Lenovo Yoga 9i review - Laptop Mag

lenovo.indah.link

Today's best lenovo yoga 9i deals

Lenovo Yoga 9i specs

Price: $1,049 (starting); $1,379 (reviewed at)
CPU:  Intel Core i7-1185G7
GPU: Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Display: 14-inch, 1080p
Battery: 11:15
Size: 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 3 pounds

We have Lenovo to thank for the success of 2-in-1 laptops. It was the original Yoga 13, released in 2012, that paved the way for these strange part-laptop, part-tablet hybrids. Competitors ditched their brazen experiments and adopted the form factor seen on what many would consider the first successful convertible laptop. Since then, the Yoga series has brought one innovation after the next, from the watchband hinge to the soundbar speaker grill. 

With the Yoga 9i, Lenovo didn't take many risks. Part of me thinks that's OK. After all, the previous Yoga C940 earned a 4.5-star rating and sat near the top of our best 2-in-1 laptops page for much of 2020. Its predecessor only builds upon that success with 11th Gen Intel CPUs, delivering better performance and endurance, along with a slightly improved keyboard and pen. 

But the other part of me wants more.  

The thing is, the Yoga 9i does bring something new to the table in the form of an edge-to-edge glass palm rest with an ultrasonic fingerprint reader and a haptic touchpad that vibrates when clicked. But for whatever reason, those major innovations are only available on the Shadow Black edition of the Yoga 9i. The Mica unit we tested is a great all-around convertible and one of the best laptops on the market, but it doesn't excite me like it once did. 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Price and configuration options 

As Lenovo's premium 2-in-1 consumer laptop, the 14-inch Yoga 9i will cost you four figures (unless you score a deal on one). Starting at $1,049, the base model (in Mica) comes with a 1080p display along with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. 

Best Buy sells our 1080p review unit for $1,379. It packs an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The 1TB SSD model, available only at Lenovo.com, is even cheaper at the moment, at $1,289.  

Note: A Shadow Black edition of the Yoga 9i flaunts an edge-to-edge glass palm rest with a massive haptic touchpad, a leather-bonded lid and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Those features are not available on the Slate Gray or Mica models; as such, the Shadow Black version tends to run more expensive than the other options. 

The price gap, depending on the config, can be fairly significant. A Shadow Black Yoga 9i with the same specs as our review unit goes for $1,699. However, right now, a 1080p model with a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD costs "only" $1,289. 

The bottom line? Lenovo Yoga 9i pricing is all over the place so be sure to compare sales at Lenovo.com and Best Buy (and pay attention to the different models!) to get the best deal. You can also see if the Yoga 9i graces our best laptop deals page. 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Design 

I had a lukewarm reaction to the Yoga 9i. It's a nice design, but haven't I seen this before? 

What about all those innovations Lenovo promised last year? Oh right, they only apply to the Shadow Black model, which gets a glass palm rest that extends across the deck with an embedded fingerprint sensor and a haptic touchpad that vibrates when clicked. Looking at my comparatively tame Mica model, I can't help feel somewhat cheated.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

It's not that there's anything wrong with this model. Its svelte chassis nicely balances portability with practicality and brings some modern features to the table. Where the Spectre x360 14 goes for luxury, the Yoga 9i flaunts an understated design. The smooth silver(ish) hue on the lid of our Mica model is disrupted only by a chrome "YOGA" logo in the top corner. Opening the lid reveals more of those plain silver surfaces.

I do like the added utility in the chassis. The wedge-shaped notebook has a stepped design wherein the lid is pushed slightly forward. This position, along with a webcam notch, gives you room to open the lid without having to pry your finger between the deck and screen. Look closely at the top edge of the notch and you'll spot a swanky "YOGA SERIES" engraving — a small design element that adds a touch of class. 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Returning to the Yoga series is the soundbar hinge, but this time with a larger sound tunnel. I'll talk about the audio quality below; aesthetically, the stipples in the hinge give the Yoga 9i some uniqueness in a design that could fade away against the likes of the HP Spectre x360 14 or Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. Other conveniences include a stylus garage where you can house the pen when it's not in use and a webcam cover to conceal yourself from prying eyes. 

The Yoga 9i embraces the trend toward slimmer bezels but doesn't take it to the extreme in the same way as the XPS 13 2-in-1. That's OK, so long as the webcam remains above the display. Grabbing one of those bezels and folding the screen back converts the Yoga 9i into tent or tablet mode. Doing so requires little effort, yet the hinge was strong enough to prevent the screen from budging when I forcefully tapped on the glass.

