I've found the best new laptop for designers, and it's a Lenovo Legion 9i
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Sometimes you can't use a gaming laptop for content creation and design, but in most cases, you can, and sometimes going the gaming route will get you a better deal.
But other times, you find a gaming laptop that feels more like a design laptop; that's the case with Lenovo's 10th Generation Legion 9i.
At the Lenovo Tech World conference in Shanghai, Lenovo announced the newest generation of Legion 9i laptops, now in an 18-inch chassis.
The Legion 9i 18 Gen 10 has four slots of RAM, supporting up to 192GB, and four slots for SSD storage, supporting up to 8TB.
The Legion's Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU operate at a combined total of up to 280W for maximum performance. And to keep the system cool under pressure, Lenovo has packed the Legion Coldfront vapor chamber and quad fan system into the Legion 9i.
The Legion 9i has solid gaming props, but the most interesting piece of the new Legion is its display. Lenovo offers two different display panel options, a 2D only, 3840 x 2400, LCD or a 2D/3D display that has a max 2400p resolution in 2D, and drops down to 1920 x 1200 when in 3D mode.
We have seen some recent strides in 3D gaming courtesy of Acer's SpatialLabs displays and Samsung's recent Odyssey 3D gaming monitor. But 3D displays are often more useful for designers as many games don't fully support 3D.
Lenovo has positioned the Legion 9i Gen 10 as a device for game developers, visual artists, and 3D professionals which helps explains the 2D/3D display.
Like many 3D displays, the Legion 9i uses eye-tracking and a lenticular lens array to provide a 3D experience without glasses.
The 2D/3D and 2D displays support dual-mode functionality to get a smooth, classic gaming experience in 4K at 240Hz while dropping down the resolution to 1920 x 1200p with a 400Hz refresh rate when you need a faster reaction time.
But the display isn't the only design tool added to the Legion 9i. The Lenovo 3D Studio software supports 3D viewing for a myriad of video, image, and streaming formats in both side-by-side and top-bottom arrangements. Lenovo Studio also supports 3D in 30 games and multiple creation apps.
And for added AI integration, the Legion 9i features Lenovo's AI Core chipset and AI Engine+ to dynamically adjust settings based on use, maximizing performance between gaming and rendering time.
You do still get the classic gaming features like Lenovo Legion Space to sync the laptop's RGB to in-game sound and whatever is being displayed, for deeper immersion and ambiance. The Legion Space software also features Game Coach, Game Clip Master, and Game Companion to help gamers improve their skills and quickly create shareable gaming content.
The top cover of each Lenovo Legion 9i (18', 10) is as unique as the design work being done on it. Made of eight layers of aviation-grade carbon fiber hand hand-applied and forged together, the resulting Forged Carbon laptop lid is lighter and stronger than aluminum, and thanks to the handcrafted manufacturing process, each top cover is one-of-a-kind. HDMI and DC in ports are located on the rear of the laptop, and a bevy of ports on both sides, including a pair of Thunderbolt 5 ports on the left side for high-speed devices, storage, and displays.
If you're psyched for the new Legion, either as your new gaming rig, design device, or all-around powerhouse you will have a bit of a wait.
Lenovo will be launching the Legion 9i Gen 10 in China with availability coming in North America this fall.
Thanks to the volatile US foreign manufacturing tariffs and the Legion 9i's ship date being a few months out, pricing for North America is still being determined. Lenovo will announce full pricing information closer to the ship date.
Are bigger gaming laptops really better? Here's how an RTX 5080 beat an RTX 5090.
