Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1: A Versatile Laptop with a Competitive Price
The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 is a laptop that offers a lot of value for its price. Priced at $899, it boasts a range of features that make it an attractive option for students or anyone in need of a versatile device that can function as both a laptop and a tablet.
Design and Display
The Yoga 7i features a sleek all-aluminum chassis, available in Storm Grey or Tidal Teal color options. It is lightweight and portable, weighing just 3.55 pounds. The laptop offers multiple modes, allowing users to switch between laptop, tablet, and tent modes. However, one downside is the hinge strength, which occasionally causes the display to fall backwards.
The laptop comes with a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel IPS display. While the display provides a decent viewing experience, it falls short in terms of brightness, offering only 300 nits max brightness. This can be a drawback when using the laptop outdoors or in bright environments.
Performance and Battery Life
The Yoga 7i is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor, which delivers efficient performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and cloud gaming. The laptop handles multitasking well, even with resource-intensive applications open. It features 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
In terms of battery life, the Yoga 7i lasts for approximately 9 hours and 17 minutes on a single charge while streaming a 1080p video at 50% brightness. While this falls short compared to the MacBook Air’s impressive runtime of 10 hours and 58 minutes, it is still a decent result for a Windows laptop.
Ports and Audio
One standout feature of the Yoga 7i is its excellent selection of ports. It offers a USB Type-A port, a microSD card reader, an HDMI 1.4 port, two USB Type-C ports (supporting USB4 and Thunderbolt 4), and a headset jack. However, it would have been more convenient to have a USB-C port on both sides for charging.
The laptop features two 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, providing better audio quality than many other laptops on the market. While the speakers deliver crisp sound, they lack the full-bodied quality that makes music truly immersive.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Yoga 7i’s island-style keyboard is well-spaced and offers enjoyable typing experience. It has a satisfying springiness and three different backlight options. The laptop also includes a Copilot key for quick access to the built-in Copilot assistant.
The large trackpad, while responsive, has loud clicks that may be disruptive in quiet environments. There were also instances where the trackpad did not accurately respond to finger movements or was laggy.
Is it Worth it?
Overall, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 is a solid mid-range convertible laptop. It offers good performance, a comfortable keyboard, and a versatile design. However, its display is dimmer than desired and the trackpad can be finicky at times. Priced at $899, it provides good value for those who prioritize versatility and don’t mind the minor drawbacks.
Ultimately, whether or not the Yoga 7i is worth it depends on individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a convertible laptop that can handle basic tasks, has decent battery life, and don’t mind the display and trackpad limitations, it is a great deal. However, if these drawbacks are dealbreakers for you, and you’re open to non-convertible options, the MacBook Air M2 may be worth considering for just a slightly higher price.
