It's all centered around effective thermal management.
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A new year has arrived, bringing with it an array of GPUs and CPUs for all tech lovers, signaling exciting upgrades for gamers everywhere.
Lenovo's Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 is our current pick for the best gaming laptop overall, so naturally, I was intrigued to see what the company had in store for its 10th Gen update. As it turns out, the Legion Pro 7i offers more than just iterative updates to the internal specs; it also offers a new set of RGB light bars on the back vents, a new thermal management system, an updated keyboard, and a slightly redesigned chassis to fit all the changes.
I reviewed the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 last year, and I'm excited by the changes Lenovo has implemented in this new generation of Legion Pro laptops. Is it enough to take it from 4.5 stars to a perfect 5-star product? We'll need to get it in our labs for the final answer, but here's my first look.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Specifications
| Price: | $2,399 starting |
| CPU: | Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| GPU: | Up to Nvidia RTX 50-series |
| RAM: | Up to 64GB |
| Storage: | Up to 2TB (1TB + 1TB) |
| Display: | Up to 16-inch, 240Hz (2560 x 1600) OLED |
| Battery: | Up to 99.99 Whr (watt hour) |
| Size: | 14.34 x 10.86 x 0.86~1.04 inches |
| Weight: | Starting at 6 pounds |
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Pricing and Availability Details
Lenovo hasn't revealed the entire spec range for the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, but we do know that the pricing will start at $2,399. Configurations that jump the specs up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 24GB VRAM, 64GB memory, 2TB storage, and 16-inch OLED panel will cost a decent bit more than the $2,399 starting price.
Lenovo tells Laptop Mag the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 will be available starting in March 2025.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Aesthetic Overview
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Lenovo's Legion laptops have consistently been on the bulkier side, and the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 continues this trend. In fact, the latest Legion Pro 7i embraces a bold and commanding design by incorporating RGB light strips along the back of the chassis near the heat exhaust vents, as well as illuminating the Legion logo on the laptop's top cover.
The Legion Pro retains the stunning Eclipse Black color scheme, although it does tend to show fingerprints quite readily. Additionally, it boasts an extensive array of ports, despite the fact that the HDMI and DC-in ports have been relocated from the back control hub to the sides of the chassis for an improved thermal management system.
At 0.86 to 1.04 inches thick and weighing 6 pounds or more, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is portable, but not the sort of thing you want to commute with. Or take onto a flight. The Legion's 16-inch chassis isn't the largest or heaviest out there, as the Alienware 16 Area-51 (2025) will weigh up to 7.6 pounds at its heaviest. But it is more a desktop replacement laptop than a portable gaming rig.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Connectivity Options
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Lenovo's Legion laptops are well-known for their extensive selection of ports designed to cater to gamers with diverse needs, and the latest Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 continues this tradition.
The primary distinction between this generation and last year's version is the absence of ports located on the rear of the laptop, specifically behind the hinge.
The array of ports consists of:
- 1x DC-in
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x USB Type-C with 140W power delivery
- 1x Thunderbolt 4
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1x 35mm Audio combo jack
- 1x 2.5G RJ45 ethernet
- 1x E-Shutter button
Lenovo might have relocated a few ports from the rear of the laptop, but you'll still find a comprehensive selection of ports on both the right and left sides of the chassis. This means you probably won't need a USB-C hub or docking station to fully utilize the capabilities of the Legion Pro 7.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Screen Features
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The Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 offers display choices that include a stunning 240Hz (2560 x 1600) OLED panel. This OLED screen boasts an impressive 1ms response time, full 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for vivid visuals, a brightness level of 500 nits, VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, and is certified by TUV Rheinland for low blue light emissions.
Lower spec displays for the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 will be IPS panels, which we've enjoyed in the past on previous models like the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 and Legion Pro 7i Gen 8.
While we couldn't see the display on Lenovo's sample unit at CES do more than showcase the Legion background image, it does look fantastic. OLED displays offer decent vibrancy and are brighter than they used to be, so we have no real reason to disbelieve Lenovo's claims. However, we will want to put those specs to the test in our lab when given the chance.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Keyboards and Trackpad
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We've loved the Legion keyboards for a few generations now, and the keyboard is only getting better. Lenovo has kept the off-set touchpad and full-sized arrow keys on the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, though each key now has 1.6mm of keytravel compared to the 9th Generation's 1.5mm keytravel.
Although a 0.1mm difference in key travel distance may not seem significant, it does enhance the bounce of your keys. As a result, you'll enjoy a typing experience that feels more satisfying than before.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Performance and Thermal Management
We don't have much information yet on what performance to expect from Intel's new Core Ultra 200HX series of gaming processors, but from Intel's own internal testing, the company claims the 200HX series offers up to 20% performance increase in multi-thread performance.
Should Intel be able to substantiate those assertions, the Core Ultra 9 275HX processor featured in the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 would stand out as a significant upgrade over the previous Core i9-14900HX model found in its predecessor.
Furthermore, Intel's Arrow Lake architecture aims to enhance power efficiency compared to the 14th generation Core i9, resulting in the CPU operating at lower temperatures than in the past. Coupled with an upgraded thermal management system in the Legion Pro 7i, the exhaust mechanism can prioritize cooling for the GPU, thereby improving graphics performance or allowing for a cooler keyboard experience while gaming.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: Visuals and Gaming Performance
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Much like Intel's new processors, we only really have Nvidia's word to go on when it comes to the performance of the RTX 50-series processors. And Nvidia has made some fantastic claims about the new GPUs' performance. If the RTX 5070 is capable of competing with the RTX 4090 with DLSS 4, the more budget-friendly options of the Legion Pro 7i could be more attractive than ever.
Thanks to the enhanced heat management system in the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, there's increased capacity for the Legion to fully utilize the potential of any Nvidia GPU you decide to equip your setup with.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10: What can we expect?
Lenovo is known for its robust build quality, and this gives us confidence that the recently updated Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 will effectively utilize its enhanced thermal management system to maximize performance with the latest Intel and Nvidia components.
However, our desire to spend more time with the new Legion goes beyond that. The enhancements made to the keyboard, including increased key travel and the addition of an OLED display panel, are also significant points of interest.
Certainly, we will have to subject the Legion to our thorough laboratory and practical testing procedures before we can make a definitive judgment on the value of the new Legion Pro. However, based on our initial observations of the latest Legion series, we believe it’s reasonable to feel optimistic.
