Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Review: Dual Desktops On The Go!

Sponsored by DeleteMe. Take back control of your personal information: visit JoinDeleteMe.com/MrMobile and use code MRMOBILE for 20% off!
[LENOVO YOGA BOOK 9i REVIEW]
Good version of a bad idea; bad version of a good idea; good versions of many forgettable ideas. Lenovo’s done it all over its thirty-nine years in business - and honestly? I expected the Yoga Book 9i (first seen at CES 2023) to land firmly in the “bad-bad” category.
Here's what actually ended up happening: this became the first new PC concept in years that really enchanted me - without then disappointing me once I actually started using it. Turns out the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a good execution of a surprisingly good idea!
[SUBSCRIBE TO MRMOBILE]
kzbin.info/door/SOp...
[ABOUT THIS VIDEO]
This video was made possible by a Yoga Book 9i review sample provided by Lenovo.
MrMobile does not accept compensation from the manufacturers of the products he reviews in exchange for producing content. No payment was provided and no manufacturer or carrier was afforded a preview, editorial input or copy approval rights concerning this review. The lone sponsor of this video is DeleteMe.
[MUSIC]
"Scrappy" by Famous Cats [Soundstripe]:
app.soundstripe.com/songs/15630
“Yo Tokyo!” by Matt Wigton [Soundstripe]:
app.soundstripe.com/songs/14025
“High Expectations” by Anthony Catacoli [Soundstripe]:
app.soundstripe.com/songs/15710
"And Them's The Facts" by Famous Cats [Soundstripe]:
app.soundstripe.com/songs/14340
[CHAPTERS]
00:00 Good story, well told
01:06 A "novel" kind of PC
02:11 Postures for days
04:32 A workstation at heart
08:15 Delete yourself [sponsor spot]
09:36 The (inevitable) compromises
12:06 The Surface Neo we never got
[SOCIALIZE]
/ themrmobile
/ themrmobile
/ themrmobile
/ captain2phones
mrmobile.tech
[DISCLOSURES]
This post may contain affiliate links, which afford Future plc a commission should you make a purchase. This does not affect MrMobile’s editorial content. See Future's disclosure policy for more details: www.futureplc.com/terms-condi...
Additional information concerning MrMobile’s ethics policy can be found here: mrmobile.tech/ethics

[@JhaveriAakash]

So proud of Asus and Lenovo for doing new stuff all the time

[@shadowsmirk]

I didn't really think about ASUS until they announced their laptop with a 3D, OLED display. Then I started researching them. Yeah, mad respect for their engineers and management.

[@PSYCHOV3N0M]

​@@shadowsmirk Asus also showed off their concept dual-screen laptop many years ago called Project Precog. Lenovo beat both Asus and Microsoft (Surface Neo) to market.

[@ryuXTTV]

That's what killed LG mobiles lol 😅

[@Arts11234]

@@ryuXTTVNope! What killed LG mobile was their inability to release a universal smartphone that is liked by all. They were trying hit the dartboard of novel ideas while blindfolded. On the other hand asus, Lenovo and Samsung also experiment but they also have the good range of other universally accepted products i.e Samsung has M and A series for most consumers but they experiment with S and Z series to cover up the expenses same thing is done by Porsche where they made Cayenne,E, Cayman for regular consumers and from those profits they keep on experimenting with all 911s and 918s

[@wangxx6970]

This idea came from surface neo 😢

[@readyforlol]

Pro tip : on Windows you can hit CTRL + ALT + arrow keys to move windows between screens without having to drag them with your mouse. It works even if the window is not visible.

[@stubborn.turtle]

Windows + arrow works as well

[@SheryarButt]

​@@stubborn.turtle That works for active window only

[@Saji_0]

correction Win + Shift + arrow key

[@AMPProf]

Moo

[@IrenMasot]

Oh gosh, I knew there was a shortcut but I couldn't drag Google through a single useful search on my end. Thank you so much for sharing this! Uhh, it's WIN + ALT, by the way.

