Lenovo Slim Pro 9i Hands On: A 14-Inch Laptop Packing Serious Power for Pros

Following up on its recent gaming hardware announcements, Lenovo just pulled the curtain back on new Slim Pro and Yoga laptops, headlined by the Slim Pro 9 slated to launch in May 2023.

We checked out all of these systems at a preview event in New York, taking special interest in the 14.5-inch version of the Slim Pro 9i (starting at $1,699.99), which also comes in a 16-inch size (starting at $1,799.99). These are joined by a couple of other Slim systems—and a few new Yoga 2-in-1 laptops, too.

The smaller Slim Pro 9i is an exciting combination of power and portability aimed at pro users who frequently take their work on the road. Read on for our full hands-on impressions of this system, along with details on the rest of the announcements.


Pro Power in a Small Package

As long as a 14-inch screen doesn’t immediately sound too small for your particular workflow, this is an extremely appealing package. Most professional users likely have a desktop or larger system where they do most of their work, but true power users also need something that can still get real work done on the road.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

The 14.5-inch Slim Pro 9i measures in at 0.67 by 12.9 by 8.8 inches (HWD) and 3.6 pounds. Now, we know of lighter systems, particularly at 14 and 13 inches, but those are mainly ultraportable laptops that don’t approach the level of power in this machine (more on that in a moment). Even then, the laptop's weight is manageable, and its footprint and thinness are still hard to beat.

The system feels well made—the heft adds a higher-quality feel—and looks the part, too. Design-wise, the Slim Pro 9i definitely trends toward a more traditional and business-focused style, particularly in the gray color you're seeing in the pictures here. Lenovo will also sell a more fun teal color option if you want to add some personality.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

You might notice the Yoga logo on the lid here; the machine will use “Yoga” instead of “Slim” branding in other regions, but it’s not part of the product name in North America. The rest of the build is fairly unremarkable, including a sufficient but not exceptional keyboard, at least in my limited use. The touchpad is fairly basic as well, but seems to do its job.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

The display is truly the hero of Lenovo's design, despite it being on the smaller side. It’s a super-crisp and vibrant panel that really impressed me; I think any pros settling in to crunch through some work at a café or in an airport will enjoy using this system.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

Lenovo will sell two different display types, starting with the base LCD version. This is a “3K” resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio (3,072 by 1,920 pixels) IPS panel, with a 120Hz refresh rate and 400 nits rated brightness (touch optional). The second option is a mini LED touch screen with the same resolution, but a faster 165Hz refresh rate and—as a result of the mini LEDs—and a luminous 1,200 nits brightness.

The high resolution is an excellent choice for creative professionals who need to maximize their virtual workspace on a smaller screen. It’s clearly part of the expense, and again, if the 14.5-inch version is too small, Lenovo has a roomier 16-inch version of the Slim Pro 9i.

Rounding out the physical build is a wide-enough range of connectivity. This includes a USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port, another USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) port, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI connection, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. Laptops this thin often ditch those full-size USB ports, and sometimes even the headphone jack, so they’re exciting to see here.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

You'll also find a physical camera button for shuttering the webcam, which is a full HD IR camera on the LCD model and a superior 5MP cam on the mini LED version. The laptop also supports Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6E.

Recommended by Our Editors

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)


Component Check: H Series CPUs and RTX 40 Series GPUs for Pro Users

I’ve been alluding to the powerful components, so let’s take a closer look. As a performance-focused machine, even the base model should be a decent performer, and importantly, it scales much higher than your average compact laptop.

Lower-end specs include a 13th Generation Intel Core i5-13505H processor (CPU), 16GB of memory (RAM), and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics processor (GPU), making for a beefier starter model that won't fully bankrupt you. Even though it’s a Core i5 base chip, the “H” denotes Intel's potent H-Series of CPUs used in enthusiast-level and gaming machines, as opposed to the U-Series chip seen in those other thin ultraportables.

Lenovo Slim Pro 9i


(Credit: Matthew Buzzi)

For those with a bigger budget or who simply need more power, the Slim Pro 9i can jump up to a Core i7-13705H or Core i9-13905H, an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 GPU, and up to 32GB or 64GB of memory. The higher options make for a blistering machine, though its size will constrain what those parts can do compared with a larger laptop—its total graphics power, or TGP, is limited to 80 watts, for example.

If you’re curious how this compares with the 16-inch Slim Pro 9i, its component ceiling is actually quite similar, while the base is a bit higher. Here, the Slim Pro 9i uses the same i7 and i9 chips as the 14-inch. The GPU options are also the same, but the TGP is higher at 100W. They’re otherwise quite similar, with the chief differences being the larger, slightly higher-resolution display (3,200 by 2,000 pixels) and additional thermal headroom for the graphics.


The Rest of Lenovo's Lineup

As mentioned, Lenovo made several other announcements alongside the Slim Pro 9i that might be worth your attention. Here are the price and availability details of the rest of the new laptops:

  • Slim Pro 7, a more affordable but still powerful alternative to the Pro 9i, will be available in April starting at $1,199.99.

  • Slim 7i, a portability-focused take on the consumer Slim line, will be available in April starting at $1,179.99.

  • Yoga 7i, a performant convertible 2-in-1 that comes in both 14 and 16 inches, will be available in April starting at $849.99 for the 14-inch and $799.99 for the 16-inch.

  • Yoga 7, a 16-inch-only, AMD-based version of the Yoga 7i will be available in May starting at $799.99.

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