Is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x the most suitable Copilot+ PC for the majority of users? After evaluating it over the past several weeks, I can confidently assert that it is a strong candidate for the optimal choice. 

The Yoga Slim 7x features a slim, lightweight design, excellent battery life, and a vivid OLED display. It is among the first models in the new Copilot+ series, leading the way for AI-enhanced laptops aimed at transforming user interaction. The initial lineup of Copilot+ PCs features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips, equipped with neural processing units (NPU) that enable on-device AI, specifically Microsoft Copilot. 

Yoga Silm 7x: Specs

Price	$1,299
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100
GPU	Integrated Qualcomm Adreno graphics
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB
Display	2994×1840 16:10 3K OLED touch display
Battery (HH:MM)	14:12
DImension	12.8 x 8.8 x 0.51 inches
Weight	2.8 pounds

Yoga Silm 7x: Design

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x features a sleek and slender design, distinguished by a distinctive cosmic blue exterior. Its aesthetic bears a resemblance to the MacBook Air, particularly in the font used on the keycaps and the repositioning of the Lenovo logo centrally on the lid. This design choice is not inherently unfavourable. The new aesthetic is notably stylish, complemented by a metallic blue finish that enhances its visual appeal. 

The aluminum chassis not only possesses an aesthetically pleasing appearance but also exhibits durability. The Yoga Slim 7x has successfully undergone and passed the MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability certification, indicating its ability to endure the demanding conditions associated with daily use and transportation within a laptop bag. 

The top-firing speakers are beautifully positioned along the left and right edges of the keyboard deck, offering a delightful audio experience. On the right edge, you’ll find a convenient switch to activate the webcam shutter, giving you added privacy whenever you need it. 

Yoga Silm 7x: Ports

You’ll find two on the left side, including one dedicated for charging, and a single port on the right, conveniently located above the webcam switch. No USB Type-A ports are available. 

While this setup might work well for some users, it could pose a little trouble if you frequently use tools and accessories like an external hard drive, USB thumb drive, or an external mouse. Another great option is to consider adding a top-quality USB Type-C hub or a laptop docking station, which can give you a wider variety of ports and make your setup even more versatile.

Yoga Silm 7x: Display

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x comes with a beautiful 14.5-inch 3K (2994 x 1840) touch display, offering a truly immersive visual experience. Its visual output is sharp and vibrant, demonstrating excellent performance in our display assessments. The device encompasses 155% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, substantially exceeding the coverage of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3. 

The Yoga Slim 7x’s average SDR screen brightness was 464 nits, which is lower than that of its competitors. This is marginally below the MacBook Air M3, which measured 476 nits, and approximately 100 points lower than the Surface Laptop 7, which measured 567 nits. Nevertheless, it remains a commendable performance, surpassing the average of premium laptops, which stands at 457 nits.

The sole significant limitation I observed pertains to reflections. Even when increasing the brightness on the Yoga Slim 7x’s display, reflections are still often visible, except in front of bright white windows. This issue was particularly noticeable during low-light scenes in television shows and movies. An anti-reflective coating on the display would be preferable; otherwise, the display remains sharp and vividly coloured.

Yoga Silm 7x: Keyboard & Touchpad

I truly appreciate the keyboard on the Yoga Slim 7x! The soft touch of the keycaps combined with the smooth 1.5mm key travel and satisfying tactile feedback make typing a pleasure. On the Monkeytype typing test, I achieved a remarkable speed of 105 words per minute with 100% accuracy, representing the highest score I have obtained on any keyboard I have tested, including both laptops and standalone keyboards. 

The Yoga Slim 7x’s touchpad is also impressive. It’s large enough to use comfortably but not so big that it affects typing space. The matte surface feels soft, and it remained cool during testing. Mouse movements across it are smooth and responsive. 

Yoga Silm 7x: Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x demonstrated commendable performance in benchmark assessments, achieving scores of 2,448 in single-core and 13,750 in multi-core evaluations.. Nevertheless, the device was outperformed by the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, which attained scores of 2,809 in single-core and 14,426 in multi-core tests.