Yoga 9i (left), Spectre x360 14 (right) (Image credit: Laptop Mag)

This laptop is seriously slim. At 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches and 3 pounds, the 14-inch Yoga 9i is considerably thinner than the 13.5-inch HP Spectre x360 14 (11.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches, 3 pounds) and just as slim as the 13.4-inch Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (11.7 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches, 2.9 pounds) and the 13.3-inch MacBook Air with M1 (12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches, 2.8 pounds). 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Security 

I didn't expect Lenovo to short change us in the security category given the ThinkPad series' prowess. So I was surprised to discover that the Yoga 9i still lacks an IR camera, a useful feature found on both the Spectre x360 and XPS 13 2-in-1.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Instead, I had to use the fingerprint sensor located on the deck. It worked reliably, but lifting your finger requires that extra bit of effort you don't need when using an IR camera. While you're stuck with a standard 720p webcam there is at least a slider you can move over to block the lens when it's not in use 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Ports 

There isn't much room for ports on the Yoga 9i.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

To its credit, there's a USB 3.2 Type-A port alongside dual Thunderbolt 4 inputs and a headphone/mic jack on the left side. I'd prefer those USB-C inputs to be split among each side of the laptop so you could charge from either end. 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

I do, however, appreciate the power button on the right side, making it easy to turn the Yoga 9i on/off when docked (with the lid closed) or in tablet mode.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Display 

"Oh, they sent me the 4K model," I thought after opening the lid of the Yoga 9i. I was wrong; it's just a very good 14-inch, 1080p panel.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Watching the trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong was a delight on the Yoga 9i. Missiles exploded in a haze of pumpkin-y hues as they struck the menacing ocean creature. When the two beasts battled it out, a fiery blast of arctic-colored flame emitting from the reptilian's mouth burst off the glossy panel. Each of its sharp spikes and wrinkled skin folds were visible on the detailed display even with a slightly lower resolution than what you find on modern competitors. 

Where the Yoga 9i lags behind trends is with its 16:9 aspect ratio. Come on Lenovo, that is so 2019. And I know that you know because the upcoming ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga will flaunt a 16:10 aspect ratio. If you're still living the 16:9 life, newer models have adopted taller, more narrow displays in favor of widescreen panels. These allow you to view more on a webpage or document at the expense of thicker black bars bordering videos. 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Anyhow, the best aspect ratio is a matter of preference, but having the brightest and most colorful display is always a good thing. According to our colorimeter readings, the Yoga 9i's display covers 76% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, making it more vivid than the XPS 13 2-in-1 (70%) but not as colorful as the Spectre x360 14 (75%), the MacBook Air (81%) or the premium laptop average (86%). 

Reaching 334 nits of brightness, the Yoga 9i's display is dimmer than those on the XPS 13 2-in-1 (488 nits), the Spectre x360 14 (365 nits), the MacBook Air (366 nits) and the premium laptop average (388 nits). That's not a great result but at least it tops our 300-nit minimum threshold for laptops in this category. 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Keyboard, touchpad and stylus 

Lenovo supposedly made tweaks to the Yoga 9i's keyboard but I don't perceive much of a difference from the one on the Yoga C940. 

I don't hate it nor do I love it. The keys are large and clicky, but just as shallow as they were before. There is a slippery texture to the keycaps that I'm not thrilled about, but these at least don't feel quite as stiff as the previous ones.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

I typed at 116 words per minute with a 96% average on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, beating my usual 109-wpm at 95% averages. 

Like the keyboard, the touchpad is good but unnoteworthy. The 4.1 x 2.7-inch surface is an average size with a pleasantly silky glass coating, smooth enough to let my fingers slide from one end to the other. The Precision touchpad reacted quickly to taps, clicks and swipes, allowing me to effortlessly execute Windows 10 gestures, like pinch-to-zoom or three-finger swipes to change windows.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Hiding in the rear of the Yoga 9i like the exhaust pipe of a car is a stylus slot housing a revamped Lenovo Active Pen. It now features an Elastometer nib which is designed to replicate the feeling of writing on paper.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

If you're going to use the stylus for casual use, like jotting down notes, it'll do just fine — my sloppy handwriting was captured accurately enough so it could be translated to text. But if you need the very best writing instrument, this isn't it.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

The convenience of the pen slot compromises the comfort of the pen, which is much slimmer and, therefore, trickier to hold than competing stylii. Your hand is bound to cramp up after long drawing sessions.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Audio 

Soundbars improve the sound of your TV, and as it turns out, they benefit laptops, too. After making its debut in the Yoga C930, the rotating soundbar hinge returns to the Yoga 9i, delivering clear audio irrespective of the laptop's orientation.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

The Yoga 9i is definitely the best-sounding ultrathin 2-in-1 laptop on the market. Equipped with Dolby Atmos, the speakers filled my office with crisp hi-hat "chicks" and the growling rumble of an electric guitar when I listened to Bombay Bicycle Club's "Always Like This." Most impressive is how the speakers captured the fluctuation in Jack Steadman's voice in the chorus, and how it properly separated the complex flow of electric instruments. 

