The Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X laptops are two identical devices with the only difference being the CPU – one is equipped with an Intel Core i7 CPU, while the other one has an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU. This unique comparison presents an opportunity to see which one of these laptops offers better value for the price.
Weighing in at around 3.2 pounds, both devices feature h-series processors that run between 35 to 45 Watts, offering much more power compared to the usual 10 to 28 watt ultra low power CPUs found in similar form factors. The AMD laptop is equipped with a Ryzen 9 6900 HS CPU with 16 threads, while the Intel laptop features a Core i7-12700h with 20 threads. In these particular configurations, the AMD laptop has twice the memory compared to the Intel model. Additionally, the memory on the AMD laptop is running at a whopping 6400 megahertz. Both laptops sport NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 GPUs.
From the outside, both laptops are identical, with the same chassis and build quality. The AMD version comes in Onyx gray, while the Intel version comes in Ultimate gray. The displays on both laptops are also exact replicas, featuring a gorgeous 3K high resolution panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, making them suitable for creative and gaming tasks. They both feature 16 by 10 aspect ratios, so there is nothing to complain about in terms of display quality.
The only real advantage of the Intel laptop is faster I/O, as it comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports with data transfer speeds up to 40 gigabits per second compared to USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10 gigabits per second. The Intel laptop also features an HDMI 2.1 port, but this has been replaced with a USB Type A port on the AMD laptop. In terms of ports, both laptops have everything you need.
When it comes to pricing, the Slim 7 Pro X starts at around $1400 for the Ryzen 7 68000 HS model. Our sample with the Ryzen 9 and upgraded storage and memory costs about $1800. The Slim 7i Pro X, which only comes with the Core i7 CPU, costs around $1600, but if you upgrade the memory and storage, the AMD laptop is only $5 more expensive than the Intel model.
In terms of performance, both CPUs and GPUs handle power quite differently. The 12700h version gets more juice in intelligent and battery-saving modes, while the 6900 HS has an edge in extreme mode. Extreme mode causes temperatures to rise close to thermal throttling, but both CPUs do an excellent job of keeping the temperatures in check.
In terms of gaming performance, both laptops perform equally well, with the AMD laptop offering a slight edge in some games. The Intel laptop does offer a slight advantage in CPU intensive tasks, but both CPUs perform exceptionally well, especially given their slim form factor.
In terms of productivity, both laptops are equally matched, with the 20 threads on the Intel CPU giving it a slight edge. The AMD laptop does offer more memory, but both laptops have enough memory to handle any task you throw at them.
In conclusion, both Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X laptops offer excellent value for the price, and the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for the best gaming performance, the AMD laptop is the way to go. If you’re looking for the best performance in CPU intensive tasks, the Intel laptop is the way to go. Both laptops offer excellent performance in a slim and lightweight form factor, making them a great choice for anyone in the market for a new laptop.
I bought my wife a Intel ThinkPad T14s and me the Ryzen edition, fan volume is terrible on the intel version, but fully feature customizable option selection and software bug stability support. The AMD side has lot more issue with some random software bug affect the laptop hardware, but is less fan noise and consumption 50 watt max, so the 65 watt charger has enough juice for it but not enough with the Intel CPU.
I got the Ryzen 7 6800HS with the 3050 and am pretty happy with it. I’m a bit suspicious about the Intel getting better battery life, u less the Ryzen 9 6900HS does so much worse than the 6800.. other reviewers seem to have gotten better battery life out of the AMD model so not sure what’s going on 🙂
The Lenovo Slim Pro X was the finalist in my laptop buying shortlist last autumn and, after much consideration, I went with the AMD model. Mostly, my choice hinged on having more use out of a second USB-A port than a dedicated HDMI port. The main shortcoming of that laptop is the display, which is just too glossy for my taste…it’s only one thing but a big one, with a matte display this would be the perfect laptop.