[@Hecate24]

i actually loved your biking vid. and i hope you do more but not too much, we still need you for tech reviews lol

[@TheMrMobile]

Thanks for joining me on that adventure!

[@quikesteve]

@@TheMrMobile I loved the biking video. Before the pandemic I used to do 100 mi cycling events and been thinkingabout getting back in to them with an electric bike so it was a fun video and very informative.

[@localblackman427]

I want a supercut of the biking vid

[@Hecate24]

@@TheMrMobile well written and well shot review too, the way you touched on the bike's features and capabilities, your capabilities (95% of us can relate), the route, the scenery and the challenges in between. 👌 thank you for bringing us quality content, always. PS: i felt that S23U drop 😭

[@Vlad-rf3tu]

@@TheMrMobile Did you made the back trip on the e-bike as well? Didn't get that from the video.

[@RavMucha]

As a Web Developer who needs (minimum) two screens to work in hotel rooms (and has to fit a Macbook and a portable screen in an airport approved size backpack all the time) I very much see this as a sensible solution to that, admittedly not very common, problem, so thumbs up.👍 Most of the problems it has, like limited I/O and funny behavior with windows insisting to stay on not the screen I want is stuff I still have to deal with on a Mac with a screen attached, so not really a downside, just saved space.

[@vnilla1579]

I would love to see this as a hackintosh.

[@localblackman427]

I bought nreal air with nebula glasses to get around needing a 2nd display for my MacBook. I got tired of lugging around an extra screen

[@vnilla1579]

@@localblackman427 What are the nebula glasses? I did a quick google search by didn't find anything that looked AR-related.

[@NigelMelanisticSmith]

@@vnilla1579 it's called the XREAL Air, formally called NReal Air. Nebula is the name of their AR software

[@artvandelayimports]

Sorry to hear that your e-bike video didn't get the traction it deserved, I really enjoyed it!

[@iGeneration4]

That device really caught my eye back when Lenovo was showcasing it. Now that's its starting to look like a reality, I feel this is great for those of us who prefer to have more space to work but not all the time. Also, how come people didn't watch your eBike review?? That video was great.

[@sexyscientist]

Algorithm is not pushing a bike review by a tech dude.

[@nakedeye44]

nope. bikes don't interest me.

[@neruwu]

yeah same, i have absolutely no interest in e-bikes whatsoever and while the video is probably well made as always i'm not spending almost half an hour on something i really couldn't give less of a crap about

[@NigelMelanisticSmith]

11:41 Using the Windows Key + Arrow Keys let's you move windows from a covered monitor to the main one. This shouldn't be an issue, but that's the way to resolve it more quickly than removing the keyboard every time.

[@localblackman427]

Yeah and that's a default windows feature

[@crobblack]

I watched the e-bike review and I loved it. One of your best Road Trip Reviews and videos period.

[@shuhratm2]

Thank you for the review, Michael. Can’t wait for this form factor to gain more traction

[@evanyoungberg8718]

I immediately recognized Sir Walter Coffee in Raleigh! Excellent review and glad you got to visit my hometown!

[@craigwoodgate7120]

They delivered a device that Microsoft announced but didn’t release just a different style. It actually looks like a good device overall having two big screens to multitask on would be great

[@MarcoR6]

Great video as always, Michael! That's a very impressive device, even though probably most people will never be able to put their hands on it. As for your bike tour, I hope you don't let the fewer views make you give up on further adventures, that was one of my favorite videos on the channel and I've been here since day one.

[@30livesshow]

5:40 Whoa, I can't beleive your ebike video pulled in such low numbers! It was a truly excellent video!

[@SujeethNarra]

Not sure why your bike video didn’t catch on - I loved it, inspired to try something similar myself. Thanks for the honest reviews!

