There’s a new buzzword in the tech world – AI PCs. These devices integrate artificial intelligence capabilities directly into the machine, eliminating reliance on the cloud and promising to make everyday tasks simpler and more productive.

According to a recent Intel-commissioned survey, users spend nearly 15 hours a week on repetitive digital tasks like transcribing speeches or organizing files. AI PCs aim to cut this time dramatically, freeing up precious hours for more meaningful pursuits.

In this context, Intel has introduced Lunar Lake, a cutting-edge architecture designed to compete in a crowded market. With its new Intel Core Ultra processors, the company seeks to rival Arm and AMD chips, offering high performance combined with AI capabilities directly built into the device. The goal is clear: to make AI a core aspect of design rather than a supplementary feature. This vision manifests in features like enhanced video conferencing, real-time translation, and intelligent battery management. But the key question remains: do we really need all this technology?
 

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is Lenovo's interpretation of the AI PC concept. Known for its leadership in work – but not only – computers, Lenovo aims to fully harness built-in AI. Thanks to its more intuitive, efficient and personal features, this sleek and lightweight laptop is designed to adapt to the rhythms of workers and creators. It is powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor with Lunar Lake architecture, along with proprietary technologies like Aura Smart Modes, positioning itself as both a functional experiment and a statement of how Lenovo envisions the future of computing.

One standout feature of the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is the Copilot+ button, which provides instant access to the Windows 11 AI assistant. This dedicated key enables advanced features like instant translation, video call optimization, and streamlined content creation – all without interrupting your workflow. However, Copilot – as it is now – also displays the limitations of AI: while the button opens a convenient window, it kind of looks like one of those widget interfaces we've seen before. Moreover, AI is often poorly integrated with applications or unintuitive – where to find Copilot in Word? Who knows! Despite these quirks, once users familiarize themselves with Copilot’s capabilities, it becomes an indispensable companion. It’s worth noting that Copilot operates from the cloud, meaning it’s accessible on many devices, not just new generation AI PCs.

The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition also stands out for its Aura Smart Modes, a suite of AI-driven tools designed to make the PC more intuitive and adaptive. The Shield mode protects privacy by alerting users to screen peeping and automatically activating a VPN. The Attention mode helps focus by blocking distracting notifications and websites. Wellness reminds the user to take breaks to improve posture and eye health, while the Collaboration mode enhances video calls with background blur and optimized lighting. Lastly, the Power mode adjusts performance to optimize power and battery life depending on the needs. While these tools are upgrades of existing features, they introduce little revolutionary changes. For instance, the Wellness mode falls short of expectations: while the expectation is that AI analyzes your posture or seating position, its suggestions are quite basic. Ultimately, the Smart Modes feel more like an evolution rather than a revolution.

Among the standout features of the new Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is its 15.3-inch 2.8K display, offering excellent definition and vibrant colors, even though, as some reviewers have noted, the display falls short of the brightness levels seen in competing models within the same price range. Perfect for working or watching movies, the display is enhanced by a 120Hz refresh rate, adding a layer of smoothness and enjoyability. The battery performance is another highlight, boasting a fast-charging feature that delivers up to three hours of usage from just 15 minutes of charging.

That said, not everyone was fully convinced by the device’s thin and enjoyable design, which, while practical, falls short in terms of standout aesthetics and offers little innovation in hardware functionality. For instance, Matthew S. Smith from PCMag noted that the “touchpad is small for a laptop of this size” and the display, though functional, lacks exceptional quality. This mixed feedback – together with other elements – has led to a divisive reception for the device: “The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is another solid addition in Lenovo’s generally strong line-up of mid-range and premium Windows PCs. It suffers a few flaws, like a relatively small touchpad and a mediocre display, but makes up for its shortcomings with attractive design, a great keyboard, and class-leading speakers.”

The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition showcases the potential of the new AI PCs; however, it also raises doubts. Antonio G. Di Benedetto of The Verge described the device as an intriguing glimpse of Intel’s future, but not yet a revolution. If the future of computing lies in devices that understand and adapt to us, we’ll have to learn to use them properly. The risk? That AI becomes a captivating but ultimately unfulfilled promise.