A new contender has entered the arena of mini PCs: the Lenovo Yoga Mini i. It’s a strikingly designed device, immediately recognizable by its circular form and a dynamic light bar that promises to be both functional and visually appealing.
Lenovo initially claimed a volume of one liter, but a passionate product manager corrected that, insisting the actual size is closer to 0.85 liters. This compact footprint speaks to the core appeal of mini PCs – substantial computing power packed into an incredibly small space.
The surge in popularity of mini PCs is undeniable, fueled by ambitious Taiwanese and Chinese vendors. Now, Lenovo, a long-standing leader in the PC market, is determined to establish its presence in this rapidly growing category.
The Yoga Mini i distinguishes itself with a unique feature: a customizable light bar. Controlled through a Windows application, the bar can change color and react to various events, from detecting your presence to alerting you to new emails.
This mini PC leverages cutting-edge Wi-Fi sensing technology, first introduced with Intel’s Core Ultra 200 processors. Imagine a calm pond disturbed by unseen movement; Wi-Fi sensing allows the Mini i to detect activity and wake up accordingly, though it doesn’t identify *who* is present.
Security is also a priority, with an integrated fingerprint sensor providing a secure and convenient method for user identification and authentication. Lenovo’s demonstration highlighted a strong partnership with Intel, showcasing the powerful Core Ultra X7 358H processor within.
Despite its diminutive size – a mere 1.32 pounds and easily held in one hand – the Yoga Mini i isn’t truly portable. The hassle of disconnecting and reconnecting all the necessary cables makes it better suited for moving between rooms than for life on the go.
The device boasts a comprehensive array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, two 10Gbps USB-C ports (one for power), HDMI 2.1, a 5Gbps USB-A port, and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.
Internally, the Yoga Mini i can be configured with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x memory and a 2TB PCIe SSD. Lenovo believes its existing component stockpile will help mitigate recent price increases, though the minimum specifications remain unknown.
Considering its capabilities, a starting price of $699 positions the Lenovo Yoga Mini i as a compelling option in the mini PC market, offering a blend of power, innovation, and a touch of visual flair.
