Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X evaluation: A feature-laden Yoga different for creators that prices lower than you may suppose

September 5, 2022

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Lenovo introduced the Slim 7 Professional X earlier this 12 months as a brand new addition to its laptop computer household. The Slim lineup could be seen as a substitute for the Yoga model, although there’s some crossover in naming. On this case, the Slim 7 Professional X could be in comparison with the Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 7) that I additionally reviewed, although the Slim laptop computer focuses extra on interesting to creators who want a succesful laptop computer that continues to be transportable.

The Slim 7 Professional X shares some design cues from the brand new Yoga laptops — just like the rounded consolation edges and full aluminum chassis — regardless of not having any convertible skills. And as for efficiency, the Slim 7 Professional X’s discrete NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU and Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU are forward of the built-in graphics and U-Sequence chips within the smaller Yoga 7i (Gen 7).

Does it make the minimize as one of many greatest Lenovo laptops on the market? I have been utilizing the Slim 7 Professional X for the final couple of weeks to see the place it excels, the place it wants some work, and, in the end, whether or not or not it is value your cash.

Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X: Value, availability, and specs

Lenovo equipped Home windows Central with a evaluation unit of its Slim 7 Professional X. This particular mannequin has a 35W AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS Creator Version processor (CPU) with 8 cores and 16 threads, 32GB of LPDDR5-6400MHz dual-channel built-in RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and discrete NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU with 4GB of VRAM.

There’s solely the one 14.5-inch contact IPS show possibility out there, however it’s stacked. It has a 3072×1920 (3K) decision, 16:10 facet ratio, 120Hz refresh charge, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and extra. You possibly can select between AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS or Ryzen 9 6900HS Creator Version CPUs, 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB or 1TB SSD. The NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU is the one discrete possibility and is available in all configurations.

This is a take a look at the precise specs present in my evaluation unit.

	Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X
OS	Home windows 11 Dwelling
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS Creator Version
RAM	32GB LPDDR5-6400
	Twin-channel, soldered
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop computer (4GB)
Storage	1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Show	14.5 inches, 16:10 facet ratio, contact, IPS, shiny, Dolby Imaginative and prescient
	3072×1920 (3K), 400 nits, 100% sRGB, 120Hz refresh charge, TÜV Low Blue Mild, TÜV Eyesafe
Ports	Two USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2), two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), 3.5mm audio
Audio	Twin 2W audio system, Dolby Atmos
	Twin array microphone, noise-canceling, Lenovo Voice Assistant
Wi-fi	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Digital camera	IR + FHD hybrid, ToF sensor, webcam shutter
Safety	Firmware TPM 2.0, IR digital camera, webcam shutter
Battery	70Wh
Dimensions	12.92 x 8.72 x 0.63 inches
	(328.2mm x 221.4mm x 15.9mm)
Weight	From 3.2 kilos (1.45kg)
Shade	Onyx Gray
Materials	Aluminum

This precise mannequin could be discovered at Costco for about $1,300. It may also be configured at Lenovo’s official web site for about $1,765. Different fashions beginning with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and RTX 3050 GPU value about $1,320 at Lenovo.

The present upside of purchasing at Lenovo’s official web site is the power to configure particular {hardware} to your liking. However should you’re trying to max out {hardware} choices, Costco is at present by far the most effective vendor. Lenovo will probably function some huge reductions (because it virtually at all times does) sooner or later.

There’s additionally an Intel model of the laptop computer. The Slim 7i Professional X is at present out there with as much as a twelfth Gen Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5-5200MHz RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU, and the identical 14.5-inch show. It begins at about $1,595 at Lenovo.

Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X: What I like

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

The Slim 7 Professional X acquired the identical chassis therapy because the Yoga model’s newest refresh; rounded, clean edges make it simpler and extra snug to carry onto, and the CNC-machined aluminum used for the lid and keyboard encompass ensures that every thing suits collectively completely. There is a little bit of a wedge form that tapers towards the entrance, much less noticeable on a laptop computer with out a lid that rotates round 360 levels. There is a small Lenovo badge on the lid and a large consumption vent on the underside, however apart from that the end is uniform.

