This Lenovo laptop has an incredible display, but it comes with a catch

Price When Reviewed

$1,899.99

Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 is a visually gorgeous laptop computer. That goes for each the each the gorgeous OLED show in addition to the shiny glass lid that produces numerous attention-grabbing reflections. It’s additionally only a nice productivity laptop due to the wonderful use of an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor, often known as Intel Lunar Lake.

But every part in life is a compromise. That stunning show appears to empty this laptop computer’s battery life sooner than regular, and the gorgeous design is simply so shiny and reflective. And there are another unusual selections right here, like the dearth of a headphone jack and an oddly positioned fingerprint reader, which can bug some of us.

Still, it’s a terrific machine – and it could be a dream machine for some folks, particularly in the event you’re on the lookout for a fantastic and light-weight machine with a design that stands out.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Specs

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) is a light-weight ultraportable laptop computer with an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPU. Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware affords lengthy battery life with stable efficiency for regular desktop productiveness software — so internet browsers, workplace apps, office chat instruments, and all that good things. It doesn’t have excessive multithreaded efficiency, however that’s not what a light-weight ultraportable is all about, anyway.

Lenovo combines that Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB of solid-state storage, so that they’re not slicing corners. The machine we reviewed retails for $1,899, however Lenovo additionally affords a model with 16GB of RAM and a barely slower Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU for $1,759.

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x RAM
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc 140V (16GB)
• NPU: Intel AI Boost (47 TOPS)
• Display: 3840×2400 OLED with touchscreen, 120Hz refresh fee, and HDR
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Webcam: 32MP digicam
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C)
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader for Windows Hello
• Battery capability: 75 Watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.32 x 8.01 x 0.57 inches
• Weight: 2.76 kilos
• MSRP: $1,899 as examined

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Chris Hoffman

This machine is all about beauty. It’s out there in a “Tidal Teal” colorway, which seems stunning. It’s all in regards to the reflections: The lid is roofed in impact-resistant glass, and it has a really cool wanting impact that appears nice when it displays gentle. Lenovo describes it as a “3D swirling at-eye effect” that “makes your style pop from every angle, reflecting light beautifully.” It’s shiny.

It seems nice if reflections are what you’re on the lookout for! If you don’t need your laptop computer to attract eyes with its spectacular wanting reflections, then it’s maybe not the suitable machine for you. The bigger difficulty with the reflections is simply how shiny the show is, which is a matter in direct daylight. This isn’t simply a problem with this machine although, it’s a problem with laptops with shiny screens, particularly machines with OLED displays. Also, that tumbler lid smudges simply. You’ll be wiping it to maintain its crisp beauty intact.

The construct high quality is sweet! Aside from the glass on the duvet, this machine is made from aluminum. At 2.76 kilos, it’s a pleasant gentle weight, however not absolutely the lightest PC. The hinge is straightforward to open with one hand and feels good.

While that is branded a Yoga machine, that is not a 2-in-1 that may open to 360 levels. Lenovo has determined to make use of the Yoga identify, as soon as meant for laptops that might bend into attention-grabbing shapes, for laptops normally. I proceed to be completely baffled by this transformation within the Yoga branding. It’s not an issue, however remember: This is a standard laptop computer and never a 2-in-1. In reality, it may well solely open to about 135 levels, it may well’t even lie flat like many different laptops can. For a laptop computer that bears the Yoga identify, that is fairly foolish.

There’s additionally extra bloatware than I’d prefer to see — preinstalled McAfee antivirus and notification advertisements via Lenovo Vantage for providers like Amazon Music. It’s fantastic and you may eliminate it simply sufficient. It’s widespread and extra comprehensible on finances centered laptops, nevertheless it feels a little bit obnoxious on an virtually $2,000 premium machine centered on stunning design.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has a fantastic keyboard. It’s responsive sufficient, not as snappy and crisp as a ThinkPad keyboard or a great mechanical keyboard, however not mushy. It’s the form of keyboard you discover on a great light-weight laptop computer. You marvel if it feels a little bit shallow, however then you definately understand after all it does, they’re attempting to make the laptop computer as skinny as doable, so there’s much less room for key journey.

