Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) vs Lenovo Legion 9i 16"
The Verdict
Lenovo's budget and premium offerings serve distinctly different markets. IdeaPad Slim 5 delivers impressive value with Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 11-hour battery life in a lightweight 1.95kg chassis—ideal for everyday productivity and portability. Legion 9i represents enthusiast-grade performance with Core i9-14900HX (24 cores), 32GB DDR5, and a stunning 3200x2000 240Hz mini-LED display (1200 nits brightness) optimized for gaming and creative work. Build quality differs markedly: Legion uses CNC aluminum throughout versus IdeaPad's plastic base. Battery longevity favors the Slim 5 (11 vs 6 hours), though Legion's 99.99Wh capacity supports more demanding workloads. Port selection slightly favors IdeaPad with extra USB-A. At $799 versus $3499, the Slim 5 offers exceptional value for general computing; Legion 9i justifies premium pricing for creators and competitive gamers demanding maximum performance. Choose Slim 5 for portability and everyday work; Legion 9i for intensive content creation and esports.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) if…
- →Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- →Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- →Excellent value for the spec sheet
Buy the Lenovo Legion 9i 16" if…
- →RTX 4090 Laptop GPU delivers desktop-class gaming performance
- →240Hz Mini-LED display with 1200-nit HDR is stunning for gaming
- →Integrated liquid cooling system keeps temps and noise impressively low
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
Pros
- Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- Excellent value for the spec sheet
- Comfortable full-size keyboard with numpad
Cons
- 1920x1200 panel is low resolution for a 16-inch display
- Heavier and bulkier than 14-inch ultrabooks
- Display brightness only 300 nits, dim outdoors
- Plastic base feels less premium than competitors
Lenovo Legion 9i 16"
Pros
- RTX 4090 Laptop GPU delivers desktop-class gaming performance
- 240Hz Mini-LED display with 1200-nit HDR is stunning for gaming
- Integrated liquid cooling system keeps temps and noise impressively low
- 99.99 Wh battery is the maximum legal limit for flights
- Premium CNC aluminum build feels genuinely luxurious
Cons
- Extremely expensive at $3,499 even for a flagship gaming laptop
- Heavy at 5.56 lbs — not portable for daily carry
- 6-hour battery life means the charger is always needed
- Thunderbolt 4 limited to one port
Full Specifications
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) | Lenovo Legion 9i 16" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.95 kg | 5.56 lbs (2.52 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum top, plastic base | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 356.5 x 251.8 x 16.9 mm | 14.24 x 10.28 x 0.78 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 11 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Capacity | 65 Wh | 99.99 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | IPS, anti-glare | Mini-LED IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3200 x 2000 |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 1200 |
| Refresh rate | — | 240Hz |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe (dual slot) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 32 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 14 cores | 24 cores (8P + 16E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Lenovo products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) or the Lenovo Legion 9i 16".