This is one of the rare cases when I actually wanted to turn the volume up in order to better hear each piece of the ensemble. Fortunately, doing so didn't introduce any distortion.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Performance 

Not only is the Yoga 9i equipped with the latest 11th Gen (Tiger lake) Intel Core chips, but it flaunts the top-tier Core i7-1185G7 CPU, giving it a slight performance edge over those with the Core i7-1165G7 processor. Paired with 16GB of RAM, the CPU blazed through my rigorous real-world testing, pulling up 30 Chrome tabs like a wrestler carrying a down pillow. Some of those tabs played 1080p YouTube videos, a few played Twitch streams and on another, and at some point, I got lost in a Key and Peele sketch rabbit hole. 

Overall, the Yoga 9i did a great job in our performance benchmarks, keeping pace and surpassing most of its rivals. It notched a 5,312 in the Geekbench 5.3 overall performance test, edging out the Spectre x360 14 (4,904, Core i7-1165G7) and crushing the average (3,566) while falling surprisingly short of the XPS 13 2-in-1 (5,639, Core i7-1165G7). The MacBook Air with M1 (7,575) continues to bat in a different league on this test. 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

The Lenovo needed 14 minutes and 24 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p resolution using the Handbrake app. That tops the competition, outpacing the XPS 13 2-in-1 (15:52), Spectre x360 14 (17:02), the MacBook Air (14:56) using an emulated Handbrake app, and the category average (17:12). However, the Air needed only 9:15 when using the native Handbrake beta.

SSDs are getting speedier but the Yoga 9i's 512GB of storage kept pace with the best, duplicating 25GB of multimedia files at a rate of 692.25 megabytes per second. That crushes the XPS 13 2-in-1 (405.6 MBps, 512GB PCIe NVME SSD), the Spectre x360 14 (764 MBps, 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2) and the average (581.1 MBps). 

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Graphics 

We no longer live in an era when having integrated graphics in your laptop means you can't play games. The Iris Xe graphics baked into Intel's 11th Gen chips give the Yoga 9i enough oomph to run some modern games at lower graphics settings. 

On the 3DMark Fire Strike synthetic benchmark, the Yoga 9i tallied a 5,014, edging out the Spectre x360 14 (4,229, Iris Xe) and the category average (4,488). 

What does that mean for gamers? We ran Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p, medium) at 25 frames per second on the Yoga. The game ran smoother on the Lenovo than on the Spectre x360 (20 fps) and XPS 13 2-in-1 (21 fps, Iris Xe), but it didn't match the average (28 fps) or our 30-fps threshold.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Battery life 

As an Evo-certified laptop, the Yoga 9i is said to last more than 9 hours on a charge. It met that mark, and then some, enduring for 11 hours and 15 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test (continuous Wi-Fi at 150 nits). 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

That excellent runtime outlasts the XPS 13 2-in-1 (10:53) and the category average (9:58) but falls to the Spectre x360 14 (12:11) in a nail-biter and loses to the MacBook Air (14:41) by a wider margin.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Webcam 

The extra space afforded by the slight camera notch allows enough room for a decent 720p webcam. A selfie I snapped in my modestly lit office looked better than those from the Spectre or XPS but nowhere near as good as the shots you'll take using one of the best external webcams like the trusty Logitech HD Pro C920.

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

The camera captured my naturally rosy complexion and the grayish greenish hue in my eyes. Details were smudged so much that my beard formed a collective blob, but hey, at least my questionable quarantine-era hygiene was concealed.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Heat 

You can use the Yoga 9i on your laptop without it singeing your leg hair. 

At least it didn't after we played a 15-minute, 1080p video; the hottest the Yoga 9i reached was 96 degrees on the bottom panel, only a degree above our comfort threshold. Those areas you'll be touching, like the keyboard (87 degrees) and the touchpad (79 degrees), were much cooler.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Software and warranty 

Bloatware is thankfully in low supply on the Yoga 9i. Lenovo does a good job of packing most of its own utilities in the Lenovo Vantage app. In this colorful program, you'll find the latest BIOS and driver updates, info about your system, quick links to settings and warranty details. Along with Vantage, there is a separate app for the Active Pen where you can customize the button controls. 

Pre-installed third-party software is also inoffensive. You have your typical Windows 10 apps minus a few usual mainstays but nothing I'd uninstall out of the box. 

The Yoga 9i comes with a 1-year warranty. See how Lenovo fared on our Best and Worst Brands and Tech Support Showdown special reports. 

