Lenovo is the largest laptop brand in the world. However, they do have other electronic devices under their portfolio. Adding to their large catalogue, the company just launched a new tablet with a large display and MediaTek processor. In this article, we will discuss the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 in further detail including its expected price in Nepal.
Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 Overview
Design and Display
This large Lenovo tablet does not look very inspiring in terms of design. It has a seamless metal unibody with a curved frame. The Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 has a relatively small rectangular camera island on the back that houses a single shooter. On the other hand, the tablet has a quad-speaker setup further enhanced by JBL tuning. It ships in two colour options: Green, and Grey.
As the name suggests, the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 dons a large 12.7-inch display. While the panel type on the tablet has not been specified, we do know that it stretches 2.9K in resolution and offers a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. There is also a Comfort Edition of the tablet whose screen has a paper-esque finish ensuring a comfortable reading experience.
The primary performance on this behemoth tablet is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor. This chipset comes in a 4nm fabbing process along with an eight-core architecture with a peak clock speed of 3.35GHz. In the meantime, the tablet has an LPDRR5x RAM of up to 12GB and a storage of up to 256GB. Furthermore, the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 supports external storage of up to 1TB as well. Software-wise, the tablet boots on ZUI 16 — a custom skin based on Android developed by Lenovo.
In terms of optics, it is loaded with two shooters altogether — one on the back, and one on the front. However, the company has not specified the resolution for either of them. In the tank, it packs a large 10,200 mAh battery that can be powered up with 45W of fast charging. Moreover, the tablet can reach 80% charge in a mere hour. Lastly, the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 is available in WiFi only option across both its variants.
Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 Specifications
Design: Monotone design with all-metal unibody and curved edges
Display: 12.7” LCD* Panel, 2.9K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, also available in paper-like finish
Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8300 (4nm)
RAM: 8GB or 12GB, LPDRR5X
ROM: 128GB or 256GB UFS 4.0 + 1TB expandable with MicroSD card
OS & UI: ZUI 16 based on Android
Battery: 10,200 mAh with 45W fast charging
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth
Colour Options: Green, Grey
Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 Price in Nepal and Availability
This tablet was announced on 27 July 2024 and went live on the same day too. It starts at CNY 1,899 and goes all the way to 2,399 depending on the configuration and the edition.
While there are a handful of Lenovo tablets in Nepal, all of them have been older models and rather low-powered. Hence, the chances of this tablet making it into our borders appear to be relatively low. Regardless, if the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025 arrives here, we expect its price in Nepal to start from NPR 42,099.
Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.7 2025
Price in China (Official)
Price in Nepal (Expected)
8GB + 128GB
CNY 1,899
NPR 42,099
8GB + 256GB
CNY 1,999
NPR 44,499
8GB + 128GB
(Comfort Edition)
CNY 2,199
NPR 48,999
12GB + 256GB
CNY 2,299
NPR 50,999
8GB + 256GB
(Comfort Edition)
CNY 2,399
NPR 53,199
Meanwhile, check out our Apple M4 iPad Pro (2024) review video:
OpenAI has shown us a demo of SearchGPT, and it looks incredibly amazing. This new search engine is set to give a significant push to both Google and Perplexity. Currently in its prototype phase, SearchGPT is accessible only through a waiting list. let’s dive in!
OpenAI’s SearchGPT Overview
OpenAI recently announced in a blog post that SearchGPT merges its AI capabilities with web data to provide swift and concise answers, complete with direct source links. Here are some of the features from OpenAI’s latest product:
Instant Responses:
Provides rapid responses to queries using the most current web data, complete with direct source links. Compared to Google, SearchGPT seems to deliver more accurate and relevant answers with minimal errors. When Google first introduced its “AI Overview” feature, it was widely mocked online for its poor performance.
Live Information
We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.
SearchGPT Supplies up-to-date information from the internet, ensuring accuracy and relevance. You can search for any life information like weather forecasting, flight tracking, sports games, Olympics and so much more in real-time in a more intuitive way.
Interactive Search and Multimedia Results
Enables users to ask follow-up questions naturally, building on previous queries for a more interactive experience. SearchGPT enhances understanding with the inclusion of images and videos.
SearchGPT prominently cites and links to sources, ensuring that users are aware of the origins of the information and can explore further through a sidebar featuring additional source links.
OpenAI says it is committed to enhancing its search engine by taking feedback from users and publishers. Their long-term aim is to incorporate the most effective elements of this prototype into ChatGPT.
OpenAI SearchGPT Availability
The SearchGPT prototype is currently being tested by a select group of users in specific regions, including the U.S. Those interested can join the waiting list that is currently up on their official website.
nayRealme just launched the entry-level Realme C61 in Nepal, featuring a metallic frame and IP54 dust and water resistance. Let’s dive into this article to learn about the latest Realme C61, including its official price in Nepal.
