MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) vs Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11)
The Lenovo Legion 7a has the edge: it has more memory, has an OLED screen and is lighter. The MSI Raider 16 HX still is better for gaming and has Ethernet, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Gaming MSI Raider 16 HX wins
The MSI Raider 16 HX is the one for gaming: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings, while the Lenovo Legion 7a with its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings.
- Memory Lenovo Legion 7a wins
The Lenovo Legion 7a has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- OLED screen Lenovo Legion 7a wins
The Lenovo Legion 7a has an OLED screen, with true blacks and richer colour than the MSI Raider 16 HX's LCD.
- Weight Lenovo Legion 7a wins
The Lenovo Legion 7a is 0.7 kg lighter: 1.8 kg against 2.45 kg.
- Ports MSI Raider 16 HX wins
Only the MSI Raider 16 HX has Ethernet.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the MSI Raider 16 HX if…
- You play games: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings.
- You plug things in: it has Ethernet (for wired internet).
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (91.8 Wh).
Choose the Lenovo Legion 7a if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You watch a lot of films and video, or edit photos: its OLED screen has true blacks and rich colour.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.7 kg lighter.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe MSI Raider 16 HX leads on performance, while the Lenovo Legion 7a leads on the screen, battery and weight and extras. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The MSI Raider 16 HX is better for gaming and can be upgraded, while the Lenovo Legion 7a has more memory.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 |
| Graphics memory | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 140 W | 115 W |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 55 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
Screen
The Lenovo Legion 7a is ahead on the screen.
It has an OLED screen, and the MSI Raider 16 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 16" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | OLED |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz | 240 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | — | 500 nits |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 |
| HDR | None | DisplayHDR True Black 1000 |
| Finish | — | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The MSI Raider 16 HX has a bigger battery, while the Lenovo Legion 7a is lighter, charges over USB-C and is slimmer.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 91.8 Wh | 84 Wh |
| Charger | 280 W | 245 W |
| Charges via | barrel | USB-C (PD 65-140W) and slim-tip barrel |
| Weight | 2.45 kg | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 363 x 269.7 x 21.95-25.85 mm | 361.35 x 254.16 x 15.5-16.9 mm |
| Materials | — | Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom) |
| Colour | Core Black | Glacier White |
| Colours available | Core Black | Glacier White |
Ports and wireless
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Ethernet, and the Lenovo Legion 7a doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.1), 1x HDMI 2.1 (8K 60Hz / 4K 120Hz), 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x 2.5GbE RJ-45, 1x SD Express | 2x USB-A (USB 5Gbps, one always on), 1x USB-C USB4 40Gbps (charging up to 140W PD, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x USB-C USB4 40Gbps (charging up to 100W PD, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K/60Hz), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo, 1x SD card reader, 1x slim-tip power connector |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 40Gbps |
| Card reader | SD Express | SD |
| Ethernet | 2.5 GbE RJ-45 | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo Legion 7a is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features and has a sharper webcam, and the MSI Raider 16 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p IR, HDR, 3D noise reduction | 5MP + IR |
| Webcam privacy | webcam shutter | E-shutter (electronic privacy shutter) |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | 24-zone RGB gaming keyboard with Copilot key, 99 keys | 24-zone RGB backlit, UK English, Copilot key |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | — | Buttonless glass multi-touch touchpad, 80 x 135 mm, Precision |
| Speakers | 2x 2W speakers + 2x 2W woofers, Dynaudio | 4 stereo speakers, 2W x2 woofers + 2W x2 tweeters, HARMAN, Nahimic Audio, Smart Amp |
| Microphones | array microphone | 2x array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | firmware TPM 2.0, Kensington lock, webcam shutter | Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0, E-shutter camera privacy |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | Lenovo Legion 7a (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | 9S7-265122-239 | 83Q80008UK |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |