Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Ultra 14 Aura is one of the lightest laptops with Core Ultra X7, but there's a catch
The Yoga Slim 7 Ultra Aura is Lenovo's direct answer to the refreshed Dell XPS 14. The model sports the same Panther Lake CPU options and a very similar 1800p OLED touchscreen for similar levels of performance and experience, but the Lenovo is notably lighter by over 500 grams. You can't magically shave off almost 35 percent of the weight without a few compromises, of course, with the most significant being louder fans, more limited M.2 SSD support, and a slightly more fragile build.
Both the Lenovo and Dell are quiet machines when simply web browsing or streaming video. When higher loads like games are introduced, however, the Lenovo tends to run louder sooner even though both systems eventually reach similar maximum noise levels. Running 3DMark 06 would cause noise levels on the Dell to reach just under 31 dB(A) towards the end of the first benchmark scene compared to almost 45 dB(A) on the Lenovo. The louder fans are likely making up for the lighter and less dense cooling solution of the Lenovo.
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Ultra 14IPH11 Ultra 7 355, Intel Graphics 4 Xe3 PTL | Dell XPS 14 Core Ultra 7 355 Ultra 7 355, Intel Graphics 4 Xe3 PTL | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | 11% | |
| off / environment * (dB) | 23.1 | 23 -0% |
| Idle Minimum * (dB) | 25.4 | 23 9% |
| Idle Average * (dB) | 25.5 | 23 10% |
| Idle Maximum * (dB) | 25.5 | 23.1 9% |
| Load Average * (dB) | 44.4 | 30.8 31% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * (dB) | 43.4 | 35.4 18% |
| Load Maximum * (dB) | 45.5 | 45.9 -1% |
* ... smaller is better
Users must also shop more carefully when upgrading the SSD in the Lenovo. Unlike the majority of laptops, the Yoga Slim 7 Ultra Aura supports only M.2 2242 or SSDs up to 42 mm long to save on weight. In comparison, the XPS 14 supports standard length M.2 2280 or SSDs up to 80 mm long.
The very light chassis of the Lenovo is slightly more fragile than the heavier and thicker design of the Dell. While it doesn't feel cheap by any means, the thinner alloy materials of the Yoga Slim 7 Ultra Aura tend to flex more readily around the corners and down the center when compared to the more rigid XPS 14.
There are a handful of other disadvantages as well as noted in our review of the Yoga Slim 7 Ultra Aura including softer speakers and battery life differences. Even so, shoppers might find the setbacks worth the immense weight savings especially when performance and display quality are otherwise nearly the same between the two competing models.
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