Lenovo Slim 7 (2024) review

Trade in Lenovo Slim 7 (2024)

(Image credit: Future)

It sounds like the Lenovo Slim 7 is a standout option for those needing a versatile, portable laptop. Priced at $999, this 14-inch Windows 11 ultraportable has impressed me during my time using it for work events like WWDC 2024. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around, fitting comfortably in a glove compartment, yet it doesn’t compromise on performance. I’ve found it more than capable for daily tasks and even some light gaming, thanks in part to its 14-inch OLED touchscreen that enhances the viewing experience for videos and games.

The affordability of the Lenovo Slim 7 adds to its appeal, though it may require a visit to Costco to purchase one. Having used it extensively for both work and leisure, I’m confident in saying it’s among the best laptops of 2024. In my Lenovo Slim 7 review, I’ll delve into why it stands out.

LENOVO SLIM 7 (2024) REVIEW: CHEAT SHEET

(Image credit: Future)

• What is it? The Lenovo Slim 7 14IMH9 is a 14-inch Windows 11 laptop that’s light, capable and comfortable to type on.
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants an easy-to-carry productivity laptop with a 14-inch OLED touchscreen.
• What does it cost? $999 at Costco, where it’s sold as the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 7i.
• What’s good about it? This is a great laptop for getting work done on the go, as its powerful enough for work and light gaming, light enough to carry for hours and long-lasting enough to get you through a day at the office or coffee shop.
• What’s not so good? You can’t play many modern games on this laptop at acceptable framerates. Also, the power cable is painfully short and the power button is in a potentially inconvenient spot.

LENOVO SLIM 7 (2024) REVIEW: SPECS

(Image credit: Future)

LENOVO SLIM 7 (2024) REVIEW: THE UPS

OLED touchscreen is a joy to use

(Image credit: Future)

The 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED touchscreen on the Lenovo Slim 7 is undoubtedly one of its standout features. It’s rare to find such a high-quality OLED display on a $999 laptop, but this screen ticks all the boxes for what I desire in a laptop display: vibrant colors, excellent brightness, HDR support, and responsive touch functionality. It enhances the visual experience significantly, whether for work tasks or enjoying multimedia content.

The Lenovo Slim 7 review unit occasionally requires some squinting when used outdoors in afternoon sunlight, but aside from that, I had no issues using it for work and entertainment throughout the day. The screen boasts good viewing angles, HDR scenes stand out (particularly in games and movies that support it), and colors are vibrant on this 14-inch display.

Our lab testing results confirm my impressions of the Lenovo Slim 7. While it may not be the most color-accurate (as indicated by its high Delta-E score), its vibrancy and rich, saturated hues enhance colorful scenes remarkably well. Although it doesn’t reach the same brightness levels as the MacBook Air M3 (which is available for just over $1k), the Lenovo Slim’s OLED screen covers a broader range of the challenging DCI-P3 color gamut compared to the MacBook Air’s LED display.

(Nearly) all-day battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The Lenovo Slim 7 performed admirably in our battery rundown test, lasting just over 10 hours. This test measures how long a laptop can continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi with the screen set to low brightness (around 150 nits). Even top-tier Windows laptops often struggle to reach the 10-hour mark in our battery test, so the Slim 7’s performance places it among the best in terms of battery life.

In real-world use, I found the laptop to be reliable throughout a day of work, without constant worry about running out of battery. While it didn’t quite convince me to leave the charging cable at home like I might with a MacBook Air, the Slim 7 easily lasted through a full day of remote work at Apple without needing to plug in. I did encounter a close call when the battery died just as I was finishing my last task, but overall, it managed approximately 10 hours of mixed-use on the go at various brightness levels, which is commendable.

Easy to carry and comfy to type on

(Image credit: Future)

The Lenovo Slim 7 impresses me with its ease of portability and comfort during use.

I find typing on the Slim 7’s keyboard enjoyable despite its slightly smaller size for my larger hands. The ample space between the keys prevents any feeling of cramped typing, and the slight curvature of the keys enhances the typing experience by providing a comfortable feel under my fingers.

