Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (2022) review: The pinnacle of design

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A decade has handed since Lenovo launched the primary Yoga 2-in-1. Though Microsoft’s Surface gadgets set the pattern, it was arguably the high-volume Yoga line that turned the true vanguard of mainstream convertible design. Lenovo’s Yoga 9i 14-inch (2022) builds on this decade of expertise in all the precise methods. From the skinny profile to the highly effective internals, this yr’s mannequin delivers blazing quick efficiency in a tiny package deal. Although the fan noise is usually a bit loud and we really feel as if it depends an excessive amount of on USB-C, general we have been impressed with this machine.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 14-inch specs

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14-inch is among the many first laptops with Intel’s new 12th-Gen Core cellular processors focusing on thin-and-light machines. Though skinny, the laptop computer packs 4 efficiency cores and eight effectivity cores for a complete of 12. 

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe (96 EUs)
• Display: 3,840 x 2,160 IPS with HDR assist
• Storage: 1TB
• Webcam: 1080p with IR
• Connectivity: 2x USB-C 4.0 / Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, combo headphone/mic
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: sss
• Dimensions: 12.57 inches broad x 8.53 inches deep x .64 inches thick
• Weight: 3.02 kilos

The laptop computer’s specs are in any other case mundane, although actually high-end for a 14-inch laptop computer of this dimension. It skimps on nothing, which makes the Yoga 9i’s entry-level MSRP of $1,249 justifiable, although our evaluation configuration will set you again $1,450 at Best Buy. 

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Elliott

Lenovo doesn’t get sufficient credit score for its design. I can’t consider one other Windows laptop computer maker so persistently prepared to go off script and the Yoga 9i 14-inch is a major instance of its willingness to depart from the norm.

From a distance, the Yoga 9i seems to be like most Windows 2-in-1s. It’s a clamshell design with a rotating hinge that folds again 360 levels, successfully turning the laptop computer right into a pill. Approach it, nonetheless, and also you’ll discover the laptop computer is adorned with spherical, gleaming chrome edges throughout the highest and backside half. 

It’s an attention grabbing look with sensible advantages. The rounded edges imply you by no means encounter a tough contact level whereas maneuvering the laptop computer. This shall be a minor level for a lot of. After all, it’s not like different 2-in-1s will slice your finger. Still, the Yoga 9i is extra inviting than the norm.

The Yoga 9i’s low weight and touchscreen additional improves ease of use. It’s an awesome machine to hold with one hand or spin round to share one thing with a pal or co-worker throughout a desk. It’s not small or gentle sufficient to be an iPad substitute, however the 9i comes as shut as you’ll be able to count on from a tool with out a removable keyboard. That’s excellent news in case you want a 2-in-1 to be used in cramped areas or for journey.

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Elliott

The Yoga 9i 14-inch presents a top quality keyboard regardless of its skinny profile. Key journey is nice and has a agency, nice bottoming motion. The structure can be glorious and makes full use of the laptop computer’s 14-inch dimension. Key caps are fairly sized but there’s loads of area between keys.

Several distinctive keys could be discovered on the keyboard’s proper aspect. These embrace a key that turns the Windows system-wide darkish mode setting on or off and one which flips by way of efficiency modes. Though a pleasant further, they’re not vital and gained’t change how most individuals use the 2-in-1. The keyboard has a backlight and makes use of a lightweight sensor to routinely flip it on in a darkish room (it will also be activated manually). 

I respect the Yoga 9i’s massive touchpad. It measures about 5 inches throughout and three inches deep. This is a superb dimension for a skinny, transportable 2-in-1 and offers loads of room for Windows’ multi-touch gestures. The touchpad does an excellent job of rejecting unintended enter, which is essential, as its massive dimension means my palms got here to relaxation on its floor. 

