# New Gaming laptop vs used Creative laptop, for a creative worker **URL:** \ **Category:** Suggest a Laptop\ **Created:** [November 20, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/new-gaming-laptop-vs-used-creative-laptop-for-a-creative-worker/256 "2025-11-20T17:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DEspite](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/despite/32/90_2.png) [@DEspite](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/DEspite)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/new-gaming-laptop-vs-used-creative-laptop-for-a-creative-worker/256/1 "2025-11-20T17:38:57Z")
I’ve made lots of threads here asking for new laptop recommendations, but I promise this will be the last time, because I’ve narrowed down my choice between two laptops that the JustJosh team have reviewed very favorably! For context, I’m a graphic designer who’s looking for a sub 2kg laptop with dedicated graphics, so I can start get into 3D modelling and video editing (and light game dev). now, the Asus ProArt P16 would be perfect for me…. but my budget is only $1200. So after a _ **lot** _ of searching, I’ve narrowed my choice between two options: ## new 2025 [Lenovo Legion 5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-d-IKyLMRo) (AMD Ryzen 7 260/RTX 5060) ### Pros - Brand new, so Lenovo’s 3 year warranty will last all the way until 2028-2029 - Objectively better CPU and GPU performance - OLED! - Slightly bigger screen at 15.1 inch vs the Yoga’s 14.5 inch - Expandable storage & RAM - IIRC better battery life? ### Cons - no touchscreen - While the Legion’s weight falls just under my requirement, its still kinda bulky with a heavy charger, which might cause trouble on my small desk; especially with how much I rely on moving my current laptop around to make space for scribbling paper - _bad_ & **weak** speakers; I love to tune laptop speakers with [EqualizerAPO](https://www.reddit.com/r/Pimax/comments/17s846h/equalizer_apo_is_a_free_workaround_for_low/), so a weak speaker just means it has less headroom for me to work with before the sound gets distorted - The one on my budget only has 16GB RAM, I might need to buy RAM later which is a hard sell with the current state of RAM prices atm - annoying port positions ## used, “like new” 2023 [Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 14 Gen 8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeNAkcfUZfw) (Intel i7-13905H / RTX 4060) ### Pros - Much better build quality & speakers than the Legion - Slightly better keyboard and trackpad than the Legion - very bright mini-LED with a 3k resolution!!! This will definitely be the sharpest & brightest laptop screen I’ve ever seen in my life - Touchscreen! I cant count how many times while doing graphic design, where I could’ve made a more refined shape, if I could just draw it with a pen instead of having to finagle it with a mouse - Hinge can be fully unfolded 180 degrees, which lets me lay the touchscreen flat and draw on it without worrying about hinge wobble - Lighter and smaller than the Legion, very relevant since the size allows me to fully unfold the screen on my desk - It has a full size SD card reader I guess, even if I don’t own any SD cards or even any hardware that uses full-size SD cards - The spec I’m being offered would’ve been the highest scoring Windows laptop in JustJosh’s Best 14 Inch Laptop video, as it’d have 1 extra point on CPU & GPU performance for 44 points total; 1 more over the G14’s 43 points ### Cons - While the used laptop store claims that its “like new”, a 2 year old laptop is a 2 year old laptop - Lenovo’s warranty on it only lasts until November 2026 - Objectively worse performance than the Legion 5, to the point where I fear that it might not keep up with Davinci Resolve or Blender or Godot/Unity/Unreal Engine 5 - Intel 13th gen isnt exactly known for good battery life, and the Slim’s insane 3k resolution isnt exactly helping battery life either - No expandable RAM or storage, at least it has 32GB RAM onboard - It has a 80W GPU and a max 120W CPU, but its charger is only 140W?! - No bundled stylus 😮‍💨 - Big bummer that you dont actually get a mini-LED panel while on battery, the screen turns into an IPS while on battery - I have to act fast before someone else buys it, and no Black Friday discount **So which laptop do you guys think I should pick?** _Poll ([view on site](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/new-gaming-laptop-vs-used-creative-laptop-for-a-creative-worker/256/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![Nemusdark\_HW](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/nemusdark_hw/32/58_2.png) [@Nemusdark\_HW](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/Nemusdark_HW)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/new-gaming-laptop-vs-used-creative-laptop-for-a-creative-worker/256/2 "2025-11-20T18:20:31Z")
> **[Gigabyte - Aero X16 - 2025 - Review, Deals, Sales, Price History and Coupons...](https://www.bestlaptop.deals/products/gigabyte-aero-x16-2025)** > > The Aero X16 offers an incredible amount of value for its price > > It's a do it all laptop that's still portable. It's got plenty of power for most programming, video editing, and gaming. When you factor in its tiny charger, its very light amongst its... Have you considered this one, it’s only $50 over your budget. > **[Lenovo - Legion 5i 15 - Gen 10 (Intel) - 2025 - Review, Deals, Sales, Price...](https://www.bestlaptop.deals/products/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-15-2025?configID=532)** > > By far the best mid range gaming laptop of 2025. If you're looking to spend $1,000 to $1,400 this is the laptop to get. > > Here's why the Legion 5i is unique in this price bracket. It has a high quality OLED display, a very powerful current gen... This one as well. ---
**Author:** ![DEspite](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/despite/32/90_2.png) [@DEspite](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/DEspite)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/new-gaming-laptop-vs-used-creative-laptop-for-a-creative-worker/256/4 "2025-11-20T18:30:26Z")
Gigabyte doesnt sell laptops to my country, and the Intel 255HX version of the Legion is also above my budget here