Why I chose Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro?

I have been using an Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW for over seven years, and it has been a rock-solid machine. Back in 2016, when I bought it for just USD 1,399, its configuration was impressive for the time: an Intel Core i7 (6th Gen), 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA GTX 960M, and a stunning 4K IPS Touch Display. Over the years, this laptop has faithfully accompanied me on countless trips, served as a reliable companion for presentations, and remained my trusted workhorse at my desk, paired with an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

By June 2023, I felt it was time to upgrade. I wanted a lightweight machine with modern hardware, one that was easy to carry around and capable of handling my typical workloads, including local LLM demos. My checklist included an IPS Touch display, a decent NVIDIA GPU, a 1080p webcam for video calls, and support for the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. Additionally, I preferred a machine with a 3-year warranty for hassle-free ownership. Since I wanted to buy the laptop in India, models like Microsoft Surface, which are mostly available only in the USA, were out of the question.

After an extensive search, I opted for the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro – Model Number: 82TK00AFIN. I got a great deal from GBS Systems and Services at Phoenix Market city, Velachery, Chennai.

Tech Specifications
– Processor: Intel Core i7-12th Generation [i7-12700H]
– Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64-bit + Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021
– Display: 3K IPS Touch, 400 Nits, 120Hz
– Memory: 16GB (soldered) LPDDR5 6000MHz
– Storage: 1TB SSD Gen 4
– Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB DDR6)
– Warranty: 3 Years Onsite
– Camera: 1080p FHD + IR with E-shutter, ToF Sensor
– Audio: Stereo Dolby Atmos Harman Speakers
– Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.0, Headphone jack
– Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
– Power: 100W USB-C AC Adapter

The laptop cost me INR 125,850 (USD 1,520) plus 18% GST. With a credit card discount of INR 10,000, I got a sweet deal.

This machine is fast and well-suited for everyday productivity. The stereo speakers are decent—not boombox-level but good enough for calls and casual movie watching. For serious music listening, external speakers or headphones are recommended. The microphone quality is outstanding. During a recent presentation, I recorded my voice using the Windows Snipping Tool, and it was loud and clear.

The display is bright and sharp, and the USB-C power port adds convenience. I bought a travel charger from ASUS Singapore, which makes it easy to charge the laptop while on the go. Interestingly, the laptop doesn’t charge if you use a lower-wattage USB-C charger, which I assume is a safety feature to protect the battery. The good part is that the same charger works for my phone and iPad.

Since this laptop has dual GPUs (Intel integrated and NVIDIA RTX 3050), the OS automatically switches between them based on workload. After a few tries, I successfully got CUDA working with the NVIDIA GPU.

In the Lenovo App under Warranty & Support, I noticed the start date for the warranty was showing, I guess, the manufacturing date, but I had bought it almost 9 months later. I checked with the reseller, and they said it would get updated in a few days, which it automatically did. I also did an online registration, which too might have helped.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with this machine. While the memory is non-expandable, and it’s not a powerhouse, it handles everyday productivity, light programming, and presentations effortlessly. If you’re looking for a well-rounded laptop with modern features and solid performance, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro is worth considering.