ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is at the moment accessible for $1,199 on Finest Purchase
- It combines a formidable 3K OLED show with a strong battery life — two issues that traditionally do not go collectively
- That mentioned, sure apps’ lack of optimization for 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 appears like one of the crucial premium. Its darkish “cosmic blue” colorway and smooth kind issue exude a grown-up, succesful aura that feels each all the way 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 performing because the cherry on prime.
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Lenovo’s Yoga laptops have blown up in recognition this 12 months for his or her versatile kind elements that may bend and twist into a number of configurations (as their title 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 take a look at the Yoga 7i, a 2-in-1 convertible laptop computer at a extra accessible value level.
The newest 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 change, positive factors spectacular battery life, elevated efficiency, and a stunning OLED show.
Actually, this could 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 incorporates a decision of 2944 x 1840 pixels (or 3K), leading to a stunning media expertise. Whereas it does not have a full 120Hz refresh fee, the 90Hz it might 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 checks in 3DMark, and usefulness with video modifying 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 instances that you will wish to put this laptop computer by way of.
Rounding out the media expertise, the Slim 7x gives audio by way of two upward-firing audio system on both aspect of the keyboard. In contrast to the show, there’s not quite a bit 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.
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As talked about in all of our different critiques of Copilot+ PCs, the brand new Snapdragon X Elite processors with ARM structure cannot run all packages, together with business staples like Adobe Premiere Professional, nor video games, that are nonetheless a hit-or-miss endeavor.
You may definitely sport on the Yoga Slim 7x, however not all titles will work but, and those that do may not be completely optimized. That mentioned, video games that aren’t on the cutting-edge of graphics and {hardware} necessities look pretty much as good as they will on a 14-inch laptop computer.
Whereas the show makes media and gaming one of the crucial apparent first areas to discover on this laptop computer, it is also well-suited to get all the way down to enterprise. From a productiveness standpoint, you have acquired all the things you would 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 functions, 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 functions (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 incredible AI efficiency by way of the NPU.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x hits benchmarking numbers which can be akin to different Copilot+ PCs across the similar value level, particularly the Asus Vivobook S 15. In Cinebench, I acquired 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.
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The Slim 7x additionally has a formidable 70Wh battery, which may simply energy by way of 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 acquired over 15 hours earlier than it conked out, placing it up close to the highest of different Copilot+ PCs. By way of extra actionable battery life, in my testing with intermittent use of work-related productiveness apps, informal looking, and lightweight media playback, I acquired a number of days of use out of it.
If I needed to spotlight among the issues I did not love, I might 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 a little bit puzzling to not drop simply one in all these for no less than a USB-A port.
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The laptop computer’s trackpad can be not probably the most delicate I’ve examined. Whereas the keyboard seems and feels premium, the trackpad is a little bit 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 no less than higher than the MacBook Professional M2 Max. It has a barely shorter battery life than Apple’s gadget, comparable efficiency, a slimmer kind issue, and a extra reasonably priced value. You are not going to pay hundreds for this machine.
The MacBook is best fitted to the iOS ecosystem, nonetheless Lenovo has been making strides in creating a knowledge switch function between its laptop computer and iPhones. So for those who’re unsure which one to get, the Yoga Slim 7x could 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 might suggest to distant staff, freelancers, and creators in search of a transportable, 14-inch laptop computer with a stunning show. Its skinny and lightweight kind issue makes it a strong choice for anybody who travels incessantly and may not have dependable entry to an outlet.
In the event you’re in search of a cheaper 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 greater display, take a look at the Asus Vivobook S 15.
Creators may also recognize the truth that Lenovo can be giving two free months of Adobe Creative Cloud with the acquisition of any new Yoga laptop computer.
