Review of Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X with Snapdragon X Series

Introduction

• Snapdragon X series processors by Qualcomm compete with Apple's M series laptops.
• Main concern: Performance of Windows on ARM architecture.
• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X reviewed after six months of use.

ARM vs. x86 Architecture

• x86 (Intel, AMD): Focus on performance, more suited for desktops.
• ARM: Power efficiency, suited for mobile devices.

Snapdragon Variants

• Snapdragon X series:
  • X (entry-level)
  • X+ (budget)
  • X8 (flagship)
• Review unit: Snapdragon X Elite XIE78100 with:
  • 12 Orion CPU cores, 3.4 GHz
  • Adreno GPU
  • Hexagon NPU
  • 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
  • 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD

Performance

• Benchmarks:
  • Higher multi-core scores than Intel and AMD.
  • Good performance in day-to-day usage and multitasking.
• App Compatibility:
  • Improved with recent updates, supporting more apps like Premier Pro.
  • Transition layer called Prism helps run x86 apps.

Gaming and AI

• Gaming:
  • Counter-Strike 2 at 40 fps (low settings), but frame drops.
  • Cyberpunk at 30 fps (low settings).
  • Upcoming native support for games like Fortnite.
• AI Features:
  • NPU for local AI tasks.
  • Windows on-device AI features and Windows Studio effects in camera.

Battery Life

• 70Wh battery with 65 watt type-C charging.
• Impressive battery life:
  • 1.5 days of regular work usage.
  • 14 hours of video playback.
• Fast charging: 5% to 100% in an hour.

Design and Build

• All-metal chassis with matte finish.
• Well-built with military-grade certification.
• Display:
  • 14.5-inch, 3K 90Hz OLED panel with Dolby Vision.
• Good hinge stability and touch capability.
• Audio:
  • Four speakers with Dolby Atmos.
• Good keyboard and trackpad design.
• Webcam and facial recognition support.

Port Selection

• Limited to three type-C ports.

Pricing and Conclusion

• Pricing:
  • Snapdragon X Elite: 1,11,990 INR
  • Snapdragon X Plus: 1,04,990 INR
• Ideal for day-to-day tasks, excellent battery life, and display.
• Recommendation to upgrade to Windows 11 Copilot Plus PC.
• Overall, a solid laptop despite limited port selection.