The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is one of the most visually striking laptops on the market. With its sleek teal-blue glass lid, ultra-thin bezels, and stunning 4K OLED display, it’s designed to turn heads. But does this premium design come at the cost of functionality?
After analyzing multiple reviews (including hands-on testing comparisons with its cheaper sibling, the Slim 7i), I’ll break down whether the Yoga Slim 9i is worth its high price—or if you’re better off with something else.
Design & Build: Gorgeous but High-Maintenance
✅ Pros:
- Stunning glass and aluminum design – The teal-blue finish shifts colors in light, giving it a premium, unique look.
- Extremely thin bezels – The 98% screen-to-body ratio makes the display pop.
- Lightweight (2.76 lbs) – Easy to carry, though slightly heavier than some competitors.
❌ Cons:
- Fingerprint magnet – The glass lid and keyboard attract smudges instantly.
- Fragile – Glass means higher risk of cracking if dropped.
- Difficult to open one-handed – Hinges are tight.
Verdict: One of the best-looking laptops, but requires constant cleaning.
Display: A Visual Masterpiece (With Some Flaws)
✅ Pros:
- 4K OLED (3840×2400) @ 120Hz – Unmatched contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors.
- Glossy finish enhances clarity – Perfect for movies and creative work.
- Under-display webcam – Maximizes screen space when not in use.
❌ Cons:
- Glossy = Reflections – Hard to use near windows or bright lights.
- Webcam quality is terrible – Fuzzy, low detail, worse than budget laptops.
- Rounded corners – Some apps and videos get cut off.
Verdict: The best display in its class, but the webcam is a major letdown.
Keyboard & Trackpad: Good, But Not Perfect
✅ Pros:
- Comfortable key travel (1.5mm) – Lenovo’s keyboards are usually excellent.
- Backlit keys – Useful in low light.
- Fingerprint sensor – Fast and reliable.
❌ Cons:
- Non-standard layout – Extra shortcut keys squeeze the main keys.
- Oily key stains – The blue keys show wear quickly.
- Small mechanical trackpad – At this price, a haptic trackpad should be standard.
Verdict: A good typing experience, but the layout and trackpad feel cheap for the price.
Performance: Fast, But Not the Best
✅ Pros:
- Intel Lunar Lake CPU – Smooth for everyday tasks, light photo/video editing.
- 32GB RAM (in high-end model) – Great for multitasking.
- Quiet fans in light use – Stays cool during web browsing.
❌ Cons:
- Struggles with heavy workloads – Not ideal for video editing or 3D rendering.
- Louder fans under load – The Slim 7i is quieter.
- No upgradeable RAM – Soldered means you’re stuck with what you buy.
Verdict: Good for office work, weak for pro use.
Ports & Connectivity: Too Minimal
❌ The Big Problem:
- Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports – No USB-A, HDMI, or headphone jack.
- Dongle life required – Need adapters for everything.
Verdict: Extremely frustrating for a premium laptop.
Battery Life: Decent, But Not Amazing
- ~13 hours (light use) – Better than older Intel laptops, but far behind MacBooks.
- Drains fast under load – Heavy tasks kill it quickly.
Verdict: Good, not great—the 4K screen is power-hungry.
Speakers: Good, But Poor Placement
- Rich, clear sound – Great for a laptop.
- Downward-firing design – Muffled when placed on a desk.
Verdict: Solid audio, but flawed execution.
Alternatives: Is There a Better Option?
1. Lenovo Slim 7i (~$700 cheaper)
- Same CPU, better battery life, more ports (HDMI, USB-A, SD card slot).
- No 4K screen, but still OLED.
2. MacBook Pro 14″ (M3, ~Same Price)
- Faster, better battery, better webcam, more ports.
- No touchscreen or OLED, but superior overall.
3. ASUS Zenbook S 14 (Cheaper, Similar Specs)
- Lighter, better port selection, almost as good display.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
👍 Buy If:
- You prioritize design and screen quality above all else.
- You don’t need a good webcam or many ports.
- You find it on sale (under $1,300).
👎 Avoid If:
- You want performance, battery life, or ports—better options exist.
- You hate fingerprint magnets.
- You need a good webcam (this one’s unusable for Zoom calls).
Rating: 7/10
Beautiful but flawed. The Slim 9i is a luxury item, not the most practical choice.
Best For: Design lovers who don’t mind its quirks.
Not For: Power users or anyone who needs reliability.
Final Thought
The Yoga Slim 9i is like a sports car with no trunk space—gorgeous, but frustrating in daily use. If you can accept its compromises, it’s a head-turning laptop. Otherwise, get a MacBook or Slim 7i instead.
