Athol Fugard: Death of a great South African playwright
Athol Fugard, who has died aged 92, wrote more than 30 plays in a career that spanned seven decades. 
© 2025 BBCWorld 0:55am European AI centre of excellence to launch in Paris
Viva Technology has joined forces with the World Economic Forum to launch a European Centre for AI Excellence, aiming to enhance Europe's AI innovation landscape.
© 2025 ITBrief 0:46am Buying a PC game controller is all about options. Cut through the BS with this guide
Buying a game controller for your PC is a task fraught with uncertainty and confusion. While gaming on a console typically locks you into whatever stock controller came with the system (or a few alternatives), gaming on a PC opens up a much wider range of options to explore.
Not sure where to begin? I’ll take you through it! Here’s the ultimate guide to buying a game controller for PC gaming. I’ll tell you all about the different types of controllers, their various pros and cons, the features you need to be aware of, and any caveats worth keeping in mind.
Xbox controllers work well out of the box
If you’re gaming on a Windows PC, Xbox controllers have some of the best out-of-the-box support available. Recent models made for the Xbox Series X and S work especially well with gaming PCs.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Most major game libraries, including Steam and Microsoft Game Pass, will recognize Xbox controllers natively. Inputs and controller overlays in games will show up accurately, just as if you were playing on an Xbox.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
So, for many gamers, a basic no-frills Xbox controller will serve perfectly well for hours-long sessions. You’ll want to download the Xbox Accessories app, though, found in the Microsoft Store. This app allows you to make effortless customizations to your controller, adjust the LED lights, and update firmware.
Which Xbox controller is best?
The simplest choice is the standard Microsoft Xbox controller, which has an MSRP of $59.99 but can often be found for $50 or less. It’s widely available in over a dozen different color schemes.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Microsoft also offers the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, which is a more expensive pro-level product. It comes with a carrying case and charging dock, along with the usual accessories needed for the controller.
The biggest difference between the stock Xbox controller and the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller? Four paddles on the back, which can be remapped to other buttons and actions. This can make action-heavy games easier and more enjoyable, letting you keep your thumbs on the thumbsticks while your other fingers do most of the work.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
The Xbox Elite Series 2 also offers trigger stops, which shorten the actuation distance of the left and right triggers so they’re quicker to respond. With a simple slide of the rear toggle, you can switch back and forth between standard and shortened trigger.
While the Xbox Elite Series 2 has an MSRP of $179.99, it can often be found closer to $140 on sale. Microsoft also offers the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core version without accessories for $129.99 MSRP. You’ll need to buy the paddles and carrying case separately, but it’s essentially the same controller as the more expensive version.
PlayStation controllers work, with caveats
With the Sony PlayStation 5 outselling Microsoft Xbox consoles, it’s no surprise to see a sea of DualSense controllers out there. The great news here is that DualSense controllers work quite well on gaming PCs, but with a few more caveats than Xbox controllers.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
For starters, the regular DualSense controller is priced a bit higher than the regular Xbox controller, with an MSRP of $74.99 that rarely goes on sale. Sony also offers a higher-end DualSense Edge controller for $199.99 MSRP, which offers more oomph for hardcore gamers. Sony DualShock controllers (for the PlayStation 4) also work on PC, and they’re priced more in line with regular Xbox controllers.
Caveats to keep in mind
Controller features may be spotty on PC, though. Some haptic feedback, like when you ride your horse, may only be felt when connected via USB cable. The controller’s speaker will also need to be cable-connected to work. Most other features work with Bluetooth, but note that DualSense controllers can only pair with one device at a time. That could be a pain point if you frequently switch between PS5 and PC.
If you’re going to use a DualSense controller on PC, Steam is your best bet, with many games offering native DualSense support — just make sure to disable PlayStation controller support in Steam settings. That may sound counterintuitive, but it’ll give you the best results when playing games that natively support DualSense controllers.
On other PC gaming platforms, such as Game Pass and Epic Games Store, your mileage may vary. You may need to use third-party tools, such as DualSenseX, to have it function properly.
