Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
When it came out earlier this year, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition was a breath of fresh air. So much so that our computing editor adopted it as his “new daily carry” after reviewing the device.
And while we still highly recommend that laptop, there’s a new challenger in town. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is one of the rare laptops comes with a 15-inch display that can match the Surface Laptop 7th Edition — and it also comes with the latest Intel chip. It’s the perfect foil to the Surface Laptop 7th Edition, and in some ways, might be an even better option.
Specs and configurations
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15
Dimensions
13.54 x 9.27 x 0.55 inches
12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72 inches
Weight
3.37 pounds
3.67 pounds
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 256VIntel Core Ultra 7 258V
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12-core)
Graphics
Intel Arc 130VIntel Arc 140V
Qualcomm Adreno
RAM
16GB32GB
16GB32GB64GB
Display
15.3-inch 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) IPS, 120Hz
15.0-inch 3:2 2496 x 1664 IPS, 120Hz
Storage
512TB SSD1TB SSD
256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD
Touch
Yes
Yes
Ports
2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 41 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 21 x HDMI 2.11 x 3.5mm headphone jack
2 x USB4 USB-C1 x USB-A 3.11 x 3.5mm audio jack1 x Surface Connect
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Webcam
1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello
1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello
Operating system
70 watt-hour
Windows 11
Battery
Windows 11
55 watt-hour
Price
$1,280+
$1,300+
The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition starts at $1,280 for a Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 15.3-inch 2.8K IPS display (the only option). A larger 1TB SSD is a $42 upgrade, and going to a faster Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is $1,422.
By comparison, the 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop 7th Edition starts at $1,300, coming with a Snapdragon X Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 15.0-inch 2496 x 1664 IPS display (also the only option). You can max out a high-end configuration with 64GB of RAM and a TB of storage for $2,500. The only way to get a cheaper Surface Laptop 7th Edition is to jump down to the smaller 13-inch model, which starts at $999.
That makes the Yoga Slim 7i a lot more attractive for price-conscious buyers.
Design
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
The Surface Laptop 7 didn’t change much from its previous generations, with just a few tweaks such as slightly thinner display bezels and corners that are more rounded. Those tweaks combine to take a very attractive, if minimalist, design and make it look slightly better. There are still four distinct colors, including Sapphire, Dune, Black, and Platinum, which compete more directly against the MacBook Air than a laptop like the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition that comes in a single dark gray color. The Lenovo is also minimalist, with rounded bezels edges that give it a slightly softer aesthetic. They’re both good-looking laptops.
They’re both also built extremely well. They’re all aluminum, to begin with, and they both feel solid. There’s no bending, flexing, or twisting anywhere, and they both exude quality. That’s not unusual among modern premium laptops, though, so it’s to be expected. You won’t choose either based on build quality alone.
Perhaps more important is their overall sizes. The Yoga Slim 7i has a slightly larger display and so is wider, but the Surface Laptop is deeper, thicker, and heavier. You’ll feel it a lot more when you’re carrying it around. The Yoga Slim 7i lives up to its name — it’s not quite as insanely thin as the MacBook Air 15, but meaningfully thinner than the Surface Laptop.
The Surface Laptop has a better keyboard, though. Both keyboards have large keycaps and comfortable key spacing, but the Surface Laptop’s switches are notably deeper and snappier. That makes it just a little more comfortable for long-term typing, although most users might not notice the difference. And the Surface Laptop’s haptic touchpad is a bit smaller than the Yoga Slim 7i’s mechanical version, but haptic touchpads are more responsive and customizable. Both laptops have touch-enabled displays, while the Surface Laptop’s display also supports Microsoft’s active pen.
Connectivity is close, with both having fast, modern ports and the Yoga Slim 7i differentiating itself with an additional HDMI connection. Both also have up-to-date wireless connectivity.
Finally, both also have equally sharp 1080p webcams with infrared cameras, and both support the full complement of Microsoft Copilot+ PC AI features.
Performance
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
Both laptops are among the first to introduce their respective chipsets. The Surface Laptop has the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset, which aims at both performance and efficiency, while the Yoga Slim 7i is one of the first with Intel’s Lunar Lake, a more efficiency-oriented option. The Snapdragon X Elite is a 12-core chipset graphics with performance in between Intel’s earlier U-Series and H-Series Meteor Lake chipsets, while the 17-watt Core Ultra 7 258V in the Yoga Slim 7i is closer to the 15-watt U-series offerings.
That’s apparent in our benchmarks, where the Surface Laptop is considerably faster than the Yoga Slim 7i in multi-core tasks, and the Lenovo is slightly faster in single-core performance.The Intel Arc 140V and Adreno integrated graphics are roughly the same speed, which is still considerably slower than even entry-level discrete GPUs.
Ultimately, the Surface Laptop will be faster than the Yoga Slim 7i for the most demanding productivity users, but neither machine is meant for creators or gamers.
Geekbench 6(single/multi)
Cinebench 2024(single/multi)
3DMarkWild Life Extreme
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)
2,485 / 10569
118 / 576
5,527
Surface Laptop 7 15(Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 / Adreno)
2,388 / 13,215
105 / 826
5,880
Display
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
Both laptops have similarly sized displays that are similarly sharp, and both are IPS displays. Both displays run at up to 120Hz, so they’re equal in terms of how smoothly they’ll run the Windows user interface.
According to our colorimeters, the Surface Laptop has wider colors that will be better for creators. Both displays are bright and accurate and have equally good contrast for IPS technology, and neither is as good as the OLED displays you’ll find in many competing laptops.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i(IPS)
Surface Laptop 7 15(IPS)
Brightness(nits)
532
561
AdobeRGB gamut
74%
85%
sRGB gamut
99%
100%
DCI-P3 gamut
74%
95%
Accuracy(DeltaE, lower is better)
0.93
1.27
Contrast ratio
1,470:1
1,440:1
Portability
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
As mentioned above, the Yoga Slim 7i is a bit thinner and lighter than the Surface Laptop. They’re both reasonably portable for 15-inch machines, but you might notice Microsoft’s laptop in your backpack a little more.
But these two use chipsets that are aimed at efficiency. Both do well for Windows laptops, particularly in our web-browsing test, but the Surface Laptop lasts a lot longer looping our test video.
Ultimately, both will last you a full day’s work doing typical productivity tasks, and then some.
Web
Video
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i(Core Ultra 7 258V)
14 hours, 16 minutes
17 hours, 31 minutes
Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15 (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100)
14 hours, 21 minutes
22 hours, 39 minutes
The Yoga Slim 7i is an attractively priced option
The Surface Laptop 15 is a strong competitor. It’s built well, looks great, and has a great keyboard and touchpad. Its Qualcomm chipset is slightly faster and, depending on the use, its battery life is better. The taller 3:2 aspect ratio really makes it stand out too. But the 15-inch model costs a pretty penny.
The Yoga Slim 7i is also a solidly built laptop that looks great and is thinner and lighter, and its keyboard and touchpad are still pretty good. It’s a little slower, but lasts as long when you’re pushing it harder. More importantly, though, it’s a lot less expensive. We still recommend the Surface Laptop 7th Edition as the more premium option, but the Yoga Slim 7i is solid as a cheaper alternative 15-inch laptop.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/lenovo-yoga-slim-7i-vs-microsoft-surface-laptop-15/
News
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
News
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum