In this article, We are doing full review of the Lenovo Yoga 7i, a 16-inch two-in-one convertible laptop. It has a full HD Plus resolution, although you can get it in a QHD Plus resolution, which I would recommend, especially if you do any kind of content creation. And it has a good battery life. We’ll delve into these aspects more and discuss why I think this is one of the better, more affordable convertible laptops for 2023.
Unboxing And Design
We have Yoga 7i 16″ an all-metal premium design, along with a 65-watt USB Type-C charger, which you can see right there. It’s pretty compact, and I like that. Additionally, you’ll find some documentation warranty cards. Now, yoga 7i laptop gen 8 boasts an all-metal design with a storm gray finish and it’s a beautifully sleek-looking laptop. The design language is very modern and appealing. I really like it. Yoga 7i 16″ weights 2.059 kilograms (4.539 pounds) and including the power adapter, it weights 2.235 kilograms (4.927 pounds).
Lenovo Yoga 7i 16″ Gen 8 Ports
As for thee ports of lenovo yoga 7i gen 8, On the left side, we have an HDMI 1.4 B port, two USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 ports that support data transfer, charging, and display output and a 3.5-millimeter microphone/headphone combo jack. At the right side, we get the power button, a full-size SD card reader, having the microSD card reader is still a good inclusion. And two USB-A ports, which is nice. It would have been great to have an HDMI 2.0 or above, Overall, it’s a pretty good selection of ports.
Read More: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Gen 6 Review
User Upgradeability
To access the internals of this laptop, you’ll need to remove seven T5 Torx screws. Once they’re removed, gently pry off the bottom plate using a guitar pick or pry tool. Take your time and work around the edges to avoid any damage. Once the bottom plate is off, you’ll have access to the internal components.
Inside, you’ll find a single fan for cooling, which we’ll discuss in detail regarding thermal performance later in this review. Additionally, there’s a 71 watt-hour battery, which we’ll also cover in terms of battery life later on. Spoiler alert: it performs really well, but we’ll delve into that further in the review.
Regarding the ram of yoga 7i gen 8 can be configured with up to 16 gigabytes of LPDDR5 RAM running in dual-channel mode. The RAM is soldered onto the motherboard and cannot be upgraded by the user. This may be a bit disappointing, especially for a 16-inch laptop in 2023.
The Yoga 7i 16″ features a PCIe Gen 4 SSD, which delivers excellent read and write speeds. The SSD is user-upgradable, providing you the flexibility to expand your storage if your needs in the future.
In terms of wireless connectivity, the Lenovo yoga 7i 16″ supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 with a combo card And the card is slotted, which means you can replace it if needed in the future. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionalities both have been works flawless, and I haven’t encountered any issues with them.
Lenovo Yoga 7i 16″ Display
In terms of display options, there are two available for Yoga 7i Gen 8. 2.5K IPS display with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 and a 16:10 aspect ratio. However, I don’t have that specific display this time as it was sent over for review last year. Instead, the unit provided for this review features a Full HD Plus display with a resolution of 1920 by 1200, also IPS with a 16:10 aspect ratio. But if you’re a content creator who works with Lightroom, Photoshop, or video editing, I recommend the higher resolution display. A higher resolution option will provide better color gamut coverage. When I measured the coverage on this display, it wasn’t the best, achieving only 67% sRGB, 50% Adobe RGB, 50% DCI P3, and 48% NTSC. And F=for most people, these percentages will be more than sufficient. But if you engage in high-end video editing or color grading, consider the higher-end display option.
Yoga 7i 16″ display offers excellent contrast, black levels, and white point, and It has a brightness of 300 nits. The QHD Plus model, however, does offer 400 nits, so keep that in mind. Nonetheless, for media consumption such as watching Netflix, Amazon, or YouTube, this display has been more than satisfactory. I haven’t encountered any issues with it, it has performed really well. Display is an excellent choice for those seeking long-lasting performance.
Lenovo Yoga 7i Display is set at 60 hertz, without an option for a higher refresh rate. This is not surprising considering the price point. There is no OLED or 4K+ display option available, as those are reserved for Lenovo’s higher-end and more expensive models. Considering the price point, the Full HD Plus display on Yoga 7i Gen 8 is really impressive, and I don’t have much to complain about. The display is glossy, you may experience some glare and reflections depending on your lighting conditions, but it’s not overly problematic.
