I’m not generally one to write editorials like this, but with the launch of the new Snapdragon processor, I feel like this is needed and appropriate. In this use case, we’ll use the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. The review with all the specification sheets and numbers that you have come to expect will come later. I encourage you to read this post to learn what life has been like using the Yoga Slim 7x.
I received the Yogo Slim 7x in late June, and like others, I was eager to get in the box and see what this device was all about. We’d seen all the presentations and the few leaks, but we still didn’t know what to expect from the first round of Snapdragon PCs. We only had to compare it to the Apple lineup, which has been running ARM-based processors for a few years.
My product evaluation process has always been slightly different than you might typically see. I like to view things as the consumer/user of the product, which means taking a hard look at the device’s use cases, why a consumer might or might not purchase it, and what the “real experience” is like after that new device excitement wears off. You’re paying the credit card bill after making a purchase. I also understand that no device is perfect, and whether a device succeeds or fails is often determined by whether it meets consumers’ expectations without a long list of hiccups.
When I first unboxed the Yoga Slim 7x, the Lenovo DNA began to speak to me immediately: solid build, great keyboard, and an impressive 3K OLED screen that speaks for itself when opening the lid. Setting up this Snapdragon PC differed from setting up an AMD or Intel-based machine. Nothing from Lenovo or Microsoft lets you know this is a Snapdragon PC other than the sticker on the keyboard deck. I suspect this may change when Microsoft has Recall ready for launch.
Once logged in, you still won’t notice the difference between an ARM PC and an x86-based one. Microsoft apps launch quickly, but we all use different apps and multitask many apps simultaneously. I’m a Google Chrome user; I downloaded the ARM version, which has a snappy performance but may be a step behind Edge. I’ll admit that for the first few days, things seemed a step slow, a slight pause here and there. The most annoying thing was being able to scroll a webpage loaded with content quickly; it wasn’t as responsive as other laptops.
I’m glad I didn’t let the minor web browsing glitches influence my decision on the laptop; I would have been wrong. Microsoft has been packing this thing full of updates since I received it, and Lenovo has also updated several times. Each time the laptop improves, I’ve attributed this to Microsoft tweaking the Prism translation layer.
On a typical day, I can wear many hats, from network administrator to tech support, website developer, video editor, and journalist. These roles can happen at any place and time, not just at the desk. It’s essential to hit the ground running or be able to do all of the things at once. I went into this expecting to see the Slim 7x struggle, but I got fooled. It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it and has been efficient.
Eight hours of battery life in the field, connected to three different networks, Slack, Microsoft Teams, a dozen browser windows, and some legacy apps, all at once. The screen outdoors is not a problem. Enough juice is left to hop in bed and finish some emails or even this post. Using this laptop on a blanket in bed is excellent; it doesn’t turn into a hot box with fans blazing.
So what’s wrong with it? Nothing. Sure, it’s up to developers to get on the ARM train and give us the native apps to get the most out of the device. For now, the Prism layer seems to be doing an excellent job of keeping things running. Adobe recently announced that Adobe Premiere will run on the device under the Prism layer, promising that a native version will come later. Progress. It shows what the Prism layer can do. Keeping my expectations in check, does everything run on the Snapdragon CPU? I haven’t gamed on it, though light gaming for some titles is possible. I haven’t tried to do video capture work, but OBS on ARM is in the full development cycle for those interested.
I paused this article to ensure I conveyed my thoughts in a way everyone could digest. This device has been a game changer for me and makes a real difference in my daily activities. Email, this posting, social media, and content on the gorgeous 3K OLED screen—the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is there. We now have some Adobe apps running on Snapdragon; DaVinci Resolve recently left beta, so video editing is now possible.
For Snapdragon to succeed, it’s got to be a team effort. Qualcomm has to do its part, and developers have to do their part. That’s why the Surface Pro X of a few years ago didn’t see the success Microsoft would have liked. Everyone was trying to decide what Windows on ARM was supposed to be, if at all. Apple opened the door to power and efficiency with the M1 chip. It put PC makers back on their heels. The initial response has been the Snapdragon X Elite, found in the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. This laptop is powerful, efficient, and cost-effective.
I’m not sure we’d be here had AI not made its push. After all, these machines are fully branded Copilot PCs with the built-in Copilot key. I don’t think the average consumer is ready to change their habits and use AI; maybe that’s just me. If it took AI to get the “Apple competitor finally, ” thanks, AI.
The title of this article is Life with the Lenovo Yoga 7x, Not a Review. As we’re coming to the end of this article, I don’t want to change that. So far, this has been my favorite productivity and general-use laptop of 2024. As software developers collaborate with Microsoft, the experience has gotten better as the updates roll out. As the life cycle of these devices continues. I’m on board with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x on my lap and in my backpack; I’m excited to see where we go….together.