The Yoga Slim 7x exceeded the MacBook Air M3 in Geekbench 6 multi-core, but was over 600 points worse in single-core, showing its Qualcomm processor cores are weaker individually but perform better together.  

Yoga Silm 7x: Gaming Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is not designed as a gaming computer; however, it is capable of handling casual gaming effectively. In the benchmark of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm at 1080p resolution, it achieved an average of 20.8 frames per second. This performance exceeds that of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (5792), which recorded 20.6 fps, yet it is considerably lower than the MacBook Air M3, which attained an average of 41 fps in the same game. 

Yoga Silm 7x: AI Features

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a Copilot+ PC, featuring a Neural Processing Unit and locally running Microsoft’s Copilot AI platform. It ranks among the top performers in the initial group of Copilot+ laptops, particularly within the more affordable segment. 

It achieved a score of 2,910 in the CPU segment and 2,312 in the GPU segment of the Geekbench ML benchmark. Both scores outperform the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and even the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, which features the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100   CPU. 

With AI performance, you can enjoy a range of Copilot AI features such as live captions, Studio Effects, Cocreator, and everyday generative AI and chat tasks. I particularly loved the live captions feature on the Yoga Slim 7x. It’s great for generating subtitles for any audio on your device, and it even offers translation. While the captions might not always be flawless, Copilot does a pretty good job with clear audio. 

Cocreator is an image generation tool accessible locally via the Paint application. Users may initiate the process with a personal doodle or sketch, which Cocreator will then complete. Additionally, for text-based image generation, the Copilot feature operates locally; users need only to press the Copilot key on the keyboard and input their desired prompts. 

Studio Effects is a valuable tool for individuals who regularly participate in video calls or Zoom meetings. It employs artificial intelligence to locally generate various video effects, including automatic framing, eye contact correction, background blurring, and several creative enhancements.

Yoga Silm 7x: Battery Life

The Yoga Slim 7x demonstrates robust battery performance; however, it does not surpass some of its competitors. It achieved an impressive duration of 14 hours and 14 minutes in our battery life assessment, exceeding the standard full-day usage needs and significantly surpassing our average for premium laptops, which is 10 hours and 8 minutes. 

Yoga Silm 7x: Webcam

The Yoga Slim 7x features a convenient Full HD IR camera with Windows Hello Face ID sign-in support, making it easy to unlock your device securely. It also comes with a built-in privacy shutter that you can easily toggle on or off from the right edge of the keyboard deck, giving you peace of mind whenever you need it.

The Yoga Slim 7x’s webcam performs well. While my test video appeared slightly soft, it wasn’t blurry. Using Windows Studio Effects’ “Portrait Lighting” feature enhanced the overall image quality. The microphone quality is satisfactory and suitable for daily video calls.

Yoga Silm 7x: Verdict

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x offers seamless performance, robust battery life, and an array of AI functionalities within a lightweight and stylish chassis at an equitable mid-range price. It represents an excellent all-purpose Windows 11 laptop suitable for both students and professionals. Although it does not rival purpose-built gaming laptops, it is capable of supporting casual gaming activities. 

Even if you’re not specifically searching for an AI PC, the Yoga Slim 7x is a worthwhile option. Its Snapdragon X Elite CPU provides reliable, smooth performance for daily activities such as browsing the web or media streaming, complemented by on-device AI features like Microsoft Copilot. Additionally, it offers a top-notch typing experience and a vibrant OLED display. 

If you are seeking a Windows-based alternative to the MacBook Air, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x merits consideration on your shortlist. It competes closely with the MacBook Air M3 in overall performance, with minor limitations such as graphics processing. In summary, at a price point of $1,300, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x presents an excellent option, offering a compelling introduction to the innovative realm of AI personal computers.

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 ($1,399 starting price) is a refined evolution, making subtle yet significant improvements over its predecessor and reinforcing its position as one of the top 2-in-1 laptops available.

This premium convertible features a 14-inch OLED touchscreen display, the performance of Intel’s 13th Generation Raptor Lake processors, and sufficient battery life to sustain a full day of work or academic activities. Additionally, it includes a stylus and carrying sleeve, rendering it an attractive option for mobile creative professionals. However, the stylus is now more prone to misplacement, as the Yoga 9i no longer possesses an integrated charging compartment for convenient storage when not in use.

