In the ceaselessly evolving world of technology, Lenovo has dared to reimagine the traditional laptop with the introduction of the Yoga Book 9i. This bold innovation replaces the conventional physical keyboard with a second display, challenging the status quo and presenting us with a tantalizing glimpse into the potential future of portable computing. The Yoga Book 9i, while not without its flaws, offers a unique, dual-screen workspace that is as engaging as it is mobile, and despite its premium price tag, serves as a compelling evidence of the potential in this new direction for laptop design.

The Yoga Book 9i’s design is a masterclass in minimalist elegance, sporting two 13.3-inch OLED displays connected by a hinge. Each display is a feast for the eyes, boasting rich colors and a brightness just shy of 400 nits. The hardware features also include a polished metal frame housing three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a sharp 5-megapixel IR webcam, and Lenovo’s signature speaker bar hinge. Despite its dual glass layers, the Yoga Book 9i remains impressively portable. Its suite of accessories, including a stylus, a detachable magnetic keyboard, a folding kickstand cover, and a sleek travel mouse, further enhance its versatility and user experience.

Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i: A Revolutionary Leap in Laptop Design

Lenovo is pushing the boundaries of traditional laptop design with the launch of the Yoga Book 9i. This innovative laptop replaces the usual physical keyboard with a second display, challenging the perception of what a laptop can be. The Yoga Book 9i’s dual-screen workspace can be easily carried around and is a captivating miniature version of an all-in-one PC. Despite the software requiring refinement and the cost being twice that of a standard laptop, this device paves a promising new path in laptop evolution.

Sleek Design and Impressive Displays

The Yoga Book 9i epitomizes elegance with an innovative design of two halves, in this case, screens, connected by a hinge. The dual 13.3-inch displays featuring OLED panels offer rich colors and a brightness of almost 400 nits. The laptop is housed in a polished metal frame with three Thunderbolt 4 ports. However, it does not offer a 3.5mm audio jack. The laptop’s 5-megapixel IR webcam is superior to most competitors, and the unique speaker bar hinge provides loud and punchy sound. Despite being slightly heavier than a typical 13-inch ultraportable due to the additional glass layer, it remains convenient to carry.

Engaging Accessories

The Yoga Book 9i comes with a set of unique accessories including a stylus, a magnetic physical keyboard, a folding kickstand cover, and a sleek travel mouse. The Bluetooth-enabled keyboard, with its own USB-C charging port, provides a surprisingly comfortable typing experience. The stylish mouse, albeit basic, is a handy addition. All these elements combine to create a highly versatile laptop.

A Dual-Mode Machine

The Yoga Book 9i offers a clamshell mode that functions like a regular laptop. The bottom panel can be tapped to bring up a virtual keyboard or a three-finger tap summons a floating touchpad. While typing on a touchscreen may require some adjustment, it is still quite serviceable. Alternatively, the included magnetic keyboard can be used for a more traditional setup. The Yoga Book 9i also transforms into a portable all-in-one PC when propped up on its kickstand cover, offering dual display options.

Software and Performance

While the Yoga Book 9i’s hardware is solid, its software experience is inconsistent. The User Center does a commendable job of showcasing the laptop’s dual-screen features and providing an easy platform to adjust settings. However, it’s clear that Windows 11 is not fully optimized for this kind of device. Despite these software limitations, the laptop’s performance is quite snappy, thanks to its Intel Core i7-155U chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.

Battery Life

The Yoga Book 9i’s battery life is fairly impressive. With its 80Wh battery, the laptop lasted for over eight hours on a standard video rundown test. While this is shorter than some traditional rivals, it is significantly longer than many powerful thin-and-light gaming notebooks.

Conclusion

The Yoga Book 9i, as the first laptop to feature two displays, is a game-changer. At $2,000, it’s quite pricey and its performance lags behind some traditional laptops in this price range. However, its innovative design and dual-screen functionality offer a unique advantage, especially for those who crave more screen space while on the go. Despite its current limitations, the Yoga Book 9i is a promising starting point for a new type of notebook, offering a refreshing change in an industry where innovation is often stagnant.