03/21/2023
Because of the nature of my work, my eyes have always been on devices with the most power. And that usually meant choosing from a selection of big and bulky laptops. And convertibles? Well, they were never really on my radar.
So when Lenovo asked if we wanted some time with the 7th Generation Yoga 9i, I took the opportunity to see what it could do, or rather, how a 2-in-1 laptop could fit into my life.
And let me tell you, I’ve been loving it.
Elegant, eye-catching, and versatile
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a gorgeous laptop, that’s for sure. The curved and rounded corners not only add comfort when gripping the device but also give it an air of elegance.
I also absolutely love this neutral color which is pretty popular these days. And that mix of glossy and matte finishes just, again, adds to its overall elegance.
Now the hallmark of the Yoga series laptops is its hinged screen allowing it to assume multiple form factors. From clamshell to tablet form and everything in between, versatility is the name of this Yoga’s game. And I was surprised at the convenience this feature provides.
In pitching projects, for example, it wasn’t just more convenient to tent up the Yoga 9i for a better viewing experience, it also impressed our clients. Which is always good when you want to close a deal.
Since the Yoga 9i is also capable of pen input, I could squeeze in some quick photo editing or graphic design work. Flipping the keyboard over like this made it even easier to work on finer details that would be hard to do with just a trackpad or mouse.
I am just a tad bit disappointed that there’s no way to store the pen, however. I read that previous models had a pen garage but this generation, sadly, does not.
But I suppose that’s okay since the pen’s performance isn’t the best in terms of latency and consistency. You should be able to handle retouching and taking down notes work but digital painting or illustration might not be its best use-case scenario.
Still, I’m a person who loves using a stylus. And I’m pretty happy about being able to use one on a portable PC instead of the usual Android tablet.
Intuitive features
Ease of use for the Lenovo Yoga 9i doesn’t just mean its versatility, however. Apart from the touch display and stylus, Lenovo has built-in intuitive features you didn’t think would make your life easier when working in or out of the house.
With Flip-to-Start, accessible through Lenovo Vantage, simply lifting your screen will automatically boot up your laptop. Combine that with Lenovo’s Intelligent Sensing features like Zero Touch login and you’ll get to your desktop even faster.
It can also detect when you step away from the computer, triggering it to dim and then lock the computer so you can take your bathroom breaks without any hurry.
And if you’re particular about the privacy and don’t want to keep the camera on all the time, Lenovo also includes a physical shutter that you can slide to block the lens.
All-around performer with awesome battery life
Being an ultraportable, I had to keep in mind that it may not do well with heavy motion graphics or 4K editing projects. But for all else? It’s a solid performer.
I rarely edit projects in full outside of the house anyway so I found myself using the Yoga 9i to continue work I’ve already done at the studio.
It was in doing all other non-media work that this laptop was able to shine. Managing content on the website and on our socials was practically problem-free and the multiple input options available (touch display, pen, etc) meant I could adapt to different working scenarios. And it can handle quite a number of Google Chrome tabs simultaneously, too.
My favorite use for this device, however, would have to be for entertainment. The picture quality on this OLED display is stunning but partner that with the rotating sound bar and you’ve got yourself a little personal cinema.
Four Bowers & Wilkins speakers live on the soundbar which rotates along with the display so you always get the best sound quality, no matter what form factor you’re using.
Appreciating the lighthearted comedy of Superstore or getting drawn into the suspense of Promising Young Woman on Netflix was such an experience thanks to the combination of great visuals and even better audio quality.
Light gaming is also doable on this device. A few hours of Genshin Impact and the machine was able to keep up but don’t expect high frame rates and maxed-out graphics on this one, obviously.
It also does heat up quite fast, especially during heavy loads but it wasn’t too bothersome and just once again reinforces that this laptop is meant for medium to light workloads.
The Yoga 9i also has superb battery life. You won’t be scouring for an outlet given this laptop can last up to 13 hours on a video loop. It charges via USB-C, too, which means I can easily find another charger even if I forget the power brick at home.
Final thoughts
Even with some complaints here and there, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is a convertible I would love to have. It’s sleek, gorgeously designed, and packs a punch for a portable. And more importantly, it’s enjoyable.
As a media-heavy user, I probably wouldn’t make this my daily workhorse but it would be something I would, and was, be excited to use out of the house. It’s a device that helps you transition from work to play as easily as it can transform from laptop to tablet.
Bottom line, I’ve come to realize the niftiness and convenience a convertible can offer and the Lenovo Yoga 9i is an absolutely wonderful experience if a 2-in-1 is what you’re after.