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Price 

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 was released in 2023, with an initial price point of $1,399. You can choose between the stylish Storm Grey or the warm Oatmeal color options. As a special bonus, each unit includes a black active stylus and a grey fabric sleeve at no extra cost, making it an even more exciting purchase!

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Design

Our Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 review unit possesses a sleek and smooth surface, characterised by rounded corners that contribute to the premium feel of the machined aluminium chassis. Lenovo highlights that rounded edges improve tablet comfort, which is accurate. When the screen is flipped back to lay flat, the Yoga 9i Gen 8 proves to be exceptionally comfortable to hold, considering it is a 14-inch laptop.

The device may not resemble an iPad at first glance; nonetheless, with dimensions of 12.52 x 9.06 x 0.6 inches and a weight exceeding 3.09 pounds, it remains relatively slim and lightweight. The Yoga 9i is marginally lighter than the previous 13.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360, a consistent frontrunner in the category of premier 2-in-1 laptops. Nonetheless, Lenovo’s high-end 2-in-1 remains slightly thicker and/or heavier compared to competing 14-inch models such as the Acer Swift 5 and the Acer Spin 5.

Excluding measurements in ounces and inches, the Yoga 9i represents an excellent selection for individuals seeking a Windows laptop that can be utilised as a tablet with comparable ease. The provision of the stylus and carrying sleeve enhances the value of the device for users who plan to use it on the go.

Nevertheless, the fabric loop on the laptop sleeve, designed to hold the stylus, does not replace a dedicated built-in charging compartment. Previous iterations of the Yoga 9i featured a designated garage for the stylus integrated within the laptop, allowing for secure storage and charging when not in use.

The garage was dismantled several iterations ago, and the laptop is less valued for its absence. While the stylus remains included at no additional cost and can still be charged via a USB-C cable, what was once a sleek feature that enhanced the device’s value has now become a convenience that may be overlooked and forgotten.

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Ports

The Yoga 9i Gen 8 is equipped with multiple USB-C ports, a single USB-A port, and a headphone jack, but lacks additional features. This setup represents the basic connectivity expected from a contemporary ultraportable, sufficient for an average workday. However, unlike the Swift 5 and Spin 5, it doesn’t include HDMI ports.

Nevertheless, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8’s port array is sufficient for most needs. On the left side of the device, there is 1x USB-A port and 2x USB4 ports. On the right side, there is a 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x USB-C port, and the power button.

Positioning the power button on the side of the laptop, akin to a large tablet, is a logical design choice considering it is intended to be held similarly on occasion. However, it is important to note that the location of the power button on the side of the laptop may require a period of adjustment, as there exists a potential risk of inadvertently putting the Yoga laptop to sleep or powering it off while manipulating a USB-C cable or folding the device.

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Display

The 14-inch 2.8K 90Hz OLED touchscreen on our Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 looks vivid and vibrant, with striking colours that might tempt touch them. Nonetheless, I was hesitant to contact the Lenovo Yoga 9i’s display, apprehensive that my unclean fingers might damage its aesthetically pleasing surface.

I quickly moved past this concern and found that using a simple microfiber cloth along with avoiding finger foods helped keep the reflective display clean. The result was fantastic: movies, images, and games looked stunning on our Yoga 9i Gen 8 review unit’s 2.8K OLED touchscreen, thanks to its vibrant colors and sharp contrasts.

The display promptly detects inputs from Lenovo’s included stylus, and I appreciated utilising it for gaming and movie navigation after work, particularly when the laptop was configured in a tent-like position on my desk.

Display Testing

The outcomes of our laboratory examinations corroborate my personal experience. When you use a Klein 10-A colorimeter on the Lenovo Yoga 9i’s display, it shows an average brightness of 353 nits, reaching a peak of 356 nits in the upper-left corner of the screen. This is below Lenovo’s specified peak brightness of 400 nits, and also inferior in luminance to its predecessor, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 (364 nits), which was tested with a comparable 2.8K OLED touchscreen.