The Slim 7 Professional X is a pleasure to make use of due to its assortment of high-end options, together with human presence detection, Atmos-tuned audio system, FHD webcam, and comfy keyboard.

For a laptop computer with RTX 3050 discrete laptop computer GPU and sizable cooling to deal with the Ryzen 9 6900HS, measuring 0.63 inches skinny is not a nasty factor. Weight begins at 3.2 kilos (1.45kg), which once more is respectable for an all-metal laptop computer with this degree of {hardware} inside.

Opening the lid (which could be completed with one hand) reveals a backlit keyboard that I’ve now used fairly a bit after reviewing the Yoga 7i 14 and 16 (Gen 7) and the Yoga 6 (Gen 7). Cupped keys have only a little bit of grit to them, and journey is nice sufficient that you just should not expertise any typing fatigue. Flanking the keyboard are 2W audio system with Dolby Atmos. You possibly can tune for various Atmos eventualities (voice, music, film, and so on.) throughout the Vantage app, and it does make an enormous distinction. You get extra quantity, extra bass, and better highs. Voices are straightforward to listen to whereas on calls, and tunes sound nice once you want a little bit of accompaniment whereas working.

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

Above the show is a 1080p (FHD) webcam with IR hybrid for facial recognition by way of Home windows Good day. The digital camera’s image is obvious and offers nicely with publicity; you shouldn’t have any issues utilizing it for frequent video conferencing. The array’s Time of Flight (ToF) sensor gives human presence detection skills, successfully making your laptop computer safer in public areas. If you happen to stroll away it robotically locks, and once you method it robotically unlocks because the IR sensor scans your face.

A dual-array microphone has noise canceling baked proper in for clearer calls, and it helps Lenovo’s Voice Assistant (LVA) function should you like giving instructions with out touching the PC.

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

The 14.5-inch contact show within the Slim 7 Professional X is among the first to have Lenovo’s new PureSight branding. This designation requires a display screen to have not less than a 2.5K decision with 90Hz refresh charge, 100% sRGB coloration replica, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and TÜV Low Blue Mild certification.

Lenovo has gone past its personal necessities right here, providing up a 3072×1920 (3K) decision with 16:10 facet ratio, 120Hz refresh charge, TÜV Low Blue Mild and TÜV Eyesafe certifications, and an anti-fingerprint coating to cut back smudges. Animations are tremendous clean on the full 120Hz, and the boosted decision makes for a crisp image.

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

That is the only real show possibility out there with the Slim 7 Professional X, nevertheless it’s a pleasant compromise between FHD and 4K. Not going all out with 4K OLED undoubtedly retains the fee down, although I am certain some creators will want for the total bundle.

I measured coloration replica and brightness with my SpyderX Professional colorimeter. The display screen hit 99% sRGB, 75% AdobeRGB, and 76% DCI-P3, in addition to managing 435 nits brightness on the peak and a pair of.7 nits on the minimal. I might wish to see higher AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 coloration for creators on the market, however the sRGB replica will however swimsuit lots of people. Slim bezels encompass the display screen, and there is hardly any chin beneath for a contemporary look.

Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X: A be aware on AMD efficiency

This is among the first laptops we have examined with AMD’s Ryzen 6000 cellular CPUs. Prior to now, we have seen some AMD laptops cut back system efficiency for higher battery life, as Government Editor Daniel Rubino wrote about final 12 months. All the things from CPUs to GPUs to SSDs have been getting nerfed on DC energy, whereas Intel techniques weren’t having the identical difficulty (although, basically, battery life wasn’t nearly as good). There’s probably not a “correct” strategy to arrange a laptop computer’s energy management, however AMD wasn’t precisely making the efficiency drop evident to customers.

