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ASUS ROG Ally X Gaming Handheld Review: What the OG Ally should have been

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PROS:


  • More RAM, Double Battery Capacity

  • Two USB-C Ports

  • More ergonomic design despite heavier and thicker chassis

  • Higher performance with lower thermals

CONS:


  • Windows 11 is still awkward to use on touch screens

  • Comes in black colorway only

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS ROG Ally X is a clear upgrade over the original, addressing complaints without losing what made the ROG Ally great.

They say hindsight is 20/20, but not everyone gets the opportunity to make a redo of their past actions. That’s especially true when it comes to consumer electronics, where every product involves no small amount of investment and risk. And yet ASUS surprised us at Computex 2024 last month when it revealed not a generational upgrade to its first-ever gaming handheld PC but what is, instead, a redo of the original. The ROG Ally X definitely brings a few much-needed upgrades, but it also feels like this is what should have been launched in the first place last year. That’s why we took this handsome black handheld for a spin to see if it’s really worth its weight in gold or if waiting for the real next-gen design is a better choice.

Designer: ASUS Republic of Gamers

Aesthetics

Simply looking at the ROG Ally X on its own, you might easily mistake it for a black version of the original ROG Ally. Of course, there are subtle yet significant changes here and there, but the fact that it’s able to keep its design identity is still a laudable achievement. On the flip side, there will be no mistaking it for a ROG Ally 2 that’s yet to come, as it shares that DNA so closely with the first model.

Whether the ROG Ally had a more angular and more aggressive appearance despite its white coating, the ROG Ally X is rounder, curvier, and a bit gentler. This has consequences for the device’s ergonomics, which we’ll get to later, but it also exudes a slightly different character compared to its progenitor. It manages to be a bit more welcoming, almost comfortable, without losing its cyberpunk aesthetic thanks to those RGB lighting accents.

The color choice might prove to be a bit controversial, though. Not because no one likes black but because there’s no other choice. Just like how the ROG Ally came only in white, the Ally X is a black-only design. In a way, it stands out less from the crowd, making it less distinctive. But it also invites less visible stains and dirt on a device that will most likely see a lot of action outdoors. Truth be told, gamers are more likely to slap some skins on these devices than stick with the original coating, but having some choice would definitely help improve its appeal.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics for computers often lags behind performance and aesthetics, but it is even more critical for one that you’ll hold in your hand rather than use on a table. More than just the aesthetics, it’s actually this aspect of the ROG Ally X that sees the most changes, at least externally. Suffice it to say, the handheld is finally designed to let you hold it in your hands for longer periods of time, which translates to more playtime overall.

Because of internal changes, the ROG Ally X is chunkier and heavier at 1.45 inches thick and 1.49 lbs compared to the OG Ally’s 1.28 inches and 1.34 lbs. Ironically, the handheld is actually more ergonomic now despite the added bulk and heft thanks to key changes in the grip design and button. The sides, for example, are now more rounded than angular so they don’t cut into your palm. The grips themselves have a more natural contour that’s easier to hold, though they’re still shallower compared to the Steam Deck’s design. Depending on your hand size, you might not have enough room for a good grip just like on the ROG Ally.

The buttons and sticks feel more solid, too, and give better resistance and stability than the rather loose and flimsy controls of the previous half-generation. The back buttons are smaller and placed higher to address complaints of frequent accidental presses that come too naturally when holding the device. Ironically, players with smaller hands might find it harder to reach them now. Thankfully, their function is usually optional in most games, which is why owners of the ROG Ally were fine with disabling those.

Performance

There are, of course, also upgrades internally, but not enough to call this the ROG Ally 2. It still uses the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, for example, which is capable but not exactly top-notch. What carries its performance forward is the new 24GB LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 7,500MHz, a rather big jump from the previous-gen 16GB 6,400MHz RAM. It’s almost unbelievable how much more RAM boosts overall performance, especially when neither the CPU nor the integrated GPU are starved for memory. More disappointing, however, is the fact that ASUS didn’t go all out to put a solid 32GB in there, but that would have probably raised the already higher price tag.

Another big upgrade is the 80Wh battery that’s double the capacity of the meager 40Wh of the OG Ally. This alone accounts for the increase in weight and thickness, and it’s a price many gamers are only too willing to pay. Of course, your mileage will vary, but this allows you to either tack on a few more hours to your game time or, alternatively, crank up the settings higher and still get the same uptime. You can also charge the battery at the maximum 100W that both USB-C ports support, but the included charger only goes as far as 65W.

And yes, you read that right, USB-C ports. Plural. ASUS has done away with the proprietary XG Mobile port for connecting an external GPU and replaced it with a USB-C port with support for USB4, Thunderbolt 4, and DisplayPort 1.4 with FreeSync. This means you can still connect an external graphics dock, but now you have more options if you don’t need to. Unfortunately, both ports are located at the top, so you have less wiggle room when connecting angled cables or thick adapters.

The ASUS ROG Ally X retains most of what its predecessor has, including the aforementioned processor. The 7-inch 120Hz IPS LCD is still the same, which means it’s still bright and vibrant, at least for an LCD panel. The speakers are supposedly upgraded a little, but you’ll hardly notice the difference. The microSD card slot is still located at the top, which might worry some who have experienced fried electronics on the first ROG Ally.

What all these changes and similarities boil down to is a more powerful computer that delivers a better gaming experience overall. Despite all that power, however, the ROG Ally X still runs cooler than its predecessor thanks to an improved cooling system that pulls heat away from the screen more effectively. This is actually important when you consider that this screen is the primary way you’ll be interacting with the Windows 11 operating system. Unfortunately, even with ASUS’ custom software, Windows is still largely a mouse and keyboard-driven platform, which means navigating through menus and windows is still a pain.

Sustainability

Unfortunately, this is one area left completely unchanged between generations. Like the majority of designs in this still nascent market, the ROG Ally X has that typical mixture of metal and plastic, both taken from new materials rather than recycled. It might take a few more generations before they start catching up to their larger gaming laptop cousins.

The same can be said for repairability and even upgradability. You can’t even upgrade the SSD storage, making that microSD card expansion slot even more critical, at least for non-game files. Again, the market is still in its infancy, so we’re holding out hope that the situation will improve over time. After all, some lesser-known brands are already providing easy access to SSD storage for upgrading, so there’s little reason why giants like ASUS can’t do likewise.

Value

It’s clear as day that the ASUS ROG Ally X is a big step forward, fixing the flaws of the ROG Ally in a half-step upgrade. But are those enough to warrant its $800 price tag that makes it one of the more expensive options in the market? As always, the answer isn’t as clear-cut, but the scales might not be tipping in the Republic of Gamers’ favor.

The original ROG Ally was by no means a terrible device even considering the ergonomics, and its current $650 price tag (or even $550 on discount) makes it a more viable starting handheld for those who aren’t sold on the Steam Deck. There’s definitely no reason for ROG Ally owners to upgrade this early, either, so only those who have been on the fence until now might find the ROG Ally X more convincing. But there are also other options in the market, like the Steam Deck that started it all or the Lenovo Legion Go with its Switch-like removable controllers. Then again, you can’t go wrong with the ROG Ally X either, especially if you have the cash to spare.

Verdict

It’s rare for manufacturers to push out a version 1.5 product, especially one that almost makes the original feel inadequate. At the same time, such a strategy weakens the appeal of the “half-step” upgrade, particularly because of the price difference between the two generations. That’s the limbo that the ASUS ROG Ally X practically finds itself in. Taken on its own, it’s a fine gaming kit that offers commendable performance in a more ergonomic design, but it’s no ROG Ally 2. If you’ve been undecided about getting your first ROG Ally, now might be a good time to grab one, especially if a good deal comes up to sweeten that price a bit.

The post ASUS ROG Ally X Gaming Handheld Review: What the OG Ally should have been first appeared on Yanko Design.

Take on Summer with Next-Generation Power

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Yoshino Portable Power

Yoshino: Leading the Way in Portable Power Innovation When it comes to portable power, Yoshino stands out for its innovation and reliability. With a mission to provide cutting-edge technology and superior performance, Yoshino has become a leader in the portable power industry. Their high-quality products cater to a modern, connected lifestyle, helping you stay powered […]

The post Take on Summer with Next-Generation Power appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Game-Changer with Metal Unibody Design

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PROS:


  • Stunning metal unibody design

  • Alert slider

  • Impressive battery performance

  • Long-term support package

  • Fast 100W wired fast charging capability

CONS:


  • No wireless charging

  • Modest 8MP ultrawide camera

  • Limited availability

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Whether for its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, or rapid charging capabilities, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers great value for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience.

