I recently spent some time with Lenovo’s 16-inch Yoga 7 laptop, a machine that sits in an intriguing spot in the market, especially considering its current sale price of $549 at Best Buy (affiliate link). As the back-to-school season approaches, this model might catch the eye of students and budget-conscious consumers alike. You can see more in my latest review.
The Lenovo Yoga 7 is part of the Yoga line, known for its flexible design. This 16-inch laptop can be used as a traditional laptop or folded back into tablet mode, making use of its touch display. Although the pen is optional and wasn’t included with my review unit, the ability to draw and interact directly with the screen adds another layer of functionality.
The 16-inch display is a touch screen that offers a decent experience, though it’s not tailored for professional use. With a resolution of 1920×1200 and a 16:10 aspect ratio, it provides a bit more vertical space compared to standard 16:9 screens, which is useful for productivity tasks. However, its 300 nits brightness and limited color accuracy may leave photographers and video editors wanting more.
Under the hood, the Yoga 7 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 8640HS processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. While the processor is capable, the limited RAM is a bottleneck for more demanding tasks, especially since it’s not upgradeable. The laptop handles basic tasks like web browsing and video streaming without issue, but newer AAA games and more intensive applications like video editing might struggle due to the RAM constraint. The built-in 512GB NVMe storage is upgradeable, providing some flexibility for those needing more space.
Weighing in at 4.39 pounds, the Yoga 7 is not the lightest option out there, but its solid build quality justifies the weight. The all-metal chassis and thick glass display contribute to its sturdy feel, making it a device that can withstand regular use. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, with well-spaced keys and a backlight, though the number pad’s smaller keys may take some getting used to. The touchpad performs well, with a reliable physical click throughout most of its surface, and the fingerprint reader adds a convenient way to log in quickly.
The laptop also comes with a decent selection of ports, including two USB-C ports that support power delivery and video output, a full-sized HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. However, the placement of the power button on the side can be a nuisance, as it’s easy to hit accidentally when handling the laptop. The 1080p webcam performs adequately for video calls, and the built-in shutter provides a simple way to ensure privacy.
In terms of performance, the Yoga 7 handles basic tasks with ease. Web browsing, video streaming, and light multitasking are smooth and responsive. Basic 4k video editing in DaVinci Resolve was a little better than expected, but more demanding projects will be hindered by the limited RAM. While older games like GTA V ran well, more recent titles struggled, particularly those that require more memory. Benchmark tests also revealed a bit of thermal throttling under heavy sustained load that might impact performance when running games or other demanding tasks.
Despite these drawbacks, the Yoga 7 does have some redeeming qualities. Its battery life is impressive, thanks to the large 71Wh battery, providing around 10 hours of use under light workloads. Additionally, the laptop runs relatively quietly, even under load, which could be a selling point for those who prioritize a quiet working environment.
The Yoga 7 also supports Linux, and my experience running Ubuntu was smooth, with all hardware components being detected and functioning properly.
Overall, the Lenovo Yoga 7 is a solid option for those needing a reliable laptop for everyday tasks. Its build quality and design are standout features, and while its performance is hampered by limited RAM, it remains a decent value, especially at its current sale price.