I do have a significant bone to choose with the keyboard. The fingerprint reader is positioned smack dab on the backside proper nook of the keyboard, after which the arrow keys are to the left of it. I discovered myself urgent the mistaken arrow key after I moved my finger down there. I’d choose to have the suitable arrow key on the left fringe of the keyboard.

The trackpad feels fantastic, too–it’s good and easy, and the press motion is crisp and never mushy. That stated, it’s a little bit on the small aspect, which makes clicking a little bit annoying at occasions since there’s much less room to click on down. This downside would’ve been remedied had Lenovo used a haptic trackpad. PC producers ought to select haptic trackpads extra continuously, not less than on light-weight ultraportables!

The odd fingerprint reader location and barely small trackpad are artifacts of the identical downside: Lenovo has aimed to streamline this machine, slicing down the bezels, shrinking it, and specializing in magnificence. There’s not loads of room for a bigger trackpad or to place the buttons elsewhere. For many individuals, a bigger laptop computer that’s rather less streamlined and a little bit bulkier will simply be extra ergonomic, because it offers the keyboard and trackpad some room to breathe.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Display and audio system

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i’s show is simply stunning. This is a 3840×2400 OLED show. It’s extremely shiny and vivid with a excessive decision. It additionally has a great refresh fee at 120Hz — some OLED shows ship solely 60Hz. With 750 nits of peak brightness, it may well additionally ship a terrific HDR expertise.

If you’re on the lookout for an ultraportable with a fantastic show, one which additionally has a fantastic design, this can be a compelling machine! It’s a contact display screen, too.

The quad audio system with Dolby Atmos are cheap. They have loads of quantity, far more than I would like! That’s not all the time true on a laptop computer. The audio feels crisp and clear. However, as all the time on a laptop computer like this one, the in-built audio system don’t produce loads of bass.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has an underneath show webcam, which helps Lenovo shrink the bezel as a lot as doable. The display screen seems regular when you’re not utilizing the webcam. Activate the webcam and a black circle will seem in the midst of the highest space of the display screen — annoyingly sufficient, proper the place you internet browser’s tab bar can be. If you need a small bezel and don’t use your laptop computer’s webcam a lot, it’ll be a pleasant improve. If you continuously use your laptop computer’s webcam, this can be somewhat annoying in comparison with a standard webcam that’s not positioned in your show.

The webcam itself is a 32MP digicam. While I’ve seen some complaints on-line, I’d say the webcam is usable, as I’ve seen a lot worse. It looks as if the underneath show method is making the picture high quality worse, although. To be frank, I might keep away from this laptop computer in the event you continuously take part in video conferences. It’s actually annoying having a black circle hinder a part of your display screen whereas the webcam is in use.

There’s additionally a bodily digicam shutter swap on the suitable aspect of the laptop computer, which is all the time good to see.

The microphone sounds fantastic — not unusually good and never unusually dangerous. It’ll be serviceable for on-line conferences, however I’ve heard higher microphone high quality on enterprise laptops designed for this kind of factor.

As far as biometrics, this machine has a fingerprint reader on the bottom-right nook of the keyboard for Windows Hello. It labored properly, though I want the suitable arrow key was down in that nook.

This machine doesn’t have an IR digicam for facial recognition with Windows Hello. That’s no shock given the underneath show webcam state of affairs. It is a disgrace, although — facial recognition is a handy option to unlock your PC.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Connectivity

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i follows the “What are the fewest ports we can include?” college of design. There’s one Thunderbolt 4 port on the left aspect and one Thunderbolt 4 port on the suitable aspect — a complete of two locations to plug in a USB Type-C cable. That’s it! And you’ll use considered one of them to cost the laptop computer.

The lack of a headphone jack shall be a direct blocker to many individuals, though you’ll be able to after all use wi-fi Bluetooth headphones or join USB Type-C headphones.

There’s additionally no microSD slot or anything. Given that, solely having two USB Type-C ports feels actually skimpy. It’s one other method this laptop computer is extra design centered — it appears like Lenovo has got down to streamline the laptop computer as a lot as doable and made the compromises mandatory to take action. Some folks will prefer it, however many individuals will need one thing a little bit bulkier that’s extra versatile.