Realme C61 Overview
Display and Build
Realme markets the C61 as “tough as steel,” suggesting it may have reinforced glass. The phone has earned TUV Rheinland’s certification, all of this implies that the Realme C61 is as durable as it comes. In addition, the phone has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate.
Performance
The Realme C61 is powered by a Unisoc T612 chipset which features an octa-core CPU. It comes with either 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM. Moreover, it runs on Android 14 outside of the box with Realme UI 5.0 skin on top.
Meanwhile, also check out all the prices and specs of Realme products here
Camera and Battery
The main rear camera has a 32 MP sensor, accompanied by a secondary depth sensor on the Realme C61. Meanwhile, on the front, you get a 5MP selfie shooter. Furthermore, the device is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery. The company claims that the battery will retain 80% of its capacity even after 1,000 charging cycles.
Just weeks after the T3 Lite 5G launch, Vivo is gearing up to unveil another one of its smartphones, the T3 Ultra. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what this new smartphone has to offer.
Vivo T3 Ultra Rumors
According to a report by GIZMOCHINA, Vivo is developing the Vivo T3 Ultra, marking the debut of the ultra in its T series.
Appearance on GSMA database
This new addition has been spotted in the GSMA database under model number V2426. While the company is still working on the T3 Pro 5G and hasn’t launched it officially, the introduction to its ultra version is quite quick. Is vivo planning something huge with these back-to-back series or is this going to be one huge mess?
Let’s hope the T3 ultra would be a wise decision which brings good changes in the Vivo T series.
Although the company has not officially announced this phone, we can speculate about its specifications borrowing a few features from its T3 model. The AMOLED screen on the T3 already measures a good 6.67 inches so the ultra version might only be slightly larger at 6.7 inches. Talking about the resolution, the T3 ultra is expected to come with a 1.5K resolution as its predecessor was 1080*2400 pixels.
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X + up to 8GB virtual RAM extension
ROM: 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 + 1TB expandable via MicroSD card
OS & UI: Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14 on top
Rear Camera: Triple Camera (108MP Primary with Sony IMX890 sensor and OIS + 12MP Ultra-wide + 5MP Macro)
Front Camera: 32MP Camera (Centre-aligned punch-hole)
Vivo T3 Ultra Expectations and Availability
The Vivo T3 Ultra is expected to bring exciting improvements with its beefed-up specs. But since it’s too early, we don’t have a timeline on availability or the pricing details yet. We’ll update this article as more information surfaces.
Meanwhile, watch our Vivo V29 Pro Full Review video:
Earlier this year, Acer refreshed the popular Aspire 3 lineup with the latest 13th Gen Intel processors and Ryzen 7000 series processors. The budget-oriented notebook featuring the latest N-series and Ryzen CPUs is also available in Nepal. So, let’s get into the specs, features, latest price, and availability of Acer Aspire 3 (2023) in Nepal.
Acer Aspire 3 (2023) Overview:
Design and Display
Acer Aspire 3 has mostly stayed the same in the design aspect. It sports the same traditional look that Aspire laptops have been known for. You get a metal chassis that is both lighter and thinner. It measures 18.9mm in thickness and weighs around 1.4 kg for the base variant. Moreover, the laptop comes in several shades, including blue, black and grey.
The Aspire 3 (2023) is available in three screen sizes. There is a 14-inch model for people that travel a lot. There is a 15-inch model for people working on desks who need extra flexibility. Finally, Acer offers a 17” model for users needing larger real estate. Despite the varying diagonal lengths, all Aspire 3 models have FHD resolutions.
The 2023 Acer Aspire 3 is powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i3 N series processor. You can pair the laptop with up to Core i3-N305, an octa-core processor with 3.8GHz Turbo frequency. Moreover, there is also a Ryzen variant with the Ryzen 5 7520U processor.
You can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 3 SSD. Acer has increased the fan surface area by 40%, and the total thermal capacity is 17% better. All in all, the Aspire 3 (2023) is plenty powerful for a causal use case.
Rest of the Specs
All the Acer Aspire 3 models are equipped with USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 6E. Acer ships the laptop with a 45W DC-in adapter. You can even charge the laptop over the USB-C port.
Processor: up to 13th Gen Intel Core i3 N305 (8C/8T, up to 3.8GHz)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (Integrated)
RAM: up to 16GB LPDDR5
Storage: up to 1TB PCIe Gen 3 SSD
Connectivity: WiFi 6/6E, Bluetooth 5.1
I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x combo audio jack, 1x RJ45, 1x HDMI
Battery: 40Wh battery, 45W AC power adapter
Acer Aspire 3 (2023) Price in Nepal and Availability
The price of the Acer Aspire 3 (2023) is Rs. 53,500 for the Core i3 N305 configuration with 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD while the Ryzen 5 variant with more memory costs Rs. 60,000. You can buy the laptop from trusted computer stores like Hukut and ITTI.
