Lenovo Slim 7 14 (2024) evaluation: A mid-range laptop computer with nice options

The Lenovo Slim 7 14, which was initially launched because the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 throughout its debut at CES 2024, exceeded my expectations for a mid-range laptop computer. Comparatively reasonably priced, at underneath $1,500, the Slim 7 14 has many premium options I've solely seen on dearer laptops.

This laptop computer has a stunning OLED show, a keyboard that's a pleasure to sort on, and efficiency capabilities that blew me away. My every day driver laptop computer, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, is dearer than this slim 7 14 in configuration, but when I had to decide on between the 2 at this time, I'd select the slim 7 14 in.

In fact, the right laptop computer doesn't exist – at the least, not but. There are actually just a few issues in regards to the Slim 7 14″ that I’d change, nevertheless it's nonetheless an ideal mid-range possibility that deserves a spot on our greatest laptops record.

Value and specs of Lenovo Slim 7 14

The Slim 7 14 at this evaluation is priced at $1,174 – and is offered via Lenovo's official web site.

• Intel Core Extremely 7 155H CPU

• Built-in Intel Arc Graphics

• 32GB RAM

• 1TB SSD

• 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel OLED contact show

If that is too costly for you, there’s a configuration with a much less highly effective Intel Core Extremely 5 125H CPU and fewer gigabytes of reminiscence (i.e., 16GB of RAM). The worth of this variant on Lenovo will likely be $1,041. (For even cheaper choices, take a look at our greatest funds laptops web page.)

What I like about Lenovo Slim 7 14

Lenovo's new slim 7 14 in laptop computer has a ton of constructive options, together with top-of-the-line laptop computer keyboards I've ever examined.

addict keyboard

Lenovo's slim 7″ keyboard received me over from the primary key press. It's satisfyingly sticky and cozy to sort on, and pleasant sufficient that I discovered I needed to make use of it greater than my every day driver laptop computer's keyboard.

This laptop computer's massive, backlit keys, with 1.5 millimeters of journey and satisfying suggestions, make its keyboard top-of-the-line I've ever examined.

engaging show

The Slim 7 14 has a stunning show, and that's largely as a result of its OLED panel. With its 1920 x 1200-pixel decision (WUXGA), it's barely above 1080p. Plus, its side ratio is 16:10, which presents extra display actual property.

To verify the efficiency, I checked out Depraved Trailer on YouTube. Elphaba's putting inexperienced pores and skin was vibrant and completely balanced, as had been the numerous pink outfits worn by Glinda and the multicolored landscapes and creatures all through the trailer. And regardless of being vibrant and tremendous shiny at most brightness, nothing was oversaturated.

spectacular efficiency

After I noticed the value hooked up to this laptop computer, I wasn't anticipating top-tier efficiency, however that's precisely what I obtained.

This configuration of the Slim 7 14 has 32 GB RAM and an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H processor, which is a 14th technology CPU. au courant. In different phrases, you're getting one of many newest and best choices from Intel.

In my expertise, these inside stacks translated into seamless multitasking with Chrome tabs, Spotify, and photo-editing software program.

It's nice to speak about how effectively this laptop computer has dealt with my every day duties over the previous few weeks, however I additionally subjected the Slim 7 14 to the Geekbench 6 benchmark, which is utilized by Mashable for all laptop computer opinions. There may be an goal efficiency check to be performed. Its multi-core rating is barely decrease than the very best scores we've seen for a Home windows laptop computer this 12 months. See the Geekbench 6 part for particular outcomes.

Nice port choice, with one exception

For a comparatively reasonably priced laptop computer, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 has a wide range of ports. On the left, there are two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports and an HDMI 2.1 port, which I additionally don't have on my dearer every day driver laptop computer, Lenovo's Yoga 9i.

Trying on the correct aspect, I noticed a USB-A 3.2 port, a 3.5mm headset jack, the ability button, and a webcam kill change (this allows you to shortly flip off your webcam with out having to fiddle with the additional quantity above the privateness shutter change. ) webcam). There may be additionally a Lenovo reset restoration change that may be toggled utilizing the smartphone's small SIM eject device.

I solely want Lenovo had positioned one of many Slim 7 14's USB-C ports on the correct aspect for charging comfort, particularly since its charging cable is shorter than others.

Aluminum chassis resists fingerprints effectively

The aluminum chassis of the Slim 7 14 is good to the touch, sturdy and better of all, fingerprint resistant.

After I tilt the closed laptop computer into daylight, I do see just a few scattered spots, however they aren't very seen in any other case.

I additionally just like the smooth Luna Grey coloration, however that's the one coloration you may get within the Slim 7 14 proper now. Another coloration choices can be good, like Lenovo's Abyss Blue or Oatmeal coloration.

One hand open design

By inserting a slight lip over the webcam, the Slim 7 14 14 may be simply opened with one hand. The hinge is easy, and the underside of the laptop computer doesn't even carry up if you happen to don't open it too shortly.

What's 'eh' in regards to the Lenovo Slim 7 14?

