Lenovo somehow made the lightest laptop I’ve ever reviewed even lighter, more powerful, and longer lasting

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What you need to know

  • Windows laptops are continuing to become more competitive, now that Intel has rejoined the fray with its Series 2 lineup of Core Ultra chips.
  • Lenovo has announced two “Aura Edition” laptops rocking these chips, which boast a series of smart features to help enhance productivity, battery life, and security.
  • One is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13), which somehow manages to be even lighter than the last generation while also being more powerful and more efficient.
  • The other is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9), an upper mid-range Windows laptop aimed straight at the consumers who want to do it all.

As a tech-savvy individual who has been using laptops for years, I must admit that Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) has caught my attention. Being a fan of devices with a middle ground size between the standard 14 and 16-inch displays, this laptop seems to strike just the right balance.

As a researcher immersed in the realm of Windows laptop technology, I’m thrilled to note that the present moment is particularly invigorating. The market is buzzing with innovation, not just in hardware but also software solutions. Lenovo, a consistent trendsetter, has once again seized the spotlight at IFA 2024. Their latest offering, dubbed the “Aura Edition” laptops, are generating quite a stir, showcasing the pinnacle of both categories

modernized version of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and it looks astonishing: I admired last year’s version, and the new model somehow manages to be even lighter, thinner, more powerful, and longer lasting. I will believe it when I see it for myself. There’s also a brand-new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i, which looks quite dashing and like it could be one of the better values in the sub-$1,500 range if it can truly deliver. Don’t just take my word for it, let’s get into what we know about these laptops right now

A legendary enterprise laptop at its absolute best

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As a tech enthusiast, I must confess, this Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) left me quite perplexed. Initially, I was amazed by its exceptionally lightweight nature, given its robust and durable build, but later found myself questioning the average performance and longevity it promised

Lenovo integrated the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) System-on-Chip (SoC) SKU into its design, featuring an exceptionally potent Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks and a significantly more powerful Intel Arc GPU. This new model is both slimmer (14.4mm vs. 15mm) and lighter (980g vs. 1.09kg) compared to its predecessor. Moreover, it comes with upgraded RAM and an incredibly swift PCIe Gen 5 SSD, while retaining the same battery size

It seems puzzling that the ThinkPad X1 Carbon supposedly weighs less than before, and Lenovo claims significant enhancements in performance and battery life due to Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) advancements. Despite being more compact, this laptop is also reportedly more user-friendly, with a customer-replaceable battery unit. In simpler terms, the updated ThinkPad X1 Carbon not only appears smaller but also promises better functionality and longer battery life thanks to improved Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) technology. Additionally, it’s now easier for customers to replace the battery on their own

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The new model retains some of my favorite features, such as the beloved 14-inch, 120Hz OLED display and the renowned Lenovo ThinkPad keyboard with its distinctive TrackPoint dot (and an option for a haptic touchpad). It also offers the dual USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI 2.1 port, and 3.5mm audio jack that I appreciate. Plus, it now supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, with the option for 5G cellular connectivity as well

Translated into a more streamlined and understandable language: This computer remains an enterprise-oriented device, of course. The Windows 11 Pro setting is already installed on the board, along with Lenovo’s ThinkShield security suite, Windows Hello biometric authentication via both a fingerprint sensor and facial recognition, a dTPM 2.0 security chip, and a Nano Kensington lock slot. I am eager to use this laptop, and I haven’t even mentioned the new “Aura Edition” features, which will be discussed later. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) Aura Edition is optional in November. 2024, priced at $1,999, exactly as expensive as I knew it would be

An awesome, AI-powered laptop for everyday people

We’ve added a fresh member to Lenovo’s high-end Yoga 7 collection – meet the Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9). This model retains the sleek, curved aluminum design style that Lenovo has embraced over the past few years, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a conventional clamshell laptop with a larger 15.3-inch screen – an unusual midpoint between the familiar 14 and 16-inch sizes. You can opt for an OLED or IPS LCD display as well, and the main difference appears to be that the IPS panel is touch-enabled

Beneath the exterior lies the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, a SoC that ranks slightly lower in the new series but is significantly more advanced than last year’s Core Ultra models. It boasts 8 energy-efficient cores, an upgraded Intel Arc GPU capable of light gaming, and a new NPU to transform this laptop into a Copilot+ PC when paired with other Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen AI 300-series laptops in the latter half of the year

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Observing here, I find the port selection on this laptop is satisfactory but not particularly remarkable for its size. It boasts two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, an HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Similar to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Lenovo is promoting new “Aura Edition” features for the Yoga Slim 7i, but its impressive 70Whr battery seems more than capable on its own. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Gen 9) is set to hit shelves later this month with a starting price tag of $1,299

The beginning of Aura Edition laptops from Lenovo

If you asked me, I’d present a comprehensive suite of hardware advancements wrapped up as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, stealing the show for Lenovo’s IFA 2024, but if you asked Lenovo it’d likely respond “our new Aura Edition features.” This is a new package of software features reserved for specific Lenovo AI PCs, which right now includes exactly two powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2). The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i was apparently designed in direct collaboration with Intel, so this makes sense

Essentially, “Aura Edition” represents an advancement in what most manufacturers are striving for: creating AI capabilities that set their laptops apart from other AI-powered computers. For Lenovo, this translates into a mix of both hidden and active features designed to enhance your laptop’s performance even when you’re not utilizing the Aura Edition functions

As a researcher, I’d highlight the standout aspect as the “Intelligent Operating Modes,” encompassing a variety of functionalities. These are self-operating, unobtrusive elements designed to empower customization for various focus settings. They help in minimizing distractions, enhancing user wellness by providing mindful alerts regarding eye strain and posture, and offering additional benefits such as upgrading the quality of video and audio conferencing. Additionally, they incorporate a protective “Secure Mode” featuring an automatic VPN for enhanced protection and security

Translated in an easy-to-understand language: Elsewhere, you have your customized “AI-optimized” power and performance profiles, a new feature that allows you to swipe your phone to the side of your computer to open an app that facilitates sharing images, and other minor enhancements. It can be seen if “Aura Edition” will indeed be a reason to buy a laptop over another, but Lenovo is using to highlight the new AI features; however, the laptops Lenovo are using for demonstrating the new AI capabilities are at least compelling on their own

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2024-09-05 18:40