Desk of Contents
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version (Gen 10) has arrived, and man, it’s a stunner. My each day driver laptop computer is the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Gen 7), so I already guessed I’d love quite a bit about this laptop computer. What I wasn’t anticipating was to be completely flabbergasted by this laptop computer’s jaw-dropping battery life, regardless of boasting lots of the identical nice options as its predecessor.
The Yoga 9i Aura Version’s most placing options embrace a vivid, colourful OLED show, an extremely responsive, springy keyboard, and its stunning, modern cosmic blue chassis that stands out in a world filled with grey and black laptops. It does have a barely much less highly effective processor than its Gen 9 predecessor, nevertheless it nonetheless performs simply as properly and delivers over thrice the battery life.
The times of Home windows laptops providing laughable battery life as MacBooks reign supreme may be over. Sure, this laptop computer does have just a few downsides, however when its battery lasts practically 24 hours, who’s complaining about a few minor faults?
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version worth and specs
It is a premium laptop computer.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version comes with a comparatively excessive price ticket, however in alternate, you get a laptop computer with premium options, glorious battery life, and well-rounded efficiency. Our evaluation unit prices $1,749 and comes with the next specs:
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Intel Core Extremely 7 258V CPU
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Built-in Intel Arc graphics
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32GB of RAM
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1TB of SSD storage
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14-inch, 2880 x 1800-pixel, 120Hz, OLED show
The 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage that include the configuration above enable for seamless tab-hoarding, multitasking, and file organizing. Nevertheless, you may drop the worth to slightly beneath $1,500 by way of Lenovo’s web site, the place this laptop computer begins with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage and continuously will get discounted.
It’s a modern and transportable fingerprint magnet
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version is a travel-friendly laptop computer with convertible comfort. At simply 2.9 kilos and 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches, it’s barely noticeable in a backpack, and the simple type issue flip between conventional laptop computer and pill can’t be beat once you’re on the transfer.
The all-aluminum chassis is cool to the contact and nice to take a look at, nevertheless it does entice fingerprints simply, and this isn’t one thing the Yoga 9i used to do. I dragged my fingers throughout my Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Gen 7 each day driver, and my fingerprints disappeared nearly immediately. Repeating this on this Gen 10 Yoga 9i leads to streaky fingerprints that keep till they’re wiped away.
Our evaluation unit is within the cosmic blue colorway, however there’s additionally a luna grey coloration possibility accessible, which is the colorway I selected for my Gen 7 each day driver. This distinction in colorways may clarify the distinction in noticeable fingerprint smudges.
Apart from it being susceptible to accumulating undesirable fingerprints, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version is a well-constructed, engaging laptop computer. The highest lid stands out barely the place the webcam is, making it simpler to open the laptop computer, and the mirrored edges on the underside are a singular design ingredient. Maybe most significantly, the hinges are sturdy (with out being too sturdy) when flipping between laptop computer, tent, and pill modes.
A beautiful show that’s surprisingly environment friendly
It is a clean transition between laptop computer, tent, and pill modes.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version contains a 14-inch, 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED contact show with a clean refresh charge of 120Hz, and it’s maybe my favourite factor about this laptop computer.
This laptop computer’s OLED panel helps colours seem immensely vibrant with out being oversaturated and blacks seem wealthy and deep. Then, 2.8K decision is a step above the 1920 x 1080-pixel decision discovered on many laptops, but not as battery-draining as 4K. You’ll be able to go for a 4K show with this laptop computer as an alternative, however you’ll should downgrade to 60Hz as properly.
With 500 nits max brightness (1,100 nits HDR), the show was sufficiently vivid, even at solely 50 p.c brightness in the course of the day. The show is shiny, so it’s fairly reflective, however I didn’t run into any annoying points whereas utilizing it, even in direct daylight.
Whether or not I used to be catching up on Bridgerton, organizing my weekly duties in Trello, or streaming lo-fi music on YouTube whereas working, the colours popped off the display and made my general laptop computer expertise higher and brighter.
Though I didn’t use the touchscreen quite a bit to forestall greasy fingerprints from dirtying the show, it was clean and responsive once I examined it to navigate Spotify and browse the net. You’ll be able to both use your fingertip or the included Lenovo Yoga Pen with the show.
This skinny design solely accommodates just a few ports
For most individuals, the minimal ports accessible on the Yoga 9i will suffice. Nevertheless, should you’re on the lookout for an HDMI port, an SD card reader, or a couple of USB-A port, you’ll be out of luck.
On the left aspect, you’ll discover:
And on the precise:
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Headset jack
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USB-C 4 Gen 2 port
Whereas I’m not enamored with this laptop computer’s lack of port selection, I do love that there’s a USB-C port on either side as a result of it makes charging extra handy.
The left aspect features a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port and two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The precise aspect features a headset jack and a USB-C 4 Gen 2 port.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Plus, many trendy wired peripherals now use USB-C cables or include an adapter, or you may join wi-fi peripherals by way of Bluetooth while not having to trouble with a cable in any respect. When you completely want any of the ports the Yoga 9i is lacking, you may all the time spend money on a USB-C hub that has what you’re on the lookout for.
An surprising downgrade in sound high quality
Often, Lenovo’s Yoga 9i 2-in-1 lineup receives a boatload of reward in the case of sound high quality, however I can’t say the identical for this Gen 10 mannequin.
The earlier Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Gen 9 mannequin had glorious audio system, and the Yoga Ebook 9i has the very best audio setup I’ve ever skilled in a laptop computer. Sadly, Lenovo ditches Bowers & Wilkins sound on this Gen 10 laptop computer, and I can inform.
The sound high quality is missing within the new era of Yoga 9i.
