Many non-gaming laptops have only integrated graphics, putting their 3D
performance on the, shall we say, less relevant side. The Yoga 9i (and most in
WKLVEHVWLQFODVV¿HOGKRZHYHUERDVWPRGHUDWHO\SRZHUIXOGLVFUHWH38V,WV
)LUH6WULNHVFRUHSRLQWVWRGHFHQW'SUR¿FLHQF\DQGISVLQ6XSHUSRVLWLRQ¶V
1080p High preset indicates modest gaming performance. Again, it won’t match
DWUXHJDPLQJODSWRSZLWKDEHH¿HU38EXW\RXFDQDEVROXWHO\SOD\UHDOJDPHV
on this system (albeit at lower settings for modern 3D titles).
Battery Rundown Test: After fully recharging the laptop, we set up the
machine in power-save mode (as opposed to balanced or high-performance
mode) where available and make a few other battery-conserving tweaks in
preparation for our unplugged video rundown test. (We also turn Wi-Fi off,
SXWWLQJWKHODSWRSLQDLUSODQHPRGH,QWKLVWHVWZHORRSDYLGHR²DORFDOO\
VWRUHGS¿OHRIWKHVDPHTears of SteelVKRUWZHXVHLQRXU+DQGEUDNHWHVW²
with screen brightness set at 50% and volume at 100% until the system quits.
Though just short of being a chart-leader, the Yoga 9i boasts a nice, long battery
life. Longer runtimes belong mostly to smaller laptops, but the Lenovo delivers
all-day productivity for a commute or travel (if you’re currently doing either). If
you want to unplug and take the convertible to your couch or bed to surf the
web or stream a movie, you don’t have to worry about the battery.
A COMPLETE CONVERTIBLE
The big Yoga 9i doesn’t do anything too out of the ordinary, but it does
everything competently. It sports a quality build, a nice screen, and speedier
performance than most of its peers.
On the less positive side, the design is a bit dull, and I would expect more ports
on a laptop this size. Like all 15-inch convertibles, it’s somewhat bulky and
awkward, but that is the nature of the beast, and it’s useful enough for
displaying a movie or presentation in various setups. It may not be a machine
you’ll run out and tell your friends about in excitement, but it plays its role well.
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I MARCH 2021