The Nitro 5 lineup is incredibly popular among budget gamers in Nepal and just recently they have received sweet price cuts all across the board. As such, we’ve compiled a list of all the available Acer Nitro 5 laptops in Nepal alongside the official specs, key features, latest price, and availability.
Acer Nitro 5 Overview:
Design and Display
Acer has finally breathed some fresh air into the design of the new Nitro 5 lineup. The sharp angular edges of the top are now gone while the lid has new red and blue accent lines.
The laptop is available in two display sizes: 17.3 and 15.6″. Here, you can choose between a 144Hz FHD screen or go all the way up to a 165Hz QHD panel. Some higher-end models will even have 100% sRGB coverage.
Performance and Memory
As for performance, Acer is offering this laptop with a lot of options for the Acer Nitro 5. Both Intel and AMD CPU options are available here. On the blue team, you get 12th gen Intel CPUs while Ryzen options include 6000 and 7000 series processors.
The Intel variant starts at Core i5 and goes all the way up to Core i7-12700H. On the other hand, you will find AMD versions with Ryzen 5 6600H at the lower end and Ryzen 7735HS(aka Ryzen 7 6800H)at the higher end.
On the GPU front, Acer Nitro 5 is available with either the RTX 40 or last year’s RTX 30 series GPUs. You can find configurations with up to an RTX 4060 or an RTX 3070 Ti.
Acer Nitro 5
Specs
2022
2023
Processor
Intel:
Core i5-12500H
Core i7-12700H
AMD:
Ryzen 5 6600H
Ryzen 7 6800H
Intel:
Core i5-12450H
Core i7-12650H
AMD:
Ryzen 5 7535HS
Ryzen 7 7735HS
GPU
RTX 3050 (4GB, 95W)
RTX 3050 Ti (4GB, 95W)
RTX 3060 (6GB, 130W)
RTX 3070 (Unavailable)
RTX 3070 Ti (Unavailable)
RTX 4050 (6GB, 140W)
RTX 4060 (8GB, 140W)
The Acer Nitro 5 has two SO-DIMM slots that can take up to 32GB of RAM. However, it’s important to note that the Intel variant will only support DDR4 memory while there will also be a DDR5 option in the AMD version.
Similarly, Intel models will have two PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD slots, whereas AMD configs have one PCIe 4.0 M.2 and one PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD slot. Both variants will have an additional 2.5″ SATA slot for HDD/SSD.
Cooling
As for cooling, there’s the usual dual-fan setup onboard. But this time, Acer Nitro 5 has added air-intake grilles on top of the keyboard deck as well. Thus, cool air can enter from both the top and the bottom of the laptop. Similarly, users can adjust the cooling power and fan speed via the NitroSense app. It even supports overclocking the CPU and GPU.
Rest of the specs
Fueling the laptop is a 56/57.5Wh battery, and Acer will be shipping it with either a 180W or a 230W power adapter. In terms of ports, you get two USB-A, one Thunderbolt 4, one HDMI, one RJ45, and one audio combo jack. The AMD variant replaces the Thunderbolt 4 with a USB 4 port, by the way. Moreover, some of the ports have been moved to the rear this time.
The Acer Nitro 5 price in Nepal starts at Rs. 107,000 for the AMD version with Ryzen 7535HS and RTX 3050. You can get up to an RTX 4060, and an Intel i7-12650H / Ryzen 7735HS.
During CES 2024, Acer unveiled the latest iteration of its Predator gaming lineup including updates to the Predator Helios and Predator Helios Neo series. In this piece, we will explore the details of the recently launched Acer Predator Helios and Helios Neo 16 (2024), including its price in Nepal, specifications, and more.
Acer Predator Helios 16 Series (2024) Overview:
Performance
Acer has introduced significant updates to its mid-tier gaming laptop line, the Predator Helios and Helios Neo series. The updated Helios Neo 16 now comes with the most recent Intel Core (up to) i9-14900HX CPU, marking a slight upgrade from the previous model’s 13th-gen processor. The more premium Helios laptops also offer the same high-end CPU indifferent to its Neo siblings.
On the GPU side, there are options up to NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 with 8GB of GDDR6X VRAM on the Neo lineup. The pricier Predator Helios can also be configured with an RTX 4080 GPU but the top of the line RTX 4090 is reserved for the 18-inch model.
You can equip the Predator Helios 16 lineup with up to 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and 2TB of Gen 4 SSD.
The laptops use a mix of 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, liquid metal on their CPU, and vector heat pipes to keep cool and perform at their best consistently.
