Essential Information
- The Legion Y520 features a sleek and understated design, while the Nitro 5 has a more aggressive and gamer-oriented aesthetic.
- If you prefer faster SSD performance, a more aggressive design, and slightly better battery life, the Nitro 5 is a solid option.
- The Acer Nitro 5 has a faster SSD and a more aggressive design, making it better for everyday use.
In the realm of gaming laptops, two titans stand tall: the Lenovo Legion Y520 and the Acer Nitro 5. Both machines pack a punch, but which one reigns supreme? Let’s delve into their specifications, performance, and features to find out.
Specs and Features: The Basics
| Feature | Lenovo Legion Y520 | Acer Nitro 5 |
| — | — | — |
| Display | 15.6″ Full HD IPS | 15.6″ Full HD IPS |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-7700HQ | Intel Core i5-7300HQ |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1TB HDD + 128GB SSD | 1TB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
Performance: Powerhouse or Lagfest?
The Lenovo Legion Y520 boasts a more powerful processor (Core i7 vs Core i5) and a slightly better graphics card (1050 Ti vs 1050). This translates into a noticeable performance advantage in games, with the Legion Y520 delivering smoother gameplay and higher frame rates.
However, the Acer Nitro 5 compensates for its lower specs with a faster SSD. This results in quicker boot times, faster loading speeds, and snappier overall performance.
Design and Build: Aesthetics and Durability
The Legion Y520 features a sleek and understated design, while the Nitro 5 has a more aggressive and gamer-oriented aesthetic. Both laptops are made of durable plastic, but the Legion Y520 feels slightly more solid and well-built.
Display: Immersive or Disappointing?
Both laptops sport 15.6-inch Full HD IPS displays with similar brightness and color accuracy. However, the Legion Y520 has a slightly wider viewing angle, making it more comfortable to use in different positions.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Precision or Pain?
The Legion Y520’s keyboard offers excellent travel and feedback, making it a pleasure to type on. The Nitro 5’s keyboard is also responsive, but it has a shorter travel distance and feels less satisfying. Both laptops have decent touchpads, but the Legion Y520’s is slightly more precise and comfortable.
Cooling and Noise: Hot and Noisy or Cool and Quiet?
The Legion Y520 has a more efficient cooling system than the Nitro 5, which results in lower temperatures and quieter operation. Under heavy load, the Nitro 5 can become quite loud and uncomfortable to use.
Battery Life: Marathon or Sprint?
The Legion Y520 has a larger battery (52.5Wh vs 48Wh), but the Nitro 5’s more power-efficient processor and SSD give it a slight edge in battery life. Both laptops can last for around 4-5 hours on a single charge.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Get?
The Lenovo Legion Y520 and Acer Nitro 5 are both excellent gaming laptops, but they cater to different needs. If you prioritize performance, build quality, and cooling, the Legion Y520 is the better choice. If you prefer faster SSD performance, a more aggressive design, and slightly better battery life, the Nitro 5 is a solid option.
Ultimate Breakdown
Lenovo Legion Y520:
- Pros:
- More powerful processor and graphics card
- Better cooling system
- More durable build
- Wider viewing angle on display
- More precise keyboard
- Cons:
- Slower SSD
- Shorter battery life
Acer Nitro 5:
- Pros:
- Faster SSD
- More aggressive design
- Slightly better battery life
- More affordable
- Cons:
- Less powerful processor and graphics card
- Noisier cooling system
- Less durable build
- Narrower viewing angle on display
- Less precise keyboard
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Which laptop has a better display?
A: The Lenovo Legion Y520 has a slightly wider viewing angle than the Acer Nitro 5.
Q: Which laptop has a more comfortable keyboard?
A: The Lenovo Legion Y520 has a keyboard with better travel and feedback.
Q: Which laptop has a longer battery life?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 has slightly better battery life than the Lenovo Legion Y520.
Q: Which laptop is more affordable?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 is generally more affordable than the Lenovo Legion Y520.
Q: Which laptop is better for gaming?
A: The Lenovo Legion Y520 has a more powerful processor and graphics card, making it better for gaming.
Q: Which laptop is better for everyday use?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 has a faster SSD and a more aggressive design, making it better for everyday use.