This was most evident in Ryzen 4000 and Ryzen 5000 chips, and I used to be curious to see whether or not AMD had made up any floor with its Ryzen 6000 {hardware}. The quick reply? You are still going to see efficiency drops within the CPU, GPU, and SSD on battery energy. You possibly can see how the AC and DC outcomes examine within the graphs beneath.

Picture 1 of 7

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

Picture 1 of 7

Even with Home windows 11 set to Greatest Efficiency and Lenovo Vantage set to Excessive Efficiency, Geekbench 5 multi-core scores nonetheless noticed a couple of 2,500 level drop. That is not insignificant. Likewise, SSD learn speeds have been almost minimize in half on DC energy, with write speeds shedding out on greater than 1,000MB/s in comparison with AC energy.

Cinebench R23 AC and DC outcomes have been a lot nearer matched, and I feel this represents significantly better the precise really feel of the laptop computer. I repeatedly used the laptop computer on DC energy whereas testing basic use and did not actually discover a slowdown. I think about a heavier workflow involving specialised apps would endure extra, however filling spreadsheets, phrase processing, picture modifying, and heavy internet searching all went easily on battery energy. Lenovo markets the laptop computer as a PC for “content material creators on the transfer,” however they may, in lots of circumstances, wish to convey an AC adapter alongside for the trip.

Total efficiency from the Ryzen 9 6900HS even on AC energy is a bit underwhelming in a few of the benchmarks. This may need to do with Lenovo’s new “X Energy” tuning that balances warmth and efficiency for the CPU and GPU. The laptop computer runs very quietly even underneath load, however I think the CPU is not being allowed to hit its full potential in some circumstances. Observe additionally that this isn’t a gaming laptop computer regardless of the discrete GPU. The system is geared for productiveness, and any of the greatest gaming laptops will ship a significantly better expertise.

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X benchmark

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

So … efficiency nonetheless takes a a lot bigger hit on DC energy with AMD in comparison with Intel, however what’s the tradeoff for battery life? I examined first utilizing Home windows 11’s Greatest Efficiency and Lenovo’s Clever Cooling profiles. With these situations, the Slim 7 Professional X managed 6 hours and seven minutes in PCMark 10’s Trendy Workplace rundown. Observe that this was with the display screen set at a 120Hz refresh charge.

I ran the take a look at once more with the Home windows 11’s Balanced profile and Lenovo’s Battery Saver profile, which robotically alter display screen brightness, disables Dolby Audio, and extra. I additionally lowered the show’s refresh charge to 60Hz. With these situations, the Slim 7 Professional X’s battery lasted 10 hours and 25 minutes.

Actual-world battery life will not be fairly nearly as good, however you must nonetheless anticipate someplace between 6 and 10 hours relying in your workload. I discovered that it takes about 75 minutes to completely cost the battery with the supplied 100W AC adapter.

Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X: What I do not like

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

I really like the development of big touchpads that Lenovo has keyed in on with most of its 2022 laptops. Pointing is straightforward with a lot area, as are dealing with Home windows 10 shortcuts. The one downside right here is that the press feels only a tad hole. Nothing egregious, however the Yoga touchpads appear to be firmer when urgent down all the way in which.

Because of the AMD platform, Thunderbolt 4 (which is an Intel creation and have to be licensed) is sadly lacking. There are as a substitute two USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) ports with knowledge, DisplayPort 1.4 and Energy Supply 3.0 to deal with exterior shows and equipment.

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

You will not be capable to benefit from a highly effective Thunderbolt 4 dock, however you will nonetheless simply be capable to hook up with a typical laptop computer dock. Different ports embody two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) and a 3.5mm audio jack. Having HDMI and an SD/microSD card reader can be an ideal addition to the Slim 7 Professional X, particularly because it’s marketed as a creator laptop computer.

