Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review: The world isn’t ready for dual-screen laptops, but Lenovo is

While the idea of a dual-screen laptop seems like a far-out concept, with the Yoga Book 9i, Lenovo is proving there’s a lot of merit to its design. By including a bunch of bundled accessories including a stylus, a magnetic keyboard and a folding kickstand cover, the laptop can transform from a standard clamshell to a portable all-in-one in seconds. Its daul 13.3-inch OLED displays are punchy and bright and, despite having two panels instead one, battery life is pretty solid. The big issue is Windows because, while Lenovo’s hardware is solid, Microsoft’s OS isn’t quite ready for the dual-screen laptop revolution.
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[@Sarah726G]

I have this and i am in love. I like to travel and work from other places than my desk and this lets me have super fast productive work. No more fighting connecting and setting up everything. I am a bookkeeper and need multiple screens. I use the upper screen at eye level for most work and the lower for data. Most review only talk about creativity so i wanted to give feed back on business type work.

[@stevoblevo]

thanks! any updates? still good as your semi-daily driver?

[@rolandeyezz]

Lenovo needs to drop a 16-inch version for creators

[@WeiFinder]

Yep, i got this one and while it's pretty good amount of real estate, I could just as easily carry a 16in and the productivity difference would be huge. Also, I really am not a fan of 60hz, I'm so used to 120-175hz :/

[@Sew_OzzyWar_Made_This]

Lol I was going to ask if this would be a good laptop for creators 😅😅😅

[@1SuperD1]

Ok I’m not the only one thinking this. My only only complaint is that the screens aren’t bigger. I’m just not a fan of 13 inch laptop screens. 16 would make this laptop an instant buy for me.

[@fmulleady]

It's a groundbreaking product! Much better than the reviewer thinks it is, even in its first generation.

[@sebkeccu4546]

Yes however, they made some stupid decisions, like the virtual keyboard is not configurable, it is also ONLY QWERTY, which is strange since it is just software. They could allow the user to remap every key, color, background etc.. it could be super cool to completely customize this virtual keyboard. you could create even custom macro buttons for gaming etc.. They could create a community, where everybody can share their custom keyboards, that way they don't even need to put any effort in it. People would create their own azerty or qwertz keyboards. By the way: ASUS comes with a similar device next week at CES conference (but with the new meteor lake cpu's)

[@fmulleady]

@sebkeccu4546 interesting will keep an eye out. Custom virtual keyboards would have been good. Also backlighting on rhe physical one. Still love it though!

[@christmasisawesome9348]

​@@sebkeccu4546 what is the Asus model called?

[@sebkeccu4546]

@@christmasisawesome9348 Zenbook Duo . I just was able to pre order. But it will only arrive begin February

[@NocFA]

@@christmasisawesome9348Zenbook duo 14 2024, it improved atop everything wrong with the Lenovo first gen, they’ve won the dual screen market.

[@leslimosley]

I love my yoga book 9i. I need 2 screens and compact set up for when I work from home.

[@chemicheto]

I actually totally love this, I need it to become a mainstream form factor, even better than foldables

[@scotiawest2332]

I'm considering this for my instructional design work. As far as I can tell it will run my Camtasia, or Premier, Captivate, Articulate etc. And the two screen set up is absolutely life changing for me. I'd probably never use the touch keyboard, but that's simply because I want both screens when I'm working. Can't get it Canada yet and I'm seriously considering driving to Montana to buy this.

[@AA-flyguy]

I just bought one, I think you will like this and it should work well for you 🙏

[@StaticPlaya]

This is perfect for me as like was shown taking a portable screen with a laptop can be bulky. This is perfect for traders. Great review.

[@danieloherrick6332]

I agree

[@mrlahjr]

That’s what I was thinking. I’m getting this.

[@WeiFinder]

Same, I used to travel with a portable monitor, now I have the YB9i, much more convenient.

[@Scolopente]

​@@WeiFinderme too.

[@JB-cz4kw]

First off - LOVE the KPop highlights and HYPNOTOAD!!! Huge props Great video, thanks! And thanks for giving those real world examples with peripherals. I would LOVE to have this as my mobile day trading setup! Charts and execution on the top screen (eye level - ERGONOMICS!) and chats/indicators/research on the bottom screen… OLEDS! Hell yea! Just hoping the I Chip can keep up. Thanks again and hoping this trend continues!

