Lenovo’s 14-inch Yoga 9i laptop computer is an absolute magnificence, in and out. Prior to buying this beautiful system a month in the past, I used to be utilizing Lenovo’s Flex 5 as my every day laptop computer. I’ll point out upfront that I liked my Flex 5 and always talked about how nice it was with family and friends, which solely emphasizes the Yoga 9i’s grandeur.
Each the Yoga 9i and the Flex 5 are 2-in-1 convertibles, that means they will perform as a conventional clamshell laptop computer and a pill, due to their rotating, 360-degree hinges. Past that, these two laptops are totally different in nearly each manner.
The Yoga 9i is about two-to-three occasions costlier than the Flex 5. By default, which means the interior specs are higher with extra RAM, storage, and a more moderen processor. Whereas I actually take pleasure in these improved specs, they don’t play any important half in why I imagine the Yoga 9i is a remodeling titan.
The Yoga 9i’s 4K OLED show is completely attractive
I haven’t chosen a personalised desktop wallpaper but, so proper now, I see a group of photographs that got here with the Yoga 9i. And actually, these photographs are so vibrant and delightful that I’d simply be lazy eternally and by no means change it. Each time I shut out of no matter I’m engaged on and I see the desktop background in all its 4K OLED glory, I’m amazed by how crisp and vivid the colours are. I really feel like I used to be dishonest myself from greatness for years with a puny 1080p decision.
1080p is a fairly customary decision for laptops, and whereas I used to be utilizing my Flex 5, I didn’t have any complaints. It’s solely while you evaluate a 1080p decision to a 4K decision side-by-side that you simply discover how a lot you’ve been lacking out. Contemplating the quantity of occasions I’ve mentioned “Wow” to my husband concerning the coloration vibrancy, I’d say the Yoga 9i’s show is my favourite characteristic. By the best way, if you happen to’re trying to swap out your boring ol’ 1080p laptop computer for 4K goodness, try our greatest 4K laptops web page for some stellar choices.
I really like the general design and the keyboard
One of many first design variations I observed between the Flex 5 and the Yoga 9i was the keyboard. On the Flex 5, there’s a speaker to the proper and left of the keyboard, inflicting the keyboard to be a bit smaller general, with keys nearer collectively. Because the Yoga 9i has a rotating soundbar at its hinge, there’s extra room to stretch out the keyboard.
The sting-to-edge keyboard is barely recessed in order that the keys don’t contact the show when it’s closed. Additionally, there are some useful perform keys on the right-hand aspect, like a straightforward toggle button, between the laptop computer’s cooling modes.
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i has a sleeker design general in comparison with the Flex 5. Its aluminum chassis seems to be and feels extra clean and shiny. The curved edges and corners are additionally aluminum — and so they have lustrous finishes you may see your reflection in.
The Yoga 9i is simply about half a pound lighter than the Flex 5, however for some cause, it seems like there’s extra of a distinction. As somebody who regularly takes a laptop computer to the library or a espresso store to work, I really like how light-weight the Yoga 9i is.
The audio system sound superior, particularly for a laptop computer
Any laptop computer I’ve ever tried to take heed to music on sounds terrible. Even when a laptop computer has a Dolby Atmos speaker system, the sound high quality is lackluster. With the Yoga 9i, this isn’t the case — and I’m totally impressed.
After I performed a track on YouTube to try it out, I felt like I used to be listening to a premium Bluetooth speaker. Whereas lots of laptops have Dolby Atmos audio system or worse, Lenovo’s Yoga 9i has a rotating soundbar with audio system from Bowers & Wilkins, an award-winning model identified for distinctive sound. You possibly can hear the highs, the lows, and all the things in between, whether or not you’re listening to a track, a TV present, or a online game.
I performed the identical track on my Flex 5 to see how a lot better it was, and I felt a bit of embarrassed for my poor, outdated Flex 5 as a result of it sounded muffled and monotonous.
I additionally liked the design and placement of the rotating soundbar. As a result of the soundbar is on the Yoga 9i’s hinge, you get the identical nice sound whether or not you’re utilizing it in laptop computer mode, tent mode, or pill mode.
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i has the most recent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth variations
Virtually each new iteration of smartphones, laptops, or another techy system has help for the most recent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth variations. As of right this moment, the latest Wi-Fi variation is Wi-Fi 6; for Bluetooth, it’s Bluetooth model 5.2. Lenovo’s Yoga 9i helps each Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 networks. My outdated Lenovo Flex 5, nonetheless, solely helps Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2.
When you’re unfamiliar with the variations between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, in addition to Bluetooth 4.2 and 5.2, right here’s a short comparability. Wi-Fi 6 is ready to join extra gadgets with a larger vary and velocity in comparison with Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.2 has improved audio capabilities, a bigger vary, and double the info transmit velocity of Bluetooth 4.2.
That mentioned, your different gadgets with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities must additionally help the most recent variations with the intention to reap all the advantages. For instance, in case your laptop computer helps Wi-Fi 6, however your router doesn’t, you’re not going to expertise elevated vary and velocity. Fortunately, all of the gadgets I exploit regularly additionally help the most recent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth variations, so I’m a completely future-proofed gal!
The 1080p webcam stands out in a world of 720p webcams
Many laptops, together with my earlier Flex 5 mannequin, have a 720p webcam decision. Plenty of exterior webcams you’ll come throughout max out at 720p, regardless that 1080p is (and has been for some time) an inexpensive, viable choice.
To be honest, there are laptop computer customers who preserve the webcam privateness shutter on nearly completely, and by no means discover a want for the webcam. This cohort has, in fact, decreased over the previous few years, with extra folks needing entry to a practical webcam to make use of with Zoom or Google Meet for varsity, work, and even private chats with household and pals. Even if you happen to solely want a webcam a couple of times a month, it’s price it to spend money on a laptop computer with a 1080p webcam.
When you take a look at a 1080p webcam subsequent to a 720p shooter, it’s form of gross. The 1080p webcam on my Yoga 9i is a lot crisper and brighter in comparison with my outdated Flex 5. Generally, a grainy image is usually a good factor, like while you’re having a nasty pores and skin day, however for probably the most half, a 1080p decision is preferable. There are even laptops on the market which have beautiful 4K webcams, however these are out of my value vary and 1080p is a superb improve for me.
Bonus: You get 3 months of Xbox Recreation Move at no cost!
After I purchased my new Yoga 9i laptop computer from Lenovo, I obtained three months of Xbox Recreation Move at no cost. Though Xbox Recreation Move is already an ideal deal, I’ve been laying aside attempting it as a result of I’ve so many video video games in my backlog. However when it’s free, I simply must strive it. That’s the way it works, proper?
I’ve already downloaded two or three video games, and even completed one, which is uncommon for me lately. There are a ton of superior video games out there on Xbox Recreation Move and I’m in all probability going to proceed paying for the service after my trial. The month-to-month value in comparison with what number of nice video games you will have entry to is actually a ridiculous deal.
This bonus of a three-month trial isn’t simply out there for the Yoga 9i, but it surely’s not out there for each laptop computer Lenovo affords. Plenty of Lenovo’s Legion laptops provide a free one- or three-month trial, however you’ll must browse the corporate’s web site to seek out which particular deal is connected to every laptop computer.
