Although Intel and AMD’s latest chipsets feature powerful integrated graphics, they still can’t hold a candle to a dedicated GPU. So, whether you want an affordable gaming laptop or wish to splurge a couple of thousand bucks on a no-compromise gaming machine, read along to learn your top options from Lenovo. Before we start, check our existing coverage on laptops.
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1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Screen Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Screen Size: 15.6-inch Processor: Intel Core i7 – 12700H| GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 Ti On-board RAM: Up to 64GB | On-board Storage: Up to 2TB
While the laptop’s specifications are not class-leading, it can get the job done for most casual gamers. In fact, the GPU gets a healthy TGP (Total Graphics Power) of 85W, which should suffice for most eSports titles. NVIDIA Optimus technology also ensures excellent graphics performance with a respectable battery life. The 12th generation Intel Core i7-12700H is no slouch either. To that end, the chipset comes with six P-cores or performance cores that can turbo up to 4.7GHz! Rest assured, you don’t need the latest and greatest from Intel to run CPU-bound applications seamlessly. In fact, the 12700H can hold its own for demanding workloads too. With up to 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD configurations, you will never run out of RAM or storage on your IdeaPad 3 either. The budget gaming laptop from Lenovo comes with an ample port selection that includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, USB-C, and DisplayPort 1.4 slots. Unfortunately, the HDMI port is of the 2.0 variety, and it doesn’t support [email protected] when connected to an external monitor or TV. The keyboard backlighting and the display specs are adequate and do the job for the asking price.
2. Lenovo LOQ Gaming Laptop
Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Screen Size: 15.6-inch Processor: Intel 13th Gen i7-13800H| GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 On-board RAM: Up to 64GB| On-board Storage: Up to 2TB
Lenovo LOQ is another capable gaming laptop from the company. It packs the latest Intel Core i7-13700H CPU with up to 5.0 GHz frequency (for P-cores) and an RTX 4060 with 8GB GDDR6 memory. The laptop’s full-HD display refreshes at 144Hz and offers a respectable 350 nits of brightness. The company seems to have compromised on the build quality in lieu of high-end specs. In fact, a handful of reviewers have complained about a sub-par keyboard deck and trackpad. More notably, the GPU gets a 115W TGP, which, coupled with the laptop’s four heat pipes, and lightning-fast SSD, will let you play eSports titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or CS: GO seamlessly. It’s good to see Lenovo furnishing the device with an HDMI 2.1 port capable of transmitting video feed at [email protected]
3. Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 7
Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Screen Size: 16-inch Processor: Intel 12th Gen i7-12800HX/AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX| GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti On-board RAM: Up to 64GB | On-board Storage: Up to 3TB
Unlike some of the budget options, the Legion 7 Gen 7 packs a metal chassis and offers a robust quality for long-term use. The 16-inch QHD IPS panel supports AMD FreeSync (AMD’s take on NVIDIA’s G-Sync) and a 165Hz refresh rate. Lenovo has sufficient ports such as two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and HDMI 2.1 video output. Although it’s not a priority for everyone, the 1080p webcam is a nice improvement over Gen 6’s 720p resolution. The Legion 7 is available with AMD processors too. According to PCMag’s battery tests, the Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 7 (AMD one) easily beats the other rivals in the same category. At 5.51 pounds, it’s not as portable as other options. Do keep the extra heft in mind before hitting the buy button. While the RTX 3070 Ti isn’t as advanced and capable as the latest RTX 4070 Ti, it’s capable enough to play demanding titles like Battlefield, Outlast, Stray, and Injustice 2. You can check the detailed comparison between RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 3070 Ti to learn more.
4. Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8
Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz| Screen Size: 16-inch Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 On-board RAM: 32GB| On-board Storage: 1TB
Lenovo made slight tweaks to the eighth-generation Legion series. The rounded back edges and the plastic exhaust cover offer a seamless look to the notebook. The port selection is most standard with the two USB-C 3.2, two USB-A 3.2, HDMI, Ethernet, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. Do note that you’ll have to go for the Intel model if you require a Thunderbolt 4 connector. The RTX 4070 features NVIDIA’s updated Lovelace architecture, and it’s up to 70% faster than the predecessor in certain situations. It’s quite expensive and one of the reasons behind Lenovo’s high-asking price. GeForce RTX 4070 paired with an anti-glare 16-inch QHD display should unlock a smooth gaming experience on the go. What’s more, the laptop comes with the company’s signature TrueStrike keyboard and packs four-zone customizable RGB settings. The touchpad feels off-center, though. Many have complained about touchpad edges rubbing against their palm during gaming. While you can always disable the Touchpad during gaming, it’s still irritating. Overall, Legion Pro 5 is a nice budget alternative to the pricey Legion Pro 7 series.
5. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
Screen Refresh Rate:240Hz | Screen Size: 16-inch Processor: IntelCore i9-13900HX| GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 On-board RAM: 64GB | On-board Storage: 2TB
The Legion Pro 7i packs a 24-core, Intel Core i9-13900HX with eight performance and 16 efficiency cores. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is another noteworthy upgrade from the previous generation. While it’s not as powerful as the desktop variant, it also benefits from Nvidia’s DLSS 3.0 tech and ray tracing smarts. Needless to say, it’s one of the most capable mobile GPUs on the market. The 240Hz QHD IPS panel is another significant aspect of this machine. As such, you will be able to make the most of high-octane shooters and story-based titles on the laptop. Lenovo has yet another trick up its sleeve to get the most out of the i9-13900HX and RTX 4080 combo. Thanks to the new LA-2Q AI chip and AI Engine, the system balances the fan speeds and refresh rate to fine-tune the performance. If you upgrade from a previous gen Legion Pro 7i, you will surely see improvements in the battery life too. Do note that the fans can get a bit too loud, especially over extended gaming sessions. We hope Lenovo further tunes it with future updates.
Elevate Your Gaming Setup
Lenovo often runs good discounts on its laptop offerings. We don’t recommend buying the company’s laptops around the launch day. You should wait for a couple of months to grab mouth-watering discounts and invest the saved money in some of the best gaming accessories. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