Which PlayStation controller is best?
As with Xbox controllers, the basic no-frills Sony PS5 DualSense controller is more than enough for everyday gamers. The connection is easy to make, the ergonomics are comfortable, and the feel of it in your hand leads to an overall premium experience.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
But the Sony DualSense Edge controller is one of the best pro-level controllers on the market. It adds two paddles on the back, plus extra accessories like a carrying case and USB cable lock. Much like the Xbox Elite Series 2, it also has adjustable-length triggers.
One standout feature of the DualSense Edge is swappable thumbsticks, allowing you to change them out on demand, which comes in handy when they’re affected by stick drift. You can also customize your controller profiles using the PlayStation Accessories app.
What about third-party controllers?
As a PC gamer, you have access to an entire world of custom controllers that lean in both Xbox and DualSense directions.
Scuf
Scuf is one such brand. They have Instinct Pro controllers, which retail for $229.99 and are like the Xbox Elite Series 2. With ergonomic paddles on the back and mouse-click triggers, plus a familiar but tweaked Xbox feel and layout, it’s a satisfying controller to use.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Scuf also offers Reflex Pro controllers, which retail for $219.99 and take after the PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge. You get paddles, mouse-click triggers, non-slip grip, and more. These custom controllers work just as well on PC as the PlayStation 5, so if you have both, it’s an easy buy.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
And then you have the Scuf Envision Pro controller, made exclusively for PC and usable via USB cable or wireless dongle. With rear paddles, mouse-click buttons, function keys, and customization via iCue software, it’s almost the perfect PC gaming controller. At $179.99, it’s right there alongside other pro controllers.
PDP
Some third-party controllers go even further, such as the PDP Victrix Pro Xbox controller. With interchangeable thumbsticks and a modular design, you can add a fight pad for fighting games while keeping the same ergonomic shape. It has multiple trigger stops, remappable back buttons, different D-pads, and connectivity via USB cable, Bluetooth, and wireless dongle. This one retails for $179.99 but has regular sales.
Switch
The Nintendo Switch Pro controller can connect to PCs via Bluetooth, but support may be spotty if you aren’t using Steam with Steam Input. With a retail price of $79.99, don’t expect it to be anywhere near as configurable as other pro-tier controllers. But if you have a Nintendo Switch, it’s nice to have one controller for both Switch and PC.
Others
You can use virtually any other gaming controller on your PC, especially ones that connect via Bluetooth, wireless dongle, or standard USB cables. While Xbox and PlayStation controllers are the most common, there are a few less common alternatives.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
I can’t cover every third-party brand and product, but I will mention the Flydigi Vardar 4 Pro controller, which retails at $79.99. Featuring Hall effect thumbsticks and clicky buttons, it’s becoming one of the most affordable favorites among PC gamers. The more expensive Flydigi Apex 4 controller has extra bling like a built-in screen.
Bluetooth vs. USB wireless vs. USB wired
A wired connection is always the most stable option, but wireless gaming is very capable now — and more convenient. When it comes to wireless, you have two options: Bluetooth and USB wireless (2.4GHz).
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is nice because it’s ubiquitous and easy, as long as your PC has Bluetooth capabilities. You just pair the controller to your PC and it appears as one of many connected Bluetooth devices. Gaming performance is mostly fine, with some minor latency (due to the way Bluetooth works) that you may or may not feel.
Even so, Bluetooth can be hit or miss. While gaming performance is good, connection issues are bound to occur. Bluetooth is prone to interference (which can cause lag or disconnections), and reconnecting a controller can be cumbersome. You might even have to re-pair it.
Most modern controllers — including the Xbox Core, Xbox Elite Series 2, Sony DualSense, and Sony DualSense Edge — have Bluetooth functionality. It’s what makes them so widely compatible.