Positioning itself as OnePlus’s midrange smartphone, each iteration of the Nord series has delivered great value, balancing price and performance. However, design has often taken a back seat in OnePlus’s Nord lineup, where aesthetics have been serviceable but not standout. With the latest Nord series, this perception is set to change. The company took on a great design challenge in the era of 5G – OnePlus is bringing back metal and went with a metal unibody design with Nord 4.

In terms of specifications, the OnePlus Nord 4 features a 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with Ultra HDR support, a dual camera system, a 5,500 mAh battery with 100W wired charging capability, and is powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Is the Nord 4 merely a visually appealing device, or does it offer substance beneath its sleek exterior? We put the phone to the test to uncover the answer.

Designer: OnePlus

Aesthetics

Being the only metal unibody 5G smartphone, according to OnePlus, Nord 4 has a captivating aesthetics. Metal back panels have been more common in the past, but they have become increasingly rare due to the adoption of 5G technology, which requires materials that do not interfere with reception. This shift has led to the predominance of materials like glass, plastic, ceramic, and vegan leather for back panels. OnePlus, with its “Never Settle” spirit, has boldly challenged this norm and created a metal unibody 5G phone by introducing a unique antenna arrangement and U-shaped antenna positioned at the bottom of the device.

The phone is offered in three color options: Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, and Oasis Green. Each variant showcases a distinctive two-tone design on the back panel, with a glossy plastic covering the upper quarter and a metal lower three-quarters. The plastic section accommodates two horizontally arranged circular cameras and two vertically aligned LED flashlights.

We received the device in Mercurial Silver, and it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing smartphones I’ve ever held so far. The silver variant features beautiful diagonal patterns that create an illusion of depth on the metal section of the back panel, accentuated by a shiny OnePlus logo at the center. According to OnePlus, each Mercurial Silver rear casing goes through a meticulous process with over 28,000 nano-laser cuts, which takes about 12 minutes to finish. The resulting silky texture of the back panel not only delights the eyes but also offers a pleasing tactile experience. While the metal unibody made from aluminum remains largely free of fingerprints, the glossy plastic part is more prone to smudges.

The Obsidian Midnight variant features a brushed gunmetal finish, while the Oasis Green variant pays homage to the OnePlus community’s favorite OnePlus Nord LE design. Whether you opt for Mercurial Silver, Obsidian Midnight, or Oasis Green, you are set to be impressed with Nord 4’s aesthetics.

Ergonomics

Thanks to the metal unibody design, the Nord 4 showcases excellent build quality and feels premium to hold. By seamlessly integrating the sides with the back, the design eliminates any awkward transitions combined with the curved back edge design, ensuring that the phone sits comfortably in the palm.

Being the thinnest Nord ever, the device measures 162.6mm x 75.0mm x 8.9mm. At 199.5g, it’s not the lightest phone, yet its balanced weight distribution ensures it feels comfortable to hold without being overly heavy. The slim profile and well-distributed weight, along with the textured back panel, offer a reassuring feel in hand.

However, the same cannot be said when it comes to unlocking the phone with the fingerprint. The placement of the under-display fingerprint reader is close to the bottom edge of the screen, meaning you need to extend your thumb and probably reposition your grip. Fortunately, the device also supports face recognition for unlocking the phone.

As for the placement of buttons and whatnot, the right side of the phone houses the power button along with the volume rockers on top of it. On the left side, you will find OnePlus’s familiar Alert Slider. The top of the phone houses the earpiece that doubles as a speaker and IR-blaster while the bottom houses the dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and speaker.

Performance

Out of the box, the OnePlus Nord 4 runs on OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14. Powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 paired with 8, 12, or 16GB of LPDDRX 5 RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, the phone can handle tasks smoothly even graphic intense mobile games as you’d expect from OnePlus phones.

Nord 4 packs a massive 5,500 mAh battery, and its performance is admirable. It can easily last a day even under heavy use. The charging speed is fast with 100W SuperVOOC charging support. According to OnePlus, with 100 W SuperVOOC the empty 5,500 mAh battery can be charged to full in 28 minutes. It’s worth noting that the SuperVOOC charger brick is not included with the phone, so to take advantage of this rapid charging capability, you’ll need to purchase a 100W SuperVOOC charger separately.

Nord 4 sports two cameras on its back and a front-facing camera on the top center of the screen. The main 50MP uses a 1/1.95-inch Sony LYT-600 sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. The ultrawide is a modest 8MP camera using Sony IMX355 with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and an f/2.2 aperture. And, the front-facing camera is a 16MP camera using Sony IMX 471 with a 1/3.0-inch sensor, f/2.4 aperture, and autofocus capability.

The daylight shots captured with the main camera are pretty good, producing sharp and detailed images. The photos with 2x zoom are also good, sadly the photos beyond 2x zoom, the image quality diminishes, making them barely usable. In low-light conditions, the Night mode automatically kicks in which can be inconvenient, but it takes pretty nice images. The photos taken with the ultrawide camera are satisfactory, though they tend to lean towards warmer tones.

The main can take 4k 60fps videos while the ultrawide camera and front-facing camera are limited to 1080p at 30fps. The 4k videos taken with the main under poorly lit conditions came out surprisingly well.

The 6.74-inch AMOLED display with 450 PPI is bright and vibrant. With AquaTouch technology implemented, drops of water on the display won’t be an issue when using the phone.

Sustainability/Repairability

Known for its durability, the phone made out of metal should withstand long periods of usage and tough handling. Additionally, the phone is IP65 rated, so it is fully protected against dust and can survive water splashes. On the software front, OnePlus offers its longest-ever support with four years of Android updates and six years of security updates for the Nord 4. Complementing its durable build and IP rating, the Nord 4 is certified TUV SUD Fluency 72 Month A, promising sustained performance even after six years of heavy use. With rugged hardware, assured sustained performance, and long-term software support, OnePlus ensures that users can enjoy this gorgeous device for years to come.

However, the metal unibody design may pose challenges for repairability, particularly when it comes to replacing the battery, as it typically requires opening the back panel, which is integrated due to the unibody construction.

Value

The OnePlus Nord 4 is priced competitively starting at 499 Euros (approximately $545), making it a compelling choice in the fiercely competitive midrange smartphone market. While it may not boast the best camera capabilities within its segment, the Nord 4 excels in achieving a fine balance between price and performance. Its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, and rapid charging capabilities are standout features that add to its allure.

In a landscape where midrange options abound, the Nord 4 stands out for its blend of affordability and functionality. Despite its competitive price point, it doesn’t compromise on key aspects such as design appeal, enduring battery performance, and swift charging speeds. These attributes make the Nord 4 a noteworthy contender for anyone seeking a stylish and efficient smartphone without breaking the bank.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 4 exemplifies OnePlus’s commitment to delivering exceptional value in the midrange smartphone market. With each iteration of the Nord series, OnePlus has consistently balanced price and performance, and the Nord 4 is no exception. Unlike its predecessors, the Nord 4 marks a significant shift by reintroducing a metal unibody design, setting it apart in the 5G era with a blend of durability and aesthetic appeal.

Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, a vibrant 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with Ultra HDR support, and a robust camera setup. While its main 50MP camera produces sharp daylight shots and capable low-light images with Night mode, there are limitations with zoom photography and ultrawide shots tend to lean towards warmer tones. Nevertheless, its performance is bolstered by a substantial 5,500 mAh battery and blazing-fast 100W SuperVOOC charging, ensuring long-lasting power and quick refueling.

Whether for its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, or rapid charging capabilities, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers great value for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience.

The post OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Game-Changer with Metal Unibody Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (2024) Laptop Review: Uncompromising Power at a Fair Price

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PROS:


  • Unbeatable performance for its price tag

  • Beautiful and vibrant 16-inch 2K 240Hz screen

  • A wide variety of ports

CONS:


  • Bulky and aggressive design

  • A bit pricey without discounts

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Although a heavyweight in actual weight and price, the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 delivers almost everything gamers and content creators need without breaking the bank.

