Review Lenovo Legion 9 18IAX10 RTX 5090
Lenovo Legion 9 18 · RTX 5090
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (175W) · 64GB DDR5-5600 (2×32GB) · 2TB SSD (Samsung PM9E1) · 18″ 4K 240Hz IPS · 3.52 kg
The most powerful gaming laptop on the market – top-tier RTX 5090 performance, 4× SO-DIMM & 4× M.2 slots, Thunderbolt 5.
Extremely expensive (€6,000), bulky 400W PSU, loud under load, poor battery life, glossy display.
Display – 18″ 4K 240Hz IPS · glossy · 440 cd/m² · 96.8% P3
Panel: BOEhydis NE180QAM-NZ2 (BOE0D5B) – 18″ 3840×2400, IPS, glossy, 240Hz, Adaptive Sync.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness (centre) | ~439 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 1626:1 |
| sRGB coverage | 100% |
| AdobeRGB coverage | 88.9% |
| Display P3 coverage | 96.8% |
| Response time (B/W) | 7.2 ms |
| Response time (grey) | 12.7 ms |
| PWM | Not detected |
| Finish | Glossy – highly reflective |
- Sharp 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate
- Excellent colour accuracy (ΔE 0.99, calibrated 0.62)
- Glossy panel is highly reflective – not ideal for bright environments
- No PWM flickering
Glossy display – reflections can be distracting. Consider matte alternatives.
Panel FRU: BOEhydis NE180QAM-NZ2 (BOE0D5B) (18″ 3840×2400 IPS, 240Hz, glossy)
Processor – Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (Arrow Lake-HX)
- Model: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX – 24c/24t (8× Lion Cove P-core, 16× Skymont E-core)
- Boost: 5.4 GHz (P-core) · 4.6 GHz (E-core)
- TDP: 205 W PL2 / 171 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~39,723 pts
- Stable performance in multi-core loop
CPU FRU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (Arrow Lake-HX, soldered BGA)
Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (175W) · 24GB GDDR7
- Model: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop – 24 GB GDDR7 VRAM
- TGP: 175 W – with GPU overclocking
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~23,942 pts – top of all RTX 5090 laptops
- Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra): ~170 fps
- Cyberpunk 2077 (4K Ultra): ~55.1 fps
- 24 GB VRAM – future-proof
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 23,942 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 41,019 |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 54,833 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra) | ~170 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (4K Ultra) | ~55.1 fps |
GPU FRU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop (175W TGP, 24 GB GDDR7, soldered)
Memory – 64GB DDR5-5600 · 4× SO-DIMM slots · Upgradeable
- Capacity: 64 GB DDR5-5600 (2× 32 GB SK Hynix modules)
- 4× SO-DIMM slots – two empty, expandable
- Up to 128 GB possible
Excellent upgradeability – 4 SO-DIMM slots with two available.
RAM FRU: SK Hynix DDR5-5600 32GB × 2 (installed) – additional slots available
Storage – 2TB Samsung PM9E1 · 4× M.2 2280 slots · Throttles
- Drive: Samsung PM9E1 MZVLC2T0HBLD – 2 TB, PCIe 5.0 ×4
- Seq. read: ~9,340 MB/s
- Seq. write: ~12,664 MB/s
- SSD throttles under sustained load
- 4× M.2 2280 slots – three empty
SSD throttling in loop test – consider additional cooling or different drive.
SSD FRU: Samsung PM9E1 MZVLC2T0HBLD (2 TB, M.2 2280, PCIe 5.0 ×4)
Battery – ~2.9 hours · 99.9 Wh
- Capacity: 99.9 Wh
- WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~2.9 hours
- Very poor battery life
Battery life is disappointing – under 3 hours.
Battery FRU: 99.9 Wh (internal, 4-cell) – serviceable
AC Adapter FRU: 400W (Lenovo proprietary, bulky)
Chassis & Connectivity – Premium build · Thunderbolt 5 · 2.5GbE · Wi-Fi 7
- Materials: High-quality textured metal
- Weight: 3.52 kg (7.76 lbs)
- Dimensions: 403 × 297 × 28 mm
- Left: USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 2.5 GbE RJ-45, 2× Thunderbolt 5 (PD+DP 2.1), 3.5mm audio
- Rear: HDMI 2.1, DC-in
- Right: Webcam shutter, USB-C 3.2 Gen2, Card reader, 2× USB-A 3.2 Gen2
- Wi-Fi 7 (Intel Killer BE1750W)
- 5 MP webcam with e-shutter
WLAN FRU: Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750W 320 MHz (BE200NGW) – M.2 2230, replaceable
Serviceability – 4× SO-DIMM · 4× M.2 · 11 screws
| Component | Replaceable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | 4× M.2 2280 slots – three empty |
| RAM | ✅ Yes | 4× SO-DIMM – two empty |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ Yes | M.2 2230 – replaceable |
| Battery | ⚠️ Limited | 99.9 Wh – internal but replaceable |
| CPU/GPU | ❌ No | Soldered BGA |
Excellent upgradeability – 4 SO-DIMM and 4 M.2 slots.
Bottom cover is tight – 11 Phillips screws, but very snug fit.
Components FRU / Model Numbers
| Component | FRU / Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (Arrow Lake-HX, soldered) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop (175W TGP, 24 GB GDDR7, soldered) |
| RAM | SK Hynix DDR5-5600 64GB (2× 32GB SO-DIMM) – 2 slots available |
| SSD | Samsung PM9E1 MZVLC2T0HBLD (2 TB, M.2 2280, PCIe 5.0) |
| Display Panel | BOEhydis NE180QAM-NZ2 (BOE0D5B) (18″ 3840×2400 IPS, 240Hz, glossy) |
| WLAN | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750W 320 MHz (BE200NGW) |
| Battery | 99.9 Wh (internal, 4-cell) |
| AC Adapter | 400 W (Lenovo proprietary, bulky) |
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
CPU
Ultra 9 275HX – top-tier Arrow Lake performance.
GPU
RTX 5090 175W – fastest laptop GPU on the market.
RAM
4× SO-DIMM – expandable to 128GB.
SSD
4× M.2 2280 – but primary SSD throttles.
Display
Glossy 4K – reflective but sharp and colourful.
Value
Extremely expensive – €6,000, but unparalleled performance.
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- High-quality and stable housing
- Optional GPU overclocking
- 4× SO-DIMM & M.2 slots each
- Successful input devices
- Stylish lighting
- Modern connections (Thunderbolt 5)
- Powerful sound
Weaknesses
- Bulky and heavy power supply unit
- Steep power consumption
- Strongly reflective display
- Partly SSD throttling
- Poor battery life
- Loud under load
- Extremely expensive
Pro tip for resellers & repair professionals:
• Highlight the 4× SO-DIMM and 4× M.2 slots – unparalleled upgradeability.
• SSD throttles under load – consider thermal pads or alternative drives.
• Glossy display – set expectations for reflective environments.
• 400W PSU is massive – factor this into the desk setup.
• Unmatched gaming performance – the absolute top of the line.
• Highlight the 4× SO-DIMM and 4× M.2 slots – unparalleled upgradeability.
• SSD throttles under load – consider thermal pads or alternative drives.
• Glossy display – set expectations for reflective environments.
• 400W PSU is massive – factor this into the desk setup.
• Unmatched gaming performance – the absolute top of the line.