I just got my hands on the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15 (2021) – and wow what a ride it’s been! I’m dying to share my experience because this laptop is seriously something else.
Let’s dive in shall we?
Design and Build: A Gamer’s Stealthy Machine?
First impressions? It’s surprisingly understated.
I was expecting something screaming “gamer” but it’s got a more subtle aesthetic which I actually kind of dig.
It’s not flashy but it’s definitely got a cool sleek look especially in the Phantom Blue color option.
The build quality feels surprisingly solid for a laptop in this price range.
Mostly plastic sure but it doesn’t feel cheap.
It’s sturdy and doesn’t flex much which is a huge plus for me considering how much I tend to move my laptop around.
The hinges are rock-solid too; opening it with one hand is a breeze no wobbles or anything.
However let’s be real it’s not exactly a featherweight.
Carrying this around all day would be a workout.
Maybe I’ll stick to using it at my desk more.
Hinges and Serviceability: Access Granted (Mostly!)
The hinges! Smooth as butter I tell you.
They’re strong enough to hold the screen perfectly in place yet flexible enough to open the laptop one-handed.
This detail alone is a minor victory in my book; it just makes the whole experience much more convenient.
Now let’s talk about getting inside.
The good news is that the RAM storage and even the Wi-Fi card are user-replaceable.
The bad news? Getting to them is a bit of a mission.
There are screws yes but prying open the bottom panel felt like I was risking breaking something.
I’d advise only doing this if you’re comfortable with a little tech-tinkering and have the right tools.
I wouldn’t recommend this for a complete beginner; you could easily damage the laptop if you’re not careful.
Display: A Visual Feast (With Some Caveats)
My model came with a 120Hz display which is pretty awesome.
Gaming on this thing is seriously smooth.
Fast-paced games are crisp and even regular use is noticeably smoother than a 60Hz screen.
This laptop is a beast, but it’s not without its flaws. Should I buy it? 🤔 I’m on the fence! Let me know what you think. Check out some sweet deals on the Legion 5
However this is only true for the 120Hz version and even those above such as 165Hz but not quite so stellar as you may expect for all other models.
The color accuracy on the other hand wasn’t perfect out of the box.
Colors felt a bit washed out though that can often be tweaked with software.
The brighter panels look far better and I honestly would recommend purchasing one with brighter display over a 120Hz one but that’s just my opinion.
The brightness itself could be better; it’s okay indoors but forget about using it outside on a sunny day.
Also the contrast ratio is fairly average.
Blacks don’t look entirely black in darker settings especially when compared to some VA or OLED panels.
This laptop is a beast, but it’s not without its flaws. Should I buy it? 🤔 I’m on the fence! Let me know what you think. Check out some sweet deals on the Legion 5
Panel Options: Choosing Your Visual Adventure
Lenovo offers several display options ranging from a basic 1080p 60Hz panel to a QHD 165Hz display.
If you’re a serious gamer the QHD option is undoubtedly the way to go.
However if your budget is slightly more tight then you might want to consider some other options for the budget-minded gamer.
The higher refresh rate makes a massive difference in gaming and the improved resolution brings the visuals to another level.
But be warned the top-tier display will demand a high-end GPU to run smoothly something to keep in mind when you’re making your purchase decision.
Performance: Power Under the Hood
My model has an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU.
For my needs it’s a beast.
I can handle gaming programming and even some video editing with ease.
However I’ve noticed that the performance could be improved.
The 8GB of RAM could be bottlenecking the system and to get the best experience you want at least 16GB in dual-channel mode.
The upgrade is fairly easy but requires the user to open the chassis to upgrade the component so I’d only recommend this if you are competent with doing so.
This is something to consider before you make your purchase.
CPU and GPU Choices: Tailoring to Your Needs
The beauty of the Legion 5 is the configurability.
You can choose from several AMD Ryzen CPUs and a wide range of NVIDIA GPUs from the budget-friendly GTX 1650 to the powerful RTX 3070. This allows you to truly tailor the laptop to your specific needs and budget.
For heavy gaming the RTX 3060 or 3070 will offer the best results but the RTX 3050 is still a solid performer for most games.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Ergonomics for the Win
The keyboard is a dream.
It’s comfortable to type on for extended periods and the keys have a nice satisfying feel.
The layout is great and the spacing is spot on.
I especially like the inclusion of a number pad.
The touchpad is pretty good too although the click mechanism isn’t the most satisfying thing I’ve ever used; the responsiveness is top-notch.
Audio and Webcam: A Mixed Bag
Let’s be honest the speakers are okay.
They’re loud enough and the sound quality is decent for everyday use but they lack bass.
For serious movie watching or music listening you’ll want to hook up some external speakers.
The 720p webcam is sufficient for video calls but it’s not going to win any awards.
The image quality is adequate though a bit underexposed in some situations making it hard to differentiate darker colors sometimes.
Ports and Connectivity: Everything You Need
The port selection is fantastic.
You’ve got plenty of USB-A ports USB-C ports an HDMI 2.1 port and more.
It’s incredibly convenient.
Thermals and Noise: The Roar of the Beast
The cooling system is surprisingly effective. Under heavy load the fans get loud – like really loud – but the CPU and GPU don’t throttle which is a definite win. That said it’s not something I’d use in a library.
Software and Extras: Keeping it Clean
There’s nothing too crazy pre-installed.
It has a few Lenovo apps but nothing that felt overly intrusive.
Battery Life: Plug It In
Let’s face it: the battery life is short.
Expect to be tethered to a power outlet most of the time.
Even casual usage will drain the battery rather fast.
Comparisons with Other Laptops: The Competition
This is where things get interesting.
The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15 (2021) holds its own against other gaming laptops in its price range.
It might not always come out on top in every aspect but it’s a consistently strong contender.
There are laptops with slightly better displays or more powerful processors.
This laptop is a beast, but it’s not without its flaws. Should I buy it? 🤔 I’m on the fence! Let me know what you think. Check out some sweet deals on the Legion 5
But the Legion 5 often compensates with a better build quality a more comfortable keyboard and a wider selection of ports.
The overall user experience makes a difference.
Verdict: A Solid Choice
Overall the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15 (2021) is a solid gaming laptop that offers great performance and a surprisingly comfortable user experience.
The configurations are very flexible so you can get exactly what you need for your use case and budget.
It’s not perfect – the battery life could be better and the fans get loud under load – but its strengths make up for its weaknesses.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great gaming laptop without breaking the bank.
Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some games to play!