There are some elements of Lenovo's slim 7″ 14″ that didn't shock me, however they weren't disappointing sufficient to place them within the “dislike” class.

first rate sound high quality

Laptop computer audio system are notoriously dangerous, so I used to be pleasantly shocked by the standard of the Lenovo Slim 7 14's audio. Don't get me mistaken, the audio isn't spectacular, nevertheless it's actually higher than my smartphone's speaker setup and numerous different laptops I've examined previously.

The slim 7 14 is provided with two Dolby Atmos-tuned up-firing audio system, making it an enchancment over the bottom-firing audio system already discovered on many laptops. To check the audio high quality, I performed Ariana Grande's “Supernatural” on Spotify, adopted by Unprocessed's “Actual feat. Polyphea's Tim Henson and Clay Gober.”

Whereas Ariana's voice got here via fantastically, the highs and lows within the track that give it that full-bodied, atmospheric sound had been lacking. And the identical applies to “Actual”, a track I like to make use of throughout testing as a result of it has so many nuances, mids and lows which might be usually misplaced with out high-quality audio system.

If I didn't have my Yoga 9i's rotating Bowers & Wilkins soundbar to check it to different laptops, I most likely wouldn't even understand the audio was missing – that's how good these audio system are in comparison with most different laptops.

New devoted Microsoft Copilot key

Whether or not you employ Microsoft Copilot or not, your subsequent Home windows laptop computer will most likely include a devoted Copilot key, which can seemingly substitute the additional Ctrl key on the correct aspect of the keyboard.

My criticism is just not in regards to the copilot characteristic. I actually get pleasure from utilizing Copilot to assist in giving fast and concise solutions to questions, reword emails or textual content messages, and break down advanced phrases. However when CoPilot may be accessed with a simple click on or keyboard shortcut (Home windows key + C) within the backside proper nook of my display, is a devoted CoPilot key essential?

What I don't like about Lenovo Slim 7 14

Aside from the shortage of a USB-C port on the correct aspect of this laptop computer, there have been just a few issues that bothered me in regards to the Slim 7 14.

Doesn't final lengthy on a single cost

This laptop computer's 8-hour battery life ought to final a whole workday, however with Intel's new Core Extremely 7 155H chip that's alleged to be extra environment friendly, I anticipated higher battery life. Granted, the slim 7″ 14″ has a battery-sucking OLED show, however so does the HP Specter x360 14″, and it lasted over 3 hours longer than this laptop computer in the identical battery benchmarks.

See detailed runtimes for each Lenovo's Slim 7″ 14″ and HP's Specter x360 14″ within the battery life part.

brief charging cable

The slim 7″ 14″ charging cable doesn't have a central brick that connects the thick cable to the wall and a skinny cable to the laptop computer, which interprets to: it's actually brief.

I prolonged the cable from the wall brick to the USB-C connector, and it was about 70 inches lengthy. In comparison with my Yoga 9i's 113-inch charging cable, which I contemplate a “conventional” charging cable size, that's about 3.5 ft much less cable size.

lenovo slim 7 14 geekbench 6 rating

On Geekbench 6, which checks general processor efficiency, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 earned a powerful multi-core rating of 12,267.

That's barely decrease than the 12,955 rating given by HP's Specter x360 14, probably the most highly effective Home windows laptop computer we've examined to date in 2024, with the identical Intel Core Extremely 7 155H processor.

Battery lifetime of Lenovo Slim 7 14

To check the Lenovo Slim 7 14's battery life, we ran the PCMark 10 Fashionable Workplace benchmark with the show at most brightness. it lasted 8 hours 11 minutes Earlier than the juice runs out.

Compared, the extra highly effective HP Specter x360 14 with a higher-resolution OLED show lasted considerably longer. 11 hours and 27 Minutes when operating the identical benchmark.

lenovo slim 7 14 webcam

In comparison with the grainy 720p webcam discovered on many laptops, the slim 7″ 14″'s 1080p webcam delivers a surprisingly clear image.

In fact, that is solely a 1080p digital camera, and there's apparent blur and fuzz when zooming in. However the edges of my face and hair had been comparatively sharp, and the webcam displayed colours very precisely.

Is the Lenovo Slim 7 14 price it?

One thought that's been on my thoughts all through this complete evaluation course of is, “How is that this laptop computer solely $1,240?”

I've seen loads of laptops on this worth vary that solely have 1080p LED shows, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, squishy keyboards, and weak speaker and webcam high quality. However Lenovo's slim 7 14″ incorporates a 1920 x 1200-pixel OLED show, a powerful 32GB of RAM, barely raised keys with 1.5 millimeters of journey, and a better-than-average webcam and speaker setup.

I want the battery lasted somewhat longer, however 8 hours of battery life can't be ignored, and with Fast Cost Enhance, the battery life fills up shortly. The one hang-up you'll must get used to if you happen to select the Slim 7 14″ is a brief charging cable that may solely be plugged into the left aspect of the laptop computer. Aside from these minor flaws, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 is a mid-range gem.