This isn’t your typical laptop, so I was buzzing with excitement when Lenovo invited us to try out the new Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. The Yoga line is known for its quirky, experimental form factors, and this new hybrid laptop is the best representative of that series right now. With a dual-screen design, it brings everything I’ve ever wanted from a laptop.
If you’re wondering how this works for real-life use, I’m here to share how this unusual machine has enhanced my productivity and made my downtime more fun. And perhaps that’ll work for you, too.
Design choices that make sense
Even before you open the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, its sleek design is already eye-catching. It has a smooth, polished, and sturdy design—made with aerospace-grade aluminum and rounded edges. Plus, it comes in a gorgeous Tidal Teal color that adds to its appeal.
Despite having two 13.3-inch displays, it’s surprisingly portable. I could easily carry it around with its accessories without feeling burdened. And I don’t have to worry about damaging the screens, either. They are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which should help with keeping the screens scratch-resistant.
Are you worried about having to wipe those screens constantly? You don’t have to. The screens are coated with an anti-fingerprint oleophobic coat. I hardly ever had to clean the screens during my time with this laptop.
The top display has a small lip that makes it easy to open the laptop. Plus, it houses some useful features. There’s a 5-megapixel IR camera that supports Windows Hello, meaning I could quickly unlock the device with just my face. There’s also an ambient light sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, and dual microphones. These sensors allow the laptop to sense whether I’m near or away from it so it can lock or unlock it, accordingly. It’s very convenient and smart. But if you don’t want a camera tracking you, there is a privacy shutter here, too.
These design practicalities aside, Lenovo also wanted to ensure this laptop adheres to industry standards, especially concerning the environment. The Yoga Book 9i is certified by TUV Rheinland as carbon neutral. It’s also Energy Star 8.0 rated, EPEAT Gold registered, and made with recycled materials, including the aluminum top cover, most plastics on the power adapter, and the paper packaging. Lenovo is committed to making more environmentally friendly devices, and I appreciate that.
But this laptop isn’t just a pretty machine. It also has some capable specs that can handle various tasks and needs.
The beast behind this beauty
The Lenovo Yoga Booki 9i comes with the following specifications:
- Dual 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED PureSight displays with 16:10 aspect ratios, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits peak brightness, 10-point touch, and 4,096 pressure sensitivity for pen input
- 13th-generation Intel Core i7-1355U and Iris Xe graphics
- 16GB LPDDRX5-6400 RAM
- 1TB PCIe M.2 Gen4 SSD
- Microsoft Windows 11 Home
- Hybrid thermal management (5 cool air inlets and 2 exhausts)
- 80Whr lithium-ion polymer battery offering up to 10 hours of video playback with both screens on or 15 hours with just one screen
- 3x Thunderbolt 4.0 (USB 4.0, DisplayPort, Power Delivery)
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
- 360-degree Bowers & Wilkins soundbar
- 5-megapixel IR camera, ambient light sensor, time-of-flight sensor, and dual microphones
- 1.34kg and 15.95mm thin
A form factor built for productivity
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a device that adapts to your needs. Whether you are working or playing, you can switch between the different modes and configurations with ease. Lenovo includes a folio stand and a Bluetooth keyboard with this machine, so you can use it as a laptop, a tablet, or a dual-screen display. Let’s talk about how the various modes can enhance your productivity and entertainment experience.
Scroll mode
As part of a new Multimode+ design, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i gets some new configurations that improve the experience. The first one is a new Scroll mode. You can take advantage of the two screens with content flowing from the top to the bottom. It makes it easier to read long documents, see an entire webpage at a glance, blow up the size of your editing software of choice, and more.
Another way to use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is to keep it propped horizontally on the folio stand. But this time, you can have two or more programs on each screen, which is great for multitasking and collaborating.
For example, you can have the window for your virtual meeting on the top screen and your presentation and notes on the bottom screen. Or you can watch an educational video on the top screen and take notes on the bottom.
This mode is my favorite because I can see my notes while I write or watch a YouTube video in full screen on one half while I have my browser or other programs open on the other half.