USB wireless (2.4GHz)
On Xbox consoles, Microsoft uses a proprietary wireless connection to pair controllers with Xbox consoles. Fortunately, you can plug a Microsoft-made USB wireless adapter into your PC to get the same functionality, although finding it on sale has been harder with time.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
It’s my favorite way to connect Xbox controllers to a PC. You simply insert the USB adapter into a USB port, hold the pairing button on your Xbox controller, and then the button on the adapter itself. It pairs within seconds, and it can pair up to 8 different controllers at once. I’ve tested this with a variety of Xbox controllers and they all work perfectly.
What about non-Xbox controllers? Many third-party controllers come with their own USB wireless dongles, assuming they support the tech. These aren’t as universally useful as Microsoft’s because they only pair with their respective controllers, but if you only have one controller, it’s fine.
USB wired
For controllers that don’t come with wireless dongles, like Sony’s DualSense, you’re stuck with either Bluetooth or USB wired. Not ideal because if Bluetooth ever starts acting up, you’ll be stuck tethering.
Not that tethering is bad, mind you. With a wired connection, you’ll experience less input lag (i.e., less delay between pressing a button and seeing it happen on screen), and you’ll never randomly disconnect due to a spotty wireless signal or interference. That makes it a great — even preferred — option for esports and action-intense games. Plus, you never have to worry about pairing and re-pairing between devices.
But the downside is obvious: you’re tethered. You can only go as far from your PC as your controller’s cable length. And that might be fine if you have a 10-foot USB cable, but could be a deal-breaker if you’re stuck with a short cable that prevents you from lounging while playing.
What is controller stick drift?
Stick drift is when a thumbstick loses integrity, causing the game you’re playing to think you’re moving the stick even when you aren’t touching it. These phantom inputs may cause your character or camera to move on their own. It’s usually due to wear and tear over time, but it can also be caused by dust or debris lodged within the controller.
Stick drift is one of the biggest recurring issues in the modern world of gaming controllers. The Nintendo Switch (Joy-Cons and Pro), Xbox (Core and Elite), and PlayStation (DualShock and DualSense) have all seen user reports of stick drift to varying degrees.
Lucky gamers can go for years without any stick drift while others may experience it within months of getting a new controller.
What are Hall Effect thumbsticks?
Unlike traditional thumbsticks, which use potentiometers to detect input, Hall effect thumbsticks use magnets and semiconductors. In a traditional controller, the potentiometer wears out from physical contact, friction, and resistance. With magnets, that isn’t so much of an issue.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
The very first Hall effect controller was the stock Sega Dreamcast controller from 1998, but the technique didn’t really catch on until the 2020s — and you can now get Hall effect controllers for pretty cheap, like the GameSir G7 SE and the 8Bitdo Ultimate.
Hall effect controllers are popular because they’re less susceptible to stick drift and have longer lifespans. Sadly, name-brand controllers by Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are all still based on potentiometers. If you want Hall effect, you have to go third-party.
What are adaptive vs. adjustable triggers?
Adaptive triggers are special trigger buttons that can change resistance on the fly, making them easier or harder to press for different things. For example, guns in Warframe feel different to shoot. Because adaptive triggers better simulate game interactions, they’re more immersive.
Not to be confused with adjustable triggers, which allow you to change how far you need to press the trigger for it to activate. On supporting controllers, you can switch between short and long throws, with shorter triggers useful in games that demand fast reaction times.
Many custom controllers have adjustable triggers, but DualSense adaptive triggers are rare because Sony owns the patent to them. You might see them as features in higher-end models like the Flydigi Apex 4 and Scuf Reflex, but these won’t feel exactly the same as what you get in official DualSense controllers.
You can mod your own controllers
If you like building PCs, you can build your own controllers, too. I’ve done it myself using readily available parts from eXtremeRate.
To be clear, I’m not talking about putting a controller together from scratch. But you can take an old or broken DualSense controller, for example, and switch out the thumbsticks for Hall effect sticks or add paddle buttons to the back of it. And you don’t need soldering skills for most modifications. (Changing out sticks does involve soldering.)
A full guide on how to do this and what you can potentially do is beyond the scope of this article. Just know that it’s possible!
You have many options, so explore them
With Steam, you can use almost any controller you want. It comes down to how comfortable it is and what features you need.
