I've tested dozens of work laptops – but I'd take this Lenovo to the office everyday

Lenovo’s new Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 doesn’t aim to dazzle you with flashy features or a flashy display. Instead, it focuses on what matters most for a work computer: delivering dependable performance with the flexibility that a 2-in-1 design provides. 

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I’ve been testing the Yoga 7i for the past couple of weeks, and it reminded me a lot of the Dell 14 Plus, a laptop that recently won ZDNET’s Editors’ Choice award. The two possess several similarities, although Lenovo’s machine has certain features that give it an edge over its contemporary. And I would argue that these differences make the Yoga 7i a better fit for some.

Top-tier productivity 

Similarities begin with its performance. Inside the Lenovo laptop is an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of RAM, and an integrated Intel Arc graphics card. I ran my usual set of benchmark apps to see how the Yoga 7i runs in certain situations. Below is a list comparing the device to the aforementioned Dell 14 Plus and the Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1 Aura Edition — a Lenovo laptop from the same family.

Looking at the numbers, you’ll notice that Yoga 7i’s performance isn’t too far off from the Dell 14 Plus, even beating it in PCMark 10. That program tests a computer’s ability to handle jumping between apps, browser windows, and social media pages, among other things.

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These numbers were reflected in my 50-tab tests. Lenovo’s laptop was able to handle multiple 4K live streams, GIFs, and Amazon listings — at first. The device slowed significantly when I reached 35 open tabs, and the hardware slowed down significantly. I should also mention that Lenovo’s model came close to beating the Dell machine in Geekbench AI, which tests how well a computer can support LLMs (large-learning models).

It earned a top score of 27,858, while the other device peaked at 27,912. What’s interesting about these numbers is that my Dell 14 Plus review unit housed better hardware, sporting an Intel Core Ultra 258V and 32GB of RAM. Despite the difference in hardware, these two laptops perform at a similar level. 

It’s possible the larger size enables more thermal headroom, as my review unit didn’t heat up during testing. Regardless, I thought the Geekbench AI results were worth highlighting. Battery life was pretty solid, too. It ran for about 17 hours straight on a single charge under Best Power Efficiency mode before tapping out.

Pure comfort

True to its name, the Lenovo Yoga 7i has a 16-inch, 2K touchscreen. The size gives users a large workspace and view for multimedia content. However, its output is a little underwhelming. It lacks robust visual enhancing software apart from 45% NTSC Dolby Vision, and brightness is stunted at a max level of 300 nits.

On the plus side, the screen supports TÜV Low Blue Light, which reduces the amount of harmful blue light that is emitted.

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Traveling with the device can be difficult. The Yoga 7i is pretty chunky, clocking in at 4.23 pounds. However, it’s only 0.69 inches at its thickest, so it does fit comfortably inside most bags. Lenovo even gave its machine rounded edges, which allows for more comfortable carrying. 

Plus, it’s pretty durable, since it’s made primarily out of aluminum. The metal allows the laptop to handle the rigors of the road.    

Speaking of design, I love what Lenovo did with the keyboard. It was designed with speed and comfort in mind. The keys have a travel distance of 1.5mm, enabling fast typing while also reducing hand fatigue. I typed for a couple of hours, and hardly felt any stress on my fingers.

Each keycap is concave, meaning it directs your fingers to the middle for maximum comfort. Plus, each one is protected by an “anti-oil and abrasion-resistant silk touch coating” keeping the keyboard pristine for years to come. I can say with confidence that the Yoga 7i has one of the nicest laptop keyboards I’ve tested this year.

Notable features

Other design features I enjoyed include the large trackpad, as it makes multitasking across several apps a breeze. Regarding sound, the four Dolby Atmos speakers are strategically placed on top and below to deliver immersive audio output. 

There’s a Full HD infrared camera above the display that, thanks to the high resolution, make video calls look crisp and clear. But the color output is a different story; objects on-screen look desaturated. The pink sweater I wore while testing the webcam lost much of its luster. It’s not the highest quality camera out there, but it gets the job done.

ZDNET’s buying advice

My version of the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 can be bought from Best Buy for $1,200. If you’re looking to save money, Lenovo is selling a lower-spec model for $900 on its official website. I would recommend either configuration to anyone looking for a big-screen work laptop. If you want something smaller, the Dell 14 Plus is the way to go.