While I may appreciate typing on the robust CherryMX mechanical keys of a hefty gaming laptop like the Alienware m18, the practicality of carrying such an 18-inch device for a day of work on the go is simply impractical. In contrast, the Lenovo Slim 7’s lightweight design (3.2 pounds) and compact size make it incredibly easy to decide to bring along. I can effortlessly stow it in my car’s glove compartment with plenty of room to spare before heading to appointments.

When combined with its commendable battery life, these features make the Lenovo Slim 7, in my opinion, one of the best business laptops available for around $1,000. While Apple enthusiasts may consider the MacBook Air as a viable alternative, it’s challenging to find a Windows laptop that matches the Slim 7’s blend of lightweight portability, comfort, and sufficient power efficiency to last through a full workday.

LENOVO SLIM 7 (2024) REVIEW: THE DOWNS

Inconvenient power button

(Image credit: Future)

Lenovo has a tendency to place the power button on the side of its laptops, which I find quite inconvenient. During my review of the Lenovo Slim 7, I encountered several instances where I inadvertently put the laptop to sleep because the power button is positioned within the right-side port array, alongside the headphone jack and USB-A port.

While you can eventually adjust to this placement, initially, I accidentally activated sleep mode nearly a dozen times. When reaching down to check if my wireless mouse’s USB dongle was plugged into the USB-A port, I often pressed the power button by mistake. This immediately plunged me into the frustrating process of trying to wake up a Windows laptop from sleep mode, which can be quite unpredictable.

The power cable is too short for comfort

(Image credit: Future)

The length of the power cord on the Lenovo Slim 7 has proven to be a significant frustration for me during day-to-day use. At just under 6 feet long, it sounds sufficient, but in practice, it causes real headaches when using the laptop on the go.

The main issue stems from the fact that the power port is located only on the left edge of the laptop, near the hinge. This setup limits flexibility because you can’t plug the power cable into either side of the laptop to charge. Consequently, if I need to plug into an outlet that’s not on my left side, I have to be extremely close to it or risk not being able to connect at all. This is particularly problematic when working at home, as I often have to maneuver the laptop to the edge of the table to reach the outlet, risking damage if the cable is taut and I accidentally nudge it.

Moreover, this limitation makes it frustrating and sometimes impossible to use the laptop on the go, especially in crowded places like coffee shops or airports, where finding a convenient power outlet can be challenging. While it would have been a simple fix to either lengthen the power cable or relocate one of the USB-C ports to the right side of the laptop, Lenovo has not addressed this design issue.

In conclusion, while the Lenovo Slim 7 excels in many areas, its short power cord and limited charging port placement are significant drawbacks that users must contend with.

LENOVO SLIM 7 (2024) REVIEW: VERDICT

The Lenovo Slim 7 has won me over with its fantastic OLED touchscreen, strong performance, good battery life, and comfortable design. I liked it so much that I kept our review unit longer than usual to use it at events and for work, which isn’t my usual practice with review hardware.

Despite some drawbacks like the inconveniently placed power button and short charging cable, and the fact that it’s not ideal for high-framerate gaming, I found enjoyment playing older strategy games like Endless Legend on the go.

If you’re in the market for a more powerful laptop around the same price range, I’d suggest considering a budget gaming laptop like the MSI Bravo 15. Alternatively, if macOS and long battery life are priorities, you might opt for a more powerful option like the MacBook Air M3.

However, what sets the Lenovo Slim 7 apart is its standout feature: the 14-inch OLED touchscreen. It elevates every task with vibrant visuals that surpass those of a standard LED laptop display. I particularly appreciate the touchscreen functionality, which offers an alternative way to interact with the laptop, giving my hands a break from the touchpad or external trackball.

Overall, I believe the Lenovo Slim 7 offers exceptional value, delivering a solid Windows 11 laptop with an outstanding screen and good performance at a reasonable price. Finding a high-quality OLED laptop for $999 is rare, but the Slim 7 fits the bill perfectly. Best of all, you don’t even need a Costco membership to purchase one!

Source: Tom’s Guide