Design and Display
A notable change for 2024 includes a redesigned Predator logo, featuring a series of vertical lines that light up, adding a striking yet minimalist aesthetic to the laptops. The graphics on the laptop lid have been refined, offering a cleaner appearance while maintaining a touch of mystery with decipherable codes. These codes, however, are missing on the more premium ‘Helios’ machines giving off a more sophisticated vibe.
The laptops come equipped with a vibrant 16-inch IPS panel, offering up to 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, a rapid 240 Hz refresh rate, and a 3ms response time. Users can enjoy the benefits of NVIDIA G-SYNC and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. The inclusion of NVIDIA Advanced Optimus further reduces latency, dynamically engaging the discreet GPU as needed.
Connectivity and Features
In terms of connectivity, the Helios 16 lineup for 2024 offers a versatile selection, including three USB A, two USB Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and a microSD slot. Additionally, the laptops feature AI video calling tools and DTS:X Ultra Surround Sound speakers, enhancing both visual and auditory experiences.
The Neo laptops in this series come with hidden codes on the lid, now accompanied by instructions on decoding. The top left reveals the “HELIOS NEO” designation, while the bottom right encourages users to “JOIN PREDATOR FORCE.” The lip of the laptop now proudly displays the “NEO” name alongside the screen size, either 16 inches.
Up to NVIDIA RTX 4070 (8GB VRAM) on the Helios Neo laptops
Up to NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU (12GB VRAM) on the Helios laptops
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5
Storage: Up to 2 TB Gen 4 NVME SSD
Audio: Dual speakers
I/O Ports: 3x USB Type-A ports, 2x USB Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1 output, and a microSD slot, 1x RJ45
Acer Predator Helios 16 (2024) Price in Nepal and Availability
The new Acer Predator Helios 16 lineup including the Helios Neo 16 laptops is now available in Nepal in a number of configurations. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (2024) price in Nepal starts at NPR 194,000 for the i7/4060 combo while the Predator Helios 16 (2024) costs NPR 310,000 for a Core i9 and an RTX 4070. You can get these laptops via retail stores like Hukut and ITTI.
A driving license is one of the most essential documents, basically your permit for driving any motorised vehicle. It doubles down as a handy verification ID too. All in all, it is important! But, how do you apply for it? Thankfully, the entire application process can be done from the comfort of your home! Here is how to out an fill online driving license form.
How to fill out an online driving license form?
The entire system of online driving license system is handled by the Department of Transport Management (DOTM) — often referred to as Yatayat Karyalaya. It is technically incorrect, as it is actually Yatayat Bibhag, but whatever makes you understand. Now, moving on to the actual process itself:
You’ll now receive an MPIN (You will require this MPIN later on too, so have it saved for future access)
Select the suitable option
Select your citizenship country (Nepal for Nepali citizens)
Enter all the necessary details (The ones marked with * are obligatory details)
Agree to the terms and proceed
After this, you will be redirected to the application portal from where you can apply for your license.
Application
Driving License Application
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Select Apply for New License
Select the location where you would want to get a health checkup
[Health checkup just includes checkup for eyesight and colour blindness]
Then you choose your category
Select the Transport Management Office that is the most feasible for you
[This is for your written as well as trial test]
Choose the desired date for the office visit (You can also see the seat availability on the side)
[If by any chance, the date you’ve chosen falls on a public holiday, you can visit the office the day after]
Click on Next
You can now see your application status
You can also see the download application link
Download the application (You will need this during the office visit)
Adding Category
Say you already have a driving license. Now, you need to add a category online. Here is how:
The Login process is the same as the registration and application
Select on Add Category
Choose the health checkup location
Tap on the category to be added
Pick the favourable Transport Management Office and Date
Tap on Next
You can now see the application summary and download link
How to fill out an online driving license form: Conclusion
Filling out an online driving license form is really a piece of cake and very convenient. The fact that DOTM allows us to choose a date for the office visit is a bonus too. I hope this guide helps you navigate through the online driving license filling form. And best of luck with your driving tests, don’t worry you’ll smash it!
So in this review, I’ll be discussing everything you need to know about the new Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 (Gen 9). It’s got Intel’s latest 14th Gen processor — paired with up to an RTX 4070 graphics — and all the glories you and I have come to expect from a “Legion” laptop. Including a premium design, a great display, excellent performance, and everything else. And if you were in the market for a new gaming laptop under NPR 250,000, I’m sure this was one of your top choices… right?
Which is why I’ve been testing it for a couple of weeks now to help you figure out if this is the perfect gaming laptop for you. And while there are definitely a lot of things I like about this guy, I’ve also found a couple of issues with the Legion Pro 5i that you’ll definitely want to know before spending all your money. Let’s get right to it.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 Review: Specifications
Dimensions, Weight: 14.31 x 10.31 x 0.87 – 1.06 inches (W x D x H), 2.5 kg
Okay. I wanna start with the design side of things because, as always, this is something Lenovo does so, so well with Legion laptops. There’s literally nothing new on the design front compared to last year’s model but you know what? I’m okay with it.
