Lenovo just announced the shiniest laptop I’ve seen in a hot minute, and it’s also the first with an under-display camera

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At CES this year, Lenovo continues its tradition as one of the major players, unveiling numerous new products and services across multiple categories. Particularly noteworthy is their focus on Intel’s latest Core Ultra (Series 2) platform, with a multitude of new Yoga and ThinkPad AI PC introductions.

In this article, I will discuss five laptops overall, but I’ll be focusing on the one that stands out the most to me. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (Gen 10) is an exceptional laptop, taking the crown as the best in Lenovo’s line of high-end, portable, and powerhouse Copilot+ PCs. Despite its lengthy name, this laptop boasts a unique feature that sets it apart – it has an under-display front-facing camera, making it the first of its kind worldwide. This results in a remarkable 98% screen-to-body ratio, breaking records for the category.

I’ve had a chance, though brief, to personally handle each of these laptops as well. Therefore, get ready for my personal insights along with thorough specifics.

Making waves with the luxurious Yoga Slim 9i

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Currently, the summit of Lenovo’s lineup is held by the Yoga Slim 9i. Its design, screen, and front-facing camera are all pushing the limits for Lenovo, while the overall build quality is top-notch, reflecting today’s premium standards.

At first sight, it’s clear that this laptop is unique within the Lenovo series. Its design shares some resemblance to others, yet it lacks any sharp edges. Instead, it has a bulge on the cover to accommodate the camera and microphones. What sets this laptop apart is its shine – it’s one of the most radiant I’ve encountered recently. Lenovo calls this glossy effect a “cat-eye like 3D sheen,” and it certainly draws attention, as light dances off the glass lid in various patterns based on perspective.

What truly stands out, however, is the stunning display on offer. It’s a 14-inch OLED touch screen, boasting Lenovo’s “PureSight Pro” label, and it might just be the best display you’ll find in any 14-inch laptop. Featuring a 4K resolution, a swift 120Hz refresh rate, an impressive peak brightness of 750nits, Dolby Vision HDR support, and coverage of all three widely accepted color gamuts (100%), this display excels in terms of clarity, smoothness, color precision, brightness, and contrast.

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The Yoga Slim 9i 14 boasts an exceptional 98% screen-to-body ratio, which translates to extremely thin bezels on all sides. This makes the laptop more compact than most 14-inch laptops available. This impressive feature is made possible by the under-display 32MP front camera, a first for this laptop. When not in use, the camera seamlessly integrates with the screen. However, this design choice means that Windows Hello facial recognition is not supported; but don’t worry, there’s still a fingerprint sensor on the keyboard for security purposes.

The main limitation of this screen is that it can only operate at fixed frequencies of 60 or 120 Hz. It lacks an adaptive refresh rate, which means if you prefer a more fluid visual experience, you’ll notice a drain on the battery.

As a fan, I must say that the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 doesn’t disappoint in various aspects. It boasts up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor paired with Intel Arc integrated graphics, and a powerful 48 TOPS NPU. These specifications allow for seamless operation of its Copilot+ PC and other AI-driven features. Interestingly, it seems this model has omitted the “Aura Edition” label that adorns Lenovo’s other recent high-end AI PCs.

The improved efficiency of Intel Core Ultra (Series 2), as stated by Lenovo, will undoubtedly be appreciated due to its large 75WHr battery, capable of offering up to 17 hours of operation time. Given that this claim is true, even with the power-consuming 4K, 120Hz display, I’d be truly amazed.

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This keyboard demonstrates top-notch performance after just a brief period of simulated typing, thanks to its 1.5mm key travel and Lenovo’s “Yoga Coating.” Unfortunately, this laptop model won’t come with a haptic touchpad; however, Lenovo confirmed that it will be included in the next generation but not in this one. The laptop does boast a quad-speaker system compatible with Dolby Atmos, and while I would have preferred three ports, it only has two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 is available for wireless connectivity.

The aesthetics of the Yoga Slim 9i’s hardware are undeniably attractive. The glass layer on its lid raises some questions about durability, but it’s clear that this design is visually impressive and the screen is breathtakingly beautiful when viewed in person. Anticipation builds as the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i Gen 10 (expected release date Feb. 2025) is slated to hit the market at approximately $1,849. I truly hope that I will have another opportunity to experience this device during CES 2025.

Far from the only laptop to catch your eye

Apart from the star product Yoga Slim 9i 14, Lenovo unveiled six additional devices: four Intel-driven Yoga laptops and two new ThinkPads. Among these, the mid-tier Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (Gen 10) will be available in both 14-inch and 16-inch versions. This model will feature similar hardware specifications such as an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the option for a 2.8K, 120Hz OLED screen. The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 twosome is set to debut in February 2025 with an estimated price range between $899 and $949.

Following my review, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) Aura Edition gets a surprising quick successor. While retaining its familiar design and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) internals, this new model compresses into a 14-inch form factor boasting a 2.8K, 120Hz OLED display and reduced weight. The smaller Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 10) Aura Edition is set to arrive in January 2025, priced starting at $1,099.

Moving forward, we’re looking at the updated version of Lenovo’s popular 2-in-1 device lineup, the refreshed Yoga 9i 2-in-1. While its design and features remain largely unchanged, users can anticipate enhanced everyday performance and superior battery life in this new model due to an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) upgrade. Additionally, the latest version boasts advanced AI capabilities. The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 14 (Gen 10) Aura Edition will be available starting February 2025 for a starting price of $1,599. I’m still excited to get my hands on this laptop, despite it being slightly outshone by the Yoga Slim 9i.

Lastly, Lenovo unveiled the ThinkPad X9 series, featuring a fresh new aesthetic that eliminates the traditional ThinkPad “TrackPoint” button on the keyboard. The distinctive design centers around a main “technology hub,” where all ports and vital components are housed. According to Lenovo, this innovation not only enhances thermal efficiency and performance but also simplifies device maintenance. The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition and X9 15 Aura Edition will hit the market in Feb. 2025, priced between $1,399-1,549. In reality, the design is eye-catching, and the laptop boasts a sleek form factor.

As a researcher, I was truly captivated by Lenovo’s forthcoming Yoga and ThinkPad series, particularly impressed by several aspects. I had the opportunity to get my hands on numerous devices beyond those mentioned in this piece. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i, with its breathtaking 4K screen, undeniably caught my eye. However, I must say that I’m overall intrigued by the direction Lenovo is steering their hardware and software offerings. Keep an eye on Windows Central for comprehensive coverage and reviews of many of these products in the near future.

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2025-01-07 19:18