Before reviewing a new notebook, I always have one question: Why don’t laptops come with customised software features like smartphones? It made me wonder—if smartphone makers can have their unique flavours, or “skins” as they are commonly known, on top of Android, why can’t Windows laptops have similar software skins that differentiate them and offer features other skins don’t? Honestly, I never got a straightforward answer—maybe because Microsoft tightly controls the experience on notebooks. I don’t know. However, I was surprised to see how Lenovo managed to offer new customisable software features on its Slim 7i Aura Edition notebook, which was designed in close collaboration with Intel. I first briefly tried the notebook at IFA Berlin earlier this year. This time, however, I tested the device in-depth to see how Lenovo is trying to make the 7i stand out from “regular” Windows notebooks. Is it really that good? Does the rest of the notebook live up to expectations? Let’s find out.
price in India (as reviewed): Rs 1,49,990
The Yoga Slim 7i has Lenovo’s signature design DNA, which I am quite familiar with. It’s lightweight, and the build quality is excellent overall. This is a straightforward notebook, similar to a 15-inch MacBook Air. It doesn’t flip like some other Lenovo laptops, and honestly, I feel not all notebooks need a 2-in-1 design. My review unit came in a gunmetal “Luna” grey finish with a notched lid, giving it a subtle and professional look. The display is surrounded by a thin bezel, with a camera bump on top that aids in opening and closing the machine. Surprisingly, for a slim notebook, Lenovo has packed in plenty of ports on the sides. The left side features Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, while the right side houses a second Thunderbolt 4 port (allowing charging on both sides), a USB Type-A port, and a camera shutter switch.
Although the mainstream crowd will always prefer 13-inch notebooks, 15-inch notebooks still have a place in the market. The bigger screen does have its advantages (more screen real estate means better for spreading out PDFs, documents, and other files for viewing), but I have also found that a notebook with a larger screen isn’t the best companion on a plane. But the Slim 7i slips into backpack totes with ease and doesn’t weigh you down throughout the day. It’s easy to pull out in the back of a car or at a coffee shop.
Display and speakers
The 15.3-inch display (2880 x 1800p) supports a 120Hz refresh rate and multitouch capabilities. I would say the display looks fine, but Lenovo could have used an OLED display at this price point. I don’t particularly get into the deep, micro-scrutiny of displays, as many others are more qualified than I am to review these areas. I use a computer to write, edit photos, browse the web, and watch movies, and for those tasks, I really liked the display. The speakers (four of them with Dolby Atmos support) on this notebook are loud, full, and seem to come from everywhere. I use a HomePod and a Bose speaker to enjoy music, and this notebook would work as a great substitute for listening to music.
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