After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
The Legion Pro 5i still arrives in this graceful design that I love, its lid still has that premium metal build, and everything from the hinge to the keyboard deck feels solid. Lenovo has gone with plastic for the keyboard and the rest of the laptop to shave off some weight but let me assure you that it doesn’t feel cheap. Not one bit.
And the rubber feet on the Legion Pro 5i are probably one of the best I’ve seen on a laptop. ‘Cause once I set the laptop on my desk, I don’t ever remember this thing slipping away from me. It’s that good!
The only thing that I’m kinda disappointed with the Legion Pro 5i’s design is that even though it’s got an Intel chip inside, you don’t get a Thunderbolt 4 connection here.
Nope.
In fact, both its USB-C ports have a max data transfer rate of just 10 Gbps. The USB-A connections are even slower at 5 Gbps so… if you’re a video editor or someone who’s constantly copying large files from a high-speed external storage to your laptop, expect that process to be rea…l slow on the Legion Pro 5i.
Display
16″ matte WQXGA IPS display
165Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color gamut
300 nits brightness, G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus support
At least this 16” display is pretty swell.
Lenovo lets me pick between three options (all with a matte IPS panel of course) and the one I have here is the base variant with a 165Hz refresh rate, 300 nits of peak brightness, and 100% sRGB color space. It’s a perfectly fine screen for casual users and gamers, especially since this is also a G-SYNC-compatible display to prevent screen tearing. But anyone who plans on doing some color-sensitive work like photo and video editing should definitely upgrade to the pricier model if you ask me.
Display
Resolution
Brightness
Surface
Color gamut
Refresh rate
16” WQXGA
2560 x 1600 pixels
300 nits
IPS
100% sRGB
165Hz
500 nits
100% sRGB
240Hz
100% DCI-P3
Mostly since that one covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut, which means it can show roughly 25% more color than sRGB. Which then means your designs and your video projects are gonna look a lot more faithful, a lot more color accurate there.
Not that the sRGB gamut isn’t suitable for those types of work or anything — it perfectly is — but you know what I mean. And besides better colors, that one has a few other perks like an even smoother 240Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness too.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 - Display
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Color Gamut
Brightness
Gamma
Anyway, like I said, even the lowest-specced display on the Legion Pro 5i is a fantastic one. I measured it using my colorimeter and found that it indeed has 100% sRGB colors, just as Lenovo promised. And I don’t know if I simply lucked out or something — or maybe I did a ton of good deeds in my past life and this is my reward — but my unit gets wayyy brighter than it should as well. Hitting up to 365 nits, versus 300 nits as advertised. Yay!
Jokes aside, the Legion Pro 5i’s speakers aren’t too bad either. They’re still not front-firing as I’d prefer but it gets. the basics. right. That’s… so much more than I can say for most other gaming laptops. The loudness is there, the clarity is there, and I like how it doesn’t sound completely flat either. Which is pretty much all I could hope for on a gaming laptop as far as audio is concerned.
I’m also a big fan of the keyboard on the Legion Pro 5i.
Once again, Lenovo hasn’t changed a thing on this year’s model and I couldn’t be happier. ‘Cause its membrane keys, with that 1.5mm travel distance and fairly soft keycaps, have some of the best tactile feedback I’ve used on a gaming laptop. Period. And how can I even forget to mention just how damn quiet it is?!
Lenovo hasn’t forgotten about the gamer-y lights as well with the 4-zone RGB lighting that you can quickly shuffle through with the “Fn + Space” shortcut as always.
I found the keys themself to be properly lit and everything, although the only problem is that I can’t customize the lighting effects anymore on this thing. It was working fine one day… but I don’t know what happened. That setting is actually built into Windows itself these days so I’m hoping the next Windows update sorts it out.
There’s also a Numpad here, and it’s useful for a lot of things, but I’d rather prefer a cleaner look with a centered touchpad and maybe even front-firing speakers, to be honest. Like on the 16” MacBook Pro or the Razer Blade 16.
The Legion Pro’s touchpad is decent enough too. Nothing special. I wish Lenovo would’ve moved to a larger, glass touchpad this time around but… nope. It’s got the same, plastic one as the one we’ve seen before. Don’t get me wrong, I had little to no problem getting around it and all but it’s just not my favorite thing about this machine.
Webcam
FHD (1080p) camera with E-shutter
Built-in dual array microphone
Kinda like its webcam. It gets the job done, and it does look and sound decent in favorable lighting conditions, and that’s literally it. And just so you know, it doesn’t support any of those fancy camera tricks like background blur or subject tracking either.