	Brightness (nits)
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8	353
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7	364
Acer Swift 5	457
Acer Spin 5	480

Regarding color accuracy, the review unit of our Yoga 9i Gen 8 exhibits highly saturated visuals for specific reasons. It attained 200.6% of the sRGB color gamut and 142.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (where 100% denotes the most accurate reproduction, and higher values indicate more vivid colours), with a Delta-E score of 0.39 (where values closer to 0 signify greater accuracy).

	sRGB gamut	DCI-P3 gamut	Delta-E
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8	200.6%	142.1%	0.39
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7	194.9%	138.1%	0.29
Acer Swift 5	131.7%	93.3%	0.23
Acer Spin 5	130.1%	92.1%	0.32

These numbers are surprisingly high compared to most laptops we’ve tested, but they’re exactly what I’d expect from the Lenovo Yoga 9i, especially since last year’s model scored similarly (194.9% sRGB, 138.1% DCI-P3). To give you a better idea, these results are significantly better than what we saw on the less saturated screens of competitors like the Swift 5 (131.7% sRGB, 93.3% DCI-P3) and Spin 5 (130.1% sRGB, 92.1% DCI-P3).

In summary, the new Yoga 9i features a vibrant OLED display that looks impressive but is hard to read in direct sunlight. It’s ideal for watching movies or browsing online, but for tasks requiring precise color accuracy, options like the Swift 5 or MacBook Pro 14-inch are better suited. 

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Performance

The 13th Gen Intel CPU in our Lenovo Yoga 9i review unit provides ample power for my daily tasks, which include switching between numerous Chrome tabs, streaming music, and occasionally watching videos. It also handles light gaming well, although more demanding, graphics-intensive games will challenge its capabilities.

In the Geekbench 5.6 multi-core CPU benchmark, it achieved a score of 9,954, surpassing its predecessor’s score of 7,150. Additionally, it is closely comparable to the Acer Swift 5 (9,859) and Spin 5 (10,040), which is noteworthy considering that both utilise the same, albeit somewhat outdated, 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor as the previous Yoga 9i Gen 7.

Throughout the remaining test results, a consistent pattern appears: the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 is a notable upgrade from its previous version, yet it struggles to match the competitors’ performance. 

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Gaming Performance

While the Yoga 9i lacks a dedicated graphics card and the additional power associated with premium gaming laptops, it is still capable of providing some entertainment.

We typically test nearly every laptop with the Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark because it’s compatible with most systems, including Macs and PCs. The Yoga 9i Gen 8 scored a respectable 25 frames per second, outperforming many ultraportables and its predecessor, which scored 22 fps. Nevertheless, both the Acer Spin 5 (28 fps) and Swift 5 (25 fps) achieved performance levels equal to or better than the Yoga 9i.

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Keyboard & Touchpad

The keyboard on the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 is ergonomically designed for comfortable typing, featuring well-spaced keys that span the entire width of the device. While the key travel of the Yoga 9i is similar to what you might expect from a 14-inch laptop, the keys themselves offer a delightful and responsive tactile feel that makes typing more enjoyable.

Below the keyboard, there’s a generously sized trackpad that functions smoothly. In my testing, it reliably registered every swipe, enabling seamless navigation of Windows 11 through gesture controls. Additionally, it consistently recognised all click presses, no matter where I tapped on the surface. 

Yoga 9i Gen 8: Verdict

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 is a top-tier 2-in-1 laptop that radiates high-end quality. Its smooth, rounded aluminium edges, combined with the bright OLED screen above the punchy speaker grille, give this device a refined and stylish appearance.

This convertible not only appears aesthetically pleasing on a desk; it is sufficiently swift for everyday tasks conducted at home, in a coffee shop, or within an academic setting. Priced starting at $1,399, it is competitively positioned against laptops and 2-in-1 devices that lack comparable visual and auditory appeal. Additionally, the inclusion of a stylus and carrying sleeve with every Yoga 9i enhances its value.

Nevertheless, the fact that Lenovo no longer integrates a charging dock into this laptop diminishes the utility of the stylus and elevates the likelihood of its loss. Although our Yoga 9i review unit is comprehensive and attractive, it still lags behind competitors in several key areas.