Book mode
You can have it on its side with its new Book mode. This mode allows you to rotate the device and use it in portrait orientation. This can be useful for people who work with long lines of text. You can see the whole window without scrolling. The Book mode is ideal for tasks like coding, writing, and reading.
Tablet mode
You can also use this laptop as a tablet by folding it in half. This is great for writing, reading, or sketching with your hands. You can use a stylus pen to draw or write on the touchscreen. The tablet mode is perfect for creative activities.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i comes with a Lenovo Digital Pen 3. You can use Lenovo’s built-in Smart Note app to sketch or jot down your ideas quickly. You can even use the Smart Note app when the screen is locked, just like on some smartphones.
Tent mode
If you’re in face-to-face meetings, you can also set up the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i in Tent Mode. You can fold the device in a tent shape and have your presentation on one screen and your notes or controls on the other display. This way, you can share your ideas with your audience while keeping your view. You can also lay the device flat on a table and use it as a tool to collaborate with someone. You can share the same screen or have different programs on each screen.
Laptop mode
Of course, you can use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i as a conventional laptop, with some options for the keyboard. You can use the bottom screen as a digital keyboard, complete with a trackpad and haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of typing on physical keys.
Or you can use the Bluetooth keyboard that comes with the device, which you can place on top of the lower screen. You can position the keyboard near the top screen to use the remaining space as a trackpad or move it towards the edge to access some widgets on the upper part of the lower screen.
I love that this laptop simplifies the gear I need to bring around without compromising productivity. If you’re someone who needs secondary screens to get work done, the Yoga Book 9i gives you one built right into it.
Made for rest, too
Being productive doesn’t mean working all the time. It also means taking breaks and having fun. And the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is great for that, too. You can use this device to enjoy your favorite content, whether that’s games, videos, music, or books.
Watching videos on this device is a pleasure. You can have your show or movie on one screen and your social media on the other display. Or you can use the Tent mode to prop up the device on the bed or share the screen with someone else.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has amazing displays that support 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy and Dolby Vision HDR. This means you can see sharper contrast, richer details, and ultra-vivid colors on apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You can also enjoy the Dolby Atmos spatial audio from the 360-degree rotating Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. It’s great for listening to music or watching movies.
Reading on this device is also enjoyable. You can use the Book mode to read on sites like Google Play Books on one screen and have another browser open on the other screen to look things up or take notes.
As for gaming, three games support this second screen to improve the experience. There’s Asphalt 9, Dungeon Hunter 5, and Modern Combat 5. These games let you use the bottom screen as a controller or a map. Hopefully, Lenovo will work with more developers to make more games compatible with this device.
But can the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i last?
While the versatility of this laptop is unmatched, the important question is whether it’s something you can use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i as your main machine for years.
Lenovo offers three years of Premium Care, which gives you 24/7 access to Lenovo technicians through chat or on-site support. You don’t have to go to a service center to get your device checked or fixed. Lenovo can also help you with data migration and offer an annual PC Health Check to keep your Yoga Book 9i in optimal condition.
Besides Premium Care, you can also get three years of Accidental Damage Protection as an add-on. This is great for people who are prone to accidents, like me. If your device gets damaged by accidental drops, bumps, or electrical surges, Lenovo can send a technician to help you. The company can do that repair on-site if it’s simple enough. But if repair isn’t possible, Lenovo will replace the system without an additional charge. These assurances are one of the great deals you can get out there.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Final thoughts
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has changed the way I work and play. It has given me more desk space without compromising performance. I can have all the apps and windows open without minimizing anything. And I love that I can bring that experience with me anywhere.
The battery life of this device is also impressive, considering it has two displays. I can use it for about seven hours on average, and it takes me only two hours to charge it fully.
If I had to summarize the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i in three words, I’d say it is well-built, unique, and functional. And for many people, that’s all you can ask from a laptop.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i retails for PHP 149,995.
This feature is made in collaboration with Lenovo Philippines.
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