Microsoft has been very aggressive with its push of AI on new Windows computers, represented by its now omnipresent CoPilot key. New laptops have just been launched touting AI capabilities that revolve largely around the usual culprits like content generation or summarizing content, but they’re not the only new kids on the block either. A new breed of gaming laptops is also on the rise, advertising some AI tricks to optimize their performance. That also means a refresh of popular models that promise even smoother performance and pack more power, but those always come at some cost. Rarely will you find a design that delivers the power that gamers need at a more affordable price point, which is the proposition that the 2024 Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16IRX9H) is making, so we naturally had to put it to the test to see if it holds up in practice.

Designer: Lenovo

Aesthetics

Common gaming laptops often look like tanks, and the Legion Pro 7i (2024) is sadly no different. It’s not rugged by any means, sporting a sleek and sharp appearance, but it’s thick, heavy, and sharp at the edges. It has an aggressive look to it, though coupled with some RGB lights, it does have a bit of a cyberpunk flair. While it doesn’t shout to the world that it’s a gaming laptop, it doesn’t try to deny its identity either.

It’s also not that different from its Gen 8 predecessor, so there’s practically nothing that sets it apart visually. On the one hand, it establishes a familiarity with the Legion Pro line, so buyers will know what to expect. On the other hand, however, it also feels like it’s lagging behind when it comes to aesthetics, especially when Lenovo has quite a few interesting and distinctive designs available.

Overall, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 looks pretty plain on the outside. It isn’t as obnoxious as other gaming laptops that show off all their kaleidoscopic lighting, but it isn’t subtle either. You might feel a bit conscious bringing it to the workplace or meeting (unless you work at a game studio), but it will probably only get a few passing looks. Fortunately, most gamers will be willing to overlook this aspect if they’re getting the performance that they’re actually paying for.

Ergonomics

At 4.93 lbs (2.24kg) and 17.6mm (0.69in), there is no mistaking the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 for a thin and lightweight notebook. Again, this is your expected dimensions for a gaming laptop, so many gamers won’t be so bothered by it. But if you’re a creator and a gamer who find yourself moving around a lot, you best prepare your back and shoulders for some workout.

Fortunately, actually using the laptop turned out to be a more enjoyable experience, from the bright and vibrant screen to the responsive and comfortable keyboard. That keyboard is a bit notable in how it sufficiently spaces out the keys and still has room for a numeric keypad as well as a regular T-shaped cursor key arrangement. The latter actually extends a bit lower than the rest of the keys, which has the effect of pushing the touchpad to the left just a little. Definitely not enough to make the button-less surface painful to use.

As we’ll get to later, the Legion Pro 7i has a wide selection of ports, and they’re placed in a way that really takes into account how most people use laptops these days. The left side has a USB-A and a USB-C port, while the opposite side gets a USB-A along with a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack. This gives easy access to accessories you’ll connect and disconnect often, like a gaming mouse or your phone. The back has connections like two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, HDMI, and Ethernet, practically the ones you’ll use to “dock” the laptop to more stationary peripherals, making cable management a bit easier. Whether it’s gaming on the go or maybe even working in the office, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 is designed with ease of use and comfort in mind.

Performance

As a somewhat high-end gaming laptop, the 2024 Legion Pro 7i carries some of the best hardware in the market today. Sure, it might not have an NPU-toting processor, but the Intel Core i9-14900HX is definitely as or even more capable than an “Ultra” chip. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is just one step lower than the top-of-the-line card, but it’s more than enough for both gaming and content creation. Our review unit came with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage, which is to say it’s not wanting in any aspect. With both benchmarks and actual usage alike, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 performed impressively, yielding consistent high frame rates in games even high settings. It’s also a testament to the laptop’s cooling system that it’s able to squeeze out as much performance consistently, though it naturally did get warm to the touch and the fans were quite audible.

Visual quality is important for gamers, but it is an even more critical aspect for content creators who need color accuracy. This is one area where the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 surpasses the previous generation, adding support for NTSC, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color gamuts. Not only does this make colors really pop, it also means that the 16-inch 2K screen is now able to support the needs of creatives, making the gaming laptop more of an all-around high-performance tool. And with extremely thin bezels, you experience a better immersion into that colorful world, especially when the decent bottom-firing speakers complete the audiovisual experience.

This heavy laptop carries a 99.99Whr battery, the largest allowable on planes, and its uptime is as much as you’d expect. Normal use, which is a mix of multimedia and browsing, can net you around 7 hours, but heavy gaming makes that figure nosedive to just two or less. Lenovo compensates for this with a “Super Rapid Charge” technology that can fully charge the Legion Pro 7i in around 80 minutes, presuming you’re using the hefty 330W power brick with a proprietary connector. You can also charge the laptop via USB-C if you have a 140W charger, but Lenovo doesn’t ship one in the box.

All in all, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 performs so well that we have very little to complain about it. There’s very little bloatware aside from Lenovo’s own tools, as well as those from Nahimic for audio and Tobii for the webcam. Yes, it’s heavy and it burns through a battery quickly, but that’s also expected from high-end gaming laptops. It’s a rather powerful package made even more enticing by its bang-for-buck value.

Sustainability

Before we get to that, however, a word has to be said about Lenovo’s actions to leave a more positive impact on the planet. Though the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 might look plain to the naked eye, it actually uses quite a number of sustainable materials for its body. It uses recycled aluminum as well as magnesium, giving the laptop both durability as well as a premium touch. The bottom, in particular, is made with 50% recycled aluminum, while the cover frame utilizes 30% post-consumer recycled polymers.

The laptop is also designed to be upgradable, at least as far as RAM is concerned. Repairs and other upgrades, however, require a bit more work, so it comes up short of getting a high score. Given how gaming laptops are more likely to wear out components faster than regular laptops, repairability should be the next priority for Lenovo’s designers and engineers.

Value

There’s no getting around the fact that the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 is a bit pricey, starting at around $2,420 all the way to $2,850 for the highest configuration. And that’s with discounts already! On its own, that price tag might feel quite burdensome, until you consider that many laptops on this tier ask for more and deliver less.

With this sub-$3000 gaming laptop, you’re getting a near-perfect configuration that is useful not just for gaming but even for content creation as well. It’s not perfect, of course, and we wished it had a longer battery life given its weight, but you’d also be hard-pressed to find a similar experience on designs that won’t require you to pay even more with not as much performance gains.

Verdict

With PC gaming on the rise again, the number and variety of gaming laptops have also seen an uptick. While the need for power has never changed, gamers have become more conscientious not just about price value but design value as well. Carrying the design DNA of its predecessor, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16″, 2024) looks sleek yet deceptively simple, belying the power it carries inside. But more than just unrelenting performance, it brings a well-rounded set of features that give gamers, creators, and any other user a powerful tool for a relatively fair price.

The post Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (2024) Laptop Review: Uncompromising Power at a Fair Price first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 14IMH9 (14″, 2024) Review: Graceful Balancing Act

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PROS:


  • Gorgeous 3.8K screen with very thin bezels

  • Stylish, lightweight, and flexible workstation on-the-go

  • Competitive performance even for light gaming

  • Creative speaker soundbar hinge design

CONS:


  • Included pen feels cramped

  • No HDMI port or SD card slot


RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a more portable design and solid performance, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 makes for a competitive all-rounder that can cover almost every need and use case.
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There has been a sudden flood of new laptops in the past months, most of them trying to ride the AI wave. With so many designs and so many configurations available, it can be a bit daunting to pick one for your next major computer purchase. There’s no shortage of models catering to gamers and content creators, as well as pro models aimed at high-performance workers. On the opposite side lies the “economy” choices meant for students and some employees, carrying barely enough power for the most basic tasks. When it comes to those who need a general-purpose computer that can keep up with their changing needs and situations, the choices can be a bit more difficult because they’re all over the place. A solid option with well-balanced features and an accessible price tag is always in demand, and that’s what the 2024 Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 (14IMH9) 2-in-1 convertible laptop is promising, so we take put it to the test to see if it does keep its word.

Designer: Lenovo

Aesthetics

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 has a presence that grabs your attention without being loud or distracting. The simple yet sleek shape of the lid combined with the soft curves of the base creates an interesting silhouette whether the laptop is closed or open. And the dark Cosmic Blue hue, still a rarity in this product line, makes it stand out in an aesthetically pleasing way. When the lid is open and the screen powered on, the extra slim bezels around the display further emphasize the laptop’s modern appearance.

Even at first glance, it’s immediately evident how slim and small the 2-in-1 laptop is, at least for a 14-inch device. Compared to its Gen 8 predecessor, this year’s Lenovo Yoga 9i is significantly smaller and lighter, which greatly improves its portability. This attribute is even critical for this kind of laptop since it can be used as a tablet that you’ll sometimes have to hold up for long periods of time, though it does have some drawbacks compared to typical tablets, which we’ll get to later.