[@TheAJKahn]

I'd say $2K is not a bad price for this. But Windows has let us down so many times with these "experimental" devices, that I would wait until MS actually embraces this and fixes their software. For $2K, I'm not only looking for the hardware but the experience itself. And you nailed it saying that one should be wary of the "experimental nature" of these devices.

[@sdchew]

Yeah I have one. It works great most of the time but the Windows experience is ‘meh’. I mean they still hasn’t solved how to sleep properly

[@Scolopente]

​@@sdchewI moved from Mac to Windows for this device. Not regretting it so far, though as you say, it's not perfect.

[@abcdef7660]

​@@Scolopentebro, any issues on this device?

[@AA-flyguy]

I just bought one too, I have the same experience, but its good for portability@@sdchew

[@msp5138]

Why does Window enjouy 80% market share? My guess is you are just a troll who can't afford modern tech.

[@Touchedbyapriest]

Make this a 16" and take my money

[@DC-no3qt]

Nice review. I wish someone would show how MS WORD works in portrait mode. Can you use the two screens as one, and display two complete pages side by side? UPDATED COMMENT: I have purchased the yoga book 9i since the original comment. You can use the two screens as one in portrait mode, in a configuration called "cross screen browsing." With MS WORD set for two pages up side by side, and correctly sized, one complete page appears on each screen. The computer performs the same behavior in PDF programs. This computer has replaced my surface pro as my main device

[@petepaxton5109]

I purchased this early on and I'm just fascinated by the dual screens. It's fairly fast though it does stutter some. The battery life is decent/good considering it has two screens. But to be honest I think this is perfect for a) people who absolutely need two large screens, b) those who can use it in an office, hotel room, or home office setup. But to be honest I actually found it cumbersome at times. It's just way to big for using both screens on an airplane. And it even seemed kinda weird using it in a coffee shop. And then the price - it's very expensive. So, I ended up going with the Asus Zenbook duo. I can use it in dual screen laptop form whenever it's open and the second screen with the keyboard is a real second screen unlike the 9i when the keyboard is attached. It's actually the perfect size for what I need a second screen for. And I paid less than $700.

[@CampGareth]

I'm going the other way, I have the first gen 14" zenbook duo which generally is a great laptop and Linux support on it is very good. I've ordered the yoga book 9i partly because it's interesting, partly because more screen is better, but also because the desktop experience should be better. If I put a normal laptop on a stand I need an external keyboard and the internal one is dead space that could be more display.

[@msp5138]

Why would you use both screens on a airplane? Why do you care with strangers at a coffee shop think (especially since they would all be fasincated). My guess is never owned this laptop and are a ASUS troll.

[@francobarbagallo8915]

I own it, love it but.. Would like it to be 14 inch And would like to have a magnetic track pad attachment option The pen is quite inferior compared to the surface pen I think the price is fine it’s not expensive for what it is

[@francobarbagallo8915]

I own this device, I really like it One thing I needs to have is a magnetic accessory for a physical track pad And I’d love it to be 14.5 inches and have a little more power But love the functionality I hope they make more versions

[@LostAndHangry]

Just 1 more inch? I would love a 16 or 17 inch version at 4k. And yes, power. The specs seem mid range, which means it'll be outdated in a year or so.

[@Scolopente]

I own it too, and love it. I have it paired with an Apple Magic Mouse, and can swipe between desktops and scroll every way. I tried the MS Arc Mouse but it's not up to it. Have you tried pairing an Apple track pad?

[@amalsaab6733]

you have it ? why i cant find it anywhere ? where did you buy it from ?

[@francobarbagallo8915]

@@amalsaab6733 I preordered it on bestbuy It’s now available

[@francobarbagallo8915]

@@Scolopente I haven’t tried any 3rd party accessories I really looking forward for a 2024 model with a faster chip and hopefully a brighter set of screens

[@divinusfilius3771]

This is one absolutely GORGEOUS, BLEEDING EDGE piece of tech!!! It's really rare a gadget looks this good, from EVERY angle, and the screen above screen setup is epic for multitasking, those OLED screens, so sharp too,... it's definitely not gimmicky at all, it's all about productivity and practicality, and that is so rare, as there are so many companies out there experimenting with all sorts of setups and form factors thanks to new tech allowing for it, but this is really killer!!! Starting at $3,000, by the way lol!

[@AA-flyguy]

ahhh $2000 USD.. not $3K

[@neiloakey5183]

wow... this solves so many of my working on-the-road problems....

