By Administrator Introduction
Do you remember the thrill of firing up a newly released game on a dedicated gaming laptop? The mid-to-late twenty-tens were a fascinating era, where portable gaming was becoming more accessible, and brands like Lenovo were making waves with their Legion series. One particular model stands out as a popular choice for gamers seeking a balance of performance and affordability: the Lenovo Legion Y520. This laptop, with its distinctive design and capable hardware, offered a gateway into the world of PC gaming for many.
The Lenovo Legion Y520 wasn’t just another laptop; it was a statement. It represented a commitment to providing gamers with a portable, powerful machine without breaking the bank. But time marches on, and technology advances at an incredible pace. So, how does the Legion Y520 hold up today? This article aims to revisit this classic gaming laptop, delve into its specifications and performance, and assess its overall value in the current landscape. Whether you’re a retro tech enthusiast, a gamer curious about the past, or someone considering purchasing a used Legion Y520, this in-depth review will provide the insights you need. We will evaluate every angle of the Lenovo Legion Y520 and provide you with our expert perspective.
Design and Build
The Lenovo Legion Y520 sports a design that, while not overtly flashy, possesses a certain understated elegance. Its predominantly black chassis, accented by red highlights, speaks to its gaming aspirations without being too aggressive. The textured finish on the lid provides a pleasant tactile feel and helps to resist fingerprints. The Lenovo logo is subtly placed, adding to the laptop’s clean aesthetic. The hinge mechanism feels sturdy, allowing for smooth opening and closing of the lid.
In terms of build quality, the Legion Y520 is generally well-constructed. The plastic materials used feel reasonably durable, although there is some noticeable flex in the keyboard area under heavy typing pressure. This is a common characteristic of laptops in this price range, and it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The bottom panel is easily removable, allowing for potential upgrades to the storage and RAM, which is a definite plus for those who like to tinker with their hardware.
Speaking of portability, the Lenovo Legion Y520 occupies a middle ground. It’s not as slim and lightweight as modern ultrabooks, but it’s also not as bulky as some of the high-end gaming behemoths. Its dimensions make it reasonably portable for everyday use, fitting comfortably in a backpack. However, its weight can become noticeable during extended travel.
Ports and Connectivity
Examining ports and connectivity, Lenovo equipped the Legion Y520 with a comprehensive selection. On the left side, you’ll find a USB port, a headphone jack, and a microphone jack. The right side houses a Kensington lock slot and another USB port. The rear of the laptop features an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, another USB port, and the power connector. This ample selection of ports caters to a wide range of peripherals and connectivity needs. The placement of the ports is generally well-considered, with the most frequently used ports easily accessible. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensuring seamless wireless connectivity. The older Wi-Fi standard may be a limitation for some users with extremely fast internet connections.
Specifications and Performance
The Lenovo Legion Y520 offered a range of configuration options, allowing buyers to tailor the laptop to their specific needs and budget.
Processor
At the heart of the Legion Y520 lies a selection of Intel Core processors. Common options include the Intel Core i5-7300HQ and the Intel Core i7-7700HQ. These quad-core processors provide ample processing power for gaming and everyday tasks. The Core i7 option offers a slight performance boost for more demanding applications and games.
Graphics Card
The graphics card is a critical component of any gaming laptop, and the Legion Y520 did not disappoint. It was typically equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX or GTX Ti graphics card. These GPUs provide excellent gaming performance for their time, allowing you to enjoy most games at medium to high settings. While they may struggle with the latest AAA titles at maximum settings, they are still capable of delivering a playable experience.
RAM
In terms of RAM, the Legion Y520 came with various configurations. These options are sufficient for most gaming and multitasking scenarios. The laptop supports DDR RAM, which provides fast memory speeds.
Storage
Storage options varied, with some models featuring a traditional HDD, while others included an SSD or a hybrid drive. An SSD significantly improves boot times and application loading speeds, resulting in a much more responsive user experience. A hybrid drive offers a compromise, combining the speed of an SSD with the capacity of an HDD.
