ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is at present obtainable for $1,199 on Greatest Purchase
- It combines a formidable 3K OLED show with a strong battery life — two issues that traditionally do not go collectively.
- That stated, the dearth of sure apps on Home windows on Arm may restrict some customers like content material creators.
Of all the brand new Copilot+ PCs across the $1,000 value level, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x seems like one of the vital premium. Its darkish “cosmic blue” colorway and modern kind issue exude a grown-up, succesful aura that feels each right down to enterprise and able to have some enjoyable.
The strong {hardware} on board helps that impression, with the Snapdragon X Elite processor main the cost, and the sensible 3K OLED show appearing because the cherry on high.
Lenovo’s Yoga laptops have blown up in reputation this yr for his or her versatile kind components that may bend and twist into a number of configurations (as their identify suggests) and excessive diploma of {hardware} customization. My colleague Max Buondonno reviewed the Lenovo Yoga 9i, an outright problem to the standard laptop computer kind issue with a twin display setup, and I took a have a look at the Yoga 7i, a 2-in-1 convertible laptop computer at a extra accessible value level.
Additionally: I bought the cheapest Surface Pro 11 model: 3 takeaways from a Windows expert
The most recent addition to the Yoga household, the aptly-named 14-inch, 2.6-pound Slim 7x, departs from its siblings’ flexibility by giving up the 2-in-1 kind issue however, in alternate, positive aspects spectacular battery life, elevated efficiency, and a beautiful OLED show.
Actually, this may be one of many brightest shows I’ve seen on a laptop computer shortly, able to as much as 1,000 nits of brightness for peak HDR content material. The touchscreen show includes a decision of 2944 x 1840 pixels (or 3K), leading to a beautiful media expertise. Whereas it would not have a full 120Hz refresh fee, the 90Hz it will possibly obtain is sufficient for that silky-smooth, crisp picture.
The built-in Qualcomm Adreno GPU places within the work right here, sporting strong efficiency in graphics benchmarking exams in 3DMark, and value with video enhancing in DaVinci Resolve, which ran easily throughout my testing. Whereas it finally will not compete with different high-end GPUs available on the market proper now, it options strong sufficient efficiency for almost all of circumstances that you will need to put this laptop computer via.
Rounding out the media expertise, the Slim 7x offers audio via two upward-firing audio system on both aspect of the keyboard. In contrast to the show, there’s not so much to say right here, because the audio is evident however lacks depth, which is typical for laptops. In any case, that is what Bluetooth is for. I like to recommend popping in a pair of Nothing Ear (a) earbuds if you wish to hearken to music or watch a film, particularly for the reason that Dolby Atmos Entry app permits for audio customization.
Additionally: Lenovo’s new $749 ThinkBook may be the best-value Windows laptop of 2024. Here’s why
As talked about in all of our different opinions of Copilot+ PCs, the brand new Snapdragon X Elite processors with ARM structure cannot run all applications, together with business staples like Adobe Premiere Professional, nor video games, that are nonetheless a hit-or-miss endeavor.
You’ll be able to definitely sport on the Yoga Slim 7x, however not all titles will work but, and those that do won’t be completely optimized. That stated, video games that aren’t on the cutting-edge of graphics and {hardware} necessities look nearly as good as they will on a 14-inch laptop computer.
Whereas the show makes media and gaming one of the vital apparent first areas to discover on this laptop computer, it is also well-suited to get right down to enterprise. From a productiveness standpoint, you have obtained all the pieces you may need right here for a strong work laptop computer.
The X1E-78-100 Processor (3.40 GHz) Snapdragon X Elite processor helps snappy, responsive efficiency throughout multitasking, even with demanding purposes, whereas the 16GB of soldered reminiscence and 1TB of storage is sufficient to future-proof it.
Copilot+ PCs can nonetheless be thought-about nascent for the reason that full capabilities of AI-fueled purposes (namely Microsoft’s Recall) have but to reach (which is a narrative for one more day). For now, the ARM-based processors are quick, run cool, and permit for implausible AI efficiency by way of the NPU.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x hits benchmarking numbers which are akin to different Copilot+ PCs across the identical value level, particularly the Asus Vivobook S 15. In Cinebench, I obtained a single-core rating of 108, and a multicore rating of 1,004. Conversely, in Geekbench, the Yoga Slim 7x scored 2,412 on the single-core take a look at, and 13,677 on the multicore.
Additionally: Lenovo’s newest laptops have a clever solution for iPhone file transferring that you have to see for yourself
The Slim 7x additionally has a formidable 70Wh battery, which might simply energy via a day of labor after which some with extra demanding workflows. Throughout my testing of working a 4K livestream on YouTube over Wi-Fi with 50% brightness, I obtained over 15 hours earlier than it conked out, placing it up close to the highest of different Copilot+ PCs. When it comes to extra actionable battery life, in my testing with intermittent use of work-related productiveness apps, informal looking, and light-weight media playback, I obtained a number of days of use out of it.
If I needed to spotlight a number of the issues I did not love, I’d first have to say the port choice, which will not be everybody’s cup of tea. Lenovo appears to have doubled down on its forward-looking design by giving the Slim 7x three USB-C Thunderbolt ports and nothing else — no HDMI, USB-A, or card slots. It appears just a little puzzling to not drop simply one among these for not less than a USB-A port.
Additionally: The best Windows laptops you can buy: Expert tested and reviewed
The laptop computer’s trackpad can be not essentially the most delicate I’ve examined. Whereas the keyboard appears to be like and feels premium, the trackpad is just a little too giant and never tremendous responsive. Additionally, the matte casing on the laptop computer attracts fingerprints left and proper, which is definitely not one thing distinctive to this laptop computer, however it’s nonetheless a little bit of a private pet peeve.
In comparison with a MacBook, one may argue that the Yoga Slim 7x is not less than higher than the MacBook Professional M2 Max. It has a barely shorter battery life than Apple’s machine, comparable efficiency, a slimmer kind issue, and a extra inexpensive value. You are not going to pay hundreds for this machine.
The MacBook is healthier suited to the iOS ecosystem, nonetheless Lenovo has been making strides in creating an information switch function between its laptop computer and iPhones. So for those who’re unsure which one to get, the Yoga Slim 7x may be the higher long-term funding.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a strong addition to the Copilot+ PC line and a laptop computer I would advocate to distant employees, freelancers, and creators searching for a transportable, 14-inch laptop computer with a beautiful show. Its skinny and light-weight kind issue makes it a strong possibility for anybody who travels often and won’t have dependable entry to an outlet.
In the event you’re searching for a inexpensive Copilot+ PC (and are keen to considerably downgrade the show), the HP OmniBook X 14 will run you $949. In the event you like this laptop computer’s stats however desire a larger display, try the Asus Vivobook S 15.
Creators may also admire the truth that Lenovo can be giving two free months of Adobe Creative Cloud with the acquisition of any new Yoga laptop computer.