With all that out of the way, I guess I better get into the performance side of things now. So this year, Lenovo has configured the Legion Pro 5i with Intel’s newest 14th Gen “Raptor Lake” CPU, although that’s probably the least interesting thing about this laptop. No, seriously.
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Cinebench 2024
Geekbench 6
Because this is simply a slight refresh of last year’s 13th Gen processors, which are also codenamed “Raptor Lake” by the way. And there are no new architectural upgrades, no IPC boost, no efficiency improvements… nothing. The benchmark numbers are slightly in favor of the 14th Gen chips, yes, but that’s not something you’re gonna notice in everyday use.
Like… at all.
It’s perfectly smooth for everyday work
That’s not to say that the Legion Pro 5i feels sluggish or anything though. Oh no. The one I have here uses a Core i7-14650HX CPU, an RTX 4060 graphics with a 140W TGP, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a terabyte of Gen4 SSD. I obviously had no trouble getting through my everyday work here, but that’s barely saying anything on a gaming laptop with such powerful specs.
Which is why I had one of our video editors switch to the Legion for an entire day and he was positively delighted with its performance. So much so that he’s considering buying this thing for himself. Even when working on a large 4K project on Premiere Pro with multiple effects, animation layers, and all that, the Legion Pro 5i handled it all like a champ.
Sounds great, although the point I’m trying to make is that Intel’s recent “high performance” CPU launches have been rather disappointing. I doubt anyone’s denying that. Hopefully the upcoming “Arrow Lake” processors will finally shake things up. Fingers crossed!
Show me… gaming
Anyway, after testing seven different games at both 1080p and 1440p at high graphics settings, I can conclusively tell that the Legion Pro 5i is a fantastic gaming machine as well.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 - Gaming
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Counter-Strike 2
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Forza Horizon 5
Control
I did have to turn on frame generation in a couple of GPU-hungry titles like Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor — especially at 1440p — but yeah.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 - Gaming
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Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 (with Frame Generation)
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor (with Frame Generation)
Starfield
Starfield (with Frame Generation)
You can expect most of the games in your library to play perfectly smoothly on this guy. Maybe not the ray-traced ones at 1440p if you keep maxing out the settings but you always have the option to lower the resolution to 1080p for better fps.
The Legion Pro 5i’s thermals are thoroughly impressive too. The one thing I need to tell you right away is that if you want the best performance out of this, you’ll need to switch to the “Custom” thermal mode and tick the “enable extreme mode” checkbox. ‘Cause I found that the “Performance” doesn’t really disturb the fans all that much for some reason.
For example, after around 30 minutes into Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, I measured the surface temperature near the WASD keys at around 43°C under “Performance” mode. Whereas the laptop was much cooler to touch at somewhere between 35 and 37°C with “Custom” mode enabled. As expected, the fan noise does get pretty loud here — hovering in the high 50 dB territory — but with my headphones on, that wasn’t much of an issue.
Battery
80Wh battery, 300W AC adapter
What’s left? Oh yeah, the battery life.
And what can I say… the Legion Pro 5i’s battery life is absolutely tragic.
It’s got a sizeable 80 Wh battery but even after setting the thermal mode to “Quiet” for best efficiency, bringing down the refresh rate to 60Hz, and enabling Advanced Optimus instead of blasting just the NVIDIA graphics like on my gaming tests, it would last like 2 hours only during my casual office work.
To put it into context just how bad that is, I recently finished testing the Acer Nitro V 16 (review) which has AMD’s Ryzen 8000 series CPU. And that thing would go on for around 5 hours on battery power alone. Even though it has a much smaller 57 Wh battery. So yeah, that Intel chip on the Legion Pro 5i is not efficient… at all.
And you’ll have to wait like an hour and a half for this comically large 300W power brick to fill up the battery on this guy.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024 Review: Conclusion
So that’s my review of the new Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024. This is definitely a powerful gaming laptop with a lot to love, headlined by its gaming performance and the capable cooling system itself.
It’s not perfect of course, as you already know based on everything I’ve talked about so far. The battery life — in particular — sucks here. There’s really not much Lenovo can do about it, although I really think Lenovo could’ve done a better job in terms of port selection on this year’s Legion Pro 5i. ‘Cause… how come something that costs a little under NPR 250,000 doesn’t have a Thunderbolt or even a USB4 connection?
You can actually find a couple of last-gen options with RTX 4070 graphics at a similar price range as well. Like Dell’s Alienware m16 R1 (2023) and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (2023). And if you want that extra GPU horsepower, those two are definitely worth considering. Although RTX 4070 isn’t all that powerful compared to RTX 4060, especially since it also comes with just 8GB of video memory. Meaning you won’t be missing out on much with the Legion Pro 5i 2024 either.
