Jarrod's Tech tested 35 gaming laptops in 2025 and again ranked the Legion Pro 7i at the top of the year. The reason is straightforward: it consistently posts higher frame rates than rivals using the exact same RTX 5070 Ti silicon. Lenovo's aggressive power delivery squeezes every last frame out of the chip, and the difference shows up in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong at native 1440p.
The display sealed the deal. While most premium gaming laptops ship with 400-nit OLED panels this generation, Lenovo specified 500-nit panels for the Pro 7i, roughly 25% brighter than every competitor in the tier. Combined with 240Hz refresh, full G-Sync, and Advanced Optimus support, the screen is hard to fault. PC Builder called it the best display in any laptop they tested this year.
Unique premium touches reinforce the price. The removable ceramic WASD keycaps and best-in-class per-key RGB are details no rival matches. Jarrod's Tech specifically called out that even more expensive 18-inch flagships from MSI and Dell ship with less refined keyboards. For a buyer who's already spending $2,000 on a gaming laptop, the Legion Pro 7i is the one that feels like the price was justified.
What It Won't Do
The 400-watt power brick weighs over 2 lbs and is roughly the size of a hardcover book. Combined with the 5.85 lb laptop, you're carrying more than 8 lbs total before adding the bag. Jarrod's Tech also called out the missing Thunderbolt 5 and the absent IR camera for Windows Hello as baffling omissions on a $2,000+ laptop, especially when the much cheaper MSI Vector 16 includes Thunderbolt 5. Lenovo also moved every port to the rear of the chassis this generation. The thermal logic checks out, but the practical effect is that all your cables now dangle behind the screen rather than out the sides.
Jarrod's Tech called the MSI Vector 16 with the RTX 5070 Ti an "insane value" and "absolute steal." The reason is simple: it ships with the same GPU as the Legion Pro 7i for roughly $300 less. At $1,759 for the QHD+ 240Hz configuration, it delivers about 30% faster 1440p gaming than standard RTX 5070 laptops in the same price range while providing the essential 12GB of VRAM that newer games like Indiana Jones and Forza Motorsport increasingly demand.
The Vector 16 also wins on connectivity. It includes Thunderbolt 5, a real surprise at this price, and even the much more expensive Legion Pro 7i omits it. For buyers who want to drive an external monitor, dock to a desktop setup, or future-proof for next-generation peripherals, that single port is worth real money.
For enthusiasts who like to tinker, Jarrod's Tech noted that MSI offers the deepest BIOS customization in the entire category. You can fine-tune CPU and GPU power limits, fan curves, and undervolting more aggressively than on any Lenovo or ASUS laptop. That flexibility appeals to the same crowd that builds desktop PCs from scratch.
What It Won't Do
The Vector 16 lacks Advanced Optimus and G-Sync, both of which the Legion Pro 7i includes. The practical effect: to get tear-free maximum frame rates, you have to manually flip the MUX switch and reboot the laptop, every time you want to switch between battery-saving and full-performance modes. Jarrod's Tech also issued a buyer-beware on the "screen lottery," because MSI sells a dim 1920x1200 144Hz SKU at a similar price that buyers can easily confuse with the QHD+ 240Hz model we recommend. Always confirm the model number reads A2XWHG-211US (or the QHD+ designation) before checkout. Build quality also feels more budget than the price suggests, especially the plastic shroud on the rear ports that blocks easy cable access.
Who Should Buy Which
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10)
The clearest gaming-performance leader in the mainstream premium tier
- You play demanding AAA games at 1440p and want the highest sustained frame rates possible
- A 500-nit OLED display with 240Hz refresh and full G-Sync is worth paying for
- You game mostly at a desk and don't need to carry the laptop daily
- You want plug-and-play tear-free gaming without manually flipping MUX switches
- Premium build quality and unique touches like ceramic keycaps matter to you
MSI Vector 16 HX AI
RTX 5070 Ti gaming performance for around $1,800, and the rare laptop with Thunderbolt 5 at this price
- You want the maximum frames per dollar at 1440p and don't mind the extra setup work
- You actively want Thunderbolt 5 for external displays or future-proofing
- You enjoy BIOS tuning, undervolting, and dialing in fan curves manually
- You're willing to research model numbers carefully to avoid the dim 1080p variant
- Saving $300+ versus the Legion Pro 7i frees up budget for a better monitor or peripherals