Full Review: Lenovo Yoga 7i 14”

The hybrid work era is truly upon us. Regardless of your profession and industry, this setup is becoming increasingly popular. This is no different for creatives and content creators who value bringing their visions to life and also value portability and flexibility. This is where the features of the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14” shine as a two-in-one laptop that can be used as a tablet as well. However, you want to bring your vision to life, this laptop has got you covered. Read on to discover more. 

Design and build

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 14” has an aluminum body that sports a sleek matte finish. The Yoga branding can be found at the back, which seems to be etched onto the body. It’s quite subtle, which I really like about the design. This model comes in 2 colorways: Storm Grey and Tidal Teal, the latter of which was the color of the unit I had the chance to test. I have to say, I am a big fan of this colorway because it adds a bit of flair without being over-the-top or too flashy. 

Its chassis can rotate a full 360 degrees to transform into tablet mode. The flexibility of the hinge allows the device to go on tent mode as well. Whichever mode you’re in, you can unleash your inner da Vinci given its compatibility with the Lenovo Precision Pen 2. With it, you can draw, take notes or simply navigate at whichever viewing angle is most comfortable. The entire Yoga lineup comes in various display sizes, but I prefer the 14-inch especially when in tablet mode. I enjoyed the writing and doodling experience, but I’ll leave it to the actual artists to maximize this device’s capabilities. 

For improved grip comfort especially while in tablet mode, it features rounded edges and polished Comfort Edge design. This is very much welcomed since while in tablet mode, I found myself more likely to handle it by the corners, rather than the side as to avoid touching the keyboard or touchpad (Don’t worry, both the keyboard and touchpad are disabled while in tablet mode).

Speaking of the keyboard, it’s backlit and contains 6 rows which include all of the function keys. Although it lacks a number pad, I personally prefer this size since I tend to favor 75% to Tenkeyless (TKL) sized keyboards for desktops. It’s also important to remember the market this device targets. Creatives might not even need a number pad considering the main function of their roles have little to do with data entry, so they might tend to favor a more compact design. 

Below the keyboard is where the touchpad is located which has a considerable amount of surface area as its dimensions are 70 x 120 mm. I feel like this is more than enough especially given the 14-inch form factor. Two 2W speakers can also be found on either side of the keyboard. These speakers are optimized with Dolby Atmos, which allow users to adjust their audio settings and create their own sound profiles. 

The Yoga 7i also features a 1080p IR and RGB hybrid webcam that provides a clearer and more crisp picture. It also comes with a built-in privacy shutter, which is something I appreciate about this laptop. Other laptops at this price-point fail to include this feature. I am also a fan of the design of the shutter itself. You can find a mini slider on top of the bezel instead of actually on it, which allows for a cleaner look on the bezel itself.

The power button is located on the right, next to a microSD Card reader and a solo USB 3.2 port. Personally, I would’ve liked to see at least one more USB 3.2 port on the device, but it more than makes up for it with the two (2) Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left side. They are located on the same side as the solo HDMI port and the headphone and microphone 3.5mm combo jack. 

Display

For those in the creatives industry, a quality display is a must and should never be overlooked. Fortunately, the Yoga 7i has various display options that offer clear and vivid images. The different options can be found below:

2.8K OLED	90hz	400 nits
WUXGA/1080p+ OLED	60hz	400 nits
2.2K IPS	60hz	300 nits

Whichever option you choose, the Yoga 7i’s display also sports a 16:10 aspect ratio to maximize the 14-inch screen. It has TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification as well which allows for less strain on the eyes, and Dolby Vision which provides a more immersive viewing experience. 

All these features allow you to truly appreciate how vibrant and sharp the images on the display are. Whether you are editing your own videos, watching Youtube, or catching the latest releases on Netflix, the Yoga 7i’s display will not disappoint. The experience is sure to be smooth and enjoyable. 

Performance

Under the hood, the Yoga 7i is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core processor: the i7-1360P to be exact, which is Intel Evo certified. It is coupled with the Intel Iris Xe Graphics to support the graphics performance. It also contains 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and A 512GB SSD. 

This combination of specs allows for demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling and even some light gaming. We did benchmarking on this device through Cinebench R23 and these were our results:

Multi-core – 7,651

Single-core – 987

Apart from the benchmarking, I also tested the performance on modern Esports titles such as Valorant and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. I’m delighted to report that I was getting way over 100 FPS in these games (important to note that these two games are CPU-dependent). 

Given the need for multitasking in any profession, the Yoga 7i can definitely get the job done. While writing this very review, I had several tabs open for email, Youtube, social media and work, without the performance suffering. 

Lastly, the Yoga 7i is equipped with a 71Wh battery, as well as Rapid Express Charge, which allows you to gain 3 hrs of battery life in 15 mins – perfect if you need a quick charge before leaving home. 

Lenovo’s after-sales services

Lenovo has two after-sales policies that are very pro-consumer, in that should you encounter any problems with your device, they will be there to assist you during the entire process. 

Lenovo Premium Care, which is a three year warranty policy, gives you access to Lenovo’s technicians who can provide solutions and comprehensive support for any problems you may encounter with your device along the way. They offer 24/7 chat support through email, phone and WhatsApp as well. 

Should your issues require more than remote troubleshooting, you can schedule appointments for on-site support, instead of having to take valuable time from your day to visit a service center. They can provide high-level hardware support but also attend to any inquiries you may have regarding software. 

Lastly, Lenovo offers an annual PC Health Check, which allows the experts to check your system and quickly resolve any issues you may have difficulty spotting yourself. 

The device also comes with 3-Year Accidental Damage Protection. Should your device experience unforeseen incidents such as drops, spills and accidental failures, Lenovo will offer in-person assistance through trained technicians who will diagnose the problem and repair it using Lenovo-qualified parts. 

If your device is not damaged beyond repair, then it will be returned to you. However, should all hope be lost and repairs are deemed impossible, the device will be replaced free of any additional charge. 

Verdict

All things considered, Lenovo really nailed it when it comes to the 2-in-1 form factor with the Lenovo Yoga 7i. All you aspiring artists, designers and content creators will get a feature-packed machine that offers a ton of versatility, without having to break the bank. You will not only be purchasing an impressive machine, but also an after-sales experience that is meant to support you throughout your creative journey.   

The 8th Generation Lenovo Yoga 7i is now available in the Philippines from your nearest authorized Lenovo store from ₱79,995.00.