Bottom line 

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

The Yoga 9i is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop for those who need power in a portable package. It outpaces most of its competitors, it's among the thinnest in its class, and the 11+ hours of battery life means you can use it for a full day without refueling. Other conveniences include a garaged stylus, a fingerprint sensor and a rockin' rotating soundbar hinge that pumps out great audio regardless of whether you're using the Yoga in tablet or laptop mode. 

Without any major shortcomings apart from the lack of an IR camera, you'd think I'd give the Yoga 9i my wholehearted recommendation. Yes, if this laptop and some of its unique features speak to you, then you'll love it (hence the 4.5-star rating). I'm just not so smitten. Compared with the breathtaking HP Spectre x360 14 and the ultra-sleek XPS 13 2-in-1, the Yoga 9i fails to leave a lasting impression — at least, not the version we reviewed.

The Link Lonk


February 01, 2021 at 02:00AM
https://ift.tt/39zEWLO

Lenovo Yoga 9i review - Laptop Mag

https://ift.tt/2ZUAnWs
Lenovo

Exclusive: the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 tablet is the first real Lenovo Duet contender - Chrome Unboxed

lenovo.indah.link

Since its introduction over a year ago at this point, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet has been in a league all its own. After all, before it arrived and since it began shipping, there’s not been a Chromebook quite like it. Lenovo upended the low end of the Chromebook spectrum with a solid tablet that can act as a laptop-type device when needed and blew everything else out of the water when it shipped with a $299 price tag that included the keyboard and kickstand backing.

The device has surely sold well and has become a go-to recommendation for nearly anyone looking for a nicer, affordable Chromebook option. Part of the succcess of the Duet is owed to that price tag and the value proposition it represents. But another part is entirely due to the fact that it has largely stood alone in the market as the only real Chromebook tablet option available these days. With the Slate now officially gone and the other education-focused tablets from a few years ago fading from memory, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet has had the detachable Chromebook sector all to itself. At least until now.

Enter ASUS and their new Chromebook tablet

In expected but still-surprising fashion, ASUS looks to be very close to shipping a MediaTek MT8183 detachable Chromebook tablet of its own in the coming weeks. The device looks to be shipping with the ‘Flip’ branding on a few of the sites we found it on (here’s the best listing with the best photos), but is clearly going to be a detachable ARM-powered tablet that will arrive with a keyboard, kickstand back and stowable USI pen all in the box. From the looks of the photos, it may even have some nifty tricks up its sleeve for propping up the tablet in both portrait and landscape modes, but we’re not really sure how that is possible. Take a look for yourself as we not only have some photos to share, we have a full-blown spec sheet as well.

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 Specs

• MediaTek MT8183 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB eMMC storage
• 10.5-inch 1920×1200 16:10 touch screen
• 320 nits and 118% sRGB color gamut
• 2MP (1080p) front-facing camera
• 8MP rear-facing camera
• Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth 4.2
• 27Wh battery
• 3.5mm headphone/mic jack
• USI pen included
• Detachable keyboard included
• 1.16 lbs
• 255mm x 167mm x 8mm

While this new Chromebook tablet may seem like it is appearing out of thin air, I think we’ve been tracking it by a different name for quite some time. ‘Kakadu’ is the only other MediaTek tablet we’ve found and when we did come across it, we realized that the Lenovo Duet was a bit more unique than we first assumed. When all the devices based on the ‘Kukui’ board began showing up, we thought they would all be tablets like the Duet (‘Krane’) and the Lenovo 10e (Kodama). That clearly isn’t the case.

When ASUS gets this device out the door, how much it will actually cost (these early listings can be very far off in our experience), and how many markets they release to will determine the overall success of this new Chromebook. I like the extra screen real estate at 10.5-inches and paired up with decently small bezels, I think this will still be a great feel for a tablet while allowing a bit more room to spread out those keyboard buttons versus what we get in the Duet. And speaking of the keyboard, do take note of the way it magnetically locks into place similar to what we see with the Surface line of devices from Microsoft. That’s a great move by ASUS for sure as it really helps solidify the keyboard when the whole device is in your lap.

Add to that already-impressive equation the fact that the stylus not only comes with the device, but is stowable inside the tablet and you come away with an overall package that I think will really give the Lenovo Duet a much-needed run for its money. Until we know more, however, we’ll have to wait and see how this all shakes out. After all, I know I’m eagerly anticipating the Snapdragon 7c tablet ‘Coachz’ and/or ‘Strongbad’, so ASUS really needs to get this tablet out the door pretty quickly if it wants to stay relevant. As we know too well, there are tons of Chromebook hitting shelves this year. If they want a chance with this one, the time is now and the price needs to be low. Here’s hoping!