[@petepaxton5109]

I have a surface duo and with the latest updates I really like it. Having two screens has been awesome. Kinda reminds me of this

[@octoo9789]

Lenovos really hauling with this idea! So are you with these amazing videos. Keep up the good work MrMobile!!

[@mcgrud]

For the algorithm. ✊

[@angelherg1997]

✊🏽

[@IamAutumn_]

✊🏽

[@renofumi28]

✊🏽

[@short_music_official.]

✊

[@JoJo-oc8zf]

✊🏾

[@plumokin5535]

No one saw the bike video!? It's one of my favorite videos you've made and I don't even live anywhere where I'd need a bike, but it kept me engaged the whole time

[@ericpacheco366]

I did see that video haha, you MrMobile would be the only KZbinr for which I would see a road trip/ebike review video, even when such product is not even available where I live. Love your content.

[@yashonilgupta]

Amazing summary Michael! The last video was a vibe as well!

[@coasterblu9892]

Really enjoyed the previous video. One of your best. This video is great as usual!

[@NerdyCanadian96]

That novel pun was great! As always great review, great video. You are the best reviewer out there.

[@deuspax]

IMHO this is a new beginning - I really like the new way of imagining the mobility

[@kevinmikulaj]

Another great review. Something I would never purchase but I can see how some people would love it.

[@Shutterclosed]

All those tweets and in video rants about the cycling video got me giggling throughout the video 😂😂

[@markfinlay422]

Hey Micheal, I LOVED the eBike review! As for this, well I listened to you and Tnkgrl talking on her podcast. I just didn't get the two screen mode with the keyboard below until I saw this! Well that looks like some I could use. I'm definitely going to look at this. Thanks Michael.

[@parrylim]

i was waiting for your review for this for a while . thanks

[@AuthenTech]

"Review units should be ready to be reviewed" - Haha I love that. Definitely going to use this when talking to brands in the future.

[@your__daddyy]

Always excited to watch your videos.

[@Chemy.]

What a great video, i see myself working in something like this because i do have 3 screen to work and helps a lot, having it also with good battery life and portable it's pretty great. As always fun to watch video, btw I did watch your ebike video, was great, so not sure why the algorithm didn't like you

[@MoonyD911]

I love this laptop and the concept of it all. Hopefully this will be on sale around Black Friday by the end of the year.

[@MJJ1390]

I enjoyed that ebike review video. The product you reviewed ain't for me, but it was fun to see something a little different on the channel

[@Ashinle]

3:49 I love the way you delivered this

[@alolanstarboy]

That segment on the horrible news widget was quite relatable. I use the Edge browser and I see the same kind of news feed anytime I go to open a new tab. It’s always full of such absolute garbage it’s hilarious. I often love to open it side by side with the articles and stories on the Firefox front page just to show people the stark difference in quality between the two.

[@tornike550]

I'm surprised e-bike video got such little views. It was thorough and fun to watch.

[@PaulHo]

2023 and I'm still gagged from their 2018 Yoga C930 Chromebook that could partially open when you knocked on the lid and the glorious timepiece hinge, and that e-ink keyboard/notepad was so clever.

[@OmegaSoypreme]

This feels like the kind of concept with a lot of potential.

[@bartdunbar5108]

Shout out for the cheer wine, I love that stuff. Greetings from Florida

[@aliquot]

I work like this all the time (vertically stacked screens) and this Yoga 9i speaks to me on a different level 🤤

[@RandyThompson]

Totally off topic, but I just wanted to say that I hope you never change your transition style between scenes. I realized what the vibe it gives me and it, for some reason, gives me nostalgia for TechTV's series "Fresh Gear". Obviously, every other component of your content is incredible and it's a joy to see a new video of yours in my subscription feed. I DID watch that travel blog on the electric bike, thankfully, and it was excellent.

