Lenovo Yoga 9i 15 review: A powerful convertible lacking some features that would make it truly great
Source: Windows Central
Like its C940 predecessor, the convertible Lenovo Yoga 9i focuses on premium build and features available in two sizes. With my Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 review completed, I turned to the larger and more powerful Yoga 9i xv. Whereas the 14-inch model was a bonafide Ultrabook with Intel Evo platform certification and stellar battery life, the xv-inch model instead attempts to combine two roles. Thanks to a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card (GPU) and Intel H-series processor (CPU), the Yoga 9i 15 combines upkeep gaming laptop operation with the convertible stylings familiar to the Yoga lineup. I've been using the laptop for nearly a week to get a good idea of who it's for and whether or not it'due south worth a buy.
Performance And Looks
Lenovo Yoga 9i fifteen
Bottom line: Not a lot has changed in the movement from the C940, only the Yoga 9i 15 is still ane of the best convertibles on the market for media consumption. HDR display with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and an overall height-notch build quality come together in an impressive laptop. And that's without mentioning the functioning you lot get from Intel H-series CPU and dedicated NVIDIA GPU.
Pros
- Defended NVIDIA GPU and Intel H-series CPU
- Soundbar swivel with Dolby Atmos sound
- Premium aluminum build quality
- HDR display with Dolby Vision
- Integrated active pen for inking
Cons
- No IR camera
- Touchpad could exist larger
- Port selection express
- 16:9 attribute ratio
- Short bombardment life
Lenovo Yoga 9i 15 at a glance
Source: Windows Central
Lenovo supplied Windows Central with a review unit of the Yoga 9i 15. This convertible laptop sits at the tiptop of the pure Yoga lineup in terms of both size, price, and performance. Within the review unit is a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H CPU with six cores, 16GB of DDR4-2933MHz RAM (soldered, and then no style to upgrade after purchase), 1TB Grand.2 PCIe NVMe solid-land drive (SSD) that tin can exist upgraded after buy, and dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti GPU with 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
It has a xv.half-dozen-inch IPS touch display with a glossy finish, 16:nine aspect ratio, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Lenovo claims it reaches up to 500 nits effulgence. There is also a 4K UHD version of the laptop with generally the aforementioned specs, albeit a higher 3840x2160 resolution. Opting for the extra pixels tacks on, in nearly cases, about an actress $150.
The verbal review model I'thousand testing costs about $1,740 at Lenovo before any of the frequent coupons and discounts. Checking out Best Purchase, the same configuration costs about $i,800.
Post-obit are the exact specs institute in the review unit.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Home |
| Processor | tenth Gen Intel Core i7-10750H 6 cores, 12 threads Up to v.0GHz |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4-2933MHz Soldered |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 VRAM Defended |
| Storage | 1TB Thou.2 PCIe NVMe SSD Upgradeable |
| Display | fifteen.6 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) Touch on, IPS 16:9 aspect ratio Dolby Vision VESA DisplayHDR 400 |
| Ports | USB-A 3.ii (Gen 1) Two Thunderbolt 3 3.5mm sound |
| Audio | Four 2W speakers Soundbar swivel Downward-firing speakers Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Camera | Front-facing 720p Privacy shutter |
| Keyboard | White backlight Number pad |
| Touchpad | Precision |
| Security | Fingerprint reader |
| Battery | 69Wh |
| Dimensions | xiii.99 x 9.39 x 0.69-0.78 inches (355.5mm x 238.5mm x 17.5-nineteen.7mm) |
| Weight | 4.41 pounds (2kg) |
| Color | Slate Grey Aluminum CNC |
All-aluminum build
Lenovo Yoga 9i fifteen design and features
Source: Windows Primal
The Yoga 9i 15 looks a lot like its smaller xiv-inch sibling, merely blown up in size and finished with a Slate Grey color. It weighs in at 4.41 pounds (2kg) and is but 0.69 inches (17.5mm) thin at its smallest betoken. This keeps it in the portable category, and information technology is, in fact, lighter than some of the best xv-inch laptops, like the XPS 15 9500 at four.5 pounds.
The Yoga 9i 15'southward blueprint remains mostly unchanged from the C940.
Both the lid and base are made entirely from machined aluminum for a strong overall experience. The lid is rigid and holds upwardly well to beingness rotated around 360 degrees, and the main portion likewise has virtually no flex at all. The finish on the laptop is quite shine and hides fingerprints well. Information technology birthday feels expensive thanks to the weight and rigidity, which is what you want from a laptop at this price.
Sitting between the lid and base is a soundbar hinge that is at present iconic to the premium Yoga line. It contributes to the overall robust audio, complete with two more down-firing speakers on the laptop's bottom front edges. Tweeters and woofers are tuned with Dolby Atmos for an even meliorate listening experience.
