Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 (Gen 9) overview: A merely satisfactory, inexpensive 2-in-1 laptop computer

Desk of Contents

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 has a whole lot of good issues going for it, from its inexpensive worth of $899 to its bouncy, comfy keyboard and port selection that makes my coronary heart sing. Plus, it’s a 2-in-1 laptop computer, so you need to use it as a laptop computer or a pill.

Is the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 one of many greatest laptops from Lenovo? No. However does it provide next-gen, environment friendly efficiency for a comparatively low worth? Sure — and that’s one among this laptop computer’s largest claims to fame. 

Lenovo’s Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 might not be essentially the most spectacular convertible laptop computer, but it surely will get the job performed — and it’d be an incredible choose for college students who want a laptop computer and pill in a single system. That mentioned, there have been just a few cons you will must may take into account earlier than giving this 2-in-1 a go.

However sufficient teasing, let’s dive into the nitty gritty of my hands-on time with the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 worth and specs

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 begins at $899 through Finest Purchase — and it is outfitted with the next specs: 

• Intel Core Extremely 5 125U CPU 

• Built-in Intel graphics

• 16GB of RAM

• 512GB of SSD storage

• 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel, 300-nit IPS show with a 60Hz refresh fee

On Lenovo’s web site, you may customise the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14. You’ll be able to improve this configuration with Intel’s extra {powerful} Core Extremely 7 155U CPU for an additional $133 or snag 1TB of SSD storage for simply $30.

There shall be just a few different show choices for this laptop computer, however they’re not obtainable proper now. One show improve merely swaps out the IPS show for an OLED choice and boosts brightness to 400 nits. The highest show additionally options OLED tech and 400 nits max brightness, in addition to 2.8K (2880 x 1800-pixel) decision. 

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 design

My overview unit sports activities the smooth Storm Gray colorway, however the Yoga 7i can be obtainable in “Tidal Teal,” a deep blue-green colorway. Irrespective of which shade scheme you go together with, you’ll get an all-aluminum chassis that’s comparatively fingerprint-resistant. 

Once you shut the laptop computer, you’ll see the Yoga emblem on the lid, etched in all caps adorning the bottom-right nook, and an oblong Lenovo emblem within the high proper nook. Flip the laptop computer over, and also you’ll discover a vent spanning the size of the laptop computer on the higher half. 

The Yoga 7i has a slight lip on the heart of its lid, making it simpler to open one-handed — and it’s a light-weight choice to hold round at 3.55 kilos.

What I beloved most in regards to the Yoga 7i’s design is what I really like most about all 2-in-1 laptops: a number of modes to play with. You need to use it in a conventional laptop computer mode, flip the display all the best way again to make use of it as a pill, or prop it up with the show dealing with you in tent mode to stream media or arrange a cellular workstation with a wi-fi keyboard and mouse.

The one unfavorable design factor value noting is the Yoga 7i’s hinge power. When the laptop computer was open, and I’d sit down and put it on my lap, the show would typically fall backwards, prefer it was making an attempt to enter pill mode. 

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 show

My Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 overview unit includes a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel IPS show with a easy 60Hz refresh fee and a 16:10 facet ratio that gives a bit extra display actual property than the typical 16:9 laptop computer show.

At solely 300 nits max brightness, the show isn’t as vibrant as I’d prefer it to be, particularly when working exterior. Many laptops provide 400 nits max brightness, and I discover myself working at about 70% brightness to protect battery life. With the Yoga 7i, I labored with the show at max brightness on a regular basis — and that positively wasn’t nice for its battery life.

I performed the Depraved trailer on YouTube to intently examine the Yoga 7i’s show, and total, I believe this laptop computer boasts show. It didn’t blow me away like 4K or OLED shows would, however Elfaba’s inexperienced pores and skin got here by properly (albeit barely muted) — and I might clearly see the weathered traces under her eyes in a closeup shot. 

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 ports

Lenovo’s Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 affords a stellar number of ports.

On the best facet: 

On the left facet: 

My solely minor grievance with this laptop computer’s port choice is the 2 USB-C ports each dwelling on the left facet. For charging comfort, I like to see a USB-C port on either side.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 audio

The Yoga 7i options two 2W stereo audio system with Dolby Atmos, which seems like what each different laptop computer in the marketplace comes outfitted with. Nevertheless, I believe the audio high quality on this laptop computer is somewhat higher than most. 

I loaded up MGK’s “my ex’s best friend (with blackbear)” on Spotify to check the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14’s audio system, and this pop-punk bop got here by completely crisp. But it surely was lacking that atmospheric, full-body high quality that makes a music sound full. The kick drum and different bass notes had been loud sufficient to present the music a beat, however weren’t practically punchy sufficient.

