Lenovo Legion 5i Pro (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro targets high-performance gaming and creative work with its 16-inch 240Hz display, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB storage. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 prioritizes portability and everyday productivity with its lightweight 1.27kg design, fanless cooling, and exceptional 18-hour battery life. Legion excels in raw power, display quality (500 nits, 2560x1600), and upgrade potential, delivering superior gaming performance and multitasking capability. Surface Laptop 5 shines in ultraportability, battery endurance, and build refinement with Alcantara materials, though its 13.5-inch display, base 8GB RAM, and 12th-gen Intel processor limit demanding tasks. At $1699 versus $999, Legion 5i Pro is the stronger choice for creators and gamers requiring maximum performance, while Surface Laptop 5 suits ultrabook users prioritizing all-day portability and quiet operation.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Lenovo Legion 5i Pro (2024) if…
- →240Hz QHD+ display is exceptional for competitive and AAA gaming
- →RTX 4070 Laptop GPU delivers excellent 1440p gaming performance
- →i9-14900HX is a powerhouse for streaming and content creation
Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 if…
- →Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- →Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- →Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro (2024)
Pros
- 240Hz QHD+ display is exceptional for competitive and AAA gaming
- RTX 4070 Laptop GPU delivers excellent 1440p gaming performance
- i9-14900HX is a powerhouse for streaming and content creation
- Dual M.2 SSD slots allow up to 4 TB of storage
- Excellent Lenovo Legion Coldfront cooling keeps temps manageable
Cons
- 5.4 lbs makes it cumbersome for daily carry
- 7-hour battery life drops to 2-3 hours during gaming
- Only one Thunderbolt 4 port
- No SD card reader
- Speakers are adequate but not impressive for a $1,699 laptop
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Pros
- Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
- Up to 18 hours claimed battery life
- Removable SSD for easier data recovery
Cons
- Only one USB-C port and one USB-A port — very limited
- 60Hz display lacks the smoothness of 120Hz competitors
- No Thunderbolt 4 — USB-C is USB 4.0 with limited bandwidth
- Surface Connect charger is proprietary
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for multitasking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Lenovo Legion 5i Pro (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 5.4 lbs (2.45 kg) | 1.27 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 14.24 x 10.06 x 0.84 inches | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | — |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 7 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 80 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | IPS | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 240Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe (dual slot) | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5 | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 24 cores (8P + 16E) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i9-14900HX (14th Gen) | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U / i7-1255U |
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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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