The design allows you to hear unmuffled audio no matter how you're using the laptop — notebook, tent, stand, or tablet — and turns the laptop into an attractive option for watching movies and TV. It's still not going to be the centerpiece of your commencement mail service-pandemic political party due to a lack of deep bass, but you and a friend can easily cozy upwardly in forepart of information technology without wanting extra speakers. As a hinge, the soundbar is bright, with merely enough grab to not let the rather weighty lid flop effectually in, say, a moving vehicle. Rotation is smooth and without wiggle.
Despite the larger chassis, the Yoga 9i 15 doesn't add whatsoever ports. You get two Thunderbolt 3 (no 11th Gen Intel chip here for Thunderbolt four), USB-A 3.ii (Gen ii), and a iii.5mm audio jack. The USB-A port resides next to the recessed power button on the laptop's right side, while all other ports reside on the left side. Instead of the included active pen having its garage on the back edge, it fits into the device'south right side. Lack of HDMI and the single USB-A port might shock some people coming from an older 15-inch laptop, but this design is common. Pick up one of the best Thunderbolt 3 docks to solve any connectivity problems.
A full keyboard with three-stage (off, vivid, brighter) white backlight stretches from border to edge. A number pad is included for easier productivity. Like the 14-inch Yoga 9i, the larger model benefits from a TrueStrike keyboard pulled from Lenovo's Legion line. Keys have ample travel and a soft landing for an overall comfortable typing experience. Note that the Page Up and Page Down keys are combined with Up and Down arrow keys, which I know is a pet peeve for some who blazon all day.
The Precision touchpad has a drinking glass surface and tracks well, but like the smaller laptop, the click feels a scrap hollow. The 15-inch model's touchpad is the aforementioned size every bit the xiv-inch model, which means a considerable amount of space is non existence utilized. When almost premium laptops are going the way of huge touchpads, Lenovo could have expanded here.
Source: Windows Central
Above the display is a front-facing 720p Hd camera that does a fine chore for nigh video conferencing needs. No IR camera for facial recognition has go a regular feature in many laptops in this cost range. There is, nonetheless, a tiny photographic camera shutter for added privacy. You can still access Windows Hullo biometric security thanks to a fingerprint reader embedded in the right-hand palm residuum, well out of the way of your typing mitt. It's snappy and had me logged in without effect each time I used it.
FHD and UHD options
Lenovo Yoga 9i 15 brandish and inking
Source: Windows Fundamental
Lenovo advertises two display options for the Yoga 9i 15, one FHD and one UHD. I tested the former, which has listed upwardly to 500 nits effulgence, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR 400. Testing with a SpyderX Pro colorimeter, the display actually topped out at just 405 nits brightness. That even so hits the HDR 400 mark, but it's 100 nits beneath Lenovo's claim. Every bit for color reproduction, I got back 98% sRGB, 76% AdobeRGB, and 80% DCI-P3.
The combination of Dolby Vision display and Dolby Atmos sound makes the Yoga 9i 15 an platonic movie machine.
The picture does look groovy while watching movies and TV, even at the FHD resolution. If yous're planning on using the Yoga 9i 15 for some gaming, this is besides the smarter way to go. The GTX 1650 Ti volition fare far better at 1080p than at 4K. On the other hand, UHD at xv.6 inches is a huge pace up, and those with the upkeep for the $150 premium should seriously consider the upgrade. Battery life will endure, but equally we'll see, y'all won't be getting through a workday without needing a charge anyway.
Lenovo needs to motion abroad from the glossy terminate, especially on its convertible machines. You tin use the Yoga 9i 15 in a ton of different positions, which tin can cause glare issues if yous're working in a well-lit room. A motility to using anti-reflective displays would exist grand. And on that note, the 16:ix aspect ratio is becoming a matter of the by. I wouldn't exist surprised to see the adjacent generation of Yoga 9 devices moving on to 16:10, especially now that a number of ThinkPads are going the way of a boxier display.
Source: Windows Central
I do love the integrated agile pen that comes with the Yoga line. It's an elegant way of keeping the pen nearby and charged at all times, though the tradeoff is the thinner pencil style rather than, the bulkier pen style. Inking feels natural thanks to 4,096 levels of force per unit area sensitivity, and anyone who likes to jot down notes or sketch graphs should notice it suitable.
