Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: The Laptop with a Vanishing Webcam
Welcome to the future, or at least peeking around it. Lenovo's new Yoga Slim 9i is already the talk of the town. It is the first laptop to come with an under-display camera. Yes, you read that right: a webcam that disappears when you are not using it. Quite interesting.
The Vanishing Webcam: Innovation or Gimmick
Under-display cameras have been used in smartphones. However, they have yet to be considered for laptops. Lenovo is banking on sleekness and screen real estate. With that hidden camera, the Yoga Slim 9i boasts a 98% screen-to-body ratio. How does it work?
Basically, when you need the webcam, there is a patch of pixels above the camera lens that becomes transparent. This lets light through. Clever. They even include an "E Privacy Shutter" button to activate this magic trick. There will be a tradeoff.
Early Verdict on Camera Quality
Innovative as it may be, early feedbacks from users have indicated that the newly featured under-display 32MP camera may not win any accolades in the photography category. Pictures tend to look somewhat "washed out," especially under poor lighting conditions. Aesthetics were emphasized over stellar camera performance.
Beyond the Camera: What Else Does the Yoga Slim 9i Offer
This is very much a premium laptop. Beyond the disappearing webcam, the Yoga Slim 9i packs some impressive specifications:
- Display: Beautiful 14-inch 4K (3840 x 2400) OLED, very smooth 120Hz refresh rate up to 750 nits brightness. Expect sharp and rich colors with deep blacks.
- Processor: Intel's latest Lunar Lake processors: starting with Core Ultra 7 256V and up to faster Core Ultra 7 258V.
- Memory & Storage: Up to 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD make it snap.
- Battery: Reasonable 75 Wh, with a 65W adapter.
- Connectivity: WiFi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Keep in mind: that's it for ports – dongle life might be necessary.
- Audio: Quad speakers (two tweeters and two woofers) for immersive sound.
- Portability: Thin (14.55mm) and light (1.25 kg), making it truly portable.
Prices and Target Audience
Innovation comes with a price. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i starts at a staggering $1760. Higher pricing follows for faster processing and additional RAM. Who is this laptop for?
Probable priorities are cutting-edge design and aesthetics. Maximal screen real estate with a nearly bezel-less display. Great performance at accomplishing daily tasks and beyond into casual creative work. Portability plus premium feel. However, if webcam quality is a top priority or if you want various ports, there are other options. For those who want innovation and a genuinely unique laptop experience, the Yoga Slim 9i is worth checking out. It's available now if you are ready to step into the future and pay the early adopter tax.