It was the identical story with “Unprocessed” by Actual (that includes Polyphia’s Tim Henson & Clay Gober) — a music I play on each set of audio system or headphones I’m testing. The sound high quality was higher than my Galaxy S21 Extremely, however worse than my Lenovo Yoga 9i’s rotating Bowers & Wilkins soundbar.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 keyboard and trackpad

Whereas I made barely extra errors on the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 in comparison with my each day laptop computer, the Yoga 9i, I used to be in a position to kind quicker on it.

And making elevated errors at first was only a studying curve factor. As I kind this now, my fingers are effortlessly gliding throughout the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14’s keyboard. 

This island-style keyboard is well-spaced and enjoyably springy, with barely extra key journey than your common laptop computer keyboard. It’s additionally backlit, with three completely different choices to change between: low, excessive, and auto, during which the laptop computer robotically adjusts the backlight based mostly in your setting.

The Yoga 7i comes outfitted with a Copilot key, which you’ll be able to press to shortly deliver up your built-in Copilot assistant. The free model boasts restricted options, and you may pull up the Copilot menu simply as quick with the Home windows key + C keyboard shortcut, but it surely’s value noting that this ‘AI PC’ has a Copilot key.

I wasn’t as a lot of a fan of the Yoga 7i’s trackpad. It’s a big 2.95 x 4.72-inch buttonless glass trackpad, and whereas I beloved how massive it was, I couldn’t get on board with how loud the clicks had been. Each left- and right-clicking really feel nice, however sound too harsh, particularly when you plan to make use of your laptop computer in a school lecture or a quiet library. 

Plus, there have been a number of occasions that the trackpad had a thoughts of its personal. It wouldn’t precisely reply to my finger actions — or it might be laggy in responding.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 benchmarks and efficiency

I’m a tab hoarder, and the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 was in a position to deal with my loopy each day analysis antics flawlessly with its Intel Core Extremely 5 125U processor. 

As I write this in Google Docs, right here’s what I’ve open: 40 RAM-hungry Google Chrome tabs, one tab in Firefox, the Clock app, Spotify actively enjoying music, and Activity Supervisor to watch efficiency.

In between songs, I can hardly hear any fan noise. And but, the laptop computer isn’t getting scorching in any respect. Even after I contact the chassis above the keyboard, the place most laptops get actually scorching, it’s barely heat.

In Activity Supervisor, I can see that Firefox, Chrome, and Spotify are all in effectivity mode to restrict sources, recognized with a inexperienced leaf icon below the Standing column. Regardless of being in effectivity mode, I’m not noticing any lag whereas typing in Google Docs or loading new pages.

Along with hands-on efficiency testing, we additionally ran Geekbench 6 (which assessments processor efficiency) on the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14. It delivered a good multi-core rating of 9,196, which is an effective rating for anybody searching for a laptop computer that may easily deal with fundamental duties, like net searching, streaming, or cloud gaming.

For those who want a extra {powerful} performer, the Lenovo Slim 7 with an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H earned a 12,267 Geekbench 6 rating.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 battery life

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 lasted 9 hours and 17 minutes on a single cost whereas looping a 1080p video at 50% brightness. 

Whereas the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14’s runtime falls wanting the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air’s spectacular runtime of 10 hours and 58 minutes, it’s nonetheless a good outcome, particularly for a Home windows laptop computer. 

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 webcam

Lenovo’s Yoga 7i includes a 1080p IR & RGB hybrid webcam with a slidable privateness shutter centered on the highest bezel.

As a laptop computer reviewer, it’s uncommon to seek out laptops with stellar webcam high quality. First rate high quality is what I’ll sometimes discover on common, however this laptop computer’s webcam high quality is worse than common. 

By way of the Yoga 7i’s webcam, I’m utterly washed out. I’m a pale particular person, however my shiny pink blush and flushed complexion don’t actually get picked up by this webcam. 

The colours picked up are inaccurate as properly. My emerald inexperienced cardigan is coming by as extra of a darkish forest inexperienced.

Is the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 (Gen 9) value it?

With its bouncy, comfy keyboard, improbable port choice, and semi-powerful, extremely environment friendly processor, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 is an effective mid-range convertible laptop computer. 

That mentioned, it’s not my favourite 2-in-1 laptop computer from Lenovo, largely resulting from its muted, 300-nit show and finicky trackpad. Priced at simply $899, it’s exhausting to be mad at any of this laptop computer’s faults, however in such a aggressive laptop computer market, I’ve to be.

Whether or not or not the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 is value it comes right down to what you’re searching for in a laptop computer. If you need a convertible laptop computer that may double as a pill, deal with fundamental duties with ease, final a good whereas on a single cost, and also you don’t thoughts a dim show or often glitchy trackpad, the Yoga 7i 14 is a good deal at $899. If it’s on sale, it’s a improbable deal.

If the Yoga 7i’s negatives sound like dealbreakers to you, and also you suppose you’d be tremendous with a non-convertible laptop computer, Apple’s MacBook Air M2 begins at $999, give or take, solely $100 greater than this laptop computer.