You can use stock Xbox or DualSense controllers, which are fine choices. You can go with third-party alternatives, especially if you want Hall effect sticks or non-DualSense adaptive triggers. Between Bluetooth, wireless dongles, and USB cables, you have options — but you’ll have the best out-of-the-box experience with Steam, so keep that in mind.
The takeaway is, gaming on a PC doesn’t mean you have to use a keyboard and mouse, and there are plenty of excellent controllers that can give you the console experience on your gaming rig. You should now know enough to buy a PC game controller that you’ll love.
Further reading: PCs vs. consoles? The future looks blurrier than ever
© 2025 PC World 0:45am  
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Anna Foster replaces Husain on Radio 4's Today
Foster was previously a Middle East correspondent and presented on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 5 Live.
© 2025 BBCWorld 0:55am Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 review: Sleek and shiny, but with trade-offs
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Stunning display
Beautiful, shiny design
Great Lunar Lake performance
Cons
Low battery life thanks to the display
Webcam is annoying while using it
No headphone jack
Fingerprint reader is in an odd spot
Very glossy and reflective
Our Verdict
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 is a sleek laptop with a unique aesthetic and an incredible display. But it makes some sacrifices to get there.
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The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 is a visually stunning laptop. That goes for both the both the stunning OLED display as well as the shiny glass lid that produces lots of interesting reflections. It’s also just a great productivity laptop thanks to the excellent use of an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor, also known as Intel Lunar Lake.
But everything in life is a compromise. That beautiful display seems to drain this laptop’s battery life faster than normal, and the beautiful design is just so glossy and reflective. And there are some other strange decisions here, like the lack of a headphone jack and an oddly placed fingerprint reader, which will bug some folks.
Still, it’s a great machine – and it may be a dream machine for some people, especially if you’re looking for a beautiful and lightweight machine with a design that stands out.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Specs
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) is a lightweight ultraportable laptop with an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPU. Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware offers long battery life with solid performance for normal desktop productivity application — so web browsers, office apps, workplace chat tools, and all that good stuff. It doesn’t have high multithreaded performance, but that’s not what a lightweight ultraportable is all about, anyway.
Lenovo combines that Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB of solid-state storage, so they’re not cutting corners. The machine we reviewed retails for $1,899, but Lenovo also offers a version with 16GB of RAM and a slightly slower Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU for $1,759.
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x RAM
Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc 140V (16GB)
NPU: Intel AI Boost (47 TOPS)
Display: 3840×2400 OLED with touchscreen, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR
Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Webcam: 32MP camera
Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C)
Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader for Windows Hello
Battery capacity: 75 Watt-hours
Dimensions: 12.32 x 8.01 x 0.57 inches
Weight: 2.76 pounds
MSRP: $1,899 as tested
If you’re looking for an ultraportable with a beautiful display, one that also has a beautiful design, this is a compelling machine!
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Design and build quality
IDG / Chris Hoffman
This machine is all about good looks. It’s available in a “Tidal Teal” colorway, which looks beautiful. It’s all about the reflections: The lid is covered in impact-resistant glass, and it has a very cool looking effect that looks great when it reflects light. Lenovo describes it as a “3D swirling at-eye effect” that “makes your style pop from every angle, reflecting light beautifully.” It’s shiny.
It looks great if reflections are what you’re looking for! If you don’t want your laptop to draw eyes with its impressive looking reflections, then it’s perhaps not the right machine for you. The larger issue with the reflections is just how glossy the display is, which is an issue in direct sunlight. This isn’t just an issue with this machine though, it’s an issue with laptops with glossy screens, especially machines with OLED displays. Also, that glass lid smudges easily. You’ll be wiping it to keep its crisp good looks intact.
The build quality is good! Aside from the glass on the cover, this machine is made of aluminum. At 2.76 pounds, it’s a nice light weight, but not the absolute lightest PC. The hinge is easy to open with one hand and feels good.