Share this:

The Link Lonk


January 30, 2021 at 08:41PM
https://ift.tt/3oyykBq

Exclusive: the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 tablet is the first real Lenovo Duet contender - Chrome Unboxed

https://ift.tt/2ZUAnWs
Lenovo

Lenovo Yoga 9i (15-Inch) Review - PCMag

lenovo.indah.link

We recently reviewed the 14-inch Lenovo Yoga 9i, a compact convertible laptop with plenty of upside, but maybe you’re in the market for something a little larger. Its big brother, the 15.6-inch Lenovo Yoga 9i ($1,799.99 as tested), brings the same high-quality hybrid form factor to a roomier display. Of course, the increased size makes the larger Yoga a little unwieldy as a tablet, but it also delivers more power. (The hybrid's snappy Intel Core i7 H-Series CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics will impress.) Long battery life and an included stylus sweeten the pot for what is a good, if not standout, convertible. The premium HP Spectre x360 15 remains our favorite big-screen 2-in-1 machine.

---

Yoga Time: A Sturdy Big-Screen Convertible

The design of the Yoga 9i is unassuming bordering on dull, but it certainly won't offend and is a fit for professional use. It's trim and relatively slim, especially for a 15-inch laptop, and its metal chassis is a sleek slate-gray color. The build itself is top quality, a sturdy system with essentially no flex in any area. The exact measurements are 0.78 by 14 by 9.4 inches (HWD) and 4.4 pounds.

That makes for a pretty standard laptop in terms of size, ready to travel when necessary, even if it won't be mistaken for an ultraportable. For comparison's sake, the Spectre x360 15 measures 0.79 by 14.2 by 8.9 inches and weighs 4.2 pounds. While both are reasonably portable, we generally find 15-inch convertibles unwieldy—it's a lot of screen to grasp and rotate, and such systems are far too heavy to hold in one hand (or anywhere except a lap) in tablet mode. So we prefer 13.3- and 14-inch 2-in-1s.

For those who won't compromise on screen size and want only occasional tablet or kiosk use, however, the big Yoga 9i is certainly a functional solution. It just doesn't fit on your lap or on a petite cafe table or airline tray table quite as well.

Similar Products

One feature that does make it easier to use in different configurations is the included stylus. Tapping away with the pen in tablet mode is more precise and feels more natural than using your finger. The pen slots nicely into the system's right side when not in use, where it will charge until you reach for it next time.

Speaking of the display, it's a high-quality screen. The bezels aren't imperceptibly thin like some ultraportables', but they're skinny enough to keep the system's overall size relatively compact and make the display look larger. While a 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) panel is available, our test unit featured full HD or 1080p resolution. Both are, of course, touch screens. The picture quality is good; the display is bright and sharp with vibrant colors, so I have no complaints. 

Though the Yoga 9i's silver-slab look is fairly ordinary, the build quality is above average, more in line with the premium price tag. The 360-degree display hinge is very sturdy, and resists smaller motion or pressure so the screen doesn't flop around as you move the laptop. The keyboard is a breeze to type on (travel is a touch more shallow than I've come to expect from Lenovo laptops, but still comfortable), and this 15-incher features a full-size number pad. The touchpad is especially smooth, tracks nicely, and is firmly set in place (unlike some loose alternatives on cheaper laptops).

Last but not least for the physical build, we come to the ports. The left flank of the laptop is home to two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, as well as a headphone jack. The right side includes just one USB 3.1 Type-A port, leaving this laptop a bit short on physical connectivity. I've seen 13-inch ultraportables with more connectivity, so it's a little disappointing this desktop-replacement-sized laptop offers the bare minimum. The USB-C connections support DisplayPort monitor connections and charging, so the bases are all covered, but an HDMI port and perhaps another USB port would be appreciated. 

---

Components: Intel Core i7, Nvidia GTX Graphics

Sold at Best Buy, our $1,799.99 test model includes a six-core Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 16GB of memory, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU, and a 1TB solid-state drive. The dedicated graphics chip is definitely a head-turner in this category: Most convertibles rely on integrated graphics or low-grade discrete GPUs, but the 4GB GTX 1650 Ti is a legitimately capable choice for mainstream productivity and creativity apps and even mid-level gaming. It won't satisfy media pros who need a full-on mobile workstation or hardcore gamers who demand one of Nvidia's GeForce RTX chips, but it's a solid, versatile solution.

