Lenovo Legion Series: An In-Depth Review and Comparison
Lenovo has earned a reputation in the gaming laptop market, with the Legion series being a prime example. However, like any product, the Legion series has its strengths and limitations. In this review, we will explore the key aspects of the Legion series, including its performance, upgradability, and how it compares to other popular brands in the market.
Lenovo Legion Y7000: A Personal Experience
I have been using the Lenovo Y7000 with a GTX 1060 6GB and 60Hz variant for 1.5 years as my main computer. During this time, I never experienced any slowdowns or throttling in heavy games. The fans are quite loud, but they do an effective job of cooling the system. This review is based on my personal experience with the Y7000 and its performance in real-world conditions.
Comparison with Other Brands
After conducting extensive research, I found that the Sager Laptop beat out several other brands in terms of specifications and upgradability. The Sager had a 10th generation Intel i7 processor, 32GB of RAM running at 3200MHz, which can be upgraded to 64GB, a 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD) for the C-drive which I upgraded to a 2TB SSD, and another 2TB drive that can be upgraded as well. The video card in the system is a 2070 RTX, which is a top-end card. All things being equal, the Sager had the better specs and was more upgradable. Here is how it fared against other brands:
ASUS
ASUS also has a strong presence in the gaming market, but their laptops can be quite pricey. I loved my last ASUS laptop, which I used for 5 years. It was a good gaming system and work system, but it couldn't compete in the price point area. The ASUS ROG series offers incredible performance, but they are still on the higher end of the price spectrum.
MSI
MSI is known for its high-performance gaming laptops, but there are some downsides. If you try to upgrade the MSI, you void the warranty, which can be a significant inconvenience. Other brands like Dell and Clevo also have their pros and cons, but for the most part, the Sager laptop stood out due to its upgradability and specifications.
The First Generation Lenovo Legion: Y720
I got the first generation Legion laptop, the Y720, for the same specs as some of the other models, but it was the second-cheapest laptop available. Not counting the bare-bones laptops like Clevo, only the Acer Predator Helios 300 was slightly cheaper. I still chose the Legion because of its better I/O. It had 3 USB 3 ports instead of 1 USB 3 and 2 USB 2, and Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of USB Type C.
Build Quality and Performance
The Y720 had a premium build, but there were some quality control issues. I experienced some key bounce and the subwoofer had a dent, but both issues were fixed by using the registry to address the key bounce, and the dent did not affect the sound quality. The internal components were accessible and easy to clean. The screen was not too bright but sufficient for most uses, with good color accuracy for watching movies.
Conclusion
Despite the minor quality control issues, I can strongly recommend the first generation Lenovo Legion Y720. The upgradability and specifications made it a great choice for gamers and professionals alike. Even with the issues, I don't regret my decision to go the Legion route.
In conclusion, while Lenovo has a solid reputation, the Legion series can be up to par with other top-tier brands like ASUS and MSI. The first-generation Y720 offers a competitive price point and high performance, making it a viable option for gamers and professionals who prioritize upgradability.