Lenovo may have given this mid-range laptop a new flagship brand, but I'm not totally sold on Intel's latest yet

After spending some quality time with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, I must say that it’s a laptop that catches my attention like a moth to a flame – but let’s hope it doesn’t burn me as badly!

In a fresh update, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) introduces an exclusive “Aura Edition” label. This new branding symbolizes Lenovo’s collaborative effort with Intel to maximize the potential of the eagerly awaited Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) platform.

This high-end mid-range Windows laptop, the Yoga Slim 7i, performs exceptionally well in everyday tasks and maintains a cool and quiet operation. The screen is enjoyable to work on, and battery life concerns are minimal. Additionally, it offers an unusually large 15.3-inch display within a lightweight design, providing more screen space than typical Ultrabooks.

The brand-new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i is currently available for purchase with the assurance of Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors. Although these new processors signify a significant advancement compared to Intel’s previous generation, they are not yet sufficient to match AMD and Qualcomm in their entirety.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition starts at $1,279.99, but there’s basically no reason to get the entry-level model.
For just $20 more (or $42 direct from Lenovo) you can double the SSD storage to 1TB.
Overall, the Yoga Slim 7i doesn’t feel like an exceptional value, but it’s well-priced for what it is.
Value rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition marked the introduction of Intel Core Ultra (Series 2), it doesn’t qualify as a top-tier flagship laptop. Instead, it lands within the “premium mid-range” category, which often strikes an ideal balance for many consumers since additional spending beyond this range tends to yield diminishing value returns.

For those who wish to personalize their computer, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) Aura Edition can be purchased starting from $1,279.99 directly from Lenovo. However, if you’re open to exploring other options, I suggest considering the same model available at Best Buy for $1,299.99, which offers double the SSD storage compared to the entry-level one. This makes it a more attractive choice as an upgrade.

At that stage, you have two main options left for upgrades:

Yoga Slim 7i review: Design and build quality

Design highlights

The Yoga Slim 7i uses the same design language we’ve grown used to from Lenovo.
It’s a sleek, curvy all-metal laptop that weighs less than you’d expect and is remarkably sturdy.
There’s also a decent port selection, with Lenovo still including a legacy USB Type-A port and an HDMI port.
Design rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Today, Lenovo’s “Yoga” label encompasses more than just 2-in-1 convertible laptops; it now represents a range of upper mid-range to premium consumer devices. The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition fits perfectly into this category, sharing the same design aesthetic that is distinctively Lenovo. Despite its familiarity, I still find these designs refreshing.

Similar to many Yoga items, this laptop boasts a streamlined, rounded design that eschews any harsh edges. The cover, too, is slightly reduced in size compared to the body and features a protrusion at the front to accommodate the webcam. This gives it an offset look that sets Lenovo’s laptops apart. Remarkably, the Yoga Slim 7i can measure just 13.9mm thick and weighs only 3.37lbs – a surprising lightweight for a 15.3-inch aluminum laptop. In fact, it’s thinner and lighter than HP’s 14-inch OmniBook Ultra.

The port selection is solid, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports smartly split on either side of the keyboard (and both fully capable of charging the device). On the left, you also get an HDMI 2.1 port that’s capable of supporting external displays up to 4K at 120Hz, as well as a 3.5mm audio port. On the right side you’ll find a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 port for your legacy connections and an electronic privacy shutter for the webcam.

Lenovo has kept its traditional side-located power button, which might accidentally get pressed at times. This positioning is beneficial when using a 2-in-1 device in tablet mode, but can feel unusual on a conventional clamshell laptop. However, overall, it showcases a sleek, contemporary design with compact dimensions and an ample variety of ports.