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Elliott

The base Yoga 9i 14-inch has a IPS touchscreen with 1,920 x 1,200 decision, however my evaluation unit had the upgraded OLED touchscreen with 3,840 x 2,400 decision. This makes for a 16:10 facet ratio which offers further vertical display actual property that’s helpful when multitasking or viewing vertically scrolling content material like internet pages or PDF paperwork. Text readability is great, as 323 pixels are crammed into every inch. Eagle-eyed customers may detect a advantageous speckled sample in vivid white paperwork, a possible results of the OLED display’s explicit subpixel structure, however I didn’t discover it distracting.

Image high quality is in any other case glorious. The Yoga 9i’s show has correct coloration, a large coloration gamut spanning as much as 99% of DCI-P3, a excessive most brightness above 400 nits, and deep black ranges due to the OLED show panel. Images and films look vivid, crisp, and have a sensible sense of dimensionality that attracts in your eye.

HDR is supported and Lenovo even presents assist for Dolby Vision HDR along with the much less succesful HDR10 normal. It can’t match the brilliance of Apple’s Mini-LED MacBook Pro however has a bonus in crisp distinction and depth that turns into obvious when viewing in a darkish room.

The show is shiny, so glare is usually a downside. The most brightness of 400 nits permits use even when beside a sunlit window however some reflections shall be apparent. 

In one other departure from the norm, the Yoga 9i leans onerous into audio high quality. The hinge doubles as a miniature Dolby Atmos soundbar. It works properly, delivering a loud, throaty presentation that’s suited to music and films however nonetheless clear sufficient for podcasts. Maximum quantity is excessive sufficient to fill an workplace, although this generally muddies the sound in bass-heavy tracks. This is a superb sound system for a slim 2-in-1. 

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

A 1080p digicam normal on the Yoga 9i 14-inch. This is nice to see on any premium Windows system and stays the exception, not the rule. It’s an apparent improve over 720p, providing an enormous leap in sharpness and extra correct, vivid coloration. Exposure remains to be a difficulty in erratically lit rooms, nonetheless, and utilizing it at night time will introduce a ton of noise. The digicam presents a small bodily privateness shutter, which is a pleasant contact. 

The laptop computer’s twin microphone setup performs as anticipated. It’s usable from a number of toes away from the laptop computer. You may even communicate from throughout a small room in case you increase your voice. Quality is skinny and distant, nonetheless, and distinctly completely different from utilizing an actual microphone. 

Biometric login is obtainable by way of each a fingerprint reader and facial recognition. The fingerprint reader works properly however, as all the time, it may be fooled by greasy or soiled fingerprints. Facial recognition by way of Windows Hello is the faster, extra dependable technique. It works properly even in a darkish room.

Connectivity

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14-inch has a pair of USB-C 4 / Thunderbolt 4 ports. These embrace DisplayPort Alternate Mode for connecting shows and may cost the laptop computer when linked to a USB-C energy supply. With the precise adapters, these versatile ports can be utilized to connect a HDMI or DisplayPort show, connect with the Internet over wired Ethernet, or drive a number of extra USB ports in a USB hub. 

There’s just one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port for connecting legacy wired peripherals. It’s joined by a 3.5mm combo audio jack for connecting a headset or exterior audio system. This makes for a slim number of wired connectivity. Those who don’t select to go wi-fi for many peripherals will seemingly must buy a dock, which may vary from $50 to a number of hundred {dollars} (relying on its capabilities). 

While the dearth of wired connectivity will annoy some, it’s typical for the premium 2-in-1 area. Want extra wired connectivity? You’ll must put up with a heavier, thicker machine. 

Wireless connectivity is supplied by Wi-Fi 6 together with Bluetooth 5.1. The wi-fi adapter supplied very robust, dependable efficiency in my testing, dealing properly with all corners of my dwelling. Bluetooth was purposeful as much as about 25 toes with partitions between gadgets.

Performance

The Yoga 9i 14-inch is an fascinating take a look at of the Intel Core i7-1260P’s capabilities. This new 12th-Gen Intel Core processor packs a complete of 12 processor cores (4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores) plus Intel Xe graphics. It seems to be nice on paper.

IDG / Matthew Elliott

PCMark 10 will get the Yoga 9i with i7-1260P off to a mediocre begin. The benchmark rating of 5,280 shouldn’t be unhealthy, but it doesn’t defeat the prior model with an Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor. It additionally falls behind the Ryzen 5700U. 