The Modes and Pen
The touch layer on Yoga 7i 16″ is highly responsive, making it easy to perform actions like pinch-to-zoom, and navigate the system using your finger. And, you can use the pen for tasks. Please note that it does not come with a pen, so you’ll need to purchase separately.
Speaking of the pen, it functions well for note-taking and sketching. It didn’t present any notable issues, and I found it to be a valuable addition. As this is a two-in-one convertible, you can utilize it in different modes. The tent mode is great for following recipes in the kitchen or watching Netflix, Amazon, or YouTube. Similarly, the stand mode, or what I refer to as presentation mode, works well for media consumption. And, you have the tablet mode, which is perfect for using the pen. However, due to 16″ size and weight, it can be a bit heavy when using as a tablet. You can use it on a desk or table for note-taking or sketching, as the weight can become cumbersome. In terms of form factor, it’s just a little too heavy to be ideal for tablet use.
Read Also: Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 REVIEW
FHD IR Webcam, Mics and Fingerprint Reader
so this is the front-facing camera on the Lenovo Yoga 7i two in one convertible here a 16 inch version of course and this has a 1080p camera it’s an IR camera that means you can log in with face recognition with Windows hello there’s also a fingerprint scanner located below the keyboard that worked well said it was easy and registered my finger each and every time I’ve used it it also has a physical shutter switch so if you want to turn off the camera for more security and privacy that is certainly an option you got to love that now what do you think about the video quality what do you think about the audio quality of the array mics let me know in the comments section below okay
Performance, Benchmarks and Gaming
| Platforms | Scores |
|---|---|
| PCMARK 10 | 6,000 |
| GEEKBENCH 6 (Single-Coe) | 2,384 |
| GEEKBENCH 6 (Multi-Core) | 9,351 |
| CINEBENCH R20 | 3,075 |
| CINEBENCH R15 | 1,264 CB | 115.66 FPS |
| CINEBENCH R23 | 1,859 Single-Core | 8,022 Multi-Core |
| 3DMARK Fire Strike | 4,986 |
| 3DMARK Time Spy | 1,833 |
Let’s discuss the performance of this laptop, which is equipped with the Intel 13th Gen processor, specifically the Core i7 1355U with integrated Iris XE graphics. As seen from the benchmarks, it delivers decent numbers, especially considering it’s a U-series processor with a power consumption of 15 watts. Last year, we examined the 1260P, a 28-watt CPU that provided slightly more power. Both models demonstrate respectable single and multi-core scores, making this laptop perfect for tasks like Microsoft Office, email, and web browsing without any issues.
When comparing it to last year’s model, the Core i7 1260P, we can actually see an improvement in the PC Mark 10 score. The Geekbench 6 results also show better single-core score compared to last year’s model, despite the fact that this is a U-series processor versus a P-series processor. The multi-core score is better on last year’s model due to the higher wattage and more cores (28 watts and 12 cores versus 15 watts and 10 cores in this year’s U-series model). In terms of the single-core score of 1859, this laptop holds its own among others in its category. It performs great for everyday tasks, as mentioned earlier. However, when it comes to multi-core performance and comparing it to other 16-inch laptops in this category, the score of 8022 falls slightly behind. This is mainly because this laptop doesn’t have a discrete GPU and relies solely on the integrated Iris XE graphics. Therefore, it’s not suitable for playing AAA titles at their highest settings. If you lower the graphics settings, you can achieve playable frame rates depending on the specific game.
If need to connect an external GPU then there are two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports available, and this will increase the overall cost of the unit, making it less appealing in terms of value proposition. For the same amount of money, you could consider dedicated gaming laptops or other laptops with discrete GPUs. That’s where this laptop falls short in terms of being a graphics powerhouse.
Thermals, Surface Temps and Fan Noise
When it comes to thermal throttling, I didn’t detect any issues during the Time Spy stress test. It achieved a passing score of 98.9, which is quite impressive. As for surface temperatures under heavy load, while running in performance mode, I didn’t observe excessive heat or notable hotspots. It remained relatively cool, making it suitable for lap use without any major concerns. The noise level was also reasonable, reaching around 44-45 decibels in performance mode under heavy load. In balance mode, the fans are hardly noticeable, and in quiet mode, they are virtually silent. Overall, the fan noise is relatively good for everyday tasks.
Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 8 Battery Life
| Laptops | PCMARK 10 Modern Office | PCMARK 10 Video Playback |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 16″ Gen 8| 71Wh, FHD+, Core i7-1355U | 14 Hours 40 Minutes | 17 Hours 49 Minutes |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 16″ Gen 7 71Wh, QHD+, Core i7-1260P | 12 Hours 52 Minutes | 11 hours 01 Minutes |
Where this convertible laptop truly shines is in its battery life. When I conducted the PC Mark 10 Modern Office battery test, it achieved an impressive duration of 14 hours and 40 minutes, which is excellent. In the video playback test, it lasted an outstanding 17 hours and 49 minutes. When comparing it to last year’s model, which had the same 71 watt-hour battery but a higher-resolution QHD Plus display and a more powerful Core i7 1260p processor, the difference is significant. Last year’s model managed 12 hours and 52 minutes on the Modern Office battery test and 11 hours and one minute on the PC Mark 10 video playback test. This indicates a notable improvement in overall battery life with this Full HD Plus model. You have the option to choose the QHD Plus model, which is the highest-end configuration available and features a Core i7 13th Gen processor. And if you opt for the Full HD Plus variant, you can expect excellent battery life that lasts throughout the day and even more.
Hinges, Keyboard and Touchpad
You can open up the yoga 7i gen 8 with one finger, which is not something you would typically expect from a convertible. Moving on to the keyboard, the tactility of the key travel is perfectly fine. It features the familiar smile-shaped keys found in the Yoga line, so there are no major surprises in that regard. The inclusion of a numpad is a notable feature for those who need to crunch numbers. However, one consequence of this is that it shifts the touchpad off-center. Personally, I didn’t find it to be a significant issue, as preferences for numpads can vary among individuals. Overall, keyboard performs well, and it offers a multi-stage backlight with white illumination, which is helpful for working in dark environments. The touchpad is spacious and of good quality, featuring a diving board-style design. Two-finger scrolling is responsive, and all the gestures work as expected, providing a smooth user experience. In summary, everything is functioning well, and there are no unexpected surprises in terms of keyboard and touchpad performance.
Speakers
So, this laptop sports two two-watt speakers in total, and it also features Dolby Atmos, which enhances the spatial audio experience. Additionally, it is set to the dynamic mode, which I believe offers the best sound quality. And as I typically compare it to the MacBook Pro 14 since I consider Yoga 16″ the standard and best-in-class option. This allows us to gauge the audio performance effectively. In my opinion, for a Windows laptop, the audio is pretty good.
Pros and Cons
The Lenovo Yoga 7i 16-inch convertible laptop, the Gen 8 model for 2023? Well, I like its QHD Plus IPS display option, although the Full HD Plus version that I reviewed here today is perfectly fine for most people. The standout feature of this laptop is its outstanding battery life. It’s really, really good. When it comes to productivity, the single and multiple core performance is perfectly fine for everyday use. You’re going to like it. The laptop also offers a good array of ports, and the 1080p IR webcam performs very well. I appreciate the face recognition feature for logging in, And the price is a major plus, starting at $549.99. It’s a really nice and affordable option for an all-metal build and a solid overall convertible laptop.
The Full HD Plus option falls a bit short in terms of color gamut coverage, so content creators should consider the QHD Plus version. However, for most people who are not focused on that, the Full HD Plus will be perfectly fine. Another downside it’s a little bit heavy as a tablet, as I mentioned before. If you buy the Best Buy model, it does not include a stylus, and you cannot upgrade the RAM yourself since it’s soldered onto the motherboard. Overall, I think Lenovo has done a really nice job with yoga 7i laptop, and if you’re looking for a 16-inch convertible, it’s definitely worth considering.
If you're finding a laptop that offers a balance between affordability and premium features, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 16-inch for 2023 might be the perfect choice for you. It manages to provide a great value without compromising on essential elements. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend the Lenovo Yoga 7i 16-inch as a reliable option.
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Design8
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Hardware9
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Ports9
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Keyboard and Touchpad8
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Thermals / Fan Noise8
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Audio8
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Display6
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Performance9
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Battery10
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Webcam9
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Price Point10
