Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Review: Gaming powerhouse that impresses, but few strings are still attached
But does it justify that price? Or are there compromises hiding under the surface that you should know about before you hit 'buy'? I spent two weeks testing and travelling with this machine and this is what I think about it.
First impressions count, and the Legion Slim 5 doesn't disappoint. It keeps the gamer vibes low-key with a matte finish and clean lines, making it ideal for office or café setups without turning heads for the wrong reasons. The anodized aluminum lid adds a premium touch, while the high-quality plastic base offers enough rigidity for daily use.
At 2.3 kg, it's relatively portable for a 16-inch device. The hinge opens up to nearly 180-degree like most Lenovo laptops, and a subtle rubber lift beneath improves airflow and typing comfort. It's thoughtful, smart, and well-built, but make no mistake, it's not a featherweight.
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The 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS panel here isn't just about size, it's about finesse. You get a 165Hz refresh rate, perfect for fast-paced games, and 100% sRGB coverage, which makes it surprisingly good for content creators or designers.
NVIDIA G-Sync support ensures screen tearing stays out of the picture, and the taller 16:10 aspect ratio gives you more room whether you're editing, gaming, or just scrolling through code.
Could it have been brighter? Yes. But unless you work outdoors regularly, it's a non-issue.
Let's be honest, this laptop delivers where it matters. Powered by AMD's Ryzen 7 8845HS and a 140W RTX 4060, it runs demanding titles comfortably: Game Title Settings Ray Tracing Average FPS Forza Horizon 5 Suggested Graphics ON 70–80 FPS Far Cry 6 Ultra ON 45–50 FPS Doom Eternal Ultra ON 80–85 FPS Resident Evil 3 Ultra ON 90+ FPS
Turn off ray tracing, and you'll see a jump of 10–15 FPS across most games.
This GPU isn't the latest in the market, but in this high TGP avatar, it pushes performance close to higher-end machines. Still, at this price, buyers might question if newer-generation GPUs would be a better option.
A missed opportunity? Maybe. But what's here works, really well.
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Typing on the Legion Slim 5 is a joy. The keys are responsive, the layout is intuitive, and you can comfortably type or game for hours. The touchpad? Decent. Nothing groundbreaking, but it gets the job done.
But here's the miss: no per-key RGB lighting. At this price, many expect it, not just for aesthetics, but also for macro control and custom profiles. You get basic 4-zone RGB instead. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's a miss for gaming purists.
During intense gaming sessions, expect the fans to kick in loudly. You'll definitely need headphones. Heat does creep up on the keyboard deck too, and it can feel warm on your lap even during moderate work. This isn't unusual for a thin gaming laptop, but it does limit its comfort in non-desk setups. Scenario Surface Temperature Fan Noise Light Work (Browsing, Docs) Cool (~35–40°C) Barely Audible Gaming (Heavy Titles) Warm (~45–50°C) on WASD Clearly Audible (Headphones Recommended) Stress Test (100% Load) Hot (~90°C CPU / 80°C GPU) Loud – noticeable under load
We also noticed no MUX switch, which could have further improved GPU performance by bypassing integrated graphics. It's not a flaw, but it's worth noting for performance-savvy users.
Thermal design holds up well under gaming loads, but the keyboard does warm up, and fan noise becomes prominent.
Battery life is... fine. Just fine. I got: 45–50 minutes during gaming
1.5 to 2 hours of mixed productivity work
4.5-5 hours on video playback (only)
This isn't a machine you unplug often. You'll want to stay near an outlet unless you're just watching videos or browsing. It charges fast, but in 2025, a bit more endurance would have been nice, especially given the competition.
One area where Lenovo gets it right is connectivity. You get a solid mix of USB Type-A, Type-C, HDMI, and a power port, all spaced out sensibly. It supports modern wireless standards too, making it reliable for both gaming and remote work.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 (83DH0053IN) is a strong contender if you want a laptop that blends work and play. It's powerful, polished, and pleasingly subtle in design. For gamers and content creators alike, it checks a lot of boxes—performance, display, and portability.
But don't walk in expecting miracles. The battery life is short, the keyboard misses per-key RGB, the fans get loud, and heat management, while decent, isn't invisible. Plus, the RTX 4060, while potent, may not thrill buyers chasing bleeding-edge specs. You want top-tier gaming at 1080p/1440p.
You work by day and game by night—on the same machine.
You need strong visuals and solid connectivity in a sleek shell.
Skip it if: You need long battery life or silent thermals.
You're after the newest-gen GPU or premium gaming perks like per-key RGB and a MUX switch.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
A strong all-rounder with premium flair, but one that makes you work around a few quirks.
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