It can be difficult to decide between the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 and the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 because of the way that even seemingly small variations can affect user experience and performance badly. With their stylish steel gray looks and Intel Core Ultra processors, these two mainstream laptops are priced in the middle. These benchmark tests showed significant performance variations that may affect your choice even though they were similar.
When selecting a new laptop, a number of variables need to be taken into account, such as design, battery life, and pricing. I have a lot of experience with both laptops and can speak with firsthand knowledge on how well they function in daily life. It’s crucial to comprehend the key distinctions between the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 and the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 if you intend to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop.
Though there are significant differences in terms of pricing and components, both the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 and the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 provide a wide range of customization choices. Our review configurations, with comparable features, brought to light a few key differences. Performance is greatly impacted by the Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU variants that are used in both laptops. Furthermore, although OLED displays were featured in all review setups, the Lenovo Slim 7i comes standard with an OLED panel, while the HP Envy requires a paid upgrade. The whole value proposition of every laptop is impacted by this distinction.
The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 has a lower starting price but also lower starting specs: Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 1920×1200 IPS display. In contrast, the Lenovo Slim 7i’s base configuration includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 1920×1200 OLED display. Even in its base configuration, the Lenovo Slim 7i offers more powerful components. For about $80 more than the HP Envy’s starting price, the Slim 7i provides more storage, a more powerful version of the Intel Core Ultra 5 (the “H” version), and a premium OLED display. If you want an OLED panel on the HP Envy, it will cost you an additional $150, and upgrading to 1TB of storage will cost another $150. Therefore, the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 offers better value for its price.
Design is a significant differentiator between the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 and the Lenovo Slim 7i. The HP Envy x360 is a 2-in-1 device, allowing you to flip the screen around and use it as a tablet. The Lenovo Slim 7i, although equipped with a touchscreen, does not offer this functionality. If you primarily use your laptop in a traditional form factor, this difference may not matter. However, if you plan to use your laptop as a tablet for tasks like drawing, graphic design, or note-taking, the HP Envy x360 has a significant advantage.
There are also minor design differences worth noting. The Lenovo Slim 7i has a camera bump along the top edge of the display, which the HP Envy lacks. While some may not like the look of the camera bump, it does not impact performance, and both laptops feature a built-in webcam shutter. The port selection varies between the two devices as well. The HP Envy x360 has two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. The Lenovo Slim 7i has two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack but only one USB Type-A port. Both laptops feature similar steel gray designs, screen sizes, and keyboard designs (including a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key). For many, the design choice will come down to personal preference. However, the HP Envy x360 wins this category due to its versatile 2-in-1 design.
Our review configurations included OLED displays for both laptops, but the base configurations differ. The HP Envy x360 includes a 1920×1200 IPS display in its base configuration, while the Lenovo Slim 7i’s base model has a 1920×1200 OLED display. Upgrading to an OLED display on the HP Envy x360 costs an additional $150. The OLED display on the HP Envy has a higher resolution of 2880×1800, resulting in a higher pixel density than the Lenovo Slim 7i’s OLED display. This higher resolution makes the HP Envy’s display appear slightly sharper. Both displays performed well in benchmark tests, and while the differences are minor, the HP Envy x360 has a slight edge due to its higher resolution OLED panel.
Performance is where the most significant differences between the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 and the Lenovo Slim 7i become apparent. Despite similar appearances, the different variants of the Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU result in drastically different performance scores. Benchmark tests revealed that the Lenovo Slim 7i outperformed the HP Envy x360 across the board. The Core Ultra 7 155U in the HP Envy includes 14 threads and 12 total cores (two performance and eight efficiency cores). In contrast, the Core Ultra 7 155H in the Lenovo Slim 7i includes 22 threads and 16 total cores (six performance and eight efficiency cores). These differences in CPU specifications explain the substantial performance gap.
Similar discrepancies can be seen even in the simplest settings. With two performance and eight efficiency cores, the Core Ultra 5 125U processor is used in the base configuration of the HP Envy x360, offering 14 threads and 12 cores. The Core Ultra 5 125H, with 18 threads and 14 cores (eight efficiency and four performance cores), is part of the Lenovo Slim 7i’s base configuration. Consequently, even in its most basic configuration, the Lenovo Slim 7i delivers superior performance.
Both laptops rely on their CPUs for graphical performance, and they both employ integrated graphics. With eight Xe-cores and a maximum dynamic frequency of 2.25GHz, Intel Arc integrated graphics is a feature of the Lenovo Slim 7i’s Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. With four Xe-cores and a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.95GHz, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor powering the HP Envy features basic Intel graphics. The Lenovo Slim 7i’s graphics performance benefits greatly from this. Because of its higher integrated graphics, the Lenovo Slim 7i performs better for casual gaming even though neither laptop is made for gaming. It is advisable to take into account specialized gaming laptops for intense gaming, though.
For a lot of laptop users, battery life is essential. Both the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 and the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 lasted for almost ten hours throughout our testing. As it lasted 14 minutes longer, the Slim 7i had a slight advantage. While most customers may not find this distinction noteworthy, the Lenovo Slim 7i has a tiny edge in this area thanks to this small difference.
Because of its higher performance and stronger specifications, even in its base configuration, the Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 ends up being the better laptop for the majority of consumers. The Lenovo Slim 7i delivers better components and performance for the money, even if it costs roughly $80 more than the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 basic configuration. The primary benefit of the HP Envy is its 2-in-1 form, which can be appealing to anyone looking for tablet capabilities. But in terms of overall performance and value, the Lenovo Slim 7i comes out on top. The significance of carefully reviewing a laptop’s specifications in order to make an informed choice is highlighted by this comparison.
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