IDG / Matthew Elliott

The closely multi-threaded Cinebench R15 benchmark is a distinct story. It places the cores to work for an impressive rating of 1,837. This completely blows away the prior Core i7-1195G7 and comes surprisingly near the Ryzen 7 5700H. Intel’s many-core strategy pays off right here.

IDG / Matthew Elliott

This stays true in Handbrake, one other closely multithreaded benchmark. Transcoding a 4K file of the brief movie Tears of Steel takes over an hour, which is a very long time, but it surely’s a couple of half-hour lower than prior Intel processors. The Core i7-1260P doesn’t rating as near the Ryzen 7 5700H as in Cinebench, nonetheless.

Processor efficiency is a win for the Core i7-1260P. It scores very properly in two out of three checks and, importantly, does its greatest work in multi-threaded workloads. That’s essential, as a result of the majority of demanding workloads a consumer will face in 2022 are closely multi-threaded. 

But what about graphics? 

IDG / Matthew Elliott

The Core i7-1260P presents many processor cores however doesn’t make huge adjustments to built-in graphics. That’s advantageous, as Intel’s Iris Xe with 96 execution models (EUs) stays succesful for its class. It delivered a rating of 1,985 in 3DMark Time Spy. This is the match for the most effective Intel built-in graphics we’ve examined previously and can match or beat most Ryzen cellular APUs, as properly. 

Games from the Xbox One / PlayStation 4 period are usually playable at 30 FPS or higher, although essentially the most demanding would require cuts in decision and element settings. Older video games, like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, can maintain 60 FPS at 1080p. 

I’m impressed by the Yoga 9i’s efficiency. The Intel Core i7-1260P is a winner in multithreaded workloads and pulls off this victory with out compromising in different areas. This achievement is much more spectacular given the Yoga 9i’s slim kind issue. 

There’s only one challenge to concentrate on – noise. The Yoga 9i is quiet at idle however an actual whirlwind at full tilt. It’s sufficient to bother anybody in the identical room if the laptop computer is left within the open. This is an space the place Intel-powered laptops simply can’t compete with Apple’s practically silent MacBook line. 

Battery life

Lenovo squeezes a big 75 watt-hour battery into the slim Yoga 9i 14-inch. This is severe capability for a 2-in-1 and excellent news for endurance. 

IDG / Matthew Elliott

The Yoga 9i lasted 12 hours and 12 minutes in our normal battery take a look at, which loops a neighborhood 4K video file till the laptop computer dies. This is much from a report and a bit lower than the prior Yoga 9i mannequin, however I’d nonetheless name it higher than common. 

Real-world noticed battery life was not as spectacular. The laptop computer averaged about seven hours of endurance in a workload of heavy internet searching, doc enhancing, and occasional photograph enhancing. The 4K OLED show is a possible issue, as these screens could be power-hungry at excessive brightness. 

Software

The product page for Lenovo’s Yoga 9i touts a number of partnerships together with Amazon Alexa for PC and three free months of Xbox Game Pass. Free stuff is good, but it surely hints at an issue: there’s numerous bloatware. 

Lenovo stuffs the Yoga 9i with a number of added icons and content material. By far essentially the most annoying is McAffee antivirus, which frequently interrupted my workflow with two to 3 back-to-back banner advertisements. It’s not as unhealthy as some latest Acer laptops however disappointing to see in a laptop computer priced properly above $1,000. 

Conclusion

Lenovo’s Yoga 9i 14-inch is a superb addition to the corporate’s lengthy line of succesful premium 2-in-1s. It packs robust efficiency, an awesome OLED show, glorious audio, a nice keyboard, a big touchpad, and future-proof connectivity into one compact, versatile package deal. Though Intel’s new Core i7-1260P is performant sufficient for a lot of professionals and creators, the Yoga 9i’s dimension and connectivity makes it excellent for vacationers, college students, and on a regular basis customers who desire a premium Windows expertise.