The show gives contact performance, and together with it you get a shiny end. This causes some points with glare, and a matte or anti-reflective end can be a significantly better match.

Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X: Competitors

HP Pavilion Plus 14

HP Pavilion Plus 14 (Picture credit score: Daniel Rubino)

Lenovo gives an Intel model of the identical laptop computer, which is virtually an identical save for the twelfth Gen Intel Core H-Sequence CPUs. A mannequin with Core i7-12700H chip, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB M.2 SSD begins at about $1,595 at Lenovo, so you may be paying fairly a bit extra in comparison with the AMD fashions. I wish to have been capable of take a look at the AC vs. DC efficiency on the Intel laptop computer as nicely; sadly, I did not obtain an Intel unit for testing.

If we wish to take a look at one other 14-inch laptop computer with Core i7-12700H and discrete GPU, we additionally lately reviewed the HP Pavilion Plus 14. Government Editor Daniel Rubino known as it “the most effective $1,000 you possibly can spend on a strong OLED laptop computer proper now.” It is out there with Intel’s twelfth Gen U-, P-, and H-Sequence processors, with costs beginning at simply $799. The two.8K OLED display screen is there for individuals who need the most effective coloration and distinction potential, and you will get NVIDIA MX550 or RTX 2050 discrete graphics. The i7-12700H got here out simply forward of the Ryzen 9 6900HS in Geekbench exams, although the AMD platform got here out forward in PCMark 10 and Cinebench R23.

Dell’s Inspiron 14 Plus is one other contender. A mannequin with Core i7-12700H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU, 16GB of DDR5-4800MHz RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD, and 14-inch 2.2K show with 300 nits prices about $1,150. It has a greater port choice, together with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and a microSD card reader, although it falls behind relating to a few of the high-end options like human presence detection, show decision (and Dolby Imaginative and prescient), and total design.

Our roundup of the 20+ greatest Home windows laptops has a bunch extra choices to select from if none of those are fairly what you are in search of.

Do you have to purchase the Lenovo Slim 7 Professional X?

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X review

(Picture credit score: Home windows Central)

Who it is for …

Those that want a transportable laptop computer with discrete GPU
Those that devour media, edit photographs and movies
Those that wish to spend about $1,300 on a strong laptop computer
Those that respect additional options like human presence detection, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Imaginative and prescient

Who it is not for …

Those that need an OLED show
Those that need a greater port choice, together with HDMI, SD card reader, or Thunderbolt 4
Those that desire a true gaming laptop computer

The Slim 7 Professional X is positioned as a non-convertible different to the Yoga model, nevertheless it additionally packs in a discrete GPU and AMD’s Ryzen HS-Sequence processors for boosted efficiency. It has a number of downsides, like the dearth of Thunderbolt, HDMI, and SD card reader, in addition to the ho-hum battery life and shiny show end. However total it is a well-rounded laptop computer, particularly for the asking worth.

Contemplating you will get an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for about $1,300, this laptop computer is little question going to draw lots of people who want some additional efficiency in a compact construct. And that is with out mentioning all the additional options.

The 14.5-inch show has a 3K decision and 120Hz refresh charge, in addition to Dolby Imaginative and prescient and a bunch of certifications to make it simpler on the eyes. Human presence detection mixed with the IR digital camera and FHD webcam make for an ideal consumer expertise, and the top-firing audio system with Dolby Atmos produce high quality audio. Uncooked efficiency from the CPU is not jaw-dropping, however it will probably maintain its personal for many workflows exterior of specialised work.

If you happen to’re probably not into the convertible Yoga model however however need one thing with an identical design and want that additional efficiency, the Slim 7 Professional X is value testing.

The Slim 7 Professional X is a Yoga different with discrete NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop computer GPU and AMD’s Ryzen 6000 HS-Sequence CPUs. It is plenty of laptop computer for the asking worth and will enchantment to creators.

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