[@WW-tg5pu]

Bought and I love it!!!!

[@ehatipo4598]

I think this is the future but it still needs time to develop. I was considering getting this but I will get MacBook Air 15 and an iPad

[@stevoblevo]

what a beautiful piece of hardware! I would love to see Lenovo or another major manufacturer create their own OS division and take on Apple at some point. This hardware concept is so deserving of full end to end support from drivers and BIOS to OS. Something only Apple seems to really do. Monoliths have advantages.

[@st33ldi9ital]

I love it! I could be so productive with this

[@tomaszstarzZz]

Favourite laptop for accountants and analysts

[@MichaelHottman]

I'm significantly tempted but there are 2 shortcomings I can't quite get over. Those are, no baclkit keyboard - plenty of other manufactures seem to be able to do this and 16 gb of RAM is too small. I need at least 32gb with the way I work. Outside of those (and I'm hoping they will be addressed in the next version) I'm ready to dive in.

[@msp5138]

Just say you can't afford and leave it at that. No need to come up with excuses.

[@kaylahui6902]

can it turn 360 degree ?

[@lilyyoung1002]

Yes

[@szeredaiakos]

If it would have the audio jack i'd buy it in a heartbeat

[@ancientxtitan9313]

This is a great product. I'm excited to see what improvements they will make in the future. The price though is pretty high. I would still prefer buying a second hand macbook air m1 for 600euros.

[@aelaan12]

The worst time I have ever had is getting used to a new keyboard. I come from the time when we learned how to use a typewriter.... This product is, on par with the technology of today. Sales people will love it, oh and managers needing to flex... lol

[@k.metaxas]

I bought it, it’s a gorgeous machine with some minor problems, mainly due to the win software

[@PedroTawa]

That speaker hinge is some great engineering that seems like something apple would do!

[@fmulleady]

These days: Better than what Apple can do in the laptop space!

[@PedroTawa]

@@fmulleady yeah very impressed with Lenovo with quality and value! Got a yoga 16 inch for 500 dollars I was like WTF

[@turkeyphant]

Where's the weight measurement of all the parts?

[@choboutube]

I've been a sucker for these Yoga Books and both the previous 2 but they were pretty underwhelming in the end - the e-ink part of the c930 was just too slow and unwieldy. I can't remember much about the first one. I sat on my hands for this 9i, largely because it would have cost 3000USD in my region. I do a fair bit of writing that need reference to at least one more windows - my desktop is one big widesreen monitor and another one in portrait mode, and this way I can actually have 4 or more decent sized windows going. When I'm travelling, I find a single screen laptop extremely frustrating to do what I want/ need to do. So I've accumulated an external monitor and a couple of lapdocks (monitor with battery and keyboard). The combination of the 9i with a lapdock, thus 3 screens and using the keyboard and trackpad of the lapdock means the Lenovo accessories can stay at home. It's a bit heavy overall, but I then have 3 screens on the go and only one USBC need to connect them.

[@AA-flyguy]

Its, only $2000 USD, here in the USA

[@msp5138]

Just say you can afford it and leave it at that...

[@ofcossolomon]

How did you manage to fold the stand the wrong way for the entire video

[@msp5138]

It doesn't have an Apple logo...

[@ChristopherConnors]

Great open attitude and thorough review, thank you!

[@junh5053]

Thank you for the in-depth and frankly review. It helps a lot.

[@vietphung7020]

I have had an Acer Iconia dual-screen since 2012. I like it! I would love to have this new Lenovo dual screen.

[@matejtu]

i had iconia too.. and lack of support made me throw the laptop in trash after 8 months. acer didnt fix the issue ever.... maybe you had tahat issue too... ghost touch all over the screen :)... but i realy like the idea of dual screen laptop :)

[@lordcron]

Cost will determine the future of this product.

[@coffeegaming964]

This will be perfect for medical school😊😊😊❤❤

[@KtotheL]

I'm more than ready always have been... I don't know why the hell we don't have 4x screens by now. They really slacked off cuz of that stupid COVID. On the plus side I've been really impressed lately with the handhelds/mini pcs. The strives they've been making in that market is incredible. Still I think it's best to wait until the new line of AMD CPUs and GPUs are unleashed. (Yeah you should try to save to Christmas really after New Year's end of first quarter if we're being honest)

[@stevoblevo]

needs "gesture" typing via touch like Swype seemed to pioneer on the Droid X and now every mobile keyboard includes

[@eljjtp]

Cheaper than an ipad pro kitted out. Let me see what they got here. I like taking notes and this might be worth it. I just want more than 512 gb

[@WeiFinder]

you can get 1tb

[@spacianse8694]

What will they come up with next? The Lenovo NetBook would be great.