[@simonroyjonesuk]

Great review. Looks perfect for coding web apps. Code editor on one screen and output on the other, or stack overflow or KZbin video playing while you can see the code editor on the other screen.

[@polyglotuk]

My neck is thrilled that this exists!

[@TheMrMobile]

lol - as is mine!

[@symzg5995]

For the record, I watched that episode of your bike ride. Wasn't too shabby

[@Jezee213]

Great video as always Michael. Are you doing any podcasts lately? I always enjoy any podcast that has you on as a guest.

[@ahil_anas]

5:43 that plugin was so subtle 😂

[@PCJesus0]

I personally loved the 100 mile bike trip video

[@dvdkon7165]

I could see myself using the bottom display for handwriting while keeping reference documents/study materials on the top. I'll settle for my conventional 2-in-1 for less than half the price right now, but the concept is great!

[@j.ballsdeep420]

Surface Pro 9 i7 16GB RAM with 512GB storage MSRP = $1899 Surface Pro Signature Keyboard with Surface Slim Pen 2 MSRP = $279 Microsoft Mobile Mouse = $40 Yoga Book 9i is more affordable matching identical specs/accessories and has two screens.

[@j.ballsdeep420]

Yoga Book 9i matching specs/accessories and even omitting the mouse is still more affordable MSRP... and has two screens.

[@dvdkon7165]

@@j.ballsdeep420 It's nice that it isn't outlandishly priced. Still very "premium", so it's not likely to be a student's pick. But that's fine, it's a new form factor, that's what I'd expect.

[@henryC-03]

​@dvdkon7165 The only reason it isn't a student's pick is the price. However if you can afford it it's a dream come true with the dual screens. And this is coming from a college student!

[@speciosae]

​@@j.ballsdeep420 it is definitely in a competing market (for those who can afford it) with companies that sell external displays. If there was a *significant* discount, yeah but even with student discounts and more through Lenovo, still a steep price.

[@NattiNekoMaid]

I actually use the yogabook c930 (the eink and regular screen one) often and I’d love this with an eink option

[@GFourGadget]

The battery life is unexpectedly good! Wow. A little optimizations on the software and this will be one hell of a productivity machine!

[@black-n-gold]

Great review, but here to plug the bicycle video. It’s honestly one of the best Mr. Mobile reviews that I’ve watched, and I’ve been subscribed since right after he went independent

[@HABO2210]

Amazing. This is the future of laptops. Pretty sure that's what I'll be rocking once my new laptop dies in late 2020s.

[@AMPProf]

Nope.. It's 8 track tape! Soon you will hologram from inside your head.. Or from a cube on the table

[@MerrittCluff]

As always a great comprehensive review... thanks.

[@rafaelconejos6662]

Loved that really honest shocked reaction regarding strange news 😂

[@justind6045]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@steelsheen]

I have been WAITING for a full on, real world use review, so thank you for this Michael! by the way, can you do an additional review for this when it comes to the peripherals and IO ports? can I still use my 24" inch HDMI monitor by using a docking bay / multi-port hub connected to one of those USB-C ports? screen real estate is pretty important in my line of work and 13" dual screen like that is too small when I do screen sharing for spread sheets or graphs on a conference call (where most of the participants will only be seeing one horizontal screen). also can we use other types of keyboard or mouse with this or does it only work with the bundled keyboard and mouse? and another productivity question: can this support 2 additional monitors at the same time? I'm hoping to keep using my aforementioned 24" inch monitor (that has its own power source) and my 16" inch portable monitor (that connects via USB-C for the video signal and power source). this is my current set up with my regular single screen laptop and those 2 monitors is what I'm hoping to maintain if I get this Yoga Book 9i (which will upgrade my screen availablity from 3 to 4). hoping you can help me out Mr Mobile! 👍

[@talklein39]

Hey, great vid, please do over time reviews with this

[@gdscheiwe01]

I loved the self flagellation of the 100 mile bike ride vid. Fantastically mobile, Mr Mobile. When are you going to try out a OneWheel?