Watch our video review of Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 2024
After a lot of back-and-forth, NTA (Nepal Telecommunications Authority) implemented MDMS (Mobile Device Management System) in Nepal from the 7th of Nov, 2023 (Kartik 21, 2080). Initially, NTA had blacklisted 2500 units of the grey iPhone 15 series with more to follow. Let’s learn more about the actual truth and fuss about MDMS, and if it has gone offline after going live in this article today.
What is a Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) in Nepal?
MDMS is a centralized government-owned system to keep a record of any phones and similar electronic accessories that enter the country — via their unique IMEI number(s). This includes smartphones, feature phones, bar phones, tablets, etc. So, basically any gadget with SIM. After its implementation:
Phones not registered at NTA (illegal/grey imports) will be blocked from any and all carrier networks (NTC, Ncell) in Nepal.
This means that you will be able to use other functions of the phone like connecting to WiFi, streaming videos, etc. but making/taking phone calls and messages won’t be possible.
Think of it as iPhone vs iPod Touch. iPhone is how your unregistered device is right now whereas it’ll transform to iPod Touch once MDMS goes live. No cellular connectivity while everything else you’d expect from a smartphone will work perfectly fine.
And if and when you lose such phones, you won’t be eligible to file a police complaint either. On the other hand, Nepal Police and other concerned authorities can help you track your lost or stolen phones if they are registered under MDMS.
As… MDMS went LIVE on the 21st of Kartik!
After strings of delays, MDMS went live nearly 1.5 months back. An official statement from the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) stated the full implementation of MDMS. Starting from Kartik 21 (Nov 7, 2023), NTA commenced the blacklisting of premium smartphones, which turns out to be 2500 grey units of the iPhone 15 series.
For a quick recall, NTA did send a 15-day preliminary notice marking the 15-day deadline for grey phones. Although, it had denied registration in the beginning, you can actually register blacklisted phones at least for now.
After the blacklisting by NTA, Ncell sent a text message and calling its blacklisted customer. They are requesting you to register your phone in the NTA’s database by visiting the NTA office, otherwise it will block Ncell’s Network in your phone very soon. Whereas NTC has already blocked its service in the blacklisted phones without any prior notice. However, there are still a lot of ‘grey phones’ in circulation that still haven’t been blocklisted either by NTC or Ncell. Perhaps only time will tell.
So, why did MDMS start with the iPhone 15 Series?
Although NTA mentioned blocking premium smartphones, as of now, it’s only the grey iPhone 15 Series that’s been facing the block. Android premium smartphones are kind of unaffected for now. So, why did NTA begin with the iPhone 15 Series?
Well, iPhones are the most popular smartphones in the market. The recent iPhone 15 Series also bears a crazy amount of hype. Plus, iPhones are pretty expensive in Nepal as compared to other countries. So, there are thousands of eager customers to break the bank for a new iPhone 15 Series phone even from a grey market, to save some bucks! And seems like, NTA is targeting the ‘premium customers’ of a premium phone series first.
What’s next?
With the aim of curbing grey phones, MDMS is likely going to be the final nail in the coffin. But reports are also coming in about the lack of a proper blocking mechanism with NTA. Note, that there are thousands of grey Android phones in Nepal. And this remains a challenge for NTA to block’em all. But eventually, the MDMS scrutiny is very likely to affect those grey phones.
Firstly, NTA should improve its website’s performance and stability before moving ahead. The blacklisting has started already. And what about those who couldn’t register their phones during the final extension period, due to NTA’s sluggish site and OTP issues? Are they doomed? Well, NTA should come with a quick workaround for those who are willing to pay the applicable taxes. After all, it will increase government revenue.
How many phones can you bring to Nepal?
Okay, since MDMS has created a whirlwind of confusion regarding how many phones you can bring from abroad, let’s get to that now. According to the “Personal Use Goods Order 2077”, you’re allowed to bring one mobile phone to Nepal for free. And you can register it into MDMS without declaring it in the customs office. Foreigners traveling to Nepal who plan to stay for more than 15 days will also be required to register their handsets.
But Nepali migrant workers who’ve taken labor permits and have been working abroad for at least 6 months can bring an additional mobile phone without paying any tax when returning to the country. And they can register their devices into MDMS after following proper protocols in the customs office.
To reiterate, this exemption is only applicable to migrant workers and not anyone else. So if you’re coming back to Nepal from a vacation, as a student, or something else, you will have to pay 13% VAT and 5% excise duty on every additional smartphone you bring.
How to check if your phone is registered under MDMS?
Now, in order to verify if your handset is officially listed in MDMS, you can head on to “mdms.nta.gov.np“. You’ll see two input fields there; one to check if your existing phone(s) is registered in the system, and the other to verify whether the phone you’re about to purchase is logged into MDMS or not. But… as we all know, the vestigial residue of corrupted bureaucracy from past epochs still persists as parasitic hangers of corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, as the grey phones still work fine while they cannot be registered for MDMS for unknown reasons.