[@aaronj8600]

This is almost a purpose build trading laptop. But it needs more RAM, LTE, and possibly less demanding screens

[@danieloherrick6332]

A virtual TrackPoint please.

[@WeiFinder]

yes please!!!!

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

Double Layer Screen!!! Double Satisfaction. Feel so Deep Inside!!! Lenovo is Great 👍🏻😃👍🏻

[@aldrinkulet]

I need this.. those touch screen keyboard and dual screen.. ❤

[@brittanypuente9469]

I like what I have now, but damn this is calling me! Also I feel like this type of product will eventually be used a lot more in the future for sure.

[@MB-yw7up]

@microsoft Please start supporting this type of laptop format this is HUGE

[@chhounsokonthea9321]

this laptop is good but the problem is the pen, it work not good it is very bad.

[@abcdef7660]

Mate, how? it delays?

[@EverElia]

Lenovo ain’t ready for the world! The product is STILL on back order 😭

[@WeiFinder]

I ordered mine 3 months ago right when it got available in Canada, got it about a month later, had a rattle with a fan because of the magnetic keyboard so got a replacement within a month. Doesn't seem too backordered to me ^^

[@EverElia]

@@WeiFinder “3 months ago” The laptop is STILL on back order…. TODAY 🤦🏾‍♀️ I’m not talking about the accessories.

[@WeiFinder]

@EverElia idk what you're meaning to say but i have 2 of these laptops right now

[@Scolopente]

​@@WeiFindergreedy!

[@snitox]

This is a really good innovation. Hope they got a patent. Gj

[@john6684]

Day trading on the go, this is awesome

[@drifter4training]

dude you dont know or forgot the Acer ICONIA 6120 from 2011 ?

[@az9az9az9]

Just imagine, if mobile GPU's can allready drive dual screens, it's not gonna be too long, before built in USB2 37 MB/s data rate SD card readers, will be pushed above and beyond from what was thought to be amazing 😍

[@warrenjoseph76]

I love it. Keep innovating!

[@lowiship]

It is good for video editing?

[@RakeshRoshanRana]

It is the mod version of Microsoft Surface Neo...

[@anthonysanchez1313]

3:55 I love my F(x) Tec Pro 1X SLIDEOUT PHYICICAL KEYBOARD

[@Digitalmedia4less]

I was going to purchase this laptop, but something told me to hold off and I'm glad I did because the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 model came out, and I just received it on 5/7/24 and boy it blows that Yoga thing away. I got the i9 intel 32GB 1TB model, and when I say it's better all the way around, I mean it. Yes, I had to wait about weeks before it shipped out on Amazon, but for $1699 instead of paying $2000 for a dual screen OLED laptop that is not better than the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 it was worth the wait.

[@4KLion]

Hi, what software do you use for video rendering? Thanks for your help

[@kelumprasanna7262]

good for trading apps

[@Design471]

Unless they perfect the virtual keyboard I’ll buy it❤

[@AdmiralBison]

Interesting form factor but specs are weak. Small internal storage, no micro-SD support, minimal RAM and there are better processors than Intel's Ultra series.

[@pepsolenel]

Hello this is me using haptic feedback on a iPhone keyboard

[@uzeconshikory8174]

This is completely sold out why make a video now

[@mohamedsakka2338]

I took the choice I am buying this but I have one concern I use a portable triple monitor setup with my laptop how can I find a monitor extension that fits this form factor😕

[@Scolopente]

I usb-c a third monitor. It's fine.

[@Rson594]

Does anyone run chief architect on this thing?

[@gobrad]

Eh what’s the point in a double screen if your gonna use one half as a keyboard!!! Please!!!

[@oracle7775]

Just ordered one and excited to test it out. However, the real purpose of my comment is that I love the liberal use of k-pop videos in your review!

[@vimalramachandran]

I don't like that separation between the two screens and the added impact on the battery life.

[@InternetProgrammer]

Next evolution , get rid of the notch in the middle partner with oppo or Samsung and get it like the phones. By the time Lenovo does that Apple will introduce the touch screen MacBook and be 5 years behind and claim it’s the first one to do it.

