The right amount of everything makes a laptop stand out from its competition. Something similar has been cooked up by Lenovo with its 2023 Yoga 9i, which stuns you in every way possible, well, except for a few things here and there. In simple terms, the latest Yoga 9i by Lenovo is everything a flagship laptop should aim to be. It is the benchmark, but does it justify the price tag of ₹1.7 lakhs? Let’s find out –
Design – All-Rounder Treat
The one aspect where the Yoga 9i definitely stands out is the design. It is a 2-in-1 laptop designed to impress in both its form factors, be it folded or unfolded. The design language of the Yoga 9i is sleek and brings in solid business vibes. Granted, the design is pretty much similar to the previous iteration of the Yoga lineup, but the round edges are something Lenovo has perfected over the years. I spend a big chunk of my working hours writing content where my wrist rests at the laptop’s edge for hours at a time. I did not feel any discomfort while typing on the Yoga 9i for long hours, which is a treat given the typing experience is horrible in nearly all major modern laptops.
There is ample port availability in the Yoga 9i which is surprising given all business laptops tend to chop them off. On the left side, we have two Thunderbolt 4 ports coupled with a USB Type-A port. On the right side is another USB Type-C port which is not Thunderbolt or USB 4, which can be disappointing for some users. The right side also consists of a headphone jack and the power button. Yes, the power button! Perhaps one design decision I do not understand about the Yoga 9i is the awkward position of the power button; the rest is top-notch!
Display & Sound: A Movie Lover’s Heaven
One of the first things I’ve done on my Yoga 9i is watch films at an unhealthy rate. The crisp OLED display is capable of producing some jaw-dropping visuals with all its 4K prowess. The 14-inch 3840 x 2400 display shines all on its own when folded, and watching films and shows in the OLED glory is nothing short of a cinematic treat. In the few weeks I’ve been using this laptop, it has become a staple part of my friends’ circle for Saturday night meetups where we sit down and watch sports or films on it without having to worry about using additional speaker setup.
The Yoga 9i is equipped with Bowers & Wilkins 360-degree rotating soundbar, which is loud, to say the least! It comes with a surprisingly powerful bass which cannot be seen on any other laptop I’ve tested so far. Lenovo has managed to integrate two 2W tweeters into the hinge and two 3W woofers down at the bottom. Ultimately, the Yoga 9i is a powerhouse when it comes to media consumption.
Performance: Just One Complaint
When it comes to the performance of the Yoga 9i, there is not much to complain about. We have the latest 13th Gen Intel i7-1360P here, which is coupled with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The 16GB RAM is soldered in the system and cannot be upgraded, which could be an issue for some users. In my usage of the laptop, 16GB RAM was more than enough to carry out all my work and media consumption activities. However, what we have here is Intel’s integrated graphics system. The lack of a dedicated graphics card cements the fact that the Yoga 9i is indeed a business convertible laptop at its heart and core. While no one is pitting the 9i against a gaming laptop in this price category as it serves a different purpose altogether, a dedicated graphics card would solidify it as the best laptop in the market for this year, undoubtedly.
Verdict
There is a lot to love about the Yoga 9i. However, it is clearly not a machine that is aimed at gaming enthusiasts, including casual gamers. If you’re in the market for a laptop that screams flagship with its looks and aesthetics, then the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the one for you.
What’s Good
Display
Performance
Speakers
2-in-1 prowess
What’s Bad
Intel Integrated Graphics
What’s Ugly
N/A