The display is notably dimmer but much richer in colour compared to other similarly priced and sized rivals like the Acer Spin 5 and the Acer Swift 5. Interestingly, both of these models also outperform our Yoga 9i in both raw CPU performance and video editing tasks, even though they are priced competitively and feature older CPUs than the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 in our review unit. Additionally, they both lasted longer than the Yoga 9i during our battery rundown test, reflecting a trend among many of the ultraportables we evaluate today.

If you’re looking for a sleek Windows 2-in-1 with an included stylus that performs well in both class and conference settings. In that case, I highly suggest the Lenovo Yoga 9i — just be aware of its drawbacks along with its advantages. 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 is one of Lenovo’s more basic laptops, which isn’t necessarily a drawback. For a reasonable price, users get adequate performance for everyday use, a wide range of ports, and about twelve hours of battery life. 

This particular laptop is available through various retail outlets at a broad spectrum of prices, ranging from as low as $299 to slightly above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, depending on the retailer. Such a fluctuation in pricing elucidates the rationale behind our stance that the decision to purchase this device is best summarized by the phrase “It depends.” As an alternative, we endorse the highly regarded Acer Aspire 3, which offers a more consistent pricing structure.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Price and Availability

The 15-inch 15IRU9 variant of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia; however, similar to most Lenovo products, it is offered in slightly different configurations depending on the territory. For example, the most affordable model of this laptop, priced at $539.99, is available in the United States, whereas the higher-performance models are accessible in other regions.

Although the highest configuration may seem a bit pricey, mainly because of the additional storage, the more affordable options are an excellent choice for anyone who simply wants a sleek, lightweight laptop that doesn’t feel cheap.

You might also consider options like the Acer Aspire 5, which provide a bit more in performance and battery life. However, keep in mind that it has fewer ports and is nearly half a pound heavier than the IdeaPad Slim 3i, so it’s all about finding the right balance for your needs.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Specs

	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 base configuration	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 review configuration
Price	$549	$699
Processor	Intel Core 3 100U	Intel Core 5 120U
GPU	Intel Graphics	Intel Graphics
RAM	8GB	16GB
Storage	256GB SSD	1TB SSD
Display	15.6-inch FHD, 1920 x 1080, touch	15.6-inch FHD, 1920 x 1080, touch
Ports	1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack	1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x USB, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
Weight	1.62 kg (3.57 lbs)	1.62 kg (3.57 lbs)
Dimension	14.15 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches	14.15 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches
Operating System	Windows 11 Home	Windows 11 Home

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Design

It’s delightful to see that a laptop priced under $1,000 can come in such a lovely shade beyond the usual black-to-white gradient. The IdeaPad Slim 3i truly stands out with Lenovo’s charming Abyss Blue colour, breaking the monotony and adding a splash of personality.

It’s blue and refreshing, not as cool as it sounds. Its curved edges and Lenovo logo welcomed me as I lifted the lid.

The blue colour carries on inside, complemented by a grey keyboard that adds a subtle contrast. There’s a vent above and a small blue touchpad below, creating a cohesive look. The display’s bezels are slim, and I appreciate the small lip at the top that houses the webcam and privacy shutter, giving it a nice touch of design.

At 3.5 pounds and dimensions of 14.15 x 9.25 x 0.7 inches, the IdeaPad Slim 3i exceeds its competitors in size; however, this should not be considered a drawback. The Slim is among the limited number of recent notebooks in the sub-$1,000, 15-inch category that we have examined.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Ports

Ironically, the higher the price of a product, the fewer ports it tends to include; therefore, be assured that the IdeaPad Slim 3i offers a sufficient array of ports.

Port-wise, you’ll appreciate the nice assortment available, including an HDMI port and an SD card reader—features that aren’t always found in this level of computer. Of course, it also includes the usual USB-C and USB-A ports, along with a headphone jack, making it quite convenient.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Display

Many high-end laptops can sometimes have challenges with display quality, so a budget laptop like the IdeaPad Slim 3i understandably might not shine in this area. This is quite common and familiar to many users. Its 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 display that offers a somewhat bright image; however, it appears as though the colour saturation has been significantly diminished.

In the Borderlands trailer, the brightly blue, polygon-shaped artefacts in the vault seem more like a cool projection rather than something tangible. The visuals overall feel a bit muted, and the contrast creates a soft white glow that washes over the cloudy skies above the rugged crew.