If our Best Buy configuration doesn't catch your eye, you can custom-tailor a Yoga 9i at Lenovo's site—the base model, $1,449.99 at this writing, features a slightly more modest 12GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. Stepping up to the 4K screen, an eight-core Core i9 CPU, and a 2TB SSD would set you back $2,169.99. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth are standard on all models. On the whole, our test unit feels a little pricey for what you're getting; the HP Spectre x360 15 we tested in October 2020 cost $50 more but had a 4K AMOLED display.

---

Performance Testing: Core-H Speed and Capable 3D

To get a sense of what this laptop is capable of, we ran it through our comprehensive suite of benchmark tests and compared the results to those of other big-screen convertibles. You'll find their names and specs in the table below. (See more about how we test laptops.)

Productivity, Storage, and Media Tests

PCMark 10 and 8 are holistic performance suites developed by the PC benchmark specialists at UL (formerly Futuremark). The PCMark 10 test we run simulates different real-world productivity and content creation workflows. We use it to assess overall system performance for office-centric tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet jockeying, web browsing, and videoconferencing. PCMark 8, meanwhile, has a storage subtest that we use to assess the speed of the system's boot drive. Both tests yield a proprietary numeric score; higher numbers are better.

The Yoga 9i held a fairly comfortable lead in PCMark 10, with more separation from the competition than we've seen in most recent reviews. This margin won't add up to a world of difference, but the Lenovo proved demonstrably quicker at everyday tasks than its already fast peers, so you'll rarely if ever see much slowdown from multitasking. As for PCMark 8, all of these SSDs are more or less equally snappy, ensuring speedy boot and load times.

Next is Maxon's CPU-crunching Cinebench R15 test, which is fully threaded to make use of all available processor cores and threads. Cinebench stresses the CPU rather than the GPU to render a complex image. The result is a proprietary score indicating a PC's suitability for processor-intensive workloads.

Cinebench is often a good predictor of our Handbrake video editing trial, another tough, threaded workout that's highly CPU-dependent and scales well with cores and threads. In it, we put a stopwatch on test systems as they transcode a standard 12-minute clip of 4K video (the open-source Blender demo movie Tears of Steel) to a 1080p MP4 file. It's a timed test, and lower results are better.

We also run a custom Adobe Photoshop image editing benchmark. Using an early 2018 release of the Creative Cloud version of Photoshop, we apply a series of 10 complex filters and effects to a standard JPEG test image. We time each operation and add up the total. As with Handbrake, lower times are better here.

As in PCMark 10, the Yoga 9i led the pack in these three tests, though only once by big margins. Again, none of these 2-in-1s qualifies as a media workstation, but they can get the job done, and the 9i can do it slightly better than the others. 

The greater performance is likely due to the fact this is an H-Series chip, usually seen in higher-power machines such as gaming laptops. You'll note it’s faster than even the newer-generation Core i7-1165G7 in the Dell, as G-Series processors (the "G" indicates their boosted integrated graphics) don't push as much power as their H-Series cousins. The two G-Series laptops here lag behind the rest, even the older 9th Generation chip in the Yoga C940.

Graphics Tests

3DMark measures relative graphics muscle by rendering sequences of highly detailed, gaming-style 3D graphics that emphasize particles and lighting. We run two different 3DMark subtests, Sky Diver and Fire Strike, which are suited to different types of systems. Both are DirectX 11 benchmarks, but Sky Diver is more suited to midrange PCs, while Fire Strike is more demanding and made for high-end PCs to strut their stuff. The results are proprietary scores.

Next up is another synthetic graphics test or gaming simulation, this time from Unigine Corp. Like 3DMark, the Superposition test renders and pans through a detailed 3D scene and measures how the system copes. In this case, it's rendered in the eponymous Unigine engine, offering a different 3D workload scenario for a second opinion on each laptop's graphical prowess.

Many non-gaming laptops have only integrated graphics, putting their 3D performance on the, shall we say, less relevant side. The Yoga 9i (and most in this best-in-class field), however, boast moderately powerful discrete GPUs. Its Fire Strike score points to decent 3D proficiency, and 35fps in Superposition's 1080p High preset indicates modest gaming performance. Again, it won't match a true gaming laptop with a beefier GPU, but you can absolutely play real games on this system (albeit at lower settings for modern 3D titles).

Battery Rundown Test

After fully recharging the laptop, we set up the machine in power-save mode (as opposed to balanced or high-performance mode) where available and make a few other battery-conserving tweaks in preparation for our unplugged video rundown test. (We also turn Wi-Fi off, putting the laptop in airplane mode.) In this test, we loop a video—a locally stored 720p file of the same Tears of Steel short we use in our Handbrake test—with screen brightness set at 50 percent and volume at 100 percent until the system quits.

Though just short of being a chart-leader, the Yoga 9i boasts a nice, long battery life. Longer runtimes belong mostly to smaller laptops, but the Lenovo delivers all-day productivity for a commute or travel (if you're currently doing either). If you want to unplug and take the convertible to your couch or bed to surf the web or stream a movie, you don't have to worry about the battery.

