First look at Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (Gen 8): video and images
TechFinitive joined the UK launch of the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (Gen 8), where we had a chance to play with the top-of-the-range laptop. One of Lenovo’s product managers talks us through the key features in the video below.
As mentioned above, it’s the display that stands out. You can choose between 14.5in and 16in versions, with mini LED technology available in both (there’s also a standard LCD version, so be careful which you choose).
Both mini LED panels offer a 165Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, with superb levels of detail. Lenovo packs 3,200 x 2,000 pixels into the 16in version and 3,072 x 1,920 into the 14.5in panel.
There’s good news for film lovers, too, as it supports Dolby Vision and promises to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Lenovo also claims 100% coverage of the Adobe RGB colour space.
Read our take on the latest Lenovo workstations, released in partnership with Aston Martin
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: key specs, price and availability
Both laptops are aimed at more demanding users, a fact reflected by the price and the internals. The cheapest models will start at €1,699 inc VAT (we await non-Euro prices), and that will include a Core i7-13705H processor, Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics and the LCD screen.
The Yoga Pro 9i will go on sale in May 2023.
We expect to see Intel’s powerful Core i9-13905H in top-end models, along with 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSDs and RTX 4070 graphics. It also includes up to 64GB of memory, with 16GB the starting point.
With a 75Whr battery inside, we hope for between eight and ten hours of life. The 14.5in model is substantially lighter: 1.7kg versus 2.2kg for its big brother. Both measure around 18mm at their slimmest point.
First thoughts on the Yoga Pro 9i
To misquote Jerry Maguire, show me the screen. I’m already a big fan of mini LED technology, having seen it in a handful of laptops but more potently in this 27in Philips monitor. As I wrote in my review, which you can find in the current issue of PC Pro, it genuinely made me say “ooh” when I watched a nature documentary on it. Colours pop.
I was impressed by what I saw at the product launch, but now I want to get a unit in for a proper, detailed test. Can it live up to Lenovo’s ambitious claims for colour coverage? How will the screen affect battery life? These are the questions I need answered.
Another question concerns how well Lenovo can keep the components cool. A slim chassis and high-end graphics chips don’t always make for a happy coupling, so can this machine keep working at full pelt for long enough to satisfy gamers and creatives alike?
While I have questions, I’m genuinely excited by Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i. It’s part of a new breed of powerful workstation/gaming machines in a chassis that won’t weigh you down. Bring it on!
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: picture gallery
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Tim Danton
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