Display
The display is another important aspect of any laptop. The Legion Y520 typically featured a screen size with a resolution. While not as sharp as screens with higher resolutions, it still provides a decent level of detail for gaming and everyday use. The panel type is typically IPS, which offers good viewing angles and color accuracy. The brightness is adequate for most indoor environments.
Gaming Performance
Turning to gaming performance, the Legion Y520 was a capable performer in its time. It could handle popular games at reasonable frame rates, especially at medium to high settings. Games like Overwatch, CS:GO, and League of Legends ran smoothly. More demanding titles may require some tweaking of the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate.
Thermal Management
Thermal management is a crucial aspect of any gaming laptop, as overheating can lead to performance throttling. The Legion Y520 employs a dual-fan cooling system to dissipate heat. While this system is generally effective, the laptop can get quite warm during extended gaming sessions. Throttling may occur under heavy load, which can impact performance.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Lenovo Legion Y520 features a comfortable and responsive keyboard. The keys have a decent amount of travel, providing a satisfying tactile feedback. The layout is standard, with a full-size number pad. The keyboard is well-spaced, minimizing accidental keystrokes. The typing experience is generally enjoyable, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks. The keyboard also features a red backlight, which enhances its aesthetic appeal and makes it easier to type in low-light conditions.
The trackpad is adequately sized and responsive. It supports multi-finger gestures, such as scrolling and zooming. The surface is smooth and provides good tracking accuracy. While a dedicated gaming mouse is recommended for serious gaming, the trackpad is perfectly usable for everyday tasks and casual gaming.
Audio and Webcam
The Legion Y520 incorporates built-in speakers. The sound quality is decent, providing clear audio for music, movies, and games. The volume is sufficient for most indoor environments. The laptop also includes audio enhancements, which improve the overall sound quality.
The webcam is a standard resolution camera. The image quality is adequate for video conferencing and casual streaming. However, it’s not ideal for professional-quality video recording.
Battery Life
Battery life is an area where the Legion Y520 falls short. With typical usage, you can expect to get only a few hours of battery life. Gaming will drain the battery even faster. This is a common limitation of gaming laptops, as their powerful components consume a significant amount of power. The Lenovo Legion Y520 is best used when plugged into a power outlet.
Pros and Cons
Like any product, the Lenovo Legion Y520 has its strengths and weaknesses.
On the positive side, it offered a good price-to-performance ratio, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. Its gaming capabilities were decent for its class, allowing you to enjoy many popular games at reasonable settings. The design was stylish and understated, appealing to a wide range of users.
On the negative side, the battery life was average, limiting its portability. It also had thermal issues.
Alternatives (When it was released)
When the Lenovo Legion Y520 was released, it competed with other gaming laptops, such as the Acer Nitro, the Dell Inspiron Gaming, and the HP Pavilion Gaming. These laptops offered similar specifications, features, and price points. Each model had its strengths and weaknesses, catering to different preferences.
Is the Lenovo Legion Y520 Still Worth Buying in the Current Year?
The current market for used Lenovo Legion Y520 laptops is varied. Prices can range depending on the condition of the laptop, its specifications, and the seller. Before purchasing a used Legion Y520, it’s crucial to thoroughly inspect the laptop and test its components. Pay close attention to the battery health, screen condition, and keyboard functionality.
Compared to modern budget gaming laptops, the Lenovo Legion Y520 may seem outdated in some aspects. Modern laptops offer faster processors, more powerful graphics cards, and improved displays. However, the Legion Y520 can still be a viable option if you’re on a tight budget and only plan to play older games or less demanding titles.
Potential issues of buying used include battery health, wear and tear, and the possibility of hidden defects.
Conclusion
The Lenovo Legion Y520 was a popular and capable gaming laptop that provided a good balance of performance and affordability. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich laptop available today, it can still be a worthwhile purchase if you’re on a budget and willing to accept its limitations.
Whether the Lenovo Legion Y520 is still a worthwhile purchase depends on your individual needs and budget. If you’re a casual gamer looking for an affordable entry-level gaming laptop, a used Legion Y520 may be a viable option. However, if you require the latest and greatest hardware, you’re better off investing in a modern gaming laptop.
Before making a decision, research and consider your options carefully. Check out our other gaming laptop reviews. Share your Y520 experiences in the comments below.