---

A Complete Convertible

The big Yoga 9i doesn't do anything too out of the ordinary, but it does everything competently. It sports a quality build, a nice screen, and speedier performance than most of its peers.

On the less positive side, the design is a bit dull, and I would expect more ports on a laptop this size. Like all 15-inch convertibles, it's somewhat bulky and awkward, but that is the nature of the beast, and it's useful enough for displaying a movie or presentation in various setups. It may not be a machine you'll run out and tell your friends about in excitement, but it plays its role well.

Lenovo Yoga 9i (15-Inch) Specs

Laptop Class	Convertible 2-in-1, Desktop Replacement
Processor	Intel Core i7-10750H
Processor Speed	2.6 GHz
RAM (as Tested)	16 GB
Boot Drive Type	SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)	1 TB
Screen Size	15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution	1,920 by 1,080
Touch Screen	Yes
Panel Technology	IPS
Variable Refresh Support	None
Screen Refresh Rate	60 Hz
Graphics Processor	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti (Max-Q)
Graphics Memory	4 GB
Wireless Networking	Bluetooth, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
Dimensions (HWD)	0.78 by 13.99 by 9.39 inches
Weight	4.41 lbs
Operating System	Windows 10
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)	15:04

Best Laptop Picks

Laptop Product Comparisons

Further Reading

The Link Lonk


January 31, 2021 at 02:10AM
https://ift.tt/3pAs2Tt

Lenovo Yoga 9i (15-Inch) Review - PCMag

https://ift.tt/2ZUAnWs
Lenovo

Lenovo announces price drop on select Legion gaming PCs - Backend News

lenovo.indah.link

Technology company Lenovo recommends its gaming brand Legion for heavy workloads since it was built to withstand prolonged use. The Legion laptops’ specifications will also find their workforce match offering different features for various types of workers.

Lenovo lowered the prices of select Legion gaming devices to meet the different needs of the work-from-home or mobile workforce.

Lenovo Legion unveils latest gaming PCs

Lenovo launches rewards program exclusively for Legion device owners

For online entrepreneurs/business owners – IdeaPad Gaming 3i (now starts at P43,995 or around $915)

Through its up to 10th-generation Intel processor and up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti dedicated graphics card, Lenovo said the IdeaPad Gaming 3i can easily run all the applications business owners need. Bolstering the completion of tasks further are the up to 16GB DDR4 memory and either up to 1TB NVME PCIe SSD or 2TB HDD storage options.

For content creators – Legion 5Pi (now starts at P67,995 or around $1,400)

Lenovo’s Legion 5Pi notebook comes with a 15-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) 1080p display with up to a 144Hz refresh rate and 500nits of brightness for high quality and vivid images and videos without tearing. The display is also a Vesa-certified high-dynamic-range (Vesa DisplayHDR 400) screen that comes with 100% sRGB color accuracy, making it perfect for more realistic visualization of images while editing photos and videos.

For musicians – Legion 7i (now starts at P99,995 or around $2,000)

With the ongoing global pandemic making recording sessions difficult, musicians need a home studio setup to continue making music. For the centerpiece of the studio, Lenovo recommends its flagship notebook Legion 7i. Its specifications not only make it the new Legion lineup’s most powerful notebook for gaming but also produce the best audio through its Dolby Atmos Speaker system. It’s specifically made to provide cinema-like sound quality and contains tools that musicians can utilize to get the perfect pitch and sound.

For programmers and developers – Legion 5/5i (now starts at P52,995 or around $1,100)

Lenovo’s Legion 5 and Legion 5i (“i” is for Intel) gaming notebook for programmers is equipped with either AMD Ryzen 4000-series processor or Intel’s 10th-generation processor, the Legion 5/5i is capable of running any application that developers can think of.

For teachers and professors – IdeaCentre Gaming 5i (now starts at P49,995 or around $1,000)

The IdeaCentre Gaming 5i desktop is equipped with up to a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super dedicated graphics card. The IdeaCentre Gaming 5i is paired with any Lenovo monitor from 21.5” up to 27” (sold separately). It also comes with an up to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD for storing notes, reports, tests, and worksheets.

For 3D designers and architects – Legion Tower 5i (now starts at P69,995 or around $1,400)

The Legion Tower 5i’s Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 dedicated graphics card is capable of ray-tracing and Variable Rate Shading. Also giving the Legion Tower 5i a boost is its up to 10th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, which can reach clock speeds of up to 5.3GHz and comes with 10 cores and 20 threads for faster processing of tasks.

