The MacBook Air killer with Snapdragon X Elite - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Review

Introduction

Introduction

Are you holding the catalyst to break the x86 PC monopoly? This is one of the first Windows laptops running Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite chip. After a false start for Windows on Arm-based chips a few years back, this is the beginning of Qualcomm's big push into the Windows notebook space, promising equivalent computing performance to Intel's latest Core Ultras but, more importantly, the kind of power efficiency only seen from Apple Silicon.

Hardware Overview

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x sports a sleek, understated design in a navy blue color, reminiscent of the MacBook Air. With a 14.5-inch display diagonal, it strikes a balance between screen size and weight. The laptop features a rounded edge to the base and a stylized camera bulge on the lid. While it's slightly heavier than other lightweight laptops like the Huawei MateBook X Pro, it is by no means a heavy machine.

Display and Audio

The 16:10 display offers a 3K OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, adding a snappy feel to touchscreen interactions and scrolling. However, it is prone to visible reflections compared to higher-end glossy OLED panels. The four-speaker system with Dolby Atmos support delivers average audio performance, lacking the bass punch found in competitors from Samsung and Apple.

Connectivity

The Yoga Slim 7x offers Wi-Fi 7 support and three USB 4 ports, two on the left and one on the right, supporting up to 40Gbps transfer speeds. The right edge also houses the power key, which might feel awkward compared to typical placements. You'll unlock the device via Windows Hello using the front-facing camera, which is fast and reliable. For added security, a camera shut-off switch is located on the right edge.

Performance and Features

Under The Hood

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1 e7800 chip, this Laptop features 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Performance in tasks like Photoshop is impressive, even outpacing comparable Core Ultra 7 machines in some cases. The 70Wh battery supports long workdays, offering around 50% more battery life than comparable Core Ultra machines.

Compatibility Challenges

Despite the efficiency, the Arm architecture introduces compatibility hurdles. While Microsoft and Qualcomm have done much to smooth out day-to-day challenges, not all applications are Arm-ready. Adobe Photoshop runs great, but Premier Pro and some edge-case applications still face compatibility issues. Drivers often show up under Windows Update as optional updates, making them harder to find.

Gaming

While Qualcomm doesn’t pitch the Snapdragon X Elite as a gaming chip, it can handle some titles with caveats. Most games won’t support full detail levels or frame rates seen on Core Ultra, but titles like Doom Eternal and the Hitman series are playable with the right tweaks.

Co-pilot Plus Features

New Qualcomm-based laptops come with Microsoft's Co-pilot Plus experience, featuring tools like real-time autoframing in video calls and live captions. However, the lack of features like Recall—the always-on usage tracking tool—makes the Co-pilot Plus feature set seem underwhelming.

Final Thoughts

Verdict

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a polished, power-efficient package without the heat and noise typical of x86 machines. It’s perfect for typical office work and light gaming but beware of potential compatibility roadblocks with specific applications or peripherals. Being an early adopter has its challenges, but future software updates from Qualcomm and Microsoft will likely address these pain points.

Keywords

• Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x
• Arm-based Windows laptop
• Power efficiency
• Windows Hello
• Co-pilot Plus
• Battery life
• Compatibility issues

FAQs

1. What is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x? The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a Windows laptop running Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, designed for high performance and power efficiency.

2. How does the display of the Yoga Slim 7x compare to its competitors? The Yoga Slim 7x features a 3K OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a snappy feel but is more prone to reflections compared to higher-end panels.

3. What are the connectivity options available in the Yoga Slim 7x? The laptop offers Wi-Fi 7 support and three USB 4 ports, two on the left and one on the right, with up to 40Gbps transfer speeds. It also has a power key and a camera shut-off switch on the right edge.

4. Can the Yoga Slim 7x handle gaming? While it’s not a gaming chip, the Snapdragon X Elite can handle some games reasonably well with the right settings. Games like Doom Eternal and the Hitman series are playable with tweaks.

5. What are the Co-pilot Plus features in the Yoga Slim 7x? Co-pilot Plus features include real-time autoframing in video calls, live captions, and a dedicated co-pilot button, though some key features like Recall have been delayed.