Credit score: Sarah Chaney / Mashable
Taking part in Machine Gun Kelly’s new summer time smash “Cliché” on this Yoga 9i Gen 10 laptop computer after which on my each day driver Yoga 9i Gen 7, which has a Bowers & Wilkins soundbar, I can hear the lacking environment within the music. MGK’s barely gravelly vocals, the frivolously plucked strings, and the snare drum come by way of fantastically, however that full-bodied, refined bass that rounds out a music is absent on this set of audio system.
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version (Gen 10) nonetheless has higher audio than most laptops I’ve examined, however should you’re searching for highly effective bass like previous editions with Bowers & Wilkins soundbars have had, you’ll be disillusioned.
An extremely satisfying keyboard and a silky trackpad
This laptop computer options an island-style, chiclet keyboard, and I adored typing on it. The keys are well-spaced, pleasantly bouncy, and responsive. It nearly looks like I’m typing on a minimalist mechanical keyboard, just like the Logitech Mechanical MX Mini with tactile switches, due to the slight journey and noticeable actuation.
There’s no 10-key quantity pad on this compact laptop computer, however you can see a full quantity row and performance key row on the prime. The fingerprint sensor is discreetly nestled into the underside proper nook, and there are useful mode-switching buttons above it.
This keyboard is pleasntly bouncy and the touchpad is a dream.
Credit score: Sarah Chaney / Mashable
As with each Yoga 9i 2-in-1 I’ve reviewed, the buttonless, glass touchpad is a dream. It’s giant and responsive, and my finger glides throughout like a heat knife by way of butter. Clicking with the trackpad can also be good, regardless of there being no haptics.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version benchmarks and efficiency
The Lenovo Yoga 9i carried out fantastically throughout testing, with minimal fan noise and solely slight warmth buildup.
To strain the laptop computer, I concurrently opened the Clock app and ran the stopwatch, pulled up Spotify and performed music, and loaded 20 Google Chrome tabs, certainly one of which was a stay YouTube stream. The outcome? Seamless efficiency, with zero lag when loading a brand new web page and no stuttering when typing in Google Docs.
I solely observed the followers kick on when the laptop computer was plugged in. In any other case, it does an amazing job of regulating warmth with out followers when tackling each day duties. The most popular spot on this Yoga 9i Gen 10 is on the chassis above the middle of the keyboard.
It is a large enchancment over its Yoga 9i Gen 9 predecessor, which received fairly noisy and scorching beneath strain with typical productiveness duties. Nevertheless, this Gen 10 mannequin delivered a decrease Geekbench 6 rating than the Gen 9 mannequin.
The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version options an Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor and notched a rating of 10,765 on the Geekbench 6 efficiency check. The Yoga 9i Gen 9 earlier than it’s geared up with an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H processor, which earned a rating of 12,345 on the identical benchmark.
A Geekbench 6 rating like that tells me that the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version gained’t be touchdown a spot as one of many greatest laptops for video enhancing or the greatest gaming laptops anytime quickly. However should you solely plan to make use of your laptop computer for looking the net, watching content material, listening to music, and dealing with low-intensity apps and packages, your expertise might be clean.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version battery life
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version may earn a spot as one of many greatest laptops for battery life, and that genuinely surprises me.
In our battery check, which includes looping a 1080p model of Tears of Metal at 50 p.c brightness, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version held out for a staggering 23 hours and 34 minutes. In comparison with its Gen 9 predecessor, this laptop computer greater than tripled its battery life.
Our Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Gen 9 evaluation unit wasn’t geared up with any Aura Version options like this laptop computer, and it had half the RAM (16GB), nevertheless it shares the identical 14-inch, 2.8K OLED show that the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version (Gen 10) does. And but, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Gen 9 solely lasted 7 hours and 21 minutes in the identical video rundown check.
Traditionally, one of many largest trade-offs for stellar premium options within the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 was battery life. With this new Gen 10 configuration, that’s not the case.
A disappointingly common webcam
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version contains a 5-megapixel digicam with infrared and a privateness shutter, identical to its Gen 9 predecessor. Nevertheless, in comparison with the webcam high quality on the Yoga 9i Gen 9, this Gen 10 laptop computer’s webcam is a bit disappointing.
I anticipated extra from this webcam.
Credit score: Sarah Chaney / Mashable
Granted, it’s nonetheless sharper and extra correct in comparison with most laptop computer webcams, however the image it produces isn’t practically as detailed or colourful as that of its predecessor. Contemplating Lenovo has upped its webcam recreation in recent times with out-of-this-world image high quality on the Yoga Ebook 9i, I anticipated extra from the Yoga 9i Gen 10’s webcam.
Is the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version value it?
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version (Gen 10) contains a beautiful 2.8K OLED show with wealthy blacks and vivid colours, a responsive keyboard that I didn’t need to cease typing on, and the very best battery life I’ve ever seen from the Yoga lineup. Plus, it delivered admirable efficiency, tackling my typical each day workload with ease.
I’d say the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Version is certainly value it for these on the lookout for a modern, well-rounded on a regular basis laptop computer with the pliability to change to tent mode and pill mode. It provides strong efficiency, practically 24-hour battery life, nice future-proof specs, and devoted consideration to the little particulars that make utilizing the laptop computer a extra pleasant expertise general.
For me, this laptop computer’s minor negatives of minimal ports and a fingerprint-attracting colorway are rapidly overshadowed by all the positives it has to supply. At $1,749, this Yoga 9i 2-in-1 configuration is expensive, nevertheless it’s value it if you’d like a premium, convertible Home windows laptop computer to deal with easy productiveness duties. When you’re not hooked up to Home windows OS, you would possibly need to think about Apple’s MacBook Professional 14-inch M4 as properly.
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