Overview
Two of the best gaming laptops under $2,000 with nearly identical internals. The difference comes down to what you need beyond gaming.
Quick answer: The Legion Pro 5i is the better all-around laptop. The Strix G16 saves you $100 if gaming is all you care about.
Head-to-Head Specs
| Spec | ROG Strix G16 | Legion Pro 5i 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799 | $1,899 |
| Display | 16” QHD+ 240Hz | 16” WQXGA 240Hz |
| CPU | Core Ultra 9 285HX | Core Ultra 9 285HX |
| GPU | RTX 5070 Ti Laptop | RTX 5070 Ti Laptop |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5-5600 | 32 GB DDR5-5600 |
| Battery | 90 Wh | 99.99 Wh |
| Webcam | None | 1080p + IR |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
| SD Card Reader | No | Yes |
Gaming Performance
Within 3-5% of each other across all titles. The same CPU and GPU means you won’t notice a difference in-game. This is effectively a tie.
Beyond Gaming
This is where the Legion Pro 5i pulls ahead:
- Webcam: The Strix G16 doesn’t have one. At all. In 2026, that’s a dealbreaker for anyone who video calls.
- Battery: 99.99 Wh vs 90 Wh. The Legion gets 6+ hours of productivity vs 4-5 for the Strix.
- SD card reader: Useful for photographers and content creators.
The Strix G16 is 0.2 lbs lighter, which is negligible.
Recommendation Matrix
| Use Case | Pick |
|---|---|
| Pure gaming, never video calls | ROG Strix G16, save $100 |
| Gaming + school or work | Legion Pro 5i, webcam and battery matter |
| Gaming + content creation | Legion Pro 5i, SD reader and webcam |
| Budget is the top concern | ROG Strix G16, $100 less |
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 is our pick. For $100 more, you get a webcam, a bigger battery, and an SD card reader, features that matter every day outside of gaming. The Strix G16 is only the better buy if you never need a webcam and want to save $100.