[@RobertSpitzer]

Love the Eames Lounge chair.

[@dekesask]

I did in fact watch the bike review! And in typical Mr. mobile fashion it was entertaining and informative, don't even plan on buying an e bike and still watched 😀

[@CallmeBigfat]

We need a video of the old-school Samsung Juke!!!

[@zupergurkan]

I really appreciate these things since they may not be great but they're inspiring! And I hope that tech developers feel the same way!

[@kishoreg6078]

I loved that electric bike video and I did watch it. I'll watch it multiple times in the future as well. Don't give up!

[@JB-cz4kw]

Thanks for this video!!! SUPER EXCITED for this! No more craning my neck down with most laptops on the go, love that at least one screen is at eye level when on the stand. But most importantly - DAY TRADING!!! Perfect screens while traveling/being a nomad! Hope Lenovo keeps this going, and also ups the RAM! Great video, thanks!

[@luogl]

Since day traders lose money, I doubt you could afford one! LMAO

[@ida4587]

Did you end up buying it for your trading?

[@JB-cz4kw]

@@ida4587 not yet… I’m in Europe and they were hard to find. Still honing my skills with my Surface Pro 7+ and a an external usb-c monitor. I set it on a stand so it’s eye level trying to replicate what this YogaBook 9i’s stance would be. Still mobile and easy to travel with, Works pretty Daym good! In the meantime I’ll continue to get better with my current setup and let my profits pay for this someday… hoping its sales was successful enough that Lenova keeps making/upgrading them! Cheers

[@ida4587]

@@JB-cz4kw thanks for the update!

[@PhilKnall]

I saw the bike ride video 😉 Also i really want this but I wish it was a bit smaller.

[@dpchase84]

I did watch. The full video. It was refreshingly cool!

[@finfan83]

Damn, a shocking beast of Progress how they have shown in movies ! Look at all that spannin' both up and wide too ! Imagine the computing power to anchor all the four different areas of screens working as different content. Sorry to hear it struggles with switching postures and keeping the apps working smoothly. Also the speakers sitting inside a hinge is the last thing I'd expect to see.

[@Mahlmo]

Would totally hook this up to an eGPU, curious to see if you can choose which monitor to loop back graphics card output to

[@MeatNinja]

11:40 windows + shift + arrow key!!! I know this is a workaround and not a fix but it's soooo much better than lifting the keyboard up and dragging with the mouse!

[@KeithSchwerin]

I REALLY wanted the Neo with 8-10 in screens and an ARM CPU. This sadly may be close as we get for a while.

[@the_real_cookiez]

Yessss, I can't wait for 2nd gen to come out. I really hope they continue R&D on this. It's a very innovative and useful product. It should get better and more powerful over time.

You can also use dongles for audio. I prefer them on windows to headset jacks, as the dongles enable the headset inline remotes.

[@SusannaJ]

Thank you for the unbiased and thorough review!

[@Oxid3..]

Always love seeing multi screen devices

[@nickthaskater]

I just wish it were the same size as the earlier Yoga Books at 10" (could be 11" now with contemporary slim bezels). That was why I loved my Yoga Book - it was supremely portable. That, and this should have utilized Lenovo's matte display tech used on the ThinkPad.

[@PSYCHOV3N0M]

Matte displays are absolute GARBAGE. 🤮🤮🤮 They degrade picture quality. Glossy screens for the win!

[@nickthaskater]

@@PSYCHOV3N0M clearly you've never used a matte ThinkPad.