While this is branded a Yoga machine, this is not a 2-in-1 that can open to 360 degrees. Lenovo has decided to use the Yoga name, once meant for laptops that could bend into interesting shapes, for laptops in general. I continue to be absolutely baffled by this change in the Yoga branding. It’s not a problem, but be aware: This is a traditional laptop and not a 2-in-1. In fact, it can only open to about 135 degrees, it can’t even lie flat like many other laptops can. For a laptop that bears the Yoga name, this is pretty silly.
There’s also more bloatware than I’d like to see — preinstalled McAfee antivirus and notification ads through Lenovo Vantage for services like Amazon Music. It’s fine and you can get rid of it easily enough. It’s common and more understandable on budget focused laptops, but it feels a little obnoxious on an almost $2,000 premium machine focused on beautiful design.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Keyboard and trackpad
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has a fine keyboard. It’s responsive enough, not as snappy and crisp as a ThinkPad keyboard or a good mechanical keyboard, but not mushy. It’s the kind of keyboard you find on a good lightweight laptop. You wonder if it feels a little shallow, but then you realize of course it does, they’re trying to make the laptop as thin as possible, so there’s less room for key travel.
I do have a major bone to pick with the keyboard. The fingerprint reader is placed smack dab at the bottom right corner of the keyboard, and then the arrow keys are to the left of it. I found myself pressing the wrong arrow key when I moved my finger down there. I’d prefer to have the right arrow key at the left edge of the keyboard.
The trackpad feels fine, too–it’s nice and smooth, and the click action is crisp and not mushy. That said, it’s a little on the small side, which makes clicking a little annoying at times since there’s less room to click down. This problem would’ve been remedied had Lenovo used a haptic trackpad. PC manufacturers should choose haptic trackpads more frequently, at least on lightweight ultraportables!
The odd fingerprint reader location and slightly small trackpad are artifacts of the same problem: Lenovo has aimed to streamline this machine, cutting down the bezels, shrinking it, and focusing on beauty. There’s not a lot of room for a larger trackpad or to put the buttons elsewhere. For many people, a larger laptop that’s a little less streamlined and a little bulkier will just be more ergonomic, as it gives the keyboard and trackpad some room to breathe.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Display and speakers
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i’s display is just beautiful. This is a 3840×2400 OLED display. It’s incredibly bright and vivid with a high resolution. It also has a good refresh rate at 120Hz — some OLED displays deliver only 60Hz. With 750 nits of peak brightness, it can also deliver a great HDR experience.
If you’re looking for an ultraportable with a beautiful display, one that also has a beautiful design, this is a compelling machine! It’s a touch screen, too.
The quad speakers with Dolby Atmos are reasonable. They have a lot of volume, way more than I need! That’s not always true on a laptop. The audio feels crisp and clear. However, as always on a laptop like this one, the built in speakers don’t produce a lot of bass.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has an under display webcam, which helps Lenovo shrink the bezel as much as possible. The screen looks normal while you’re not using the webcam. Activate the webcam and a black circle will appear in the middle of the top area of the screen — annoyingly enough, right where you web browser’s tab bar would be. If you want a small bezel and don’t use your laptop’s webcam much, it’ll be a nice upgrade. If you frequently use your laptop’s webcam, this may be rather annoying compared to a traditional webcam that’s not located on your display.
The webcam itself is a 32MP camera. While I’ve seen some complaints online, I’d say the webcam is usable, as I’ve seen much worse. It seems like the under display approach is making the image quality worse, though. To be frank, I would avoid this laptop if you frequently participate in video meetings. It’s really annoying having a black circle obstruct part of your screen while the webcam is in use.
There’s also a physical camera shutter switch on the right side of the laptop, which is always nice to see.
The microphone sounds fine — not unusually good and not unusually bad. It’ll be serviceable for online meetings, but I’ve heard better microphone quality on business laptops designed for this sort of thing.
As far as biometrics, this machine has a fingerprint reader on the bottom-right corner of the keyboard for Windows Hello. It worked well, although I wish the right arrow key was down in that corner.
