Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14 evaluate: A feature-laden Ultrabook that prices lower than you assume

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14 is an evolution of the IdeaPad S740 14. It is Lenovo’s non-convertible lineup that is priced within the mid-market worth vary, with fashions beginning at about $750. It is skinny, has a compact footprint, and it manages to pack in fairly just a few options, together with a devoted GPU, top-firing audio system, and a few clever safety features. I have been utilizing the Slim 7 14 for the final week to see precisely what it is all about and whether or not or not it is value a purchase. Here is what I discovered.

Lenovo provided Home windows Central with a evaluate unit of the IdeaPad Slim 7 14. It is configured with a tenth Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor (CPU), 8GB of RAM, a 512GB M.2 PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), NVIDIA MX350 devoted graphics card (GPU), and a 14-inch FHD non-touch show with shiny end. This precise mannequin goes for about $755 at Lenovo.

Energy customers can add as much as a Core i7-1065G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and as much as 1TB of storage. RAM is soldered to the board barring any future upgrades, although the M.2 SSD slot is accessible by eradicating the laptop computer’s backside panel.

Listed here are the precise specs in my evaluate unit.

The IdeaPad Slim 7 is a laptop computer constructed totally from aluminum. The bottom and lid are inflexible, with solely a little bit of bend when actually pressed. Weighing in at 3.3 kilos (1.5kg) and measuring 0.58 inches (14.9mm) skinny, it is a laptop computer that may simply journey round with you. There’s nothing too flashy in regards to the design; the Slim 7 as a substitute focuses on a high quality construct and fairly just a few options. The lid has a ledge stamped with “7 Sequence” for simpler opening, and there are Lenovo badges on the lid and palmrest. It is in any other case a Slate Grey end that does a good job of repelling fingerprints.

The IdeaPad Slim 7 14’s aluminum construct feels nice to carry and is sufficiently small to simply tuck right into a bag.

Plenty of laptops transfer away from beneficiant port choice as they get thinner, however the Slim 7 14 is an outlier. On the left is a USB-C port used for information and for the AC adapter, in addition to HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 3, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The best aspect has twin USB-A 3.2 ports joined by a microSD card reader. After testing it seems that it is a UHS-I reader with learn and write speeds as much as about 30 MB/s.

There’s sufficient native connectivity right here that most individuals ought to get by alright, however you’ll be able to all the time add one of many best Thunderbolt 3 docks for a bigger setup. There is no Ethernet, however Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are current.

The facility button resides additionally on the fitting aspect of the laptop computer. Inbuilt is a tiny fingerprint reader that works with out flaw, offering fast logins by way of Home windows Howdy. Extra spectacular, although, is the inclusion of an IR digital camera with Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for human presence detection. The laptop computer can inform whenever you’re current and whenever you’re away, locking and unlocking Home windows routinely. It will also be used to pause and play video upon leaving and returning.

This function could be turned off in the event you’re uncomfortable with the sensor, although it data no video or sound. As for the precise 720p webcam, it gives a transparent picture that I would not thoughts sharing in a video convention. You’ll be able to alter its brightness, distinction, publicity, and background blur from the Vantage app. There is no bodily webcam shutter, however there is a change you’ll be able to toggle in the identical Vantage app.

As a substitute of packing audio system into the underside of the laptop computer, Lenovo makes good use of the house across the keyboard. A 2W speaker flanks the keys on both aspect. With Dolby Atmos, audio is surprisingly good and could be tuned for various makes use of. Audio will get loud with none distortion when listening to music and chat comes by way of clear. There may very well be extra bass, however that is the norm with Ultrabook audio system.

The IdeaPad Slim 7 14 makes good use of house for its keyboard and touchpad. The touchpad is sized appropriately for the gadget, and its glass floor feels nice when pointing. Clicks are stable, and Precision drivers ship all the suitable Home windows 10 gestures and shortcuts.

The keyboard, with its three-stage white LED backlight, has keys spaced appropriately. Presses are uniform, and I had no issues typing 1000’s of phrases. The one factor to contemplate is that key journey is not almost as deep as most ThinkPads. Bottoming out whereas typing is not harsh, however in the event you’re coming from a board with deep keys it can seemingly take a while to acclimate.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14 Show

Many laptops on this worth vary fail to ship a show value for lengthy. This isn’t the case with the IdeaPad Slim 7 14. It is out there in contact and non-touch (I’ve the latter) at a 1920×1080 decision solely. The 16:9 side ratio and shiny end are undoubtedly the worst elements of this show, however coloration replica and distinction make up the distinction.

