Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Review

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Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Review: A Media Powerhouse with Flaws

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition promises a premium convertible experience. After putting it through its paces, we apply the TechMansion Laptop Score to see if this sleek, media-focused machine delivers on its ambitious promises, uncovering both its record-setting strengths and its frustrating compromises.

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition laptop in its convertible mode, showcasing its OLED display.

Quick Specs At a Glance

Processor	Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
Graphics	Intel Arc 140V (integrated)
Display	14-inch 2.8K (2880×1800) OLED, 120Hz, Touchscreen
RAM	Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage	Up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Ports	2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C (10Gbps), 1x USB-A (5Gbps), Audio Jack
Wireless	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Webcam	5-megapixel IR with Privacy Shutter
Battery	79 Wh
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Starting Price	$1,400 USD

8.1

TechMansion Laptop Score

✓The TechMansion Verdict: What We Like

Stunning 2.8K 120Hz OLED Display: A visual masterpiece for content creation and consumption.
Record-Shattering Media Battery Life: Unrivaled endurance for video streaming.
Elite Audio & Webcam: Impressive quad-speaker system and a crisp 5MP webcam for calls.
Premium, Rigid Aluminum Build: Excellent craftsmanship with comfortable rounded edges.
Responsive Stylus Included: The Lenovo Linear Pen offers precise input.

✗The TechMansion Verdict: What We Don’t

Dated Mechanical Trackpad: A haptic alternative is expected at this price point.
Disappointing Port Selection: Lack of an HDMI port is a notable omission for external displays.
Average Productivity Battery Life: Good, but not exceptional, for active web browsing.
“Rubbery” Keyboard Feel: While spacious, key feedback could be better.
Moderate Performance Gains: Solid, but not a significant leap over previous generations in raw power.

Deep Dive: TechMansion Scorecard

🚀 Performance

7.5

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, the Yoga 9i feels “punchy and snappy” for all everyday tasks, including AI features. Benchmark data reveals it’s a solid, “modestly powerful” performer, competitive with its peers but not a raw power champion. The integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics handle light gaming and creative work capably.

📺 Display

9.5

The 14-inch, 2.8K (2880×1800) OLED panel is undeniably the “star of the show.” It delivers “vivid, bright colors,” inky deep blacks, and exceptional contrast. The 120Hz variable refresh rate ensures “liquid smooth” motion, making it a near-perfect display for both creative professionals and media enthusiasts.

🔋 Battery Life

Media Playback

7.0

Productivity / Web

This laptop offers a “tale of two batteries.” For offline video streaming, it’s an **undisputed champion**, setting a CNET lab record at **25 hours and 45 minutes**. However, for more active productivity and web browsing, its battery life is closer to 12-13 hours—still respectable, but not record-setting, and something to consider for all-day unplugged work.

⌨️ Design & Inputs

7.0

The all-aluminum build is “sleek,” “compact,” and “quite rigid” with comfortable rounded edges, giving it a premium feel. The keyboard is spacious and decent, though the keys feel “a bit rubbery.” The primary “letdown” is the mechanical trackpad, which feels out of place on a high-end machine that should feature haptic feedback. The included Lenovo Linear Pen is “exceptionally responsive.”

🎙️ Audio & Webcam

9.3

Audio is a major strength. The sound quality from the rotating soundbar (with two tweeters and two woofers) is “impressively high” and rich. The 5-megapixel webcam is another “standout feature,” providing “sharp images and decent color accuracy” for video calls, complemented by a physical privacy shutter.

🔌 Ports & Connectivity

6.5

This is the weakest point. While you get modern essentials like two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an additional USB-C, a USB-A, and Wi-Fi 7, the “underwhelming” selection noticeably lacks an HDMI port. This is a “really disappointing” omission for anyone needing to connect to an external display or TV without a dongle.

💡 Software & AI Features

8.5

Running Windows 11 Pro, the “Aura Edition” introduces genuinely useful AI features. These include a “Shield Mode” to blur the screen from shoulder-surfers, a “Collaboration Mode” for enhanced video calls, and a “Wellness Mode.” The system feels modern and intelligently focused on practical, smart enhancements rather than gimmicks.

Benchmark Performance: Yoga 9i vs The Competition

The Yoga 9i (Core Ultra 7 258V) holds its own in a competitive field, prioritizing efficiency and all-around performance over raw, unbridled power. It notably takes wins in the PCMark 10 and 3DMark tests against its direct ThinkPad X1 sibling, but the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 shows stronger CPU performance in multi-core tests. Keep in mind that real-world performance often varies and optimizations play a significant role.

Laptop Model	Geekbench 6 (Multi)	Geekbench 6 (Single)	Cinebench 2024 (Multi)	Cinebench 2024 (Single)	PCMark 10	3DMark Time Spy	Battery (Streaming)
HP OmniBook X Flip 14	12,747	2,823	636	114	7,199	2,902	9 hr 1 min
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1	10,458	2,510	551	120	7,192	4,358	25 hr 45 min
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1	10,169	2,600	542	119	7,330	4,229	17 hr 40 min
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i	11,029	2,728	583	121	6,812	4,393	13 hr 27 min
Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1	10,554	2,792	537	111	6,752	2,011	14 hr 55 min

The Final Word: Is the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition for You?

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition is a truly exceptional laptop that gets agonizingly close to perfection. Its “star” feature is the **stunning 2.8K 120Hz OLED display**, and its media-playback battery life is in a class of its own. When you factor in the elite-tier webcam and quad-speaker system, it’s a media-lover’s dream—perfect for binge-watching, video calls, and casual content creation. However, it’s held back from perfection by two key fumbles: a “disappointing” lack of an HDMI port and a “letdown” of a mechanical trackpad. At its $1,400 price point, it remains a fantastic value and one of the easiest 2-in-1s to recommend, **as long as you can live with those minor but notable compromises**.

Ultimately, if your priority is an unparalleled visual and auditory experience, extreme portability for media, and useful AI features, the Yoga 9i Aura Edition is tough to beat. If you require absolute raw processing power, extensive port selection, or a haptic trackpad, you might want to consider alternatives.