As an analyst, I can attest that the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i shares the robust feel characteristic of Lenovo laptops. This device boasts MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability, which underscores its exceptional build quality overall. However, I found the display hinge to be a tad more rigid than ideal.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Display quality

Display highlights

The Yoga Slim 7i boasts a rather spacious 15.3-inch IPS LCD display.
While not as eye-catching as an OLED panel, this is still a bright, vibrant, and smooth screen.
This display performs well in every metric, and feels like a great fit for a laptop in this price range.
Display rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Lenovo bridges the gap between petite 14-inch Ultrabooks and imposing 16-inch workstations by offering a distinctive 15.3-inch display size. This laptop maintains a comfortable compactness for portability, yet boasts an appreciable increase in screen space that’s hard to overlook. The display is an IPS LCD panel, and while it doesn’t deliver the vivid, contrasty colors of OLED, it generally offers excellent quality.

At this viewing angle, I’m witnessing a crisp 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) resolution that’s more than adequate. It boasts a dynamic refresh rate of 60-120Hz, ensuring smooth and swift performance. And for those times when maneuvering the mouse cursor feels like a chore, it offers multitouch support as an alternative. To top it off, the corners are gently curved, a detail that some may appreciate, and the bezels are sleek and unobtrusive.

In simpler terms, this laptop’s screen is very agreeable to look at. It might not be the most eye-catching display I’ve encountered, but it performs exceptionally well overall. It can adjust to dark environments and bright sunlight, its contrast ratios are superior for an IPS LCD panel, and it maintains a neutral white balance across all brightness levels. Surprisingly, this screen is more color-accurate than anticipated, covering 100% of the sRGB and 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamuts.

This monitor boasts built-in VESA DisplayHDR 400 and Dolby Vision HDR compatibility, although it may not offer top-tier HDR performance. Nonetheless, the visuals appear appealing and enjoyable to view, just as other aspects of the display do.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Performance and thermals

Performance highlights

The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is one of the first laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2).
Lenovo worked with Intel to make this a showcase for the new platform, and there are some impressive changes.
This laptop is buttery smooth for everyday tasks and runs cool as a cucumber, but its multicore performance lags behind the competition.
Performance rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The “Aura Edition” label on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i signifies two aspects: First, it represents Lenovo’s emphasis on AI-driven features; second, it marks their collaboration with Intel to optimize the performance of Intel’s latest processors. This laptop boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, which is the second generation of a new line of mobile Intel chipsets. In this iteration, Intel has prioritized significant improvements in AI and battery life, allowing it to narrow the gap with competitors in certain areas… but also potentially lagging behind in others.

Currently, the Yoga Slim 7i is not a sluggish computer. Instead, it offers an incredibly swift and reactive performance suitable for daily tasks, credited to Intel’s robust single-core power on this platform. Furthermore, despite heavy usage, the laptop maintains a low temperature, with its fans operating quietly rather than producing bothersome noise. As an Intel-powered device, the Yoga Slim 7i enjoys the benefits of Intel Evo technology, including speedy wake-up times and extended battery life during standby mode.

Intel’s focus on everyday performance and efficiency is excellent and exactly what benefits the vast majority of users, but Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) still doesn’t outpace AMD’s Ryzen AI and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series of processors in those categories. The entire lineup also drops the core and thread count to eight (split between four performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), and Intel’s single-core gains aren’t enough to overcome that difference. In multicore performance and more intensive tasks, the Yoga Slim 7i is surpassed even by the last-gen Intel Core Ultra 7.

One aspect where the Core Ultra (Series 2) truly shines is its GPU performance, exceeding the integrated graphics found in contemporary AMD and Qualcomm devices, such as the Intel Arc 140V inside the Yoga Slim 7i. This laptop demonstrates remarkable capability for casual gaming, all while maintaining a cool temperature to sustain that performance level.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Software and AI

Software highlights

Windows feels right at home on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9), and Lenovo’s own software continues to be reliable.
However, the Yoga Slim 7i is another reminder that AI PCs have yet to deliver on their promises, and Lenovo’s own offerings don’t do enough to convince.
Copilot+ PCs have yet to acquire must-have features, and Lenovo’s Aura AI offerings don’t meaningfully improve the Yoga Slim 7i experience.
Software rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) is typically what you’d expect from Lenovo. It comes with Windows 11 Home or Pro, which runs smoothly. Pre-installed apps by Intel are included. Lenovo Vantage, for all your device-specific settings and support needs, is also present, along with some other Lenovo software. However, it comes pre-equipped with McAfee and a promotional ad for Dropbox, both of which might be unwelcome.

