Overview
This review evaluates the Lenovo Yoga 7i 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop, highlighting its performance, design features, display options, battery life, and value for money, while providing practical buying advice based on user needs.
Design and Build Quality
- 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop with a solid aluminum case and rounded edges for comfortable handling.
- Weighs around 4.5 pounds, offering a sturdy build but with some heft.
- Features a camera notch at the top for easy opening and camera access.
- Hinges are tight to support multiple usage modes, making one-handed opening difficult.
Ports and Connectivity
- Left side: two USB-C 4/Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 1.4B, and a headphone/mic combo port.
- Right side: two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a micro SD card reader.
- Comprehensive port selection minimizes the need for adapters.
Security and Accessories
- Includes both IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition and a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication.
- Comes with a 65W charger; stylus availability depends on the model or can be bought separately.
Display Options and Use-Case Guidance
- Two display choices: Full HD+ (reviewed) and 2.5K, both 16-inch IPS LCD, 60Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio, and touchscreen.
- 2.5K display offers 400 nits brightness and 100% sRGB for better color and clarity.
- Full HD+ model is suitable for general productivity and content consumption.
- 2.5K model is better for color-critical work or if higher resolution and brightness are desired, though it reduces battery life.
Performance and Battery Life
- Equipped with 13th Gen Intel i7-1355U (15W, optimized for efficiency), integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD.
- Suitable for office work, light gaming, and media consumption; not designed as a gaming laptop.
- Offers excellent battery life, with balanced, efficiency, and performance modes for user customization.
Versatility and User Experience
- Supports four modes: laptop, tablet, tent, and stand, aided by robust hinges.
- Keyboard includes a number pad, backlit keys with two brightness levels, and full function/media keys.
- Large, responsive trackpad slightly offset due to the number pad.
- 1080p camera with privacy shutter and noise-canceling microphones enhance video call experience.
Configuration Recommendations
- Maximum RAM is 16GB (non-upgradable, dual-channel, 5,200 MHz DDR5).
- SSD is M.2 PCIe Gen 4 with fast read/write speeds.
- 16GB RAM is recommended for longevity and performance.
Recommendations / Advice
- Choose Full HD+ for general productivity and best battery life.
- Opt for 2.5K if display quality or color accuracy is critical to your workflow.
- Prioritize 16GB RAM since it's not upgradable.