Review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, An Intel Copilot+ PC

The Yoga laptop faced challenges with general tasks, as its performance scores on the PCMark 10 benchmark were comparable to first-generation Core Ultra scores. Remarkably, its performance on the Geekbench 6 test was 40 percent lower than a typical Snapdragon X-powered laptop and 20 percent below the average Core Ultra 1. Although no significant sluggishness was observed during testing, power users who frequently open multiple browser tabs may experience some slowdown. On a positive note, since it operates on Intel’s x86 architecture, the system avoids the app compatibility issues experienced by Snapdragon machines using ARM architecture.

While broad conclusions about CPU performance should not be drawn from a single laptop, the observations provide an initial perspective.

The rest of the laptop delivers a solid, though not standout, experience. The screen lacks brightness compared to other laptops but performs adequately under typical viewing conditions. The keyboard, featuring gently concave keys, offers a responsive typing experience. The touchpad is sensitive, and the four speakers, with Dolby Atmos support, deliver excellent sound quality. However, it is noted that the fan activates quickly under load and can become quite loud.

Regarding battery life, the Yoga achieved over 12 hours of runtime during a full-screen YouTube playback test, outperforming most other Intel-based machines. Nonetheless, laptops equipped with Snapdragon chips exceed Intel significantly in this area. For instance, a common benchmark for Snapdragon X Elite systems is approximately 15 hours, and one Snapdragon X Plus system achieved 19 hours in testing. Intel has yet to pose a significant challenge to Apple silicon in terms of battery performance.

Priced at $1,300, the Yoga Slim 9i is not a budget option but offers competitive value given its overall performance, design, and usability. While it’s uncertain if Lunar Lake will be the transformative development Intel hopes for, it indeed represents progress.

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