Photo: Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
“Experience the convenience of an all-in-one PC with dual monitors, now in a compact, travel-friendly size.”
Lenovo Challenges Traditional Laptop Design with the Yoga Book 9i
Lenovo has introduced the Yoga Book 9i, a device that reimagines the traditional laptop by replacing the physical keyboard with a second display. This innovative design offers users a unique dual-screen workspace that can be easily carried around. While the software still needs improvement and the price is higher than standard laptops, the Yoga Book 9i demonstrates the potential of this new product category.
The Yoga Book 9i features a sleek design with two 13.3-inch OLED displays that deliver vibrant colors and impressive brightness. The device also boasts a polished metal frame, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Lenovo’s signature speaker bar hinge, which provides loud and punchy sound. Despite being slightly heavier than typical 13-inch ultraportables, the Yoga Book 9i remains highly portable.
In addition to its hardware, the Yoga Book 9i comes with a range of accessories, including a stylus, a detachable magnetic physical keyboard, a folding kickstand cover, and a travel mouse. The keyboard, which communicates via Bluetooth, offers a comfortable typing experience with more key travel than expected. The kickstand cover allows the device to be propped up like a portable all-in-one PC, providing flexibility for different work scenarios.
The Yoga Book 9i’s ability to use two displays sets it apart from traditional laptops. Users can switch between virtual keyboards and touchpads on the bottom panel with a simple tap, making typing and navigating easier. The device can also be transformed into a traditional laptop by attaching a physical keyboard. The option to have a dual-screen setup offers a unique advantage for productivity and multitasking.
However, the Yoga Book 9i’s software has some drawbacks. While Lenovo’s User Center helps showcase the dual-screen features and adjust settings, Windows 11 is not optimized for this type of device. Some full-screen apps may appear on the wrong panel, and prompts can disable the lower display at inconvenient times. Despite these software limitations, the Yoga Book 9i remains a compelling option for those seeking a portable dual-screen experience.
Powered by an Intel Core i7-155U chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, the Yoga Book 9i can handle most productivity tasks. Its performance is relatively snappy, although more demanding activities like video editing may require a more powerful machine. The device’s impressive battery life lasts over eight hours on a standard video rundown test.
With a starting price of $2,000, the Yoga Book 9i is on the higher end of the price range for laptops. However, its unique dual-screen design and versatility make it a compelling choice for users who need more screen real estate on the go. The Yoga Book 9i offers a portable, flexible dual-screen workstation easily fitting in a laptop bag.
As the first laptop to feature two displays, the Yoga Book 9i represents a new direction in laptop design. While it may still have some quirks, it has the potential for further innovation and improvement in the future. Lenovo’s debut dual-screen convertible has proven to be an engaging and promising device in this evolving product category.