The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Gen 9 Aura Edition is a laptop that feels more like redemption than something brand new. You see, when I reviewed its sister, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X — a twin in almost every way but differing in core CPU architecture, I was left quite disappointed. The ARM64 Snapdragon Elite powered beauty came up short due to major Windows app compatibility issues that basically made it hard to recommend at the time.
The 7i Aura Edition fixes all that by adopting a more mainstream x86 Intel CPU that still has the AI chops and energy efficiency to make it a portable powerhouse that can go the distance on battery. Compared to the Slim 7X, the Yoga Slim 7i delivers better overall app compatibility, making it the more reliable choice for those who need seamless performance without software headaches.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i retail pricing starts at around $2,800, which is about $800 more than its Snapdragon sibling. That’s a lot! Especially when you consider that the 7i dropped the stunning OLED display of the 7X for a more traditional IPS. Is the Intel tax worth it? I spent the past few weeks using the Yoga Slim 7i for writing, emails, video editing, and some light gaming to answer that and I have to say, the change to x86 architecture left me far more enamored than the ARM64.
Design and Build Quality
The Aura Edition name isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it genuinely sets this laptop apart in terms of aesthetics. The Luna Gray anodized aluminum chassis gives it a sleek and sophisticated look, while the soft matte finish not only enhances its premium feel but also adds a subtle texture that improves grip. The edges are finely chamfered, giving the laptop a seamless and refined appearance. At just 1.28kg (2.8 lbs) and 13.9mm thin, it’s impressively lightweight and ultra-slim, making it a perfect choice for commuters and frequent travelers who need a stylish yet portable machine.
The hinge mechanism is smooth and sturdy, allowing the display to open with one hand while keeping the screen stable during use. Lenovo has also integrated a raised rear section, which slightly elevates the keyboard when opened—a small but thoughtful ergonomic touch that improves typing comfort.
Lenovo continues its streak of excellent keyboards with the Yoga Slim 7i. The backlit, well-spaced keys offer great travel and tactile feedback, making typing an absolute pleasure. Whether you’re working on long documents or firing off emails, this keyboard won’t disappoint. The trackpad is large, smooth, and responsive, though it lacks haptic feedback like some premium competitors (think MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 16). Still, for an ultrabook, the touchpad is among the better ones I’ve used.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection is decent but leans towards the minimalist side, which is expected for an ultrabook. You get a pair of USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports that handle charging, data transfer, and external display support, ensuring fast connectivity and future-proofing. Lenovo has also included a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, which is great for legacy accessories, and a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port, making it easier to connect to external monitors without relying on dongles.
A 3.5mm headphone jack remains, a small but welcome inclusion in an era where many premium laptops are ditching it entirely. However, there’s no SD card slot, which might disappoint photographers and videographers. Wireless connectivity is top-notch with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and stable connections for streaming, conferencing, and peripherals.
The 1080p webcam supports Windows Hello facial recognition, offering a secure and convenient way to log in. It delivers clear and sharp video quality for virtual meetings, and the physical privacy shutter ensures extra security when the camera isn’t in use.
As for audio, the Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers provide decent sound, with clear mids and highs, though bass response is a bit lacking. While they are suitable for casual media consumption, serious audiophiles may still prefer using external speakers or headphones for a richer audio experience.
Display: IPS Touch Brilliance
The 15.3-inch 2.8K PureSight IPS touchscreen is easily one of the standout features of the Yoga Slim 7i Gen 9. With a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision support, and a peak brightness of 400 nits, this display is fantastic as far as non-OLED panels go.
Colors are punchy and accurate, blacks are deep and inky, and the contrast is superb—surprisingly so for an IPS panel. Whether you’re watching movies, editing photos, or simply browsing the web, everything looks vibrant and crisp. There’s such great contrast and color reproduction here that for the untrained eye, it simply looks like a slightly less punchy OLED.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel buttery smooth, a noticeable upgrade from standard 60Hz panels. However, at 400 nits, the screen isn’t the brightest in its class—outdoor visibility could be better, especially in direct sunlight. But for indoor use, it’s close to perfect.