This machine doesn’t have an IR camera for facial recognition with Windows Hello. That’s no surprise given the under display webcam situation. It is a shame, though — facial recognition is a convenient way to unlock your PC.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Connectivity
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i follows the “What are the fewest ports we can include?” school of design. There’s one Thunderbolt 4 port on the left side and one Thunderbolt 4 port on the right side — a total of two places to plug in a USB Type-C cable. That’s it! And you’ll use one of them to charge the laptop.
The lack of a headphone jack will be an immediate blocker to many people, although you can of course use wireless Bluetooth headphones or connect USB Type-C headphones.
There’s also no microSD slot or anything else. Given that, only having two USB Type-C ports feels really skimpy. It’s another way this laptop is more design focused — it feels like Lenovo has set out to streamline the laptop as much as possible and made the compromises necessary to do so. Some people will like it, but many people will want something a little bulkier that’s more flexible.
Thanks to Intel Lunar Lake, this machine does have Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 support. It’s good to see Wi-Fi 7 becoming standard.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Performance
We’ve talked a lot about design, but let’s talk about the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i’s performance. The laptop performed well in the day-to-day desktop productivity tasks you’d use a lightweight portable machine like this one for. It runs nice and quiet in daily use, too. Of course, we ran the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 through our standard benchmarks to measure its performance.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. With an overall PCMark 10 score of 7,588, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivered excellent performance despite its thin-and-light nature. This machine feels like it’s squeezing every bit of performance out of Lunar Lake between its cooling system, RAM, and speedy storage.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. It’s a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isn’t a factor. But, since it’s heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivered a multithreaded score of 4,350 in Cinebench R20. Intel’s Lunar Lake can’t deliver high multi-core performance and we see that here. That doesn’t matter for most people’s basic desktop usage, but it’s an issue if you have workloads that need serious multithreaded CPU performance.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark but it runs over an extended period. This demands the laptop’s cooling kick in and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i completed the encode process in 1,249 seconds — that’s nearly 21 minutes. It’s a good score for a Lunar Lake system, but it shows how weak Lunar Lake is on multithreaded performance once again.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop, but it’s still good to check how the GPU performs. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i achieved a 3DMark Time Spy score of 4,476. That’s decent for integrated graphics, but it’s certainly much slower than what you’d see on a gaming laptop with a discrete GPU.
Overall, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i delivers exceptionally good performance for an Intel Lunar Lake system. But this is still Intel Lunar Lake, so it’s weak when it comes to multithreaded performance. It’s more than fine for most people’s desktop productivity workloads, though.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Battery life
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 has a 75 Watt-hour battery, which is on the large side for an ultraportable laptop. Combined with an Intel Lunar Lake processor, we’d expect long battery life. But the display gets in the way. This laptop doesn’t exactly have bad battery life, but it has the lowest battery life I’ve seen from a Lunar Lake machine.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.
We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks, and it’s worth noting that this machine’s OLED display has a bit of an advantage, as OLED screens use less power to display the black bars around the video.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i ran for 859 minutes before it suspended itself. That’s a bit over 14 hours. It sounds like a long time, but the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 with its also-beautiful AMOLED display ran for 1,401 minutes — that’s another nine hours! (The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s display isn’t quite as stunning, though.)
14 hours may sound like a long time, but you’re going to get less battery life in real-world use while you use the machine in the real world. This just isn’t great battery life — you’re giving up a lot of battery life to power this over-the-top display.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14: Conclusion
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is a great machine if you want a unique design with an incredible display. It really is a nice piece of hardware. It even delivers very good performance for Lunar Lake.
But I’d say that this machine isn’t for most people. Between the almost $2,000 price, low battery life, lack of a headphone jack, skimpy port selection, Lunar Lake’s low multithreaded performance, odd fingerprint sensor position, and so many other issues I’ve mentioned above, this won’t be the right machine for most laptop users.
Still, some people are going to love this machine. When I open the beautiful laptop and see that stunning OLED display, for a moment, I can almost feel like all those other problems don’t matter.
© 2025 PC World 0:45am 
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