It’s difficult to become fully immersed when a scene lacks sufficient colour or contrast to emphasise key elements. Don’t purchase this laptop expecting a cinematic experience.

With a brightness of 310 nits, the IdeaPad Slim is adequately lit—neither too dim nor too bright. The average brightness in its category is 386 nits. It outperformed the Chromebook Plus 14a, which measures 289 nits, and was close to the Yoga 7i at 314 nits. Meanwhile, the Swift Go 14 achieved a high brightness of 389 nits.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Keyboard and Touchpad

The act of dancing across the keyboard of the IdeaPad Slim 3i served as a reminder of how limited key travel results in a less satisfying typing experience. Consequently, I was eager to seek a new typing partner at the earliest opportunity.

Even though it was a bit disappointing, I managed to hit 81 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, matching my usual average. The keys have a slight bounce to them, but the short key travel helps make up for that, keeping things satisfying overall.

The 4.1 x 2.7-inch touchpad, made of standard plastic, offers a sharp click. While it’s less durable than I anticipated, it remains fairly smooth for a budget laptop.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Performance

In terms of performance, the expectations for the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i are modest, as it is not designed to operate demanding applications such as high-end gaming or professional editing software. Should such capabilities be required, alternative models with greater power should be considered, as this device does not meet those specifications.

Its primary function is to efficiently manage everyday tasks, including web browsing, streaming, email correspondence, and word processing, all of which it accomplishes satisfactorily. This laptop is intended for users who require a basic computing device at an accessible price point.

While I was using it, I could easily handle 15 browser tabs open, including some streaming, without much slowdown, apart from a quick refresh when switching tabs. The most affordable setup, with a 6-core Intel Core i3 100U CPU and 8GB of RAM, might start to feel a bit slow after a couple of years, since its internals are already somewhat limited. However, the review model, equipped with a 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM, should offer you about an extra year of smooth use before it begins to feel sluggish.

Since this device resembles an Ultrabook but is more of a budget laptop, it involves some compromises. The webcam, for example, is adequate but limited to 720p @ 30 fps, making it neither very sharp nor very smooth. Additionally, it shows a slight grain in low-light conditions.

Furthermore, the audio performance is notably unimpressive. Although this is somewhat characteristic of budget and mid-range laptops, it is important to highlight. The sound lacks substantial bass and high-end detail, resulting in a boxy, mid-range quality reminiscent of audio transmitted through a phone. Given the prevalence of streaming content on laptops today, it is unexpected that the audio quality remains subpar.

Finally, it’s worth noting that, similar to most budget laptops, this one includes some pre-installed software. 

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Battery Life 

With a benchmark of six hours and nearly 15 minutes, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i offers decent battery life for casual use on the go. It’s perfect if you need to do some light work, but it might fall a bit short for a full workday without needing a recharge. 

When you compare it to many slim and light laptops, especially Ultrabooks—which tend to be more expensive—this performance isn’t quite as impressive. The only models that generally outlast it are gaming laptops with dedicated graphics cards and some older models, which you probably wouldn’t consider in the same category.

Fortunately, the device offers rapid charging capabilities, enabling users to quickly enhance battery life through a brief connection to a power outlet. I managed to recharge the battery from 55% to a sufficient level in approximately 40 minutes. Consequently, if one wishes to remain untethered while working or watching television, there is adequate battery power available, and a swift recharge can be accomplished during a short break.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: Verdict

Although the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is classified as a budget laptop, this does not imply that it must be of inferior quality. The performance and display are satisfactory; while not exceptional, they are acceptable given the affordable nature of the device. It is important to recognise that certain compromises are inevitable when selecting a cost-effective laptop.

Had the battery life exceeded eight hours, it would have elevated the Slim 3i to a superior echelon; however, at slightly over six hours, it remains among the shortest durations observed for non-gaming laptops in recent memory.

Consider choosing the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024). For just $100 extra, you’ll enjoy longer battery life, a vibrant display, and significantly better performance. It’s a great deal compared to the alternative and worth saving up for.

Even with a significant discount, one might discover options superior to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i.