MDMS verification
1 of 2
Registered handset
Unregistered handset
History of Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) in Nepal
The sale of smartphones through the grey market has been major a problem in Nepal for a long time. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, grey market basically refers to the distribution/sales of official goods via unofficial channels. This includes everything from stolen phones brought from abroad, bulk personal imports, or those that haven’t received “Type Approval” from NTA. As a result, the government misses out on potential revenue while the official importers lose their business.
As a remedy, MDMS was been implemented in Nepal. This project was initiated back in 2018 and tendered to OSI Consultancy (India), Numera SDN. BHD. (Malaysia), and Namaste Global Communications (Singapore). The cost of building this system is estimated at a little over USD 7 million. As you’d expect, this system will only recognize those imports that have followed due diligence and allow their operation.
MDMS was initially proposed to go live a long time ago, however, it was delayed. The system went into effect on Bhadra 30, 2079, but it was a soft launch of sorts and full MDMS modules were absent at the time.
Automatic registration of Grey Handsets
As per NTA’s official notice, mobile phones imported by official distributors were automatically registered under MDMS. Besides this, all handsets imported from abroad for personal use until Bhadra 30, 2079 (September 15, 2022) have been listed in the system as well.
Why was MDMS implementation halted in Nepal?
After a soft launch of the system on Bhadra 30, 2079, the Telecommunications Authority was finally ready to fully implement it on Poush 1. But with a direct order from the country’s Prime Minister, the system was once again put to hold.
According to the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat, this decision was a result of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the then Finance Minister (Hon. Bishnu Poudel), where Mr. Dahal instructed to delay the implementation of MDMS in Nepal to make time for further preparations.
NTA’s directive when applying MDMS into full effect was met with widespread criticism since it made importing phones from abroad a bit of a hassle. Any person returning to Nepal could only bring one phone for free in the country. On the other hand, they would’ve been required to pay 13% VAT and 5% excise duty for the second phone. And if the person brings more than two unregistered phones with them, NTA had even warned that those handsets will be confiscated.
To no one’s surprise, this decision was heavily criticized. Especially among the Nepali diaspora spread across the world, with #noremittance trending across Twitter. But the PM’s directive momentarily put out the fire.
Pros and Cons of MDMS
Pros
One of the major benefits is that with mdms, it lets you track your device in case of loss or theft.
It adds overall tax revenue for the Nepal government.
The market becomes more regulated and substantially reduces any form of tax evasion.
It makes parties involved in illegal transactions of devices subject to legal action.
Cons
It might perpetuate unethical business practices, enabling private distributors to set their prices as hiked as possible.
It strips individuals of their consumer freedom, for example, phones like Google Pixel 8 Pro are not available in Nepal, and can only be bought through the grey market.
Why is a Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) necessary in Nepal?
Currently, mobile importers have to pay 13% VAT and 5% excise duty on mobile imports. Furthermore, the government has dropped the percentage of VAT return to 0% as well. Thus, it is not surprising that the smartphones bought from the grey market come at a low price since they effectively skip paying both fees.
According to NMDA, the grey market covers around 25% of the overall smartphone market in Nepal. And right now, there is an increase in the demand for mobile phones. Especially after the Nepal Government levied a ban on the import of handsets above USD 300 in mid-July 2022. Back in April 2022, the ban was originally extended to phones worth above USD 600, citing the declining state of foreign reserves (forex) in Nepal.
Record volume of smartphone imports
The latest report from the Customs Department says that 5.63 million phones worth Rs. 39 billion were imported in the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2078/79. That’s the highest ever in the history of Nepal (in terms of valuation, not quantity).
To compare, the volume of smartphone imports amounted to just Rs. 32.09 billion during the entire fiscal year 2077/78. As you can tell, this 21.53% increment was big news for Nepal’s smartphone industry and an indicator of the efficacy of IMEI registration in discouraging grey imports. MDMS will only further strengthen this momentum in the domestic smartphone scene.
Moreover, monetary transactions via smartphones have increased too. Because of this, leaving the smartphone grey market unchecked will only result in its growth due to high demand. And this is a serious concern for the official distributors. Therefore, NMDA had been desperate for the implementation of the MDMS.
An Update: Is MDMS still around?
MDMS is still applicable in the sense that it hasn’t been erased from the legislation. However, it has been evident that MDMS isn’t working on most phones. Rumors have been circulated that the administration that overviews MDMS is currently inactive for undisclosed reasons. As a result, there has been no stagnation in growth of the grey smartphones in Nepal. Stay tuned! as we will bring more information regarding the MDMS in Nepal.
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