One design detail that might prove divisive is how the lid and the base practically have two different designs. The lid is thin and has flat edges with a matte surface, while the base sports curved edges with a shiny finish. The difference between the two is even more stark when you realize that the base is actually wider at its edges than the lid so that these two parts don’t sit flush with each other when closed. It’s an asymmetrical design quirk that might not sit well with some, while others might grow accustomed to it over time, enough to take it for granted.

Ergonomics

At only 2.98 lbs (1.35kg), the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 is relatively lighter than its predecessor as well as the nearest competition. This gives it an advantage when it comes to portability, especially when you consider how it doesn’t skimp on the specs in return. You still won’t want to hold it up unsupported for long periods of time, but it’s less straining than most. That said, you won’t be able to hold it as comfortably as a regular tablet like an iPad or a Surface because the keys fold to the back of the lid. They’re disabled, of course, but you will still undoubtedly press on them, making for a rather awkward experience.

But while using the laptop is comfortable and even enjoyable, the Lenovo Slim Pen that ships with the Yoga 9i Gen 9 is a different story. We don’t have any complaints when it comes to the performance of the stylus, since it does a great job at it, but holding the short and nearly flat stick can strain your hand if you use it for too long. There’s also no secure place to put the stylus on when not in use, because the magnet on the back and top of the lid is not exactly that strong. It almost feels as if designing the pen was an afterthought, especially since previous Yoga 9i models had a silo for its home.

Performance

In addition to its facelift, the 2024 14-inch Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 gets a major upgrade in hardware. That’s the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, the chip maker’s latest entry into the AI arena. This is matched with high-speed LPDDR5x RAM, 32GB for our review unit, and 1TB PCIe SSD Gen 4 M.2 of storage. In addition to the integrated Intel AI Boost NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a key feature of this configuration is the integrated Intel Arc graphics. It’s still a far cry from dedicated GPUs from the likes of NVIDIA and AMD, but it’s still a major leap forward in terms of performance. And it doesn’t disappoint, at least within the right context and expectations. It’s no gaming laptop, but light gaming with medium settings is no problem, as are content creation apps, especially those that utilize AI features.

The real star of the show here is the 14-inch OLED display, with a 3.8K WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) resolution in our review unit (there’s also a 2.8K 2880×1800 option). Both are touch-capable, as you would expect from a 2-in-1 laptop, and the image quality is just astounding in both brightness and color vibrancy. It’s by no means perfect, especially compared to more “pro” laptops, but on a consumer product, this is simply gorgeous. It doesn’t fall short when it comes to audio either, and its unique design solves one of the biggest problems laptops have: speaker placement. In the Yoga 9i Gen 9’s case, the wide hinge also acts as a soundbar that’s always firing in your direction, and the audio that it puts out is full and broad, and it doesn’t sound distorted or tinny at maximum volume.

As a 2-in-1 laptop, the Yoga 9i Gen 9 has to carefully balance the needs of both laptop users as well as tablet users, and nowhere is that more evident than in the choice of I/O ports. There are three USB-C ports, two of which support Thunderbolt 4, one full-sized USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s pretty much it. The lack of an HDMI port means you’ll need to use a dongle if your external monitor doesn’t support USB-C video, and digital photographers might be unimpressed with the lack of a card reader. The I/O leans more on the side of portability and mobility, making some practical sacrifices along the way.

The typing experience is quite decent, and the keys have sufficient spacing and travel to keep most users happy. It’s also backlit, so typing in the dark is no problem at all. The touchpad is large, smooth, and responsive, leaving very little reason to complain. One design detail that some might take issue with is the column of special keys on the right edge, providing quick access to a few features, including a fingerprint scanner. Unfortunately, its placement makes it too easy to hit these keys accidentally, especially since they’re so close to important keys like Enter, Backspace, and the Left cursor key. It also means that the entire keyboard is practically shifted to the left, and so will your hands.

Battery life is decent, though not exactly remarkable. The 75Wh battery will last you an average of 5-7 hours on average use, shorter if you crank up the video or game settings. The good news is that it charges over USB-C and any of the three USB-C ports can be used for that purpose. That means you can opt for a faster and smaller GaN charger than the plain 65W brick that comes with the Lenovo Yoga 9i, not that it’s that big a charger in the first place.

Sustainability

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9’s all-aluminum build means there’s less plastic in each laptop. Even better, it uses plenty of recycled materials as well, like 50% recycled aluminum for the base bottom, 50% post-consumer recycled plastic for the keyboard, and, of course, 100% plastic-free packaging. That’s definitely more than what you might find in other consumer laptops, so Lenovo deserves a pat on the back there.

Unfortunately, the longevity of the 2-in-1 laptop might be a bit of an issue, especially if you consider doing repairs or upgrades yourself. Although held down by four TORX screws, the base bottom panel also has some pretty strong adhesive that gets in the way of easily accessing replaceable parts. Also quite puzzling, this Gen 9 model has apparently dropped support for the longer 80mm NVMe SSD drives, limiting you to the 42mm variety only.

Value

The laptop market is a very competitive space, especially when brands put out new models almost at the same time and with the same core specs. That makes telling each apart a bit more difficult, let alone figuring out the actual value that a product has. With a price tag ranging from $1,300 to $1,500, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 (14″, 2024) already stands out as being more affordable, but we definitely can’t judge it by that figure alone, nor can we ignore the competition.

The Yoga 9i Gen 9 definitely offers a well-rounded set of features, wrapped in a design that is elegant and distinctive, even if a bit odd at the edges. The 14-inch display really makes videos and images pop, up and the sound quality is impressive for a laptop. That said, it’s a very close call with its biggest rival, the newly refreshed HP Spectre x360 14, also a 2-in-1 convertible laptop. It might even boil down to which product and software ecosystem you prefer, but you can’t go wrong with a solid performer like the new 2024 14-inch Yoga 9i.

Verdict

Finding a good balance between power, portability, and price isn’t that easy. Some designs don’t even try and instead focus on a specific aspect and refine that to perfection. The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 almost comes close, bringing the AI-empowered performance of the new Intel Core Ultra line to a sleek and elegant device that you can proudly show off, whether as a laptop or as a tablet. With a large and beautiful screen that barely has any bezels, it not only lets you focus on your work but also enjoy viewing content on it. Best of all, its sustainability and accessibility give it an edge over similarly priced options, making the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 2-in-1 laptop truly enticing for creators and workers always on the go.

The post Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 14IMH9 (14″, 2024) Review: Graceful Balancing Act first appeared on Yanko Design.

OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K PTZ Webcam Review: Elevate Your Streaming Quality with AI this Prime Day

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PROS:


  • Sleek, compact, and minimalist design

  • Impressive imaging performance

  • Fast, responsive, and useful AI-powered features

  • Hands-free gesture and voice control offer unbeatable convenience

CONS:


  • Struggles a bit in low light

  • Voice control might be a concern for some users

  • A bit pricey (without Amazon Prime Day deal)

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a sleek, modern design, excellent performance, and helpful AI features, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K camera is one of the best webcams money can buy, especially if you get it at a bargain like on Prime Day.
award-icon

With streaming steadily becoming a popular and even lucrative career, the webcams built into laptops and monitors are not enough to give you an edge over the competition. Sure, they might be serviceable or even decent for meetings, but holding a captive audience requires more than just showing your static, pixelated face all the time. Whether you’re streaming a game, making presentations, selling products, or creating content in general, you will want a webcam that can keep up with you, figuratively and literally. That is exactly what the OBSBOT Tiny 2 AI-powered webcam promises, so we take it out of its premium carrying case, mount it on our monitor, and take it for a spin to see if there’s more to it than an impressive list of smart features.

Designer: OBSBOT

Click Here to Buy Now: $296 $329 (10% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Aesthetics

Most webcams, at least those not embedded in monitors, usually come in boxy shapes that try to blend with the edge of the monitor or circles and spheres that look like a creepy eye staring back at you. Very few of their kind pay attention to the subconscious effect their designs have on the people who will be looking at the camera for long periods of time. That makes the OBSBOT Tiny 2 immediately different from its peers the moment you take it out of its carrying case because it immediately cuts a striking figure that makes its presence known without being distracting all the time.

The OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a rounded rectangle camera connected to a 2-axis gimbal that’s mounted on a smooth, squarish base. It has a sleek and modern aesthetic that embraces minimalism to its core. There are very few deviations from its predominantly black body, like the red accent around the camera lens and the LED light strip that indicates the camera’s modes. There are no buttons anywhere, and the only break on its surface is the USB-C port. It’s a breath of fresh air from webcams that try to look either too pretentious or too uninspiring.

The camera’s build quality is also commendable, utilizing a metal alloy rather than the common plastic. Its compact size and simple operations make it quite handy as a portable webcam, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a solid carrying case that has room for everything you need to use it on the go, namely, its USB-C cable and included mount. Suffice it to say, the webcam’s simple yet stylish design won’t distract you from creating your finest content but will still please your eyes and your subconscious mind every time you do look at it.

Ergonomics

Unlike an action camera, whether in your hand or a gimbal, a webcam is mostly meant to sit on top of your screen or somewhere stationary. And with its minimalist design, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is definitely not something you’ll be touching a lot to use and control. That’s definitely a good thing since you don’t want to always reach out in front of you to even just adjust the camera’s direction. What you want is to be able to record yourself or take pictures without breaking your flow, and the Tiny 2 handles that quite gracefully.

What all this means is that you’ll be controlling the camera directly, either with gestures, voice, or the optional remote control. Yes, you’ll also use the OBSBOT Center software (formerly known as the OBSBOT WebCam), which has all the sliders and buttons you’ll need to fine-tune the camera’s performance. It can admittedly be overwhelming, but it’s something that professionals will want to have access to. And if you really need to control the camera without being near the computer, the $49 OBSBOT Tiny Smart Remote 2 has a few shortcuts handy. Plus it also functions as a presenter for those meetings that will impress your boss and even your colleagues.

Various Placement Methods

As for placing the webcam itself on a monitor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a foldable magnetic clamp made with the same premium metal as the camera. The mount uses physics and gravity to stay on top of the monitor, while a strong magnet keeps the OBSBOT Tiny 2 attached to it, even when you tilt the mount down. Given the foldable design of the clamp, it might have some problems with very thin laptop lids or very thick monitors. Fortunately, you can also screw the Tiny 2 on almost any mount, which opens up more possibilities on where you can use the webcam. The only requirement is that you can still connect it to a computer or even a smartphone with a lengthy USB-C cable.

Performance

4K Video Quality

Before the pandemic, webcams that can go beyond 1080p resolution sounded excessive, but that’s now the bare minimum for these accessories. 4K is becoming more common, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is right up there with a 1/1.5-inch CMOS sensor that has an effective 50MP resolution. It’s capable of recording 4K video at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps and lower frame rates. Unfortunately, there is no “in-between” resolution like 2K of 1440p, which is also a common video quality in streaming these days.

In Dim Lighting Conditions

Whichever resolution you go with, the Tiny 2 performs admirably in capturing both still and moving content with plenty of detail and wide dynamic range. It boasts a Dual ISO system that can automatically switch or combine the two depending on the lighting condition. Unfortunately, it does struggle a bit in poorly lit environments, though not terribly. If you’ll be streaming in the dark, like what many gamers do, you might still want a bit of lighting to ensure a balanced image. The camera features two built-in omnidirectional mics with noise reduction, and while it does produce decent audio, it’s not exactly something to write home about. It can also sound a little tinny, so you might want to augment your setup with a dedicated microphone if you can afford it.

Auto Tracking with Auto Zoom

Magical Gesture Control 2.0

4x Zoom In/Out

Select/Cancel Target

While the OBSBOT Tiny 2 already delivers commendable imaging performance, it really goes to town with its long list of features to make creators’ lives easier and even more fun. And, unsurprisingly, many of these harness the power of AI with very impressive results. Tracking the subject is at the very top of the list, and it is fast and smooth, thanks both to the algorithms as well as the 2-axis gimbal. Depending on your settings, the camera can even automatically zoom in and out to make sure your head or upper body is always visible, no matter how far you are from the camera. And if more people join in on the shot, it will automatically adjust the field of view to frame everyone properly.

Present Properly with Desk Mode

The Tiny 2 also has a unit Desk Mode that makes the camera perfect for meetings and video instructions. In this mode, you tilt the mount forward and the camera will then adjust its angle so that it’s directly pointing down on the desk. It will then flip the video stream so that viewers can see what you’re writing or doing with your hands in the correct direction. And for those streams that require you to act like a teacher, whiteboard mode will focus, zoom in, and straighten the whiteboard for more effective delivery.

All-Pixel Auto Focus

The list of convenient and impressive features goes on and on. Now four times faster than its predecessor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s autofocus is fast and impressive, making sure that the product you’re showing off in front of you is clearly seen before it switches back to showing your face. For brief and quick camera changes, you can use hand gestures to zoom in and out, but the real headlining feature for this new model is voice control. From waking up the camera to having it follow you around, you can just ask “Tiny” rather than reach out for your mouse or keyboard. Some people might feel a bit uneasy with having a camera that’s listening and waiting for your commands, but you can always turn the camera down to turn it off and protect your privacy or disable the feature entirely.

Beauty Mode – Smooth your skin and brighten your eyes in just one second.

Sustainability

With webcams a dime a dozen in the market these days, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the vast majority of them use plastic shells to cover their bodies. What’s more surprising are the outliers like the OBSBOT Tiny 2 which opt for more premium and more sustainable materials like metal. It not only adds character to the design, it also makes it look more forgiving and gentler on the planet. You will want to take better care of the camera when using it outdoors, of course, protecting it from scuffs and dents. Thankfully, that hard shell case is there for that very purpose.

It’s not a complete win, of course, as there are still plenty of plastics in the product as well as the packaging. The camera’s seamless design also makes self-repair nearly impossible, not that you’ll want to do it yourself anyway. OBSBOT does have a strong warranty and repair policy, so you’re better off letting the experts do the hard and precise work.

Value

User Scenarios

If it wasn’t clear yet, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is chock-full of features, all of which are designed to make a content creator’s life easier and less stressful. It leverages AI so that they don’t have to make minute-by-minute decisions and adjustments to the camera, freeing them to focus on the most important part of the process: actually creating the content and engaging with a captive audience. It’s like having a small cameraman on your desk, following your body’s or hands’ cues to create those smooth transitions and to focus on important parts, whether it’s a product or your face.

That said, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s SRP of $329 can still be a bit difficult to swallow. Make no mistake, you’re really getting your money’s worth, but not everyone will have that much in reserve for a new tool. Fortunately, Amazon’s Prime Day is just around the corner, and you can get this AI-powered camera at a steep 10% discount that brings the price down to a juicy $296. With that price cut, there’s very little to keep you from upgrading your toolset to become the content creator you’ve always aspired to be. Prime Day also opens the door to other sweet deals, like the Remote Combo with the Tiny Remote 2 getting a 16% discount, or the PowerUp Combo with a remote, a tripod, and an HQ mic going for 15% less. Streaming veterans might want to grab the Streaming Combo (remote, tripod, UVC to HDMI adapter) or the MultiCam Combo (three OBSBOT Tiny 2 Cameras, remote, 3-in-1 USB Hub) with 15% and 14% savings, respectively.

Verdict

We’re way past the time when streamers and video content creators could simply sit in front of their cameras and expect the likes (and money) to start piling in. Viewers have become more discerning, perhaps even more demanding, and streamers now need to take their content to the next level. Of course, the actual content is king, but the presentation can make or break your career as well. More than just a good camera, you need a camera that understands where you’re going and can follow your cues without you even saying a word.

The OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K PTZ Webcam delivers on both fronts, providing excellent video quality with the brains to know how you want a shot to be taken or what to focus on. And it looks great to boot, putting other webcams to shame for their lack of elegance despite all the opportunities and materials available to them. Admittedly, it’s not an inexpensive product, but with a juicy Prime Day deal, there’s no better time to upgrade your streaming equipment and upgrade your channel than with this AI-powered 4K webcam.

Click Here to Buy Now: $296 $329 (10% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K PTZ Webcam Review: Elevate Your Streaming Quality with AI this Prime Day first appeared on Yanko Design.

Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 E-reader Review: Bringing Back the Simple Joys of Reading

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PROS:


  • Compact and comfortable size for long reading

  • Stylish textured back cover

  • Impressive color E Ink display and performance

  • Google Play support out of the box

CONS:


  • Gapless page turn buttons

  • Some ghosting with color content

  • Fine-turning display settings per app can be overwhelming

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Wrapped in a highly portable and stylish design, the BOOX Go Color 7 delivers a joyful reading experience without the distracting and sometimes confusing extra features.

