Thunderbolt support could be a drawback for content creators who frequently work with large files. For those relying on high-speed data transfer, this limitation may necessitate alternative solutions.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Legion Slim 5 14 is designed for comfort and responsiveness, featuring a layout reminiscent of its larger sibling, the Legion Slim 5 16. While the narrower PgUp and PgDn keys might require some adjustment, the overall typing experience is satisfying. However, the single-zone white backlight may disappoint those who prefer the customizable RGB lighting found in competing models.

The touchpad is adequately sized and offers smooth navigation, though it is smaller compared to the expansive surface area found on the Razer Blade 14. This may be a consideration for users who prioritize a larger touchpad for their workflow.

II- Display

The display is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14. Its OLED technology delivers remarkable color accuracy and deep blacks, enhancing the overall visual experience for both gaming and content creation.

Color Accuracy and Brightness

Out of the box, the OLED display is well-calibrated, achieving a Delta E color accuracy of just 0.81. This level of precision is crucial for professionals engaged in tasks like photo editing and color grading. Additionally, with a maximum brightness of 386 nits, the display performs admirably in indoor settings, although outdoor visibility might be less optimal when compared to some IPS competitors.

Resolution and Refresh Rate

The Legion Slim 5 14 features a stunning 2.8K (2880 x 1600) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a sharp and fluid viewing experience. This is especially beneficial for content creators who work with high-resolution media, allowing for detailed editing and smooth playback during video editing sessions.

OLED Advantages

OLED displays have several advantages over traditional IPS panels, including true blacks and infinite contrast ratios, which significantly enhance image quality. The lightning-fast response times associated with OLED technology further elevate the visual fidelity of the Legion Slim 5 14, making it an excellent choice for color-critical work.

III- Performance

Performance is where the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 truly shines, equipped with a robust AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.

CPU Performance

The Ryzen 7 7840HS is a formidable processor, offering impressive multi-core performance that excels in demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering. Benchmark results show that the Ryzen 7 7840HS competes favorably against the Intel Core i7-13700H, making it a reliable choice for various content creation workflows.

GPU Performance

With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, the Legion Slim 5 14 is more than capable of handling graphics-intensive tasks, including video editing and 3D modeling. While it may not match the performance of the RTX 4070 found in other models like the Razer Blade 14, the RTX 4060 provides ample power for most content creators, ensuring smooth performance across various applications.

Storage Performance

Equipped with a PCIe 4.0 SSD, the Legion Slim 5 14 offers lightning-fast read and write speeds of up to 6,982 MB/s and 6,464 MB/s, respectively. This impressive storage performance translates to rapid system responsiveness and quick loading times for large media files, which is essential for efficient content creation.

IV- Battery Life

Despite housing powerful components, the Legion Slim 5 14 delivers commendable battery life, allowing users to work on creative projects for extended periods without needing to recharge. In our testing, we achieved around 7.5 hours of real-world browsing time on the Balanced power mode, which should suffice for most content creators on the go.

The device also supports fast charging, with the included 170W AC adapter capable of charging the 73.6Wh battery from 0 to 100% in just 45 minutes—significantly faster than many competitors that often take double the time to fully charge.

V- Cooling and Thermals

One potential drawback of the Legion Slim 5 14 is its cooling performance. Under heavy load, the Ryzen 7 7840HS processor can reach temperatures as high as 100°C. While this is within safe operating limits, it suggests that the cooling system may be operating near its maximum capacity, which could affect long-term performance and stability.

During stress testing, we observed CPU clock speeds stabilizing at around 4.6 GHz, indicating that the system can maintain respectable performance levels. However, content creators who plan to push the laptop to its limits for extended periods should be aware of the possibility of thermal throttling and increased fan noise.

VI- Comparison and Alternatives

When pitted against other 14-inch gaming laptops, the Legion Slim 5 14 holds its ground. For instance, while the Razer Blade 14 features a faster RTX 4070 GPU, it lacks the stunning OLED display that the Legion offers. Conversely, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 provides a more compact design but falls short of the Legion’s performance in content creation tasks.

Ultimately, the Legion Slim 5 14’s combination of power, portability, and display quality makes it a compelling choice for content creators needing a versatile laptop that can handle demanding tasks while remaining easy to transport.

VII- Conclusion

In summary, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 is an excellent choice for content creators who demand both power and portability. With its stunning OLED display, capable Ryzen 7 processor, and GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, it stands out as a well-rounded performer for a wide range of creative tasks. Although there are some limitations, such as the absence of USB4 and Thunderbolt support and potential thermal challenges, the Legion Slim 5 14 still offers a compelling balance of performance, battery life, and portability that content creators can appreciate.

If you’re in the market for a powerful yet portable laptop that can elevate your creative workflow, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 is definitely worth considering.

VIII- FAQ

Q1: Does the Legion Slim 5 14 have a webcam kill switch?

A: Yes, the Legion Slim 5 14 includes a built-in webcam kill switch for added privacy.

Q2: Is the RAM on the Legion Slim 5 14 upgradeable?

A: No, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard and is not user-upgradeable.

Q3: What other configuration options are available for the Legion Slim 5 14?

A: Besides the Ryzen 7 7840HS and RTX 4060 configuration, you can also opt for a faster Ryzen 9 7940HS processor paired with a less powerful RTX 4050 GPU.

Q4: How does the Legion Slim 5 14 compare to the Razer Blade 14?

A: The Razer Blade 14 is a more expensive option with a faster RTX 4070 GPU; however, it lacks the OLED display and has a smaller battery compared to the Legion Slim 5 14.

IX- Final Thoughts

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 is a remarkable laptop that caters to the needs of content creators who value both power and portability. Its stunning OLED display, capable Ryzen 7 processor, and GeForce RTX 4060 graphics make it a well-rounded performer for a wide range of creative tasks. While it may have some limitations, such as the lack of USB4 and Thunderbolt support, as well as potential thermal challenges, the Legion Slim 5 14 still offers a compelling balance of performance, battery life, and portability that content creators can appreciate.

If you’re looking for a high-performance laptop that can keep up with your creative demands, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14 deserves a spot on your shortlist.