Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 overview: an reasonably priced OLED laptop computer

I reviewed the Slim 7i Gen 9 with an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H chipset, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14.0-inch Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) OLED show. That configuration can be obtainable at Costco for $1,000 in late March or early April, and it presently prices $1,116 within the Lenovo retailer. The bottom configuration prices $900 with a Core Extremely 5 125H and 16GB of RAM.

Lenovo’s design sensibilities have modified within the final a number of years, with its iconic ThinkPad black-on-black aesthetic making approach for extra trendy approaches. The corporate has all the time supplied various designs in its mainstream laptops, specifically the Yoga and Slim lineups, and now it’s additionally bringing some continuity.

The Slim 7i Gen 9 is constructed across the 28-watt Core Extremely 7 155H, probably the most ubiquitous Meteor Lake chipset to hit laptops in 2024. It’s a 16-core (six Efficiency, eight Environment friendly, and two Low Energy Environment friendly), 22-thread chipset working at as much as 4.8 GHz. It makes use of Intel’s newest built-in graphics, Intel Arc, that fall someplace between the older Intel Iris Xe graphics and entry-level discrete GPUs.

In our suite of benchmarks, the Slim 7i Gen 9 is likely one of the quickest machines we’ve examined with the Core Extremely 7, at the very least amongst comparable thin-and-light laptops. It’s considerably quicker than the previous-gen 28-watt Intel Core i7-1360P and even the 45-watt Core i7-13700H.

The Slim 7i Gen 9 was significantly spectacular within the PCMark 10 Full benchmark, which runs CPU- and GPU-intensive exams. Its rating within the Creation portion of the benchmark that makes use of the GPU was aggressive with laptops working discrete GPUs.

The Slim 7i Gen 9 did all this whereas remaining comparatively cool and quiet. The followers spun up in efficiency mode, however had been fairly muted, and the chassis by no means obtained greater than heat to the contact. It’s a laptop computer that may sort out demanding productiveness duties with out working up a sweat. Its Intel Arc efficiency could be excellent for the category, but it surely’s nonetheless not a gaming laptop computer or one which’s going to please creators who depend on quick GPUs to get their work completed.

Whereas the Slim 7i Gen 9 impressed in its efficiency, it was disappointing in its battery life. OLED shows are typically power-hungry, though Lenovo included a lower-resolution Full HD+ panel that ought to save considerably on juice. However the 65 watt-hour battery simply wasn’t sufficient.

In our web-browsing check, the Slim 7i Gen 9 managed simply six hours, a disappointing rating in comparison with most trendy laptops, which hover round eight hours. The Asus Zenbook 14 Q425 hit 12.5 hours, or twice as lengthy, and the M3 MacBook Air 13 managed a whopping 19.5 hours. The Slim 7i Gen 9 was much more disappointing when looping our check video, hitting simply 6.5 hours. That’s about half the common and effectively behind the Zenbook’s 18 hours.

You’ll be pulling out your charger quickly after lunch.

The Slim 7i Gen 9 is the second 14-inch laptop computer I’ve reviewed with an FHD+ (1920 x 1200) OLED show. The Zenbook 14 Q425 is the opposite, and that’s fairly a bit decrease decision than most others I’ve reviewed with 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED panels. I like sharp textual content, and so this wasn’t my favourite show, however some folks gained’t discover the distinction. Sadly, whereas the low-res show helped the Zenbook hit wonderful battery life, that wasn’t the case right here.

Even so, based on my colorimeter, it is a high quality show. Brightness was excellent at 420 nits, and colours had been vast at 100% of sRGB, 95% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of DCI-P3, with wonderful accuracy at a DeltaE of 0.9 (lower than 1.0 is indistinguishable to the human eye). The distinction was extraordinarily excessive, as regular for the expertise, with inky blacks. The refresh fee was decrease at 60Hz — many comparable laptop computer shows are working at 120Hz.

Audio duties are carried out by 4 audio system, two upward-firing and two downward-firing, which I discovered to be surprisingly quiet at full quantity. Mids and highs had been positive, and there was even a contact of bass. However the audio system weren’t the most effective I’ve heard in 14-inch laptops. That distinction seemingly applies to the MacBook Air.

The Slim 7i Gen 9 would have been a standout laptop computer a number of years in the past, providing class-leading efficiency and an OLED show at midrange and near-budget pricing. In the present day, it faces much more competitors, and it’s held again by lesser battery life.

Even so, there’s so much to love. The keyboard and touchpad are excellent, the chassis is solidly constructed, and it appears good. At its worth of $1,050, it provides an excellent configuration. I may give it a advice, and if Lenovo pushes a configuration to round $800, it’ll fee even larger.

Editors’ Suggestions