For those who love touch navigation, the Slim 7i’s display is responsive, though Windows 11 still isn’t ideal for touch input. That said, for swiping through documents or YouTube Shorts, it works well enough.
Performance: Intel Core Ultra Brings the Power
Under the hood, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V processor, paired with 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. This combination delivers snappy performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption while also handling photo and video editing with ease. While I’ve seen this same combo in the Asus Zenbook S 14 OLED, the Slim 7i simply outperforms it across the board.
Lenovo includes some AI system management which intelligently adjusts all aspects of the laptop for the condition or purpose. I love the quick shortcut key to switch modes but there’s also an ever persistent new widget that allows you to do the same thing. Overall, these things don’t get in your way but I still find all the marketing around AI PC to be overzealous with too few real world apps to make use of your NPU. I tested the Slim 7i with CapCut that has a ton of AI features but I never noticed any improvement in speed over my desktop rig which doesn’t have a dedicated NPU.
The inclusion of Intel Arc 140V graphics provides a notable boost in GPU performance, making it a more capable option for creative professionals compared to the Snapdragon Elite X chip found in the Yoga Slim 7X. While Qualcomm’s chip shines in power efficiency, Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V offers better raw performance, broader software compatibility, and superior AI-driven enhancements, making it a more versatile choice for those who need a balance of power and efficiency.
For an ultrabook, the gaming performance is surprisingly solid. First off, that it can actually play pretty much any Windows game is a huge step up from the Slim 7X which was limited by the ARM64 architecture. Of course, the performance you’ll get out of the Intel Arc 140V must be tempered with realistic settings if you hope to get over 30fps. However, Titles like Diablo IV, Forza Horizon 5 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider were all able to hit 45 to 60fps which is more than capable.
During extended sessions, fan noise becomes noticeable, but temperatures stay within reasonable limits. The laptop maintained a 60C on the processor which is quite impressive for something so thin. If you’re looking for a true gaming machine, you’ll still want a dedicated GPU, but for casual gaming, the Yoga Slim 7i performs admirably.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is fantastic. The Lenovo Slim 7i lasted a whopping 19 hours and 20min on the PCMark10 Battery drain test. Sure, that’s a benchmark but since it emulates real world use of Microsoft office, web browsing, YouTube video watching and Zoom calls, you can be confident that the laptop will last you easily through work day.
The Slim 7i handily beat the Asus Zenbook S14 which only managed 14 hours in the same PCMark10 test. That translated equally in my real world use where I felt far more confident that the Slim 7i would carry me through the day.
Heavier workloads, especially involving video editing or high brightness settings, can drop this further to around 5-6 hours and if you do any gaming, the Slim 7i won’t last you two hours. But considering what you are able to play and the Slim 7i outperforms a handheld like the Lenovo Legion Go.
Standby time is great too with no unexplained battery drain when the laptop is left alone overnight. Charging is fast, though, thanks to the 65W USB-C charger, which can take the battery from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. If you need a laptop that lasts all day without a charger, I’m honestly pleased to say that the Yoga Slim 7i will be sufficient.
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Gen 9 Aura Edition is truly redeems everything that made the Slim 7X a fail for me. It’s just as stunning, lightweight with similar premium build quality, a beautiful IPS touch display, and strong performance. It has excellent battery life to last through a long workday and still be able to play some Forza to unwind. The fact that everything just works is what makes this an easier recommendation than anything running a Qualcomm chipset. And while I dearly miss the stunning OLED PureSight display, the Slim 7i remains one of the best premium ultrabooks of 2024. If you want a sleek, powerful, and stylish Windows laptop, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition should be at the top of your list.
Lenovo Australia kindly loaned the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition to PowerUp for the purpose of writing this review.