Testing with a SpyderX Professional colorimeter, I measured 100% sRGB, 80% AdobeRGB, and 84% DCI-P3 coloration replica, all glorious outcomes for a laptop computer this worth. It is not going to fare nicely for specialised work, however that is not the place this laptop computer goals. Mixed with a measured 405 nits brightness at most, you must be capable of principally ignore the shiny end and benefit from the color-rich image.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14 Efficiency and battery

The IdeaPad Slim 7 14 brings all-day battery life and funky efficiency.

The Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU is on the backside of choices for the Slim 7 14, however it’s nonetheless a chip that may deal with a comparatively heavy workload. Use it for productiveness work, together with phrase processing, net shopping, photograph modifying, and spreadsheets, and also you should not have an issue. The inclusion of a devoted NVIDIA MX350 GPU additionally provides a pleasant enhance to efficiency for anybody who desires to partake in heavier photograph modifying or gaming. This is not a gaming laptop computer, however it could possibly definitely maintain its personal with lighter titles.

In case you want higher efficiency you’ll be able to scale as much as a Core i7-1065G7 CPU with the identical devoted GPU. There’s additionally an AMD model of the laptop computer that brings quicker RAM and highly effective AMD Ryzen 4000 series Mobile CPUs.

I ran some benchmarks to see how nicely the Slim 7 14 competes with different laptops we have not too long ago reviewed.

Battery life is excellent. The Slim 7 14 has a chunky 60.7Wh battery, bigger than typical for a laptop computer this skinny. Testing with PCMark Workplace Rundown utilizing 75% display screen brightness (applicable for a well-lit room) and the “Higher efficiency” Home windows 10 energy setting, the Slim 7 14 hit 10 hours and 40 minutes of life. That is greater than sufficient to get you thru a workday while not having an AC adapter.

The laptop computer retains cool below load because of twin followers and sizable warmth pipe. The aluminum backside additionally does a fantastic job of dissipating warmth.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14: Competitors

Lenovo has an AMD Ryzen model of the IdeaPad Slim 7 14, although it now not appears to be bought on the official web site. Different retailers appear to have some fashions floating round with as much as an AMD Ryzen 7 4700U. RAM in these fashions is upgraded to a lot quicker LPDDR4x-4266, and you must be capable of eke out longer battery life. Nonetheless, there is not any Thunderbolt 3 and no NVIDIA MX350 devoted GPU in these fashions.

Lenovo additionally has the Yoga 9i 14, a high-end convertible with contact show (in FHD or UHD), soundbar speaker, glorious audio, and lengthy battery life. In case you’re purchasing for a laptop computer for media, it is a nice possibility. Our best Lenovo laptops roundup has many extra choices.

The HP Spectre x360 14 is little question engaging in the event you’re leaning extra in direction of a convertible PC. It has a 3000×2000 decision contact show with 3:2 side ratio, glorious audio, energetic pen for inking, comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and eleventh Gen Intel Core CPUs. Costs begin at about $1,170, although, so it could be out of funds.

The AMD-powered Acer Swift 3 is an effective 14-inch pocket book different, delivering excellent efficiency, all-day battery life, and respectable port choice.

Do you have to purchase the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14?

You should purchase this if …

• You are in search of a value-friendly Ultrabook
• You want a bit of additional efficiency from a devoted GPU
• You need a robust set of options, together with human presence detection, top-firing audio system, and beneficiant port choice

You should not purchase this if…

• You want a convertible laptop computer
• You favor a show with greater than an FHD decision
• You need true gaming efficiency

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14 is much more laptop computer than I used to be anticipating. It is compact and constructed nicely, feeling like much more than $750 when picked up. The keyboard is a bit shallow however feels good to make use of, and the Precision touchpad is sized appropriately for the remainder of the gadget. Audio system flanking the keys pump out spectacular sound, and there are a bunch of safety features that make the bundle that a lot better. The IR digital camera mixed with ToF sensor will hold your laptop computer locked tight whenever you depart and can have it able to work as quickly as you come back.

4.5
out of 5

Even with the comparatively low-end config I obtained to evaluate, I am comfy utilizing the Slim 7 14 for all work, particularly because of the included NVIDIA MX350 devoted GPU. The show is colourful and will get shiny sufficient to fight many of the shiny display screen’s glare. That is an all-around glorious laptop computer, and it is easy to advocate for anybody buying throughout the mid-range space. If none of those are actually what you are in search of, take a look at our assortment of the best Windows laptop choices out there immediately.