Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 Review

Priced at $2,441.49 as tested, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 stands tall among high-end gaming laptops, offering a blend of premium build and powerful components at a more accessible price point. While it lacks some of the extravagant features of Lenovo’s flagship Legion 9 series, it comes impressively close. With an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 driving a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, it’s primed for the most demanding games. For its ability to challenge $3,000-plus competitors, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 earns our Editors’ Choice award for deluxe gaming laptops.

Key Takeaways:

1. Affordable High-End Performance: The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 offers powerful gaming performance with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU at a competitive price of $2,441.49.
2. Premium Build Quality: The laptop features a sturdy aluminum and magnesium chassis with extensive ventilation and thoughtful design elements, blending durability with a professional look.
3. Exceptional Display: A 16-inch IPS screen with 2,560-by-1,600-pixel resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR 400 certification, Dolby Vision, and Nvidia G-Sync support makes it ideal for gaming and multimedia.
4. User-Friendly Keyboard: The TrueStrike keyboard offers 1.5mm key travel and per-key RGB lighting, providing a satisfying typing experience, although the wrist rest area can be uncomfortable during long sessions.
5. Rich Audio Experience: The built-in speakers deliver rich sound quality, enhanced by the Nahimic app, though they lack deep bass.
6. Minimal Bloatware: Lenovo keeps unnecessary software to a minimum, providing valuable utility apps for system management and performance optimization.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 Specifications

Configurations:

Versatility with High-End Options Lenovo sticks to a winning formula with the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9’s design, resembling its predecessor. The company offers two robust hardware configurations, providing a choice between Windows 11 Home or Pro. Both models feature Intel’s Core i9-14900HX processor, 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory, two 1TB NVMe solid-state drives, and a 240Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio display. The RTX 4080 version is priced at $2,441.49 (Windows 11 Home), while the RTX 4090 variant is available for $2,899.99.

It’s essential not to confuse the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 with Lenovo’s Legion 7i Gen 9, which, despite sharing the same CPU and screen, downgrades to a GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Starting at $1,738.49 with 16GB of RAM, the Legion 7i Gen 9 is thinner, lighter (4.93 pounds versus 6.17), and features a different port arrangement, including the Thunderbolt 4 port that the Pro version notably lacks.

Design:

Subtle and Sturdy Echoing the Gen 8, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 exudes durability with its aluminum and magnesium chassis. It boasts thick rubber feet, a 180-degree display hinge, and extensive ventilation, with ports distributed along the sides and rear edge. The rough-textured shroud around the vents adds to its somewhat brutalist design aesthetic.

Despite its gaming prowess, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 can blend into professional settings, thanks to its subdued RGB lighting that can be turned off. Its 1.01-by-14.3-by-10.3-inch chassis can fit into a 15.6-inch laptop sleeve, but it’s hefty for a backpack or briefcase, especially with its weighty 330-watt power brick.

Keyboard:

The keyboard features per-key RGB lighting and front-edge lighting around the base, providing effective illumination. Lenovo’s TrueStrike keyboard offers a snappy 1.5mm key travel and supports swappable keycaps, although finding compatible replacements may be challenging.

Display:

A Visual Delight One of the standout features of this Legion is its display. The 16-inch IPS panel combines a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate, surrounded by thin bezels for a sleek look. With a peak brightness of 500 nits, DisplayHDR 400 certification, Dolby Vision, Nvidia G-Sync support, and 100% coverage of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, it’s perfect for gaming and multimedia consumption.

Performance:

Performance and Usability The transition to the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9’s keyboard was smooth, thanks to Lenovo’s consistent, high-quality keyboard design. The well-stabilized keycaps and high actuation force contribute to confident typing. I reached a typing speed of 122 words per minute with 98% accuracy on Monkeytype, close to my peak performance on exceptional keyboards. The only downside is the extensive wrist rest area, where the hard-angled front edge can be uncomfortable during long typing sessions.

Despite its size, the touchpad is somewhat small but efficient, with a smooth Mylar surface that handles navigation and multi-finger gestures well. The anti-glare screen finish is effective, though it still requires smart angling to avoid bright reflections.

The Legion’s speakers produce rich sound, lacking deep bass but avoiding the thin, tinny sound of cheaper laptop speakers. The Nahimic app offers subtle audio enhancements, ensuring respectable sound quality even without it.

Lenovo has kept bloatware to a minimum with valuable utility apps like Lenovo Vantage for managing performance profiles and system updates. Additional tools include Nahimic and Dolby Vision audio and video apps, and the Tobii head-tracking app (though not the full Game Hub for eye-tracking in games).

Verdict:

Power and Value in One Package The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 is a formidable gaming laptop that excels in almost every aspect. It offers top-tier performance and undercuts similarly configured competitors in pricing. Its robust chassis and vibrant display are perfect for fast-paced gaming. Despite its size and weight, it’s a highly portable desktop replacement. The absence of Thunderbolt 4, USB4, and biometrics are minor drawbacks that don’t diminish its overall excellence, securing its place as our Editors’ Choice for deluxe gaming laptops.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What configurations are available for the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9?

The laptop comes in two configurations: one with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU and another with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. Both versions feature an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and two 1TB NVMe SSDs.

Does the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 support Thunderbolt 4?

No, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 does not support Thunderbolt 4. It offers USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 ports instead.

How is the keyboard on the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9?

The TrueStrike keyboard is well-regarded for its 1.5mm key travel, per-key RGB lighting, and overall comfortable typing experience, although the wrist rest area may be uncomfortable during long typing sessions.

What is the battery life like on the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9?

Detailed battery life information was not provided in the review, but high-performance gaming laptops typically offer limited battery life, often requiring the power adapter for extended gaming sessions.

Does the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 have biometric security features?

No, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 lacks biometric security features such as fingerprint or facial recognition.

What is the weight of the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9?

The laptop weighs 6.17 pounds, making it quite hefty for a backpack or briefcase, especially when considering its 330-watt power brick.