The Lenovo Legion 9i is a gaming laptop that pushes the boundaries of performance and visuals. Packing top-tier hardware like a high-end CPU and GPU, it also boasts a unique liquid cooling system and a stunning mini-LED display perfect for HDR gaming. But this premium experience comes at a premium price.
Uncompromising Performance and Cooling
The Lenovo Legion 9i (Gen 9) features the powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX, a top-performing mobile CPU. Our review unit came equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, though an RTX 4080 configuration is also available. With 32GB of RAM (upgradable to 64GB) and dual 1TB SSDs in RAID 0, storage speed and capacity are also top-notch.
It’s important to note that this model lacks a neural processing unit meeting Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC requirements, meaning it won’t support future AI features in Windows. Wi-Fi 7 is also absent. These are notable omissions considering the $4,059 price tag of our review unit (starting price is $3,499). The $430 price difference between the RTX 4080 and 4090 models offers some potential savings.
Lenovo Legion 9i half open
Sleek Design and Premium Build
The Legion 9i’s design is sleek and modern. At 5.51 pounds and 0.75 inches thick, it’s surprisingly portable for a gaming laptop with this level of performance. The “Carbon Black” magnesium chassis, accented by customizable RGB lighting on the keyboard, palm rest, and rear light bar, gives it a premium feel. The “Legion” logo on the lid also features dynamic RGB lighting.
The integrated liquid cooling system effectively keeps the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions. The keyboard remains comfortable to the touch, and while the fans are audible, they aren’t excessively loud. The overall build quality is excellent, with a smooth palm rest and a sturdy, wobble-free hinge.
Lenovo includes some thoughtful additions, like a switchable keycap kit for keyboard customization and two chargers: a 330W brick for maximum performance and a smaller USB-C charger for portability.
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Display
The Legion 9i features a full-size keyboard with a number pad, which is a welcome addition on a 16-inch laptop. The chiclet-style keys offer a decent 1.5mm of travel, and the per-key RGB lighting is customizable. While not a mechanical keyboard, it provides a comfortable typing experience.
Lenovo Legion 9i keyboard
The trackpad is responsive and smooth but a bit small for a laptop this size. The keyboard is also slightly smaller than expected due to the space allocated for the cooling system above it. This design choice, however, contributes to the laptop’s impressive thermal management.
The 16-inch mini-LED display is undoubtedly the Legion 9i’s highlight. With a 3200×2000 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, it delivers a truly exceptional HDR gaming experience.
Lenovo Legion 9i webcam bar
Sound, Webcam, and Connectivity
The built-in speakers are surprisingly good for a laptop, offering clear and loud audio with decent bass. While not as powerful as some other high-end gaming laptops, they are more than adequate for gaming and media consumption.
The 1080p webcam provides decent image quality, which is a step up from the often-subpar webcams found on gaming laptops. The microphone is also clear and performs well for video calls. A physical e-shutter switch adds a layer of privacy.
The Legion 9i offers a wide array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and an Ethernet port. Most ports are conveniently located on the back, keeping cables out of the way.
Lenovo Legion 9i right side
Lenovo Legion 9i back ports
Performance and Battery Life
The Legion 9i performs exceptionally well in benchmarks and real-world gaming. Its powerful CPU and GPU combination handles demanding games with ease. While the Alienware m18 R2 edged out the Legion 9i in some benchmarks, the Legion 9i’s performance is still incredibly impressive, especially considering its smaller size and weight.
Lenovo Legion 9i PCMark results
Lenovo Legion 9i Cinebench results
Lenovo Legion 9i Handbrake results
Lenovo Legion 9i 3DMark results
Lenovo Legion 9i Shadow of the Tomb Raider results
Lenovo Legion 9i Metro Exodus results
Battery life is a weak point, lasting just over five and a half hours in our video playback test. This is expected for a gaming laptop, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan on using it unplugged frequently.
Lenovo Legion 9i battery life results
Conclusion
The Lenovo Legion 9i is a powerful and visually stunning gaming laptop. Its high-end hardware, innovative cooling system, and brilliant display make it a top contender in the premium gaming laptop market. However, its high price and lack of certain features like Wi-Fi 7 and a neural processing unit may give some buyers pause. If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience and are willing to pay for it, the Legion 9i is a compelling option.
