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Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9: A Detailed Review

Lenovo’s latest gaming powerhouse, the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9, is here, aiming to push the limits of gaming and content creation. With its advanced features and robust hardware, this ninth-generation Legion promises high performance and stunning visuals, though it does come with some compromises in terms of portability and noise. Priced from $1,938, this is a machine built for those who demand the best.

During our testing, we evaluated the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 model, which is priced at $2,441.49. It offers serious competition to other high-end gaming laptops but at a relatively lower cost compared to Lenovo’s top-tier models. This model might not have every premium feature of the flagship Legion 9, but it packs enough punch to be our Editor’s Choice for those seeking high-end performance without breaking the bank. Equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, it delivers seamless gaming on its 2,560 x 1,600-pixel, 240Hz display.

Key Features of Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9

Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX
GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 Laptop GPU, 8GB GDDR6
RAM: 32 GB DDR5-5600MHz
Storage: 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
Display: 16-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) IPS, anti-glare, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 430 nits brightness, 165Hz refresh rate
Color: Eclipse Black

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9: Design and Build

The Legion 7i Gen 9, priced at $1,999.99 for the configuration we tested at Best Buy, features a Core i9-14900HX, an 8GB GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. While the exterior might remind you of previous models, there are crucial enhancements under the hood. Lenovo has significantly improved the color accuracy issues that plagued the Gen 8, making this model a more attractive option. Additionally, it can be upgraded to include the powerful Nvidia RTX 4090, offering even more performance.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Pros:

Stylish 16-inch design with improved portability
Enhanced color accuracy, covering the full DCI-P3 spectrum
Excellent keyboard and touchpad with tasteful RGB lighting

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Cons:

Subpar battery life for a gaming laptop
Fans can be loud under heavy use
Weighs over 5 pounds, making it less portable

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9: Performance Specs

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 is designed to meet the needs of both gamers and content creators with the following detailed specifications:

Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX (up to 5.80 GHz)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, 8GB GDDR6
Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600MHz (2 x 16 GB)
Storage: 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
Battery: 4-cell 99.99Whr
Display: 16-inch IPS, 3.2K resolution (3200 x 2000), 100% DCI-P3, 430 nits brightness, 165Hz refresh rate
Camera: 1080P FHD with dual microphones and electronic privacy shutter
Speakers: 2 x 2W Harman system
Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4, SD card reader, HDMI 2.1
Network: Wi-Fi 6E
Color: Eclipse Black
Power Adapter: 230W

The Legion 7i Gen 9’s high-performance hardware ensures it can handle intensive tasks and multitasking with ease. The large 1TB SSD provides ample storage with swift access speeds, and the 16-inch IPS display with its high resolution and accurate color reproduction makes it ideal for both gaming and professional use.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Performance and Gaming Experience

The Legion Pro 7i Gen 9, now featuring the latest Intel Core i9-14900HX and optional Nvidia RTX 4090, offers noticeable improvements in performance over its predecessor. For current Gen 8 users, the upgrade may seem minor, but anyone coming from an older laptop will appreciate the significant enhancements.

In our performance mode testing, the Legion Pro 7i adjusts power and thermal settings for optimal performance when plugged in. It efficiently manages power for everyday tasks while delivering top performance during gaming or demanding applications.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Battery Life Evaluation

To test battery life, we played a locally stored 720p video at 50% brightness and 100% audio volume, with the battery fully charged, Wi-Fi on, and keyboard backlighting off. Additionally, we used the Datacolor SpyderX Elite sensor to measure display performance, including color saturation and brightness.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Benchmark Results

PCMark 10 (AC): 8,185 (Gen 9) vs. 7,570 (Gen 8)
Geekbench 6 (single/multi): 2,884 / 16,730 (Gen 9) vs. 2,760 / 16,745 (Gen 8)
3DMark: Time Spy Extreme: 9,428 (Gen 9) vs. 8,892 (Gen 8)
Cinebench 2024 (single/multi/GPU): 122 / 1,481 / 18,347 (Gen 9)

In benchmarking, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9’s RTX 4080 surpasses RTX 4070-equipped laptops and is competitive with RTX 4090 systems. It performs well in both CPU and GPU-intensive tests, making it a top contender in its class.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Real-World Gaming Performance

In practical gaming tests, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 handles modern titles like *Fortnite*, *GTA V*, and *Forza Horizon 5* at high settings with impressive frame rates. In *Forza Horizon 5*, it scored 127 FPS on the “extreme” preset, though it doesn’t fully leverage the 240Hz display unless you reduce graphics settings.

The laptop also managed to power an external monitor for additional gameplay without any performance issues, demonstrating its versatility and power.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Pricing and Availability

Starting at $1,699.99, the tested model is available for $1,999.99 at Best Buy.

Who Should Consider the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9?

Ideal For:
Gamers seeking a high-end 16-inch laptop
Users needing a high-resolution, fast, and color-accurate display
Those requiring top-tier CPU and GPU performance

Not Ideal For:
Users looking for a versatile laptop for varied tasks
Those who can suffice with lower-spec hardware
Budget-conscious buyers or those avoiding high spending on gaming laptops

For those who want a powerful and versatile gaming laptop with a top-notch display, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 is a fantastic choice, especially with its upgraded color accuracy and available high-end GPU options.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Final Verdict:

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 stands out as a remarkable gaming laptop with strong specifications, a vibrant display, and a durable build. Despite some limitations like average battery life and noise, it remains a strong competitor in the high-end gaming laptop segment, offering substantial value and performance.