Everything is good. I continue to admire Vantage as a device hub, and the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i performs exceptionally well. However, it’s important to note that the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition isn’t just any AI PC; it’s a top-of-the-line Copilot+ PC, representing Microsoft’s advanced AI investments in Windows. Additionally, Lenovo incorporated its own AI capabilities as part of the “Aura Edition” tag, leveraging the powerful NPU found in the latest Core Ultra processors.

In summary, although the Yoga Slim 7i has some AI features from Lenovo’s Aura system, I find that these additions do not significantly enhance its usefulness or make it essential. My colleague Rebecca Spear has delved into Lenovo’s AI aspirations in an interview. While the AI features may be occasionally helpful, my experience with the laptop would have been similar even if these few features were absent.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Battery experience

Battery highlights

Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) is absolutely more efficient than its predecessor, and it shows in the Yoga Slim 7i.
Despite its large, bright screen, this laptop is more than capable of lasting a full day of work.
Some inconsistencies prevent the Yoga Slim 7i from being a true battery champion, but it’s close.
Batter rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

As an observer, I find myself marveling at the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, a device that cleverly houses a robust 70Whr battery within its frame. This battery powers the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of efficiency. It’s here where Intel’s advancements truly come to light, as the Yoga Slim 7i stands out as a laptop with remarkable endurance and exceptional standby time.

Running a loop of Microsoft Office for one hour at 200nits brightness and standard settings (dynamic refresh rate, balanced performance profile, keyboard backlighting) drained 5% of the battery. Looping an HD video under the same conditions with the speakers set to 50% volume sliced 6% off the top. This compares favorably with the most efficient AMD and Qualcomm-powered Windows laptops, and real-world usage reflects that.

Despite being compared to other recent laptops, the Yoga Slim 7i’s battery life was less reliable in terms of consistency. A Windows Battery Report indicated significant fluctuations in battery cycle estimates, often showing several-hour gaps, even when I usually expected a full day’s power. However, recharging the Yoga Slim 7i is straightforward using its 65W charger and either Thunderbolt 4 port.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard highlights

The keyboard on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is almost great, but falls short because of its slippery texture.
The touchpad is a decent size, though, and is both accurate and reliable with Microsoft Precision drivers.
As always, though, I wish there was an option for a haptic touchpad.

I’ve found that many laptops with keyboards I love are made by Lenovo, so I expected the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition to be of similar quality. Regrettably, its keyboard feels a bit off, despite retaining the comfortable layout, clicky and responsive keys, and useful shortcuts. However, the Yoga Slim 7i falls short in one area: the keycaps.

On the Yoga Slim 7i, all keys are made from a smooth plastic material that has an almost slippery quality to it, causing your fingers to glide off effortlessly. Although it doesn’t significantly impact my typing speed or accuracy, the discomfort it brings makes the keyboard feel slightly awkward to use.

The touchpad on this device is user-friendly, being larger than the Yoga Slim 7i for easier handling, covered in sleek glass, and employing Microsoft Precision technology for precise and accurate control through gestures. While it works well as is, I would appreciate an option to customize it further by adding haptic feedback.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Everything else

Other highlights

The Yoga Slim 7i is well-featured, but none of its additional hardware attributes positively stand out.
The speakers are loud but tinny, the webcam is average, Windows Hello is a little inconsistent.
The Human Presence Detection (HPD) features on the Yoga Slim 7i are also unreliable.
Everything else rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

It’s time for me to assess the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition. On paper, it boasts some impressive hardware additions. However, in real-world use, the overall user experience is quite ordinary, consistently averaging across all aspects.

On a laptop like the Yoga Slim 7i, quad-array microphones are quite remarkable. However, its Full HD front-facing webcam has issues with clarity and color accuracy. To add to that, it comes with a fixed focus which makes blurry images even more common. The Windows Hello facial recognition feature is available through an IR sensor, but the Yoga Slim 7i can be quite unpredictable in recognizing users, often failing. A beneficial aspect is that it has an electronic privacy shutter on the side to turn off the camera when not in use.