Buyers purchasing a Legion device until Jan. 31, 2021, will earn corresponding Empire points under the extended Empire Christmas Sale. All of the Legion devices discussed above are part of the sale, and participants buying them can get exclusive items such as a gaming keyboard, mouse, and chair upon redemption of points.

SPREAD THE WORD:

Have you read?

The Link Lonk


January 30, 2021 at 01:15PM
https://ift.tt/39x1i0A

Lenovo announces price drop on select Legion gaming PCs - Backend News

https://ift.tt/2ZUAnWs
Lenovo

ThinkReality A3 Expands Lenovo’s Leadership Position In Enterprise XR At CES 2021 - Forbes

lenovo.indah.link

Lenovo ThinkReality A3 headset.

Lenovo

I have been covering XR for many years, from both the PC and mobile perspective. One of the companies in the industry that has always been willing to take a risk is Lenovo—something I was saying about the company even before its launch of the Mirage Solo and Mirage Camera with Google. Lately, Lenovo has focused its AR efforts squarely on enterprise businesses—a sector that Lenovo knows and understands quite well. Clearly, the company believes enterprise AR products have the potential to deliver a great return on investment. The ThinkReality A6, launched by Lenovo last year, was the first of these enterprise-targeted AR offerings. I got a chance to try it out at CES 2020 and was quite impressed with the visual fidelity. I also discovered at the event that Lenovo has assembled quite the XR team–experts from some of the most innovative companies in the early XR days, such as ODG. Since then, Lenovo has continued to build out the ThinkReality ecosystem with the Lenovo Mirage VR S3, a workstation certification and a reseller partnership with Varjo. This month, at CES 2021, the company added another headset to the mix: the new ThinkReality A3.

The ThinkReality A3 is a first device of its kind that was designed from the ground up to leverage external compute to maximize the user experience on multiple platforms. While the ThinkReality A3 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 processor, it does not use it for graphical processing. It’s only meant to simplify and streamline the headset’s design. While in theory the device could be considered a standalone headset, it does not have its own power source and is much lighter than other standalone headsets. This will earn it many comparisons to nReal’s light glasses, which require a smartphone to work properly.

The headset comes in two different options: the PC Edition and the Industrial Edition. The real big deal here is that the PC Edition, connected to a Lenovo PC, can enable up to five virtual monitors and a fully virtual desktop. The Industrial Edition, on the other hand, provides the same experience to Motorola smartphones. As someone who struggles with going from multiple monitors at home to a single monitor while traveling, this could be the perfect additive PC experience. I could see this being very popular with stockbrokers or any other kind of user that craves a multiple monitor experience but doesn’t have the space for one. This likely will also be used in conjunction with platforms such as Spatial for conducting meetings and design reviews. I am excited to see how this offering accelerates the growth of XR in the AEC (architecture engineering and construction) industry, where XR is already showing benefits.

The ThinkReality A3 features dual 1080P displays with bird bath optics. Additionally, it has an 8 MP RGB camera for 1080P video passthrough between the eyes which provides a first person view of what the wearer is seeing. The front facing RGB camera is important for remote expert training or any kind of technician needing a remote expert’s opinion. The ThinkReality A3 headset also has two fisheye cameras for tracking on the outside of the headset to improve the AR experience. Because the ThinkReality A3 is only 130g in weight, it can be worn for longer periods of time than standalone headsets. The light weight and lack of battery is partly why this headset attaches to a PC or a smartphone. It uses a USB Type-C cable to connect directly to the Lenovo PC or Motorola phone.

Lenovo has already done the groundwork with Microsoft, Intel and AMD to ensure the ThinkReality A3 PC Edition, which is expected to become available first, will be compatible with as many ThinkPad laptops and workstations as possible. The ThinkReality platform will support this across multiple chipsets and also power the Industrial Edition that will attach to select Motorola smartphones. In the long run, I hope this headset will become compatible with devices from companies other than Lenovo.

MORE FOR YOU

The ThinkReality A6 is expected to launch mid-year this year for an undisclosed price, and we will continue to follow this headset as more details emerge. Things are starting to heat up in the AR industry—Lenovo coming out with a comprehensive AR solution for its ThinkReality XR platform is a welcome development.

Disclosure: My firm, Moor Insights & Strategy, like all research and analyst firms, provides or has provided research, analysis, advising, and/or consulting to many high-tech companies in the industry, including Lenovo. I do not hold any equity positions with any companies cited in this column.

The Link Lonk


January 30, 2021 at 03:39AM
https://ift.tt/3j0lVVN

ThinkReality A3 Expands Lenovo’s Leadership Position In Enterprise XR At CES 2021 - Forbes

https://ift.tt/2ZUAnWs
Lenovo