I Used a CoPilot+ PC for 30 Days...So you Don't Have To

Summary

The Lenovo Slim 7X, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, delivers a sleek design but falls short in performance and user experience. While its OLED display and slim profile are standout features, its battery life and limited performance in demanding tasks like video editing make it less ideal for creative professionals. The integration of AI features like Co-Pilot Plus and Microsoft’s tools is underwhelming, offering minimal value. Issues with build quality, such as a cheap-feeling trackpad and overheating charger, further detract from its overall appeal. At $800, it’s only suitable for light tasks, with alternatives from AMD, Intel, or Apple offering better value for performance-driven users.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Lenovo Slim 7X, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon CPU, struggles with intensive tasks like video editing, especially when applying color grades or pushing 4K footage performance.
• 🔋 Battery life lasts for about 4 hours under heavy use, with significant drain by the afternoon, ultimately requiring frequent charging for a full day of work.
• ⌨️ The keyboard on the Slim 7X feels shallow and cheap, making it less comfortable to type on compared to other Lenovo laptops.
• 🖱️ The trackpad is frustrating to use, with unresponsive taps and a lack of precision, which is especially noticeable during tasks requiring accuracy.
• 📸 Webcam performance suffers when running on battery, resulting in reduced image detail and noticeable moiré effects during video calls.
• ⚡ The included 65W power adapter overheats significantly during charging, making it uncomfortable to touch and slow to recharge the device, taking about 2.5 hours to reach full charge.
• 💻 The lack of a headphone jack on the Slim 7X is a major issue for those needing wired headphones for tasks like video editing, due to Bluetooth latency.
• 🖥️ The laptop cannot handle high-refresh-rate displays at 4K resolution, only supporting 4K at 60Hz, which limits its use with premium external displays.
• 🚫 The Co-Pilot Plus features promoted by Lenovo, like AI-driven image creation and live captions, are largely ineffective and require an internet connection, contradicting claims of on-device functionality.
• 🎨 The Slim 7X’s OLED display is one of its few standout features, offering sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and 90Hz refresh rate, making it suitable for casual creative tasks and media consumption.
• 🛠️ The build quality of the Slim 7X is questionable, with the paint starting to peel off the edges after only 30 days of use, and the power button being too sensitive, leading to accidental shutdowns.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the review in the transcript?

The review primarily focuses on the Lenovo Slim 7x laptop, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip. The reviewer evaluates its performance, design, battery life, usability, and the integration of Microsoft's Co-Pilot Plus features.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the laptop's battery life?

The reviewer finds the battery life of the Lenovo Slim 7x to be underwhelming. After about four hours of heavy usage, the battery dropped to 11%, and by the end of the day, it was down to 7%. They were also disappointed by the slow charging time, which took over 2.5 hours.

How does the reviewer feel about the keyboard and trackpad?

The reviewer is critical of both the keyboard and trackpad. They describe the keyboard as feeling cheap and shallow compared to other Lenovo models. The trackpad is particularly frustrating due to unresponsive taps and lack of accuracy, which the reviewer finds unacceptable at this price point.

What is the reviewer's experience with video editing on the Slim 7x?

While the Slim 7x handles raw 4K footage decently, the reviewer finds that it struggles with tasks like color grading, where performance becomes sluggish. The laptop's NPU is underutilized in video editing, and overall editing performance is not as efficient as on other devices like the MacBook Air with the M3 chip.

What did the reviewer think of the Windows Co-Pilot Plus features?

The reviewer is unimpressed with the Windows Co-Pilot Plus features. They believe that tools like ChatGPT are more useful and accessible on any platform, rendering Co-Pilot Plus unnecessary. Additionally, the feature requires an internet connection to function, contradicting claims of on-device capabilities.

What stands out positively about the Lenovo Slim 7x?

The display is one of the strongest features of the Slim 7x. The 3K 90Hz OLED screen is praised for its sharpness, brightness, and color accuracy, making it particularly useful in bright environments like cafes.

How does the reviewer feel about the external display support on the Slim 7x?

The reviewer is disappointed by the limitations in external display support. When using a 4K monitor, the Slim 7x only supports 4K at 60Hz with some issues. The included dongle is subpar, only supporting 4K at 25Hz, which the reviewer considers a major flaw.

What are the issues with the included power adapter for the Slim 7x?

The power adapter gets excessively hot during charging, to the point where it almost burned the reviewer's fingers. It also takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the laptop, which the reviewer finds inefficient.

What are the potential use cases for the Lenovo Slim 7x despite its drawbacks?

Despite its drawbacks, the Lenovo Slim 7x can be useful for light to moderate tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and basic photo editing. Its compact size, decent display, and portability make it a good option for casual users, particularly in environments where mobility is key.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Lenovo Slim 7x?

The reviewer feels that the Slim 7x does not justify its price, given its performance, build quality, and user experience. They suggest that alternatives from AMD, Intel, or Apple offer a more refined experience, especially for tasks like video editing or creative work. However, they acknowledge that the platform may improve in the future.