ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Lenovo’s Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is on sale for $630
- Its stable efficiency, snug keyboard, and long-lasting battery make it a wonderful machine for the workplace.
- Sadly, I am not a fan of the show.
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Lenovo’s new Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 does not purpose to dazzle you with flashy options or a flashy show. As an alternative, it focuses on what issues most for a piece laptop: delivering reliable efficiency with the pliability {that a} 2-in-1 design gives.
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I have been testing the Yoga 7i for the previous couple of weeks, and it jogged my memory lots of the Dell 14 Plus, a laptop computer that not too long ago received ZDNET’s Editors’ Selection award. The 2 possess a number of similarities, though Lenovo’s machine has sure options that give it an edge over its up to date. And I’d argue that these variations make the Yoga 7i a greater match for some.
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High-tier productiveness
Similarities start with its efficiency. Contained in the Lenovo laptop computer is an Intel Core Extremely 7 256V processor, 16GB of RAM, and an built-in Intel Arc graphics card. I ran my common set of benchmark apps to see how the Yoga 7i runs in sure conditions. Under is a listing evaluating the machine to the aforementioned Dell 14 Plus and the Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1 Aura Version — a Lenovo laptop computer from the identical household.
|
Geekbench 6 |
PCMark 10 |
Cinebench 2024 |
|
|
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 |
8,918 |
7,453 |
547 |
|
Dell 14 Plus |
10,812 |
7,271 |
554 |
|
Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1 Aura Version |
7,743 |
6,562 |
394 |
Wanting on the numbers, you will discover that Yoga 7i’s efficiency is not too far off from the Dell 14 Plus, even beating it in PCMark 10. That program exams a pc’s means to deal with leaping between apps, browser home windows, and social media pages, amongst different issues.
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These numbers had been mirrored in my 50-tab exams. Lenovo’s laptop computer was in a position to deal with a number of 4K dwell streams, GIFs, and Amazon listings — at first. The machine slowed considerably once I reached 35 open tabs, and the {hardware} efficiency additionally declined considerably. I must also point out that Lenovo’s mannequin got here near beating the Dell machine in Geekbench AI, which exams how nicely a pc can help LLMs (massive studying fashions).
It earned a high rating of 27,858, whereas the opposite machine reached a peak of 27,912. What’s attention-grabbing about these numbers is that my Dell 14 Plus evaluation unit housed higher {hardware}, sporting an Intel Core Extremely 258V and 32GB of RAM. Regardless of the distinction in {hardware}, these two laptops carry out at an analogous degree.
It is potential the bigger dimension permits extra thermal headroom, as my evaluation unit did not warmth up throughout testing. Regardless, I believed the Geekbench AI outcomes had been price highlighting. Battery life was fairly stable, too. It ran for about 17 hours straight on a single cost below Finest Energy Effectivity mode earlier than tapping out.
Pure consolation
True to its title, the Lenovo Yoga 7i has a 16-inch, 2K touchscreen. The scale offers customers a big workspace and look at for multimedia content material. Nonetheless, its output is slightly underwhelming. Aside from 45% NTSC Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it lacks sturdy visible enhancement software program, and brightness is stunted at a max degree of 300 nits.
On the plus facet, the display helps TÜV Low Blue Mild, which reduces the quantity of dangerous blue gentle that’s emitted.
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Touring with the machine may be tough. The Yoga 7i is fairly chunky, clocking in at 4.23 kilos. Nonetheless, it is solely 0.69 inches at its thickest, so it does match comfortably inside most luggage. Lenovo even gave its machine rounded edges, which permits for extra snug carrying.
Plus, it is fairly sturdy, because it’s made primarily out of aluminum. The metallic permits the laptop computer to deal with the trials of the street.
Talking of design, I like what Lenovo did with the keyboard. It was designed with pace and luxury in thoughts. The keys have a journey distance of 1.5mm, enabling quick typing whereas additionally lowering hand fatigue. I typed for a few hours, and hardly felt any stress on my fingers.
Every keycap is concave, that means it directs your fingers to the center for max consolation. Plus, every one is protected by an “anti-oil and abrasion-resistant silk contact coating,” maintaining the keyboard pristine for years to return. I can say with confidence that the Yoga 7i has one of many nicest laptop computer keyboards I’ve examined this 12 months.
Notable options
Different design options I loved embody the massive trackpad, because it makes multitasking throughout a number of apps a breeze. Relating to sound, the 4 Dolby Atmos audio system are strategically positioned on high and under to ship immersive audio output.
There is a Full HD infrared digital camera above the show, which, due to its excessive decision, makes video calls look crisp and clear. However the colour output is a distinct story; objects on-screen look desaturated. The pink sweater I wore whereas testing the webcam misplaced a lot of its luster. It is not the highest-quality digital camera on the market, but it surely will get the job completed.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
My model of the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 may be purchased from Finest Purchase for $1,200. If you happen to’re wanting to save cash, Lenovo has a lower-spec mannequin on sale for $630 on its official web site. I’d suggest both configuration to anybody in search of a big-screen work laptop computer. In order for you one thing smaller, the Dell 14 Plus is the best way to go.