In addition to its advanced Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) features, including Human Presence Detection (HPD), this laptop often demonstrates inconsistency in its operation. The HPD function would sometimes lock the laptop shortly after login, dim or turn off the screen during full-screen video playback, neglect to dim the display and save battery when I was not looking, among other issues. While HPD can be a valuable asset, it needs to operate smoothly and seamlessly for it to truly add value. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9).

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition incorporates a four-speaker setup, consisting of a pair of 2W woofers and tweeters, supplemented by Dolby Atmos technology. However, despite the promising setup, most Windows laptops are yet to deliver impressive audio quality. The Yoga Slim 7i manages to get quite loud, but at lower volumes, its sound can become muffled and lackluster. When cranked up, these speakers produce an annoying metallic and tinny noise with a noticeable echo and rattling.

The wireless connectivity, equipped with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, is both reliable and forward-thinking, ensuring no problems will arise in this aspect.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Competition

If you’re pondering over the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, it seems you’re on the hunt for a compact, battery-efficient laptop with dependable performance suitable for everyday computing tasks. There are numerous top-notch choices in this category, and most of the leading Copilot+ PCs can meet your requirements and continue to be updated as AI features become increasingly valuable.

Something like the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 we reviewed is a great example of another way Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) can shine, with a 360-degrees hinge and a fantastic stylus experience. This is a more premium laptop with more features, so the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a little more expensive at $1,699.99 at Best Buy.

My straightforward recommendation is for the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9) I reviewed and loved. This remains the only laptop upon which I’ve bestowed a perfect review score, and it’s an excellent alternative to the Yoga Slim 7i. Slightly smaller screen but far more compact in every dimension, a gorgeous 90Hz OLED display, comparable performance with a Snapdragon X Elite ARM chipset, and even more consistent battery life… and the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x has a lower starting price of $1,199.99 at Best Buy.

Yoga Slim 7i review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅You want a thin, light, efficient computer with a larger-than-average display

The larger 15.3-inch screen on the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition gives it a more substantial build compared to standard 14-inch Ultrabooks, yet it remains surprisingly portable compared to beefier 16-inch workstations. It offers a good compromise for users who desire extra screen space without compromising on compact design.

✅You’re looking for a reliable, traditional clamshell laptop with Intel power

I personally prefer the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, but not everyone is sold on Windows on ARM yet. For those who desire a traditional clamshell design with an efficient, capable, and modern x86 Intel processor at its core can’t go wrong with the Yoga Slim 7i.

You should not buy this if …

❌Your workflow demands excellent multicore performance

Intel’s most recent mobile processors excel in numerous aspects, however, they lag behind competitors when it comes to multicore performance. While this difference might go unnoticed for many users, those with heavier workloads who prefer a portable computer may find better suit with AMD or Qualcomm’s latest offerings instead.

As a tech enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the giant leaps forward made by Qualcomm with their latest Snapdragon X series. It’s like they’ve catapulted themselves light years ahead of their previous offerings! On the other hand, AMD has taken substantial steps in enhancing performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities with their freshly-branded family of mobile processors. The names might be peculiar, but the improvements are anything but!

For Intel, who has been playing catch-up for several years, achieving a significant leap in just one generational upgrade seemed improbable. Yet, surprisingly, the Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) managed to pull it off, albeit mostly! The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) Aura Edition is a testament to the potential of this new platform when a company collaborates directly with Intel. This laptop truly stands out as an exceptional device with numerous impressive features.

This device boasts a stunning visual appeal and a design that exudes quality and reliability. Its everyday performance is consistently flawless, while its battery life instills confidence when unplugged from the charger. Although Lenovo might have dropped the ball slightly on some minor aspects such as the keyboard and speakers, the Yoga Slim 7i remains a device worth recommending at $1,299.99 from Best Buy. However, it’s important to note that Intel’s Core Ultra series has been commendable, but AMD and Qualcomm have left a more impressive mark in this generation thus far.

2024-11-25 16:40

Lenovo may have given this mid-range laptop a new flagship brand, but I’m not totally sold on Intel’s latest yet