Thanks to Intel Lunar Lake, this machine does have Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 assist. It’s good to see Wi-Fi 7 turning into normal.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Performance

We’ve talked so much about design, however let’s speak in regards to the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i’s efficiency. The laptop computer carried out properly within the day-to-day desktop productiveness duties you’d use a light-weight moveable machine like this one for. It runs good and quiet in every day use, too. Of course, we ran the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 via our standard benchmarks to measure its efficiency.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an thought of general system efficiency. With an general PCMark 10 rating of 7,588, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivered glorious efficiency regardless of its thin-and-light nature. This machine feels prefer it’s squeezing each little bit of efficiency out of Lunar Lake between its cooling system, RAM, and speedy storage.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a closely multithreaded benchmark that focuses on general CPU efficiency. It’s a fast benchmark, so cooling underneath prolonged workloads isn’t an element. But, because it’s closely multithreaded, CPUs with extra cores have an enormous benefit.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivered a multithreaded rating of 4,350 in Cinebench R20. Intel’s Lunar Lake can’t ship excessive multi-core efficiency and we see that right here. That doesn’t matter for most individuals’s fundamental desktop utilization, nevertheless it’s a problem when you’ve got workloads that want critical multithreaded CPU efficiency.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

We additionally run an encode with Handbrake. This is one other closely multithreaded benchmark nevertheless it runs over an prolonged interval. This calls for the laptop computer’s cooling kick in and lots of laptops will throttle and decelerate underneath load.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i accomplished the encode course of in 1,249 seconds — that’s almost 21 minutes. It’s a great rating for a Lunar Lake system, nevertheless it exhibits how weak Lunar Lake is on multithreaded efficiency as soon as once more.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good to examine how the GPU performs. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i achieved a 3DMark Time Spy rating of 4,476. That’s first rate for built-in graphics, nevertheless it’s actually a lot slower than what you’d see on a gaming laptop computer with a discrete GPU.

Overall, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivers exceptionally good efficiency for an Intel Lunar Lake system. But that is nonetheless Intel Lunar Lake, so it’s weak on the subject of multithreaded efficiency. It’s greater than fantastic for most individuals’s desktop productiveness workloads, although.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Battery life

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 has a 75 Watt-hour battery, which is on the big aspect for an ultraportable laptop computer. Combined with an Intel Lunar Lake processor, we’d anticipate lengthy battery life. But the show will get in the best way. This laptop computer doesn’t precisely have dangerous battery life, nevertheless it has the bottom battery life I’ve seen from a Lunar Lake machine.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat within the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled till the laptop computer suspends itself. This is a best-case state of affairs for any laptop computer since native video playback is so environment friendly, and actual battery life in day-to-day use is all the time going to be lower than this.

We set the display screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks, and it’s price noting that this machine’s OLED show has a little bit of a bonus, as OLED screens use much less energy to show the black bars across the video.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i ran for 859 minutes earlier than it suspended itself. That’s a bit over 14 hours. It seems like a very long time, however the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 with its also-beautiful AMOLED show ran for 1,401 minutes — that’s one other 9 hours! (The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s show isn’t fairly as gorgeous, although.)

14 hours could sound like a very long time, however you’re going to get much less battery life in real-world use when you use the machine in the actual world. This simply isn’t nice battery life — you’re giving up so much of battery life to energy this over-the-top show.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Conclusion

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is a good machine if you’d like a novel design with an unbelievable show. It actually is a pleasant piece of {hardware}. It even delivers excellent efficiency for Lunar Lake.

But I’d say that this machine isn’t for most individuals. Between the virtually $2,000 worth, low battery life, lack of a headphone jack, skimpy port choice, Lunar Lake’s low multithreaded efficiency, odd fingerprint sensor place, and so many different points I’ve talked about above, this received’t be the suitable machine for many laptop computer customers.

Still, some persons are going to like this machine. When I open the gorgeous laptop computer and see that gorgeous OLED show, for a second, I can virtually really feel like all these different issues don’t matter.