[@MeepMeep88]

Lol so it's a giant flip phone. I'll get one when they make a quad screen laptop LOL. A screen on the back sides ha

[@Seeker_of_sense]

This needs a flexible display.

[@Jxstvib1ng]

That’s whole lotta laptop. My god

[@joakimthorne5172]

So cool!

[@kayjaylin]

This thing needs an nvidia rtx card in it

[@gogreengameon2146]

Who would need that portable though when going between desks? Portrait mode probably looks more viable, but still, better to have a large 4k laptop screen and use split screen.

[@WeiFinder]

I use mine for traveling backpacking.

[@Scolopente]

Nope. I screen cast one screen during demo calls, and use second screen for notes...

[@indiig.]

Zen book clears

[@AidenSmj]

Bruh for a laptop that have same price as laptop with RTX like Strix, this one have very bad Spec

[@RockyAllenLane]

Will formatting the C: drive and installing a debloated copy of Windows 11 Pro destroy all the built-in dual-screen functins? Thanks.

[@Scolopente]

Not sure but probably. But as for bloat, apart from Edge, I didn't notice anything too annoying that I couldn't uninstall in 5 mins.

[@msp5138]

Not sure what the dude means by BLOATED laptop? Not sure why he can figure out Lenovo's advantage app. Also not sure why he is blaming Lenovo for his user errors. If this was APPLE, he'd give it 5 stars.

[@onelove4all]

Too expensive lol. I could buy a car with that money. 😅 hp 3 in 1 price could be used you build a loft lol

[@ApteraEV2024]

11:00 a.i.O.S ™ 🎉

[@ApteraEV2024]

All Verbal interface , 🎉

[@midollafun]

If only this was good for artist

[@LMXPebble]

We get it. You like it K-pop.

[@oluebubemgbemena3118]

Wow

[@RockyAllenLane]

Sorry ... 16 Gb RAM and a 512 SSD ... that doesn't cut it today. I'll wait for version 2 of this nice laptop.

[@Digitalmedia4less]

This thing is beautiful. I would rather spend $2000 on this instead of a Samsung Galaxy Fold or Google Pixel Fold phone. Plus I can't type so the virtual keyboard wouldn't bother me as much 😂😂😂.

[@musaratmerchant742]

I'm a loyal Samsung user and I was thinking of upgrading my S22 Ultra to the new Z fold 5, but honestly I'd rather not upgrade and spend on a yoga book instead just to get hand on this innovative piece of tech lol

[@midnight_bass]

this guy seems to like kpop

[@elvisvan]

_ICT🌆10PM 21st Dec 2023_

[@midicronica1]

We get it dude, you like kpop. Don’t have to be cringe about it.

[@FSK1138]

fot the cost you better off with two portable touch screens and a mini pc

[@WeiFinder]

nah not for travel

[@Scolopente]

Not, not when travelling

[@aamirhussainshaikh1637]

First thing is it's so expensive according to the technology . If technically saying it is just next to external monitor connected to the laptop . Indeed concept is a really good but they should offer proper price otherwise people will be waiting for xiaomi product

[@aoikemono6414]

This is neither interesting nor paradigm shifting. Like the reviewer admitted, this has been done countless times already in the last decade with no real traction. Comparing the rise of touchscreen keyboards on laptops versus smartphones is ridiculous. The keys on blackberries and their ilk were grain sized nightmares many could never even push comfortably. A smart keyboard that you can swipe or two thumb with excessive word correction and manual selection and even handwriting was preferable to physical keys designed for small monkeys. Besides the pretentious look of having a display delicately hovering over another, it always boggles my mind why windows cannot just make a single display function properly for multitasking and have apps display properly. Yes you can move them around and there are resizing and multitasking features, but they don't work properly for all apps compared to having a dedicated, separate desktop. That sideways orientation of the two displays seems especially redundant as you can do that on a larger display, if it's just basically two web browsers.

[@Scolopente]

I have one. 2 screens IS a game changer. I switched from Mac to this and no regrets.

[@chemicalspore]

All the K-pop imaging. yikes

[@MOONfacekilla]

Does the virtual keyboard have haptic feedback?

[@ProuvaireJean]

Yes it does.

[@son.nunu00]

ini 2 jgn tinggalin. tdi Energi Hana on body

[@Lancelotxxx]

how much lenovo pay you ?