What To Know
- The TUF F17 features a stealthy black aesthetic with subtle accents, while the Legion 5 boasts a more aggressive design with angular lines and RGB lighting.
- Both the TUF F17 and the Legion 5 pack powerful processors and graphics cards, capable of handling demanding games at high settings.
- The Legion 5 generally offers slightly better battery life than the TUF F17, lasting around 7-9 hours on a single charge with light usage.
Choosing the perfect gaming laptop can be a daunting task, especially with so many powerful options available. Two popular contenders that often top the list are the ASUS TUF F17 and the Lenovo Legion 5. Both laptops boast impressive specs and features, but which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison delves into the key aspects of each machine, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The ASUS TUF F17 and Lenovo Legion 5 both sport a rugged and gamer-centric design. The TUF F17 features a stealthy black aesthetic with subtle accents, while the Legion 5 boasts a more aggressive design with angular lines and RGB lighting.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 boasts a durable MIL-STD-810H certified chassis, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of travel and everyday use. Its military-grade construction translates to a sturdy and reliable build.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5, while not as rugged as the TUF F17, still offers a solid build quality. Its plastic chassis feels sturdy and is reinforced with a metal lid. The Legion 5’s design is more focused on aesthetics, with its RGB lighting and aggressive lines.
Display
Both laptops offer excellent displays for immersive gaming experiences. However, they differ in their panel types and refresh rates.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 typically comes with a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display with a 144Hz refresh rate. This configuration provides smooth gameplay and reduces screen tearing. Some models offer a 300Hz refresh rate for even smoother visuals. The display is generally known for its vibrant colors and good viewing angles.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also offers a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display, but its refresh rate can vary from 120Hz to 165Hz, depending on the model. The Legion 5’s display is known for its accurate color reproduction and decent brightness levels.
Performance
The heart of any gaming laptop lies in its performance. Both the TUF F17 and the Legion 5 pack powerful processors and graphics cards, capable of handling demanding games at high settings.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 is powered by the latest Intel Core i7 or i9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards. This combination delivers exceptional performance for even the most graphically intensive games. The TUF F17 also boasts a large amount of RAM, typically 16GB or 32GB, ensuring smooth multitasking and application loading.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also packs a punch with its Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards. The Legion 5 offers similar performance to the TUF F17, albeit with slightly lower clock speeds in some configurations. It also comes with ample RAM, typically 8GB or 16GB.
Cooling
Gaming laptops can get hot under heavy load, and efficient cooling is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Both the TUF F17 and Legion 5 utilize sophisticated cooling systems to keep temperatures in check.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 features a dedicated thermal module with four heat pipes and two fans. This design effectively dissipates heat, ensuring the laptop remains cool even during demanding gaming sessions.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also boasts a robust cooling system with dual fans and multiple heat pipes. Its Coldfront 3.0 technology ensures efficient heat dissipation, preventing throttling and maintaining optimal performance.
Battery Life
While gaming laptops are primarily designed for performance, battery life is still an important factor for portability and productivity.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 offers a decent battery life, lasting around 6-8 hours on a single charge with light usage. However, heavy gaming will significantly reduce battery life.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 generally offers slightly better battery life than the TUF F17, lasting around 7-9 hours on a single charge with light usage. However, its battery life also decreases with heavy gaming.
Ports and Connectivity
Both laptops offer a good selection of ports and connectivity options for peripherals and accessories.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 features a generous selection of ports, including multiple USB-A ports, USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, RJ45, and a microSD card reader. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also offers a decent array of ports, including multiple USB-A ports, USB-C, HDMI, RJ45, and a headphone jack. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Both laptops provide comfortable typing experiences and responsive touchpads.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 features a full-size keyboard with a comfortable key travel and good responsiveness. Its backlight allows for comfortable typing in low-light conditions. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, providing accurate cursor control.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also boasts a full-size keyboard with a comfortable typing experience. Its RGB backlight adds a touch of flair. The touchpad is responsive and smooth, offering accurate cursor control and support for multi-touch gestures.
Audio
Both laptops offer decent audio quality for gaming and multimedia consumption.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The speakers deliver clear and balanced audio with good volume levels.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 also features stereo speakers with Nahimic Audio technology. The speakers provide decent sound quality with good volume levels.
Price
The price of both laptops can vary depending on the specific configuration and retailer.
ASUS TUF F17: The TUF F17 typically starts around $1,200, with higher-end models reaching upwards of $2,000.
Lenovo Legion 5: The Legion 5 is generally priced slightly lower than the TUF F17, starting around $1,000 and going up to $1,800 for higher-end configurations.
The Verdict: Which is Right for You?
Choosing between the ASUS TUF F17 and Lenovo Legion 5 ultimately depends on your individual needs and priorities.
Choose the ASUS TUF F17 if:
- You prioritize durability and a rugged build.
- You want a laptop with a high refresh rate display for competitive gaming.
- You value a generous selection of ports and connectivity options.
Choose the Lenovo Legion 5 if:
- You prefer a more stylish design with RGB lighting.
- You want a laptop with a slightly more affordable price point.
- You prioritize slightly better battery life.
Beyond the Specs: The Final Decision
Ultimately, the best gaming laptop for you is the one that fits your budget, gaming style, and personal preferences. Both the ASUS TUF F17 and Lenovo Legion 5 are excellent options, offering powerful performance, immersive displays, and robust features. Take the time to consider your specific needs and weigh the pros and cons of each laptop before making your final decision.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Which laptop is better for competitive gaming?
A: Both laptops are excellent for competitive gaming, but the TUF F17 might have a slight edge due to its higher refresh rate display options, which can offer smoother gameplay and a competitive advantage.
Q: Which laptop has better thermals?
A: Both laptops have efficient cooling systems, but the TUF F17’s dedicated thermal module with four heat pipes and two fans might provide slightly better heat dissipation, ensuring optimal performance during demanding gaming sessions.
Q: Which laptop is more portable?
A: The Legion 5 is slightly more compact and lightweight than the TUF F17, making it slightly more portable. However, both laptops are still relatively large and heavy compared to ultra-thin laptops.
Q: What is the difference in battery life between the two?
A: The Legion 5 generally offers slightly better battery life than the TUF F17, but both laptops have relatively short battery life when gaming.
Q: Which laptop is better for content creation?
A: Both laptops are capable of handling content creation tasks, but the TUF F17 might have a slight advantage due to its higher-end processor options and generous RAM capacity.