[@IrenMasot]

@@PSYCHOV3N0M This man has never been outside once in his life, look at him and laugh

[@fmulleady]

​@PSYCHOV3N0M you're the one talking absolute garbage but you're probably blissfully unaware of that lol! 🤣

[@cunxu2697]

Seriously the case stand is the thing that ties this thing together

[@jeffdaly9365]

I thought that I was doing something wrong with the Outlook config, so I'm "glad" that you have the same issue. :) The widgets need some work. I'd like to see social media stream options, GMail, other choices for news, video (KZbin, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) I wasn't used to using multiple screens until the last couple of weeks with this thing and now I don't think I'd like to go back to a single screen. I paused on the price, but the mouse, keyboard and pen are all included and there's two OLED screens!! I'm not upset at the $2,000 cost.

[@finnjacobs]

5:40 i did watch it michael, and I loved it. Seriously, go watch it if you haven't already.

[@j.v.b.4040]

When will the ticwatch pro 5 video come out? I know you have it because I recognized the box from other reviews in that unboxing on instagram you did a while back.

[@5yfyguy218]

The full system freeze is nothing new, still happens on my 2021 yoga 9i and that's after 2 board replacements and 1 storage swap and countless updates. Lots of threads on their forum as well.

[@RockyAllenLane]

As with ALL first generations, it needs more of everything. An external mouse and a back-lit keyboard are a must.

[@Langelmaki]

Kinda diggin this thing, purely for multitasking is what id use it for.

[@karlosdelacruz3803]

I FRIGGIN LOVE THIS!!! But basically what I'm hearing is, wait until the next model, when most of the kinks are ironed out. Got it 👌🏽

[@Wuozlinga]

Id love to have it on the desk like a normal notebook, but without the keyboard in a sort of double tablet mode. I could do a task by writing on a pdf on the bottom screen while displaying information on how to do it / research etc. on the top screen.

[@zaqueufernandes8945]

Great review! The best way to deal with apps not showing on the screen on focus might be this keyboard shortcut: Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.

[@IrenMasot]

okay, I've been through a few wrong shortcut combos in the comment section now, and THIS is the correct one for what I want to do!

[@guygalt1102]

Thanks for hitting them hard over the lack of a backlight. I've bought cheap keyboards for 12.99 us$ that have rgb lighting. Lack of a backlit kb just might be a deal breaker for me as much as I think I would like having one of these... Maybe I can get this but the new X1 fold backlit keyboard will fit kind of sort of. Cheers.

[@nimoy007]

Saw that LGR clip @12:25 :P Good choice

[@Kurogane-san]

That's a good shot in the right direction. Pricey but good.

[@1Three8Fiver]

Michael, loved the bike video, please don't lose heart and faith.

[@AamitMorthos]

I've been wanting a laptop convertible like this since the surface neo but that prince is so hard to pony up for me.

[@AgusSJati]

I got Zenbook Duo after watching your review, and it is the best laptop I ever had. It seems Lenovo will never impress me with this one

[@PixelSheep]

so sad nobody watched your bike review - its really good folks - go watch it! :D

[@Gengh13]

I like the concept. The ergonomics are definitely a big plus.

[@MordorJRRT]

Oh, I watched the E-Bike adventure... And I want more!

[@mhsvz6735]

Excellent, thank you!

[@Mizzoulord13]

This is revolutionary for WFH folks. My job consists of me using two computer screens which I don't have the luxury of in my apartment. This could convince me to go back to WFH and still have the ideal setup that I have in my office at my workplace.

[@blackharry6847]

This is the best review I’ve seen on this product Before I drop that kind of coin, I need to know the good bad and the ugly You did that wonderfully

[@pappaslivery]

This is the device I didn't know I needed

[@brandon_nope]

Tip: Use Windows + Shift + Left/Right to move a focused window between displays

[@schak3939]

This is one of the finest products that lenovo has made. I have watched this review video many times and I would also say that the review video is awesome and finely edited. I wish I could get a chance to use this device someday. Till then Mr. Mobile, please keep on creating great review videos and keep introducing us to new gadgets in the market. 💯

[@phatcowboy76]

I watched you ebike video. Not too bad. That thing needs a bigger battery. I enjoyed that video.