Nvidia's affordable RTX 5060 is coming soon, but that's not the GPU I have my eyes on
Microsoft's new Surface Pro could solve our biggest issue with the previous gen
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Apple's iPhone rebrand reveals a company in crisis
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Three years ago we got the iPhone 14, two years ago we got the iPhone 15, and last year we got the iPhone 16. Who knows what we're getting this year? Well, actually, for the first time in a long while, that joke might not be applicable in 2025, with Apple heavily rumoured to be jettisoning its naming conventions for iOS, and potentially the iPhone itself. Somewhat confusingly, Apple has been strongly rumoured to be ditching skipping straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26 when revealing the next generation of its mobile software at WWDC today. After nearly 20 years of consecutive numbers, the company has allegedly decided to name it after the coming year. And some have suggested the same change could hit the iPhone, with the iPhone 16 being followed by the iPhone 26. As one Redditor succinctly puts it, "This both makes a lot of sense and makes no sense at the same time." This potential major rebrand comes at a curious time for Apple, one in which the company is arguably on the defensive. Apple Intelligence, announced to much fanfare at last year's WWDC, is fast approaching 'disaster' status, with several features yet to materialise and the whole debacle allegedly causing tension in the company. And then there are the more existential questions facing the brand. As the iPhone approaches its twentieth birthday, the whole thing feels less and less innovative every year – to the point that the iPhone 16 launch left us unusually underwhelmed. The tech world seems all too aware that the world is ready for the next 'iPhone moment' to come along and transform the landscape, which might explain the ridiculous amount of hype that met the news of Jony Ive joining OpenAI, with a supposedly revolutionary new device imminent. Apple might have hoped the advent of Vision Pro might provide that next 'iPhone moment', but alas, it wasn't to be. The hugely expensive headset has already been declared a flop by several corners of the internet after Apple sharply cut back production at the end of last year. All of which to say is that Apple isn't exactly feeling its freshest in 2025, and the iOS and potential iPhone rebrand seems to confirm that the company knows it. Apple is hardly known for simple naming conventions, but it's notable that it has chosen now to cut the iOS title's ties with the original iPhone launch in 2007, as though the company is eager to show that it's looking forward, not back. Time will tell what Apple is planning to reveal at WWDC tonight, but for my money, it'll take more than a new name and a refreshed design for Apple to get people excited about the future of the iPhone. With its rivals circling and its AI efforts flailing, perhaps the next 'iPhone moment' won't come from Apple at all.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Switch 2 reviews: What the critics love — and don't love — about it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. After months of anticipation, the Switch 2 is finally here, and the early reactions are good news for Nintendo and gamers alike. Thursday was the launch day for the Switch 2, and even within the first 24 hours, we're already getting an idea of how it runs and feels outside of closely monitored Nintendo demos. If you're still wondering whether it's worth waiting in a long line at your nearest gaming store to get your hands on a Switch 2, you may want to check restocks sooner rather than later because it sounds like you're missing out. Here's a look at what the early reviews for the Switch 2 are saying, including the highlight that could win over reluctant Switch 1 owners. See also: Where to buy the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, games, and accessories Includes: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Includes The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Includes amiibo Riju: The Legend of Zelda Series Includes amiibo Sidon: The Legend of Zelda Series Includes amiibo Tulin: The Legend of Zelda SeriesView Deal The new-and-improved Joy-Cons are arguably the most important highlight of the Switch 2 in early reviews. In his unboxing video, YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) said, "These Joy-Cons are so much better than the old ones." He also praised the larger overall size of the new Joy-Cons, including the larger buttons and joysticks, and improved ergonomics. However, Brownlee raised the question of durability with the pins that connect the Joy-Cons to Switch 2. Attaching and removing the new Joy-Cons is more fluid, but that single pin connecting them does seem like it could be fragile if you aren't careful. TechRadar's Lance Ulanoff shared similar praise for the new Joy-Cons, commenting in an X posts, "First impressions: It's relatively thin and light but has a density or heft to it that gives it a quality feel. The ergonomics are solid. Love that the Joy-Cons snap on and off magnetically." Not everyone was totally satisfied with the design, though. YouTuber Austin Evans answered some FAQs in his hands-on video with the Switch 2, where he compared it to handheld gaming PCs and the Switch Lite. "I think [the Switch 2] is slightly too big, if I'm honest with you, but you're talking to a guy who likes the Switch Lite," Evans said. He added, "The Switch Lite is still the superior size, but the Switch 2 is fine." This is a valid criticism since the larger display may make the Switch 2 a bit more unwieldy to hold, especially for gamers with small hands. If you're used to the compact Switch Lite, the ergonomics of the larger Switch 2 may take some getting used to. One of the Switch 2's biggest selling points is its larger, higher-quality display, which supports up to 4K resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. However, you might have a hard time testing out those display options at first since you'll need a TV with a compatible resolution and games that support the higher resolution and refresh rate. Austin Evans explained this in his video: "You can only do 120Hz if you're at 1080p or 1440p." That applies to internal and external displays. Only a handful of games currently support those higher display options, though. As Brownlee pointed out in his unboxing video, Mario Kart World is the best way to experience the 120Hz display, at least for right now. Brownlee praised the display, saying, "The 7.9-inch display looks way better; 120Hz looks so much better." When comparing the Switch 2 to the Switch OLED, Brownlee also made a good point about the lack of OLED on the Switch 2: "At the end of the day, most people just want a bigger screen, and that's what the Switch 2 is delivering. We also fully expect, if we're being reasonable, there's probably going to be a Switch 2 OLED at some point." As much as the Switch 2 is off to a good start, this is a crucial point to consider if you're considering buying one. If you don't mind waiting, you might be better off holding out for the Switch 2 OLED. By the time it comes out, perhaps a couple of years from now, many more games will be available specifically for the Switch 2 and designed to take advantage of the newer hardware. While games and hardware are probably top-of-mind for most gamers, it's also nice to hear that the Switch 2's UI and eShop seem to be smoother and cleaner than they were on the Switch 1. You might not notice the difference at first. As Evans remarked, "The Switch 2 seems to have almost the exact same software. It's a little different. You can see that the UI is a little cleaner-looking on [the] Switch 2 compared to Switch 1." Tabitha Baker of GamesRadar+ agreed, saying, "This is pretty much the same deal as you'll find on the original, barring some GameChat functionality and slicker highlighting across the main screen." TechRadar's Rhys Wood praised the new-and-improved eShop on the Switch 2 in his live review, saying, "I can confirm the [eShop] experience is a heck of a lot smoother now. Individual store listings can cycle trailers and screenshots very smoothly, and everything just seems to be organized a lot better. Additionally, I've noticed that download speeds appear to be much faster than they were on the base Switch model." Considering all of these initial first impressions, is it worth waiting in those long lines or vigilantly watching restock notifications to try to get your hands on a Switch 2? Possibly, although there are reasons to wait. The Switch 2 genuinely does have some major improvements over the original, specifically the greatly improved Joy-Cons and a much higher-quality display. If you can afford the price tag (at least $449) and you have an opportunity to purchase one, the Switch 2 offers a nice upgrade over its predecessor. With that said, there are a couple of reasons it might be worth waiting on the Switch 2. For starters, buying one at launch is very challenging due to the sheer demand for this console. If you're happy with your current Switch, you can save yourself some trouble by waiting until this initial hype cools down. For instance, if you wait until Black Friday, you might even be able to get your Switch 2 on sale. On a practical level, there aren't many games specifically for the Switch 2 available yet. So, you're not missing out on a lot at the moment. More games designed for this new hardware will be available as we get closer to the end of the year. Lastly, as mentioned above, it's worth considering the possibility of a Switch 2 OLED down the line. If you recently purchased an original Switch or can't afford the Switch 2 right now, you might be better off saving your money until an even better Switch 2 with an OLED display comes along. If you just can't wait to play the new Mario Kart, though, you can check live restock updates for your best shot at buying a Nintendo Switch 2. Where to buy the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, games, and accessories I went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2. It's phenomenal in every way — with one quirk "I'm really excited — but not about the price": As tariff threats loom, Nintendo fans at exclusive NYC event are torn over the Switch 2
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nintendo seems ready for a problem the Switch 2 might face
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The Nintendo Switch 2 is already out, and so far, the reviews for the new portable console have been positive. Things might change later down the line if one particular issue resurfaces. With the original Switch, one prominent issue for the console was Joy-Cons would register some movement even though the controls were not in use. This problem, referred to as drifting, caused Nintendo to acknowledge the problem and set up a repair program to replace the Joy-Cons even if the console is out of warranty. Nintendo was even the subject of a class-action lawsuit over the issue, which it ultimately won. It appears Nintendo is ready for this problem to resurface on the Switch 2, as its Service Request page does offer to repair or replace a Joy-Con 2 that has the drifting problem. As of the writing of this article, there has yet to be a trend of new Switch 2 consoles having this issue. The Switch 2 comes with a 12-month manufacturer warranty from Nintendo. It's unclear if Nintendo will offer the same policy for replacing Joy-Cons 2 that begin drifting after the warranty has expired, like with the original Switch. An email was sent to Nintendo about this scenario, and this story will be updated when a response has been received. A report from Engadget showed how prices for Switch 2 repairs have increased over the original Switch. Sending in a Switch OLED with water damage costs $139, but that same problem for the Switch 2 now runs $179. This does make sense as the Switch 2 is more expensive and uses higher-end components versus what was in the original Switch. You can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 for $449 in store at Walmart. Check your local Walmart stores for stock status. Features: 7.9-inch 1080p LCD touch screen, HDR support, up to 120 fps, TV dock supports 4K, GameChat, 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD Express Deal There are two main causes for the drifting issue in the Joy-Cons. The first is a buildup of dirt and debris within the controller itself. The second, and the likely more common issue, is worn-out contacts in the controller. In both cases, drifting takes time to manifest, hence the reason this problem started trending years after the console's release in 2017. Drifting is actually a common problem with analog controllers. To counter this issue, which stems from how the analog sticks use electrical resistance to detect movement, there are Hall Effect joysticks. These particular controls use magnets and electrical conductors instead, and because this method doesn't have actual physical contact between the parts, it's less likely to wear out. According to an interview from April with Nintendo's Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development & publishing at Nintendo of America, the Joy-Con 2s would not have Hall Effect joysticks. No specific reason was given for why this method was not being used on the Switch 2. Early reviews for the Joy-Con 2s have been positive, with reviewers feeling sturdier than the originals. It remains to be seen if this issue will come up again on the Switch 2.