Dedicated GPU
Lenovo Yoga 9i 15 performance and bombardment
Source: Windows Central
One of the major differences between the Yoga 9i 14 and the 9i 15 is the level of performance hardware inside. The larger laptop has more than infinite inside, and information technology's taken up by a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti GPU and Intel H-series Core i7-10750H CPU (you tin can as well go up to a Core i9-10980HK CPU if you demand the extra power). Add upwardly to 16GB of soldered RAM at checkout — more than is better here since you tin can't upgrade after buy — and accept your option of One thousand.2 SSD that tin can be upgraded down the road.
This turns the Yoga 9i into a laptop that is as comfortable playing movies and music as it is handling a very acceptable gaming experience. Combined with the FHD display, the laptop tin power well-nigh modernistic games at acceptable frame rates, if with lowered in-game specs. Information technology's besides great for editing and specialized tasks that rely more than on graphics ability. Think of gaming as more of a bonus than a main objective, and you shouldn't be disappointed.
The tradeoff due to the laptop non having as bulky a chassis as a gaming laptop is thermal throttling when you really push button the system. That's with dual fans that are noticeably loud. If you accept the laptop plugged in and set to performance mode under Lenovo'southward Q-Command, the fans will run full tilt while gaming or otherwise taxing the system. At least the aluminum torso does a good job of dispelling heat.
Every bit for full general productivity work, like word processing, heavy web browsing, photograph editing, and email, the Yoga 9i 15 won't have any bug. I ran some synthetic benchmarks to see exactly how the laptop stacks up to others nosotros've recently tested and reviewed.
The Yoga 9i 15 has a 69Wh bombardment, 9Wh more the smaller Yoga 9i 14 without dedicated GPU and H-series Intel CPU. That translates to most 4 or five hours of life for general productivity work, shortened considerably when gaming. You're going to be able to watch at least a couple of movies on one charge, just you will want to keep the AC adapter nearby if you're heading to the office or plan on using the laptop for a longer gaming session. On that notation, the Air conditioning adapter is relatively bulky and uses the proprietary rectangular Lenovo input. Information technology makes sense due to the college power demands of the H-series CPU and defended GPU.
Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga 9i 15?
Source: Windows Central
Who information technology's for
- Anyone who wants operation in a higher place a standard Ultrabook
- Anyone who wants a laptop for watching Television set and movies
- Anyone who wants a convertible laptop
- Anyone who wants to spend more than than $1,500
Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants a dedicated gaming laptop
- Anyone who wants a brandish with boxier attribute ratio
- Anyone who wants all-day battery life
- Anyone who wants varied port choice
Looking at some of the xv-inch convertible contest out at that place, the Yoga 9i 15 has some strengths and weaknesses. Our HP Spectre x360 xv review lays out a stellar 4K OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction, IR camera, wider port selection, larger battery, and like performance hardware. However, information technology has no soundbar hinge and arguably not as comfortable a keyboard. There'south besides no integrated active pen with garage built into the chassis. Prices are similar, with Cadre i7/GTX 1650 Ti models starting around $1,400.
Moving to the Surface Volume 3 15, it's the right option if you'd like a true ii-in-1. The brandish portion detaches and becomes a tablet, while the base of operations portion houses the bulk of the performance hardware. It'south a adept pick if you desire actress performance from either a GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q or Quadro RTX 3000 GPU. It too comes standard with a beautiful loftier-res display in a 3:2 attribute ratio. Cheque out our Surface Book 3 15-inch review for all the details.
As for the Yoga 9i 15 against its smaller 14-inch sibling, the choice should come down to whether or non you desire the extra defended GPU performance and larger display. Performance between the tenth Gen Intel Core i7 and 11th Gen Intel Cadre i7 is similar, and the newer flake actually wins out in single-core performance. Every bit for graphics, the GTX 1650 Ti trumps the integrated Iris Xe in the fourteen-inch model. However, the Yoga 9i 14 has far better battery life and is a lot more mobile, thanks to the smaller size. It's also a great laptop for media consumption, and information technology costs less.
The Yoga 9i xv got a balmy refresh to motility from its C940 branding, and though information technology's missing some premium features that are mutual at this level of pricing, information technology's withal a fantastic convertible for watching TV and movies. Information technology also has the ability for gaming, though information technology shouldn't be purchased primarily as a gaming machine.
If y'all prefer the convertible form factor, want a xv-inch display, and dear what Lenovo does include hither — like the soundbar hinge, all-metal build, and HDR display — it should be a laptop that satisfies. If it'southward not quite what you're looking for, be certain to take a look at our all-time Windows laptop roundup for fashion more options.
Operation And Looks
Lenovo Yoga 9i 15
The Yoga 9i 15 remains an excellent selection for anyone with productivity and media consumption in listen despite the mild refresh. It could benefit from a more all-encompassing overhaul in the next generation to put itself ahead of the competition.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/lenovo-yoga-9i-15
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