Onyx BOOX is one of the more prolific E-book Reader manufacturers in the market today, always pushing the envelope of what these devices can do. It has almost a dozen models under its name, not counting discontinued ones, and every new release adds a few more features on top of the pile. While it’s good to advance the state of E-readers, sometimes one can mistake the forest for the trees and lose sight of what’s important. With the new BOOX Go line, the company is stepping back and focusing on the essentials, and while the BOOX Go 10.3 is presenting itself as a replacement for paper notebooks, the BOOX Go Color 7 is promising a return to what E-readers are meant to do: make reading pleasurable anytime, anywhere. So we pull off the shrink wrap and press the power button to see where the BOOX Go Color 7 stands in this growing sea of similar E Ink devices.

Designer: BOOX

Aesthetics

The Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is at once both minimalist and stylish, depending on which side you’re looking at. The front has your typical asymmetrical design where one side extends beyond the screen bezel, creating not only a convenient place to hold but also a home for the physical page-turn buttons. It’s extremely bare, without even the BOOX name, making the 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 the sole focus of your attention. The glass protecting the screen sits flush with the bezels, creating a seamless and clean appearance that speaks to the maturity of this design.

Flip the device over and you have something more interesting, both for your eyes and your fingers. Eschewing the typical matte plastic cover on these devices, BOOX uses a paper-like material that adds not just texture but also improves your grip. In a way, it tries to bring back the tactile experience of holding a paper book in your hands, a small pleasure that is lost with these devices.

The BOOX Go Color 7 is hardly the thinnest nor the lightest, even among 7-inch E-readers, but it is definitely in that group. Its compact and portable design makes it a familiar face, one that makes it clear that this is a device for reading books. It just so happens to run Android, just like a tablet.

Ergonomics

While the BOOX Go 10.3 aimed for maximum thinness and minimum weight, its smaller but more colorful sibling is admittedly a bit all over the place. Compared to BOOX’s other 7-inch devices, it’s only slightly lighter but a bit thicker than the monochrome BOOX Page, but it definitely trumps the BOOX Tab Mini C in every dimension. Suffice it to say, it’s not going to break records, but it won’t break your wrist either.

The BOOX Go Color 7 is designed with ergonomics at its core, and not just because it’s small and light. That textured back cover does more than just make the E-reader look good, it also adds to its grippiness. You definitely won’t have to worry too much about the device slipping off your hand, nor do you even have to fret about leaving greasy fingerprints on the paper-like material.

The small E-reader is also designed for one-handed use, even for turning pages. The physical buttons, or button rather, are positioned precisely where you’d rest your thumb, so you easily press down either end to move forward or backward. It doesn’t even care if you’re right-handed or left-handed, because thanks to its support for auto-rotation, the buttons know which way is up all the time. The one design gripe we have is that the page-turn button is just a single, indistinguishable bar with no gap to separate the two functions. You’ll find yourself losing a few precious seconds either trying to feel for which end is which or, more likely, looking at the button to make sure you’re hitting the right half.

Performance

Anyone familiar with the BOOX family of devices pretty much knows its DNA. Every single one at this point is practically an Android device decked with an E Ink panel, not the custom operating systems used by Kindles and Kobos. Even better, it actually has Google Play support already built-in, which means you have access to almost all Android apps available, including those that you can sideload on your own.

Of course, you’ll have to set your expectations correctly, despite all the potential that the platform has. This is not a powerful Android device, not with an aging Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and just 4GB of RAM. It’s enough to run a few apps, especially those related to reading or even browsing the Web, but it won’t be as fluid an experience, especially with the E Ink display, which we’ll get to later. There’s 64GB of onboard storage that you can expand up to 1TB with a microSD card. Definitely plenty of room for books and even audio files or recordings.

The killer feature is, of course, the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen, which also separates the BOOX Go Color 7 from the almost identical BOOX Page. This former supports 4,096 colors while the latter is just different shades of black and white. On top of this, BOOX adds its own technologies to tweak the performance of the E Ink panel, like introducing different refresh modes to make you choose between quality and speed, among other things. Suffice it to say, Onyx’s expertise in this area clearly shows how clear, crisp, and colorful the screen can be. Plain black and white text renders at 300ppi and is a joy to read, while colored content is halved at 150ppi, which is typical for this display. Nonetheless, reading comics and magazines is still comfortable and meaningful, even with muted tones.

The BOOX Go Color 7 brings back a bit of sanity by having front lighting and configurable light temperature, something that the BOOX Go 10.3 removed for the sake of thinness. This means you can easily read with the device at night, in the dark, or in any low-light situation, whenever and wherever you feel the urge to knock a few pages off your reading list. Onyx, however, did exclude a few features to keep the product light not only in weight but also in cost. There is no Wacom digitizer for scribbling notes, for example. It also doesn’t feature the company’s famed BOOX Super Refresh or BSR, a technology that significantly reduces ghosting at the expense of battery life. Otherwise, the E-reader’s 2,300mAh battery wouldn’t last the days that it did.

At the end of the day, the Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is hyper-focused on doing only one thing and one thing well: be an enjoyable E-book Reader, whether that’s a plain-text book or a colorful magazine. It doesn’t distract you with features only tangential to that activity, like taking notes, making sketches, or even watching videos. While you can install almost any Android app under the sun, the hardware limitations actually serve to dissuade you from subverting the product’s spirit and purpose. And when it comes to that, the BOOX Go Color 7 is definitely one of the best choices in the market today.

Sustainability

Onyx is a company that has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. The number of devices it has launched is quite significant, but that also means the amount of material waste that comes from these devices is substantial as well. Fortunately, these devices are made for long-term use, unlike phones and tablets which still have a very high turnover. That only delays the inevitable, however, so we’re still looking forward to the day that the company starts switching to more sustainable materials or recycled plastics for its products.

Although Onyx does make devices with longevity in mind, the same can’t be said for the version of Android they use. The BOOX Go duo, for example, uses a nearly three-year-old Android 12, and most of its products were using Android 11 before that. Granted, E-readers aren’t exactly known for keeping up with the latest software fads, but those don’t run Android either. What this means is that not only are BOOX devices behind in terms of potentially useful features and optimizations, they’re also lagging in security patches and bug fixes that would protect users from digital harm.

Value

The Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is a delightful little device designed to make reading enjoyable anywhere you are. It has a solid set of capabilities that focus on this core use case and isn’t encumbered by extraneous features, though it still leaves the door wide open for other experiences. On its own, it is quite a competitive product, especially with a $249.99 tag, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum and, in a way, even competes with BOOX’s other 7-inch readers. Fortunately, the distinction between them is quite clear, especially when it comes to their price tag.

Closest to it is the BOOX Page, to the point that it could have very well been called the BOOX Page Color. They share many things in common but are ultimately separated by color or the lack of it. If all you need is a plain E-book reader and don’t mind reading colored content in shades of gray, the BOOX Page actually offers a sharper screen and a slightly more affordable $219.99 price tag. On the opposite side stands the BOOX Tab Mini C, which is the portable productivity partner. It has all the bells and whistles, including a stylus, but also a heavier figure and a heavier cost at $399.99. If all you really want to do is read and enjoy it in color, then you can’t go wrong with the BOOX Go Color 7.

Verdict

BOOX’s new Go devices are quite bold, but not because they’re debuting something new and exciting. On the contrary, their audacity comes from going in the completely opposite direction, shedding off the baggage that they’ve accumulated over the years. It’s not like all those powerful features are bad, just that they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. And for those who truly love sneaking in a page or two during unexpected moments of freedom, the portability and clarity that the Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 brings could very well be what they need.

The post Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 E-reader Review: Bringing Back the Simple Joys of Reading first appeared on Yanko Design.

PITAKA MagEZ Folio 2: The Ultimate Slim and Functional Case for iPad Pro

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MagEZ Folio 2

Are you on the lookout for versatile accessories that effortlessly adjust to your iPad Pro, enhancing both its functionality and visual appeal? Look no further than the MagEZ Folio 2 and the MagEZ Case 2 for iPad Pro. These ingenious accessories are crafted to elevate your tablet experience in every way imaginable. Whether you find […]

The post PITAKA MagEZ Folio 2: The Ultimate Slim and Functional Case for iPad Pro appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 (2024) Review: (Carbon) Forging Ahead

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PROS:


  • Sleek, stylish, and distinctive design

  • Best-in-class performance for 16-inch gaming laptops

  • Bright, vibrant, and beautiful 16-inch 3.2K Mini LED screen

CONS:


  • Small and cramped touchpad

  • 330W GaN charger is a gigantic brick

  • Relatively pricey

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 continues to wrap the best performance that money can buy in a design that looks equally stunning and luxurious.

Gaming laptops are pretty much like miniature desktops on (your) legs, but their power has traditionally come at the expense of their design. The majority of these portable gaming computers are built like tanks, so when somewhat slim laptops come along, people definitely stop and take notice. Last year, Lenovo made quite a bold and ambitious move with the 8th-gen Legion 9i, a gaming laptop that was as much beauty as it was brawn. As with any other product line, the PC maker followed it up this year with the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 (16IRX9), promising the same stunning good looks but with upgraded specs and, of course, more AI. But was Lenovo able to manage a repeat of last year’s groundbreaking success or is this the generation to pass? We give this distinctive gaming laptop a spin to see whether it flies or flops.

Designer: Lenovo

Aesthetics

If you were worried that the Legion 9i Gen 8’s design was a one-off experiment, you’d be pleasantly surprised that isn’t the case, at least not yet. Right off the bat, the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 gives off that same eye-catching aura that makes it a mix of a rugged gaming machine and a trendsetting office laptop. The forged carbon chips are still the star of the show, at least when it comes to first impressions. Chosen for their lightweight properties, the random mix of pieces gives each laptop a unique personality. Admittedly, some might not like its camo-like design, but it’s hard to argue that it’s different from the RGB-laden black surfaces of common gaming laptops.

The die-cast magnesium chassis is still here and still 90% made from recycled materials. It gives the Legion 9i Gen 9 its light 5.51 lbs (2.49kg) weight without sacrificing its durability and structural integrity. That said, these figures must be taken in the context of other gaming laptops, not conventional notebooks like the sleek MacBook Pro. Yes, it’s relatively thin and light compared to others, but it has the unmistakable design of a gaming powerhouse. That thick extended rear is a testament not only to the variety of ports available but also to how much room Lenovo had to make to fit all those powerful components inside.

As with any gaming laptop, RGB lighting is a staple feature of the Legion 9i Gen 9, and every area is customizable and controllable, including completely turning them off, like the backlit icons for the ports on the back, for example. Aside from the keyboard, the amount and placement of lighting are tasteful and add a beautiful accent to the equally beautiful profile of the laptop without being gaudy or obnoxious. All in all, the Gen 9 gaming laptop carries on its predecessor’s title as one of the most striking of its kind.

Ergonomics

The size and weight of a gaming laptop aren’t just for bragging rights, of course. They go a long way in providing comfort and convenience, especially when carrying the computer from one place to another. Granted, the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 is hardly the thinnest nor the lightest, but it balances portability and power quite well. You won’t have any trouble shoving it into a backpack or laptop bag, perhaps aside from the fact that it is closer to a 17-inch laptop thanks to that protruding back portion.

Using the laptop itself is quite enjoyable, especially the tactile and responsive keyboard. With a decent amount of trouble, the full keyboard layout is both pleasurable and productive, freeing you from the need to look for external numeric keypads or do finger gymnastics to get to common functions. Of course, there’s plenty of RGB lighting underneath the keys, all of them configurable. A nifty trick is how the laptop can light up the most common shortcut keys by holding down the Fn key.

Unlike most laptops, including gaming ones, the Legion 9i Gen 9’s keyboard is pushed lower, closer to the user, to make room for cooling elements. While that does mean you don’t have to extend your arm too far to reach the keys, it also means that there isn’t enough room for the touchpad. Yes, the same gripe we had with last year’s model remains unchanged this year, and we have little hope the situation will improve any time soon. Granted, many gamers will probably reach for their favorite gaming mouse anyway, but this unfortunate design decision does make the laptop feel less appealing as an all-rounder.

Performance

While the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 hasn’t changed at all on the outside, it has a few upgraded parts inside that warrant a bump in model number. There’s the 14th-gen Intel Core i9-14900HX as well as an NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics, both top-of-the-line as far as gaming laptops go. Our review unit was equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, though other configuration exists. The biggest upgrade from last year’s model, however, is really the Lenovo LA3-P AI chip, the intelligence that fine-tunes the laptop’s performance on the fly, faster than a human could. And it’s not just some buzzword-filled AI that makes funky images or answers questions but a true demonstration of what AI can actually do for us.

In terms of performance, the Legion 9i Gen 9 doesn’t disappoint, and the AI-powered Smart FPS manages to squeeze out every bit of performance compared to, well, the Performance profile. It’s not perfect, mind, and the difference between the two isn’t that staggering. It is, hopefully, just a portent of things to come as Lenovo continues to improve its AI.

Lenovo made a rather unusual decision in choosing a 3200×2000 resolution for the screen, but this 3.2K figure works just as well in balancing quality and power efficiency. The 16-inch 165Hz Mini LED is absolutely gorgeous and bright, easily rivaling OLED displays. The refresh rate might be a bit of a letdown, but 16-inch laptops that boast 240Hz also have a lower 2K resolution.

It’s not all sunshine and roses, though, as the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 feels like it made a few trade-offs as well. Audio, while loud, feels a little insufficient and thin. The fans can get pretty loud as well, even with the boasted true liquid cooling. That doesn’t seem to kick in often to keep temperatures consistently cool and feels more like an emergency feature when things are about to start burning up. The biggest gripe in this area is the lack of improvement in battery life, which still scores less than two hours when gaming even at medium settings. As if adding insult to injury, the fast-charging 330W GaN charger is still a literal charging brick, a veritable dangerous weapon if you ever decide to start swinging it around to clear people away from the power outlet you’ll desperately be aiming for.

Long story short, the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 (2024) definitely delivers on its promise of big power, but the cost of that promise is also starting to show. Make no mistake, it’s the kind of power that gamers want and need, but there will be more compromises and sacrifices along the way. More importantly, the gap between it and its predecessor might not look too big, making it an even more difficult choice, as we shall see later.

Sustainability

It’s definitely encouraging to see PC manufacturers starting to make big strides in changing the formula for their laptop designs. That’s not just about the appearance but, more importantly, the materials being used. Using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics is one thing, but reducing the use of plastic in the first place is an even more effective solution.

The Legion 9i Gen 9 doesn’t just use metal for its chassis. It uses 90% recycled metal instead of raw materials. That not only reduces material waste but also reduces energy consumption when creating fresh new metal. Lenovo is also slowly but surely improving the repairability of its products, a family trait being shared by many Lenovo laptops, not just the Legion 9i.

Value

There’s no denying that the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 offers one of the best laptop gaming experiences in the market today, from its impressive performance to its gorgeous display to its intelligent lighting that can sync to any video or audio that’s playing. And while beauty is still in the eye of the beholder, few will argue that it commands a striking presence in any room either. It’s not without its shortcomings, but many of those can admittedly be taken for granted given how much power it offers.

The biggest hurdle to its adoption, however, will be that $3,200 price tag hanging over its head, and that’s just for the starting configuration. A maxed-out Legion 9i Gen 9 could very well cost you more than $4,000 even with a discount. Unfortunately, the 16-inch gaming laptop market has quite a few competitive entries this year as well, making the choice even harder. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far because Lenovo has quite a few offerings as well that could better fit your budget, including last year’s Legion 9i Gen 8.

Verdict

Gone are the days when gamers just took whatever kind of laptop was thrown at them just because those were the only designs possible. People have become more discerning as well as more sensitive to how their gear looks and many don’t just want some neon billboard masquerading as a laptop. The Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9, just like its predecessor, puts design on the same pedestal as performance, delivering a gaming experience that isn’t just powerful but also pleasing to look at. It doesn’t carry a rather high price tag, enough to deter some early adopters, but it’s an investment that will keep on giving long after other laptops have gone out of fashion.

The post Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 9 (2024) Review: (Carbon) Forging Ahead first appeared on Yanko Design.

Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 E-reader Review: Hitting the Brakes to Go Back to the Roots

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PROS:


  • Incredibly slim and lightweight design

  • Pleasurable reading and note-taking experience

  • Google Play Store support

  • More accessible price tag

CONS:


  • No front lights for reading in the dark

  • No microSD card slot

  • Included pen has no eraser function

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The BOOX Go 10.3 brings a refreshing change in pace that focuses on comfort and enjoyment for both reading and note-taking, but be sure to read the fine print to know what you'll be getting for that super slim profile.

