By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review: Two screens are better than one but heavier
Share
Font ResizerAa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Font ResizerAa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > PC > Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review: Two screens are better than one but heavier
PC

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review: Two screens are better than one but heavier

Wilson Wong
Last updated: October 17, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Wilson Wong
Published: October 17, 2023
8 Min Read
SHARE
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i lives up to its name, with a good many ‘poses’ for different uses. PHOTO: Lenovo Handout.

Like many other convertible laptops, the new Lenovo Yoga Book 9i can change into different “poses” to suit different needs. While laptops that double up as tablets are not new, you don’t usually get 13-inch (2,880 x 1,800) OLED screens.

With double the display real estate, it’s a joy to get work done on the road. I can quickly fire up two browsers simultaneously, with one screen showing my reference material and the other displaying a word processor. Need need to switch between browser tabs or between windows.

Sure, I can split my regular 13-inch single-screen laptop into two halves with two windows, but it effectively cuts down the size of the window screen, making it hard to read off and requiring lots of page scrolling.

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i’s flexibility helps you get work done more efficiently. In this mode, the camera is at a higher elevation, offering a better perspective during conference calls. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
The left-right orientation is best for reading off reference materials on one screen while typing a report on another. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i lets me use the screen in left-right or top-bottom orientations. If you are writing a report with data on another screen, the left-right orientation makes it easy to read while typing.

The top-bottom orientation is also excellent when I edit videos on the top screen while looking through a list of video clips on the bottom screen. I can easily drag a clip to the video editor timeline at the top.

The Yoga Book 9i has another trick up its sleeves. You can set it up like a regular clamshell-shaped laptop and place the separate wireless keyboard on the bottom screen. Here, you’d still get the remainder of the second screen split up to show useful information.

What’s nifty is that this works seamlessly. The screen will also switch to a virtual trackpad complete with left and right buttons when you shift the keyboard to the top half.

The Yoga Book 9i’s keyboard can be magnetically attached either to the lower half of the bottom screen or to the top. When it is at the bottom, two customisable small screens or one big screen can be used. This reminds me of the Asus Zenbook Pro’s dual screen. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
Once the keyboard is locked to the top portion of the screen, a virtual trackpad complete with left and right mouse buttons appears just like a normal keyboard. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
I thought I could just clamp the laptop shut with the keyboard inside but this is not a good idea to lug the laptop around. At best some scratches on the screen; at worse, a cracked screen. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The bad news is that the laptop cannot be fully folded shut with the keyboard between the screens, as shown in the image above. I have to carry the keyboard with the smart cover and the main unit separately.

Do note that the Yoga Book 9i has two separate screens, instead of the foldable ones seen on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The Lenovo laptops uses two regular screens, which means there’s a hinge and spine that splits the viewing area in half. When watching YouTube streaming, the maximum width is of a 13-inch screen.

Working with the Lenovo laptop is smooth thanks to the Intel Core i7-1355U processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB solid state drive (SSD). The laptop has Wi-Fi 6E onboard, making the machine future-proof for wireless networks for the next few years.

In performance tests, the Yoga Book 9i performed decently, though it threw up no surprises. The laptop achieved a score of 5,446 for PCMark, which measures how well PCs run everyday tasks such as spreadsheets and video calls.

This is higher than the 5,051 from an HP Envy x360 2-in-1 machine we tested earlier this year that sported an earlier 12th-gen Intel core instead of the Lenovo laptop’s 13th-gen chip.

With the common Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, the Lenovo machine is clearly no gaming rig. That said, it should be powerful enough for casual gaming at lowered settings and will be fine for most computing needs.

In the 3DMark Time Spy subtest, which mimics how real-world games, the Yoga Book 9i came back with a score of 1,681. Again, this is better than the HP Envy x360’s 1,475.

The laptop comes with a stylus and a smart cover that can be folded to hold the laptop screens up. It can cover the mobile keyboard when not in use. Remember to shut the keyboard power button to conserve battery life. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The laptop has three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports to charge the laptop with your GaN chargers or the 65W charger that comes with the laptop, once the 80Wh battery runs dry.

However, like many thin and light machines, you need to think of USB-C dongles. One is needed to connect the laptop with other USB peripherals or to read memory cards from your camera or drone.

You might also need to use another camera for video conferencing as the built-in camera 5MP with a dual-array microphone can be better.

The sound from the Bowers & Wilkins speakers is pleasant and clear, giving me nice background music while working. For better bass, it is best to pair the laptop with external speakers.

The main unit weighs 1.34kg. It is not the heaviest but it is hefty enough not to be used as a tablet for long periods of time without support. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

At S$3,579, the Yoga Book 9i is expensive, but the ease of use and having two screens in a neat package make it attractive for folks who want to have more screen estate on the go.

Of course, this is not the only way to bring more screen on your travels. If you are okay with setting up a secondary screen with some grease elbow, buying a portable monitor, such as Dell’s P1424H 14-inch display (S$498.99), is cheaper.

Of course, that might take up more space and weighs more in your bag but then you don’t have to bring the second screen along if you don’t need it for every trip.

Goondu review: Much-awaited DJI Mavic 3 looks good but isn’t ready for prime time just yet
Massive tech sector layoffs a reality check to pandemic-era excesses
Apple’s new M3 Ultra chip to boost on-device AI inferencing
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Feels and works better but not too different
From AI PCs to AI models, businesses face reality check in 2025
TAGGED:2-in-1laptopLenovoreviewSingapore price and availabilitytopYoga Book 9i. top

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
ByWilson Wong
Follow:
Wilson is a self-taught photographer whose passion started with his father’s old Canon L Rangefinder camera. He now leads the 12,000+ strong Singapore Photography & Imaging Network group. His photos have won acclaim from Nikon and Fujifilm, and are featured in various books and exhibitions.
Previous Article Q&A: Data streaming promises to reshape businesses, says Confluent
Next Article Singapore to work with Google, Microsoft to bolster national cyber defence efforts
Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow

Latest News

Promising speed and better coverage, Singtel 5G+ targets premium users
Mobile Telecom
May 15, 2025
Fujifilm GFX100RF review: Fun medium-format street photography camera
Imaging
May 14, 2025
Looks over AI? Samsung pitches slimmed-down Galaxy S25 Edge
Cellphones Mobile
May 13, 2025
Stunning AI advancements could transform healthcare, education and agriculture globally: Bill Gates
Internet
May 7, 2025

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
© 2024 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact
Join Us!
Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?