Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Lenovo Legion Go
The Verdict
Comparing a traditional laptop to a portable gaming device reveals fundamentally different purposes. Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 delivers a full-featured 16-inch productivity machine with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a sharp 2.5K 120Hz display ideal for professional work, content creation, and multitasking. Battery life reaches 11 hours, and the aluminum chassis provides durability. Legion Go, priced $300 lower, is a handheld gaming device featuring AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with integrated RDNA 3 graphics, 8.8-inch 2560x1600 144Hz display, and exceptional brightness at 500 nits. However, battery life severely limits gameplay to 1.5-6 hours depending on titles, and its 854g form factor sacrifices screen real estate and productivity capabilities. For laptop functionality, spreadsheets, video editing, and professional applications, the IdeaPad Pro 5i wins decisively. For portable gaming on the go, Legion Go excels. Choose IdeaPad Pro 5i if you need a capable work laptop; choose Legion Go only if handheld gaming is your priority.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 if…
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- →2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- →Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
Buy the Lenovo Legion Go if…
- →Largest display at 8.8 inches with QHD+ 2560 x 1600 resolution
- →144Hz refresh rate is the highest among gaming handhelds
- →Detachable controllers enable tabletop mode like Nintendo Switch
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Pros
- Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- 2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
- Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- 84 Wh battery supports all-day use
Cons
- Plastic base panel feels less premium
- Display brightness of 350 nits is modest
- No discrete GPU on base model
- Fans audible under sustained workloads
- Heavier than comparable ultrabooks
Lenovo Legion Go
Pros
- Largest display at 8.8 inches with QHD+ 2560 x 1600 resolution
- 144Hz refresh rate is the highest among gaming handhelds
- Detachable controllers enable tabletop mode like Nintendo Switch
- Built-in kickstand for hands-free tabletop gaming
- FPS mode with mouse-like right controller trackball is innovative
Cons
- Very heavy at 854 g with controllers — fatiguing for handheld use
- Battery life is poor at 1.5-6 hours depending on settings
- Windows 11 is clunky for handheld navigation without a mouse
- QHD+ resolution is demanding — most games need to run at 720p/1080p anyway
- Detachable controller latency can occur occasionally
Full Specifications
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 | Lenovo Legion Go |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.98 kg | 854 g (with controllers) |
| Material | Aluminum lid with plastic base | Plastic chassis with detachable controllers |
| Dimensions | 356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm | 299 x 131 x 40.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 11 hours mixed use | 1.5-6 hours (game dependent) |
| Capacity | 84 Wh | 49.2 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.0 inches | 8.8 inches |
| Type | 2.5K IPS anti-glare | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 350 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | — |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | — | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD, 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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