E-book Readers or E-readers have come a long way since the earliest days of the Amazon Kindle, and much of the innovation in that space can perhaps be credited to companies like Onyx BOOX. The brand has been aggressive in pushing new technologies and designs, from E-readers that are actually Android tablets in disguise to bringing a pinch of color to this predominantly monochrome world. In fact, it might have gotten too aggressive with almost a dozen models under its belt. The competition is tough, of course, but it’s also easy to lose sight of the gold in the heat of the race. It seems that BOOX took a step back to take stock of where it is now and out of that introspection came out what is probably the thinnest E-reader or even tablet in the market. But what sacrifices did the Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 make to reach that achievement? We give it a spin to give you that answer.

Designer: BOOX

Aesthetics

The first thing you’ll notice about the BOOX Go 10.3 will naturally be its thickness or rather its lack of it. At only 4.5mm, it is undeniably the thinnest E Ink device in the market, at least in the 10-inch or larger category. It’s probably not a coincidence that Onyx launched this reading and note-taking wonder a little after the launch of the thinnest iPads ever, so drawing parallels isn’t exactly that difficult. For a device category that was once characterized by bulky chassis and cheap plastic, such a slim and sleek entry is a breath of fresh air.

The BOOX Go 10.3’s beauty goes beyond its remarkable (no pun intended) profile, however. It carries a minimalist and clean aesthetic that makes sure your focus is on the page and not on any extraneous decoration around it. The 10.3-inch screen is surrounded by an admittedly thick bezel, but its light gray tone makes it look less offensive as it almost blends with the white theme of the UI. The left side of the device has a white border, mimicking the margin of a notebook or the spine of a book, and is one of only two places you will see the BOOX branding.

Flip the device over and you will see a design that BOOX has never tried before. Instead of a matte metal or plastic surface, you get something akin to fabric or faux leather, definitely a much-welcome stylish detail. The metal-like strip that runs down the side, however, is an accent that will probably prove to be a bit controversial. It’s not that bad a design, just a little distracting both for the eyes as well as the fingers that will be touching that part.

All in all, there’s a very good reason for all the buzz surrounding the BOOX Go 10.3. Its mind-blowing thinness is definitely one, but its simple yet beautiful design also elevates its character even among its other BOOX siblings. And it’s definitely not just for show, because that slimness does have other usability implications as well.

Ergonomics

The Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 isn’t just incredibly thin, it’s also extra light as well at only 365g (0.8 lbs). OK, that’s not exactly the lightest figure, but it is when you put it side-by-side with other 10-inch E-readers, let alone 10-inch tablets. That’s already enough for bragging rights, but it also has an important consequence: it’s comfortable to hold up for long periods of time.

Unlike desktops and laptops and even some tablets, you often hold E-readers while using them, whether you’re sitting back or lying down in bed. With a typical 10-inch screen, your hand and your arm are bound to tire out quickly, but not so with such a lightweight device. It also helps that the BOOX Go 10.3’s textured back helps improve the grip so you can hold it with confidence for longer periods of time. Of course, smaller and lighter BOOX readers do exist, but you’ll miss out on some features like an expansive screen or note-taking.

It bears noting here that the stylus that comes with the device is also designed for better ergonomics. This special version of the Onyx BOOX Pen2 Plus has vertical ridges on its barrel for a better hold, but even the “vanilla” design of the stylus has a faceted design that makes it easier to grip like a traditional wooden pencil. Considering writing down notes or even sketching is the secondary purpose of this slate, any improvement in the pen’s ergonomics goes a long way in making that a more enjoyable experience.

Performance

Given the thinness of the BOOX Go 10.3, you’ll be forgiven for wondering if there’s any catch to that impressive design. You’d be right, of course, since there’s only so much you can cram inside a very cramped space. Onyx naturally had to drop a few things from its usual repertoire, but it didn’t do so willy-nilly. It made a conscientious effort to only cut off features that won’t be essential to reading and writing enjoyment, except for one rather controversial thing.

There is no front light, or what other brands would call a glowlight, which sounds like a rather critical flaw at first brush. It means you won’t be able to read in the dark without some external light, but even some low-light situations can prove to be challenging given the nature of E Ink screens. That said, the removal of built-in lighting does also have some advantages, and not just for the sake of making the tablet super-thin.

Having no front light means there is one less layer in between the E Ink panel and the protective glass, so there is barely any gap that could diffuse and blur the content being shown. In other words, text on the BOOX Go 10.3 looks extra sharp and crisp, which means they’re also easier on the eyes. The same principle holds for the lack of color support since the device uses the E Ink Carta Plus rather than the now-popular Kaleido 3, which removes yet another layer of interference. Yes, you give up seeing a limited number of colors, but in exchange, you get one of the best reading experiences in the market, at least with sufficient lighting.

This “gapless” display also has some bearing on the second thing that the BOOX Go 10.3 is great at: note-taking and even a bit of sketching. Thanks to a more direct interaction with the panel and Wacom digitizer, there is very little lag or parallax when writing on the screen. There’s still a bit, given the nature of E Ink displays, but it’s almost unnoticeable except to well-trained eyes. The texture of the screen, paired with the nib of the stylus, also produces this scratchy sound that makes it really feel like you’re writing on paper. If you’re the type who loves to write by hand, you’ll definitely love the device’s writing experience, along with some of the apps and features that support it. In fact, Onyx itself calls the BOOX Go 10.3 an “E-paper Notepad” to emphasize this use case and, in a way, temper the expectations of reading aficionados.

With how thin the device is, it’s probably more impressive how much BOOX was able to cram inside than how much it left out. It’s still a true Android device, running on an 8-core processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It even has some decent-sounding speakers and a mic, though you’ll probably find few uses for those outside of recording and playing back lectures and talks. There’s a large 3,700mAh battery that’s going to last you days if not weeks, considering there will be no lights or colors to drain it quickly. Unfortunately, it does leave out the microSD card slot, so you’ll have to be smarter about the apps you install or the books you save on the device.

The BOOX Go 10.3 is clearly not your average E-reader, not just from its looks but also from the way it works. With a 300ppi pixel density, it has one of the sharpest E Ink displays in the market rivaled only by the 10-inch Amazon Kindle Scribe. The lack of front light and color is responsible for that feat, but it will also be a deal-breaker for many E-reader fans. Suffice it to say, it won’t be for everyone.

Sustainability

As mentioned earlier, Onyx has been making a rather aggressive push in the E-reader market, bringing out new products regularly. For better or worse, that also means it is also contributing to the growing volume of material waste from production as well as carbon emissions. Thankfully, it designs its devices for longevity, and some even use more sustainable materials like aluminum, but the overall situation isn’t looking too positive as far as eco-friendliness is concerned. As the company grows, we hope that it will also shift its focus on such issues to help make every device not only enjoyable but also a guilt-free purchase as well.

Value

The Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 definitely turned heads and raised eyebrows with its super slim design and, consequently, its lack of a front light. It’s definitely a unique design, even among other BOOX products, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum either. Despite its distinctiveness, it actually aims for a rather specific market known to many E-reader fans, a market currently dominated by the Remarkable 2 and the Supernote A5 X. These 10-inch devices, while more than capable of displaying e-Books, are geared more as paper notebook replacements than plain E-readers.

That’s pretty much the same proposition that the BOOX Go 10.3 is making but with a twist. It’s still a BOOX device, which means having most of the features that define the brand, including full Google Play support. This immediately takes it beyond just being an e-Paper Notepad slash E-reader into almost anything you want it to become, at least within the limits of an E Ink display that doesn’t have any lighting whatsoever. For avid note-takers who also happen to love reading plain-text books on large screens, that $379.99 price tag might not look so bad after all.

Verdict

Even with the prevalence of computers and smartphones, there is still a strong culture that extols the benefits of writing things down by hand. But while paper notebooks and layouts have gained a cult following, there are many who consider digital solutions to still be more efficient and, in the long run, less expensive. The Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 is designed for such people, trying to recreate the experience of writing on paper but with a stylus. And just like paper, it doesn’t have a light of its own, which may make it sound less convincing as an E-reader. It’s admittedly still a niche market, but for those squarely living in it, the BOOX Go 10.3 offers a striking and slim design focused just on the essentials, no more, no less.

The post Onyx BOOX Go 10.3 E-reader Review: Hitting the Brakes to Go Back to the Roots first appeared on Yanko Design.