Breaking From Tradition, ThinkPad X9 Offers a Cheap Path to OLED Ultraportable

For a laptop computer line steeped in custom just like the ThinkPad, one which goes again earlier than Lenovo acquired IBM’s pc enterprise, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version marks a radical departure. For starters, it lacks a ThinkPad’s acquainted boxy form and matte black end. There’s additionally no purple TrackPoint pointing stick in the midst of the keyboard, and the keyboard itself is not very ThinkPad-like. 

Flip it over, and you will discover a pair of bizarre design components: a grooved backside cowl and what Lenovo calls an Engine Hub, a vented strip that homes the ThinkPad X9 14’s cooling followers and ports. This hub protrudes from the underside panel to optimize thermals whereas additionally permitting the remainder of the laptop computer to be impressively skinny.

Whereas I just like the modern look of the ThinkPad X9 14 and love its inflexible, sturdy aluminum enclosure, it is considerably heavier than the carbon fiber ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Version. The X9 may pressure you to hold round some further weight, however its worth is lighter. The X9 prices lots of much less whereas providing two key objects discovered on the X1 Carbon: a good looking OLED show and a generously proportioned haptic touchpad. If you are able to do with out the pointing stick, then the ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version gives a well-rounded package deal at a extra budget-friendly worth than flagship enterprise ultraportables just like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 and the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i.

The ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version begins at simply over $1,000, which is considerably lower than the entry level for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13. You will spend nearer to $2,000 for even the most affordable X1 Carbon Gen 13, and it will not have an OLED show or haptic touchpad, each of which come customary on all ThinkPad X9 14 fashions. 

The entry-level ThinkPad X9 14 options an Intel Core Extremely 5 226V processor, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a 1,920-by-1,200 OLED show with a 60Hz refresh charge and a rated 400 nits of brightness. My check mannequin options three upgrades: a 512GB SSD for $100, a 2,880-by-1,800 OLED for $100, and Home windows 11 Professional for $60. The two.8K OLED panel not solely provides the next decision than the bottom show, it additionally comes with contact help, a variable refresh charge of as much as 120Hz and a rated 500 nits of brightness. On the time of this overview, my check system was discounted to $1,337 at Lenovo.

Different upgrades embody two barely higher-end Core Extremely 5 processors in addition to a pair of Core Extremely 7 choices, all of which include 32GB of reminiscence. The Core Extremely 5 228V improve with 32GB of RAM for less than $20 is a superb deal for simply the reminiscence improve alone. You can even outfit the laptop computer with as much as 2TB of storage. One improve not supplied you could get with the X1 Carbon is cell broadband, a characteristic many highway warriors require for instances after they cannot hook up with a Wi-Fi community.

The ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version begins at £1,020 in the UK and AU$1,945 in Australia. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version efficiency 

My ThinkPad X9 14 check laptop computer is not a pace machine. It options the baseline duo of the Core Extremely 5 226V and 16GB of RAM, that are the identical specs you get with the Acer Aspire 14 AI, which is a fantastic laptop computer in its personal proper however a really funds mannequin you could decide up for between $500 and $700. The ThinkPad X9 14 prices double that and past, when you begin including upgrades.

You do not essentially have to improve the ThinkPad X9 14 with one of many Core Extremely 7 processors, however both of the opposite Core Extremely 5 choices would go a great distance towards snappier efficiency merely for the 32GB of RAM that they embody. As configured, the ThinkPad X9 14 completed close to the again of the pack on our software benchmarks and was significantly lackluster on the multicore checks for Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024. 

Graphics efficiency from the built-in Intel Arc 130V was additionally so-so, trailing that of Core Extremely 7-based laptops with Intel’s built-in Arc 140V graphics however forward of fashions with built-in GPUs from AMD and Qualcomm on the 3DMark Metal Nomad check. Its rating on Procyon’s AI Pc Imaginative and prescient benchmark, which measures integer math proficiency for AI workloads, was barely behind the scores from different laptops with current-generation AI CPUs however properly forward of the HP Pavilion Plus 14, which contains a first-gen Intel Core Extremely chip.

What the ThinkPad X9 14 lacks in uncooked efficiency, it makes up for in effectivity. It ran for greater than 17 hours on our YouTube streaming battery-drain check, which is a superb consequence for an Intel-based laptop computer. You will get longer battery life from a laptop computer primarily based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X sequence CPU, the place we have recurrently seen battery lifetime of greater than 20 hours, together with Microsoft’s 13-inch Surface Laptop, which lasted for greater than 24 hours on the identical check. 

The Core Extremely 5 226V from Intel’s Lunar Lake sequence has not one of the potential Home windows-on-Arm software program compatibility points, nonetheless, and it nonetheless offers battery life lengthy sufficient you could go away your charger at residence, take the ThinkPad X9 14 to work all day and return residence with a lot left within the tank. 

Take a look at CNET’s mobile CPU explainer for extra particulars on what to anticipate from completely different laptop computer processors in 2025. 

A ThinkPad that thinks completely different

With out the matte black end and barely chunky, boxy form, the ThinkPad X9 14 would not look all that very like a ThinkPad. And the keyboard has a distinct feel and look, even with out contemplating the distinct lack of the purple TrackPoint in its middle. I imply, there are nonetheless some ThinkPad touches, just like the ThinkPad emblem within the nook of the lid with the “i” getting the glowing-red-dot therapy, the notch above the show for the webcam and the sturdier single hinge for the show that runs almost the width of the laptop computer. 

As an alternative of the normal matte black, the ThinkPad X9 14 contains a brushed aluminum end in a darkish grey that is between Apple’s area grey and midnight black choices for its MacBooks. It is pretty inflexible however would not have a really distinctive look, which perhaps you will not thoughts should you aren’t trying to make an announcement along with your work laptop computer. 

The keyboard additionally lacks distinction. The squared-off keys are a departure from the standard ThinkPad form, the place the keys have a rounded backside. There is a trace of the rounded form as the underside fringe of the X9’s keys is gently sloped, however the keys definitely have a distinct look. In addition they have a distinct really feel — one which’s not fairly as plush because the ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s. As a result of the ThinkPad X9 14 is so skinny, key journey is shallower than on the X1 Carbon and feels somewhat generic, bordering on mushy.

The ThinkPad X9 14 scores factors for being very skinny — it is lower than 18 millimeters thick, or roughly 0.7 inches — but it surely’s not very gentle. At 2.8 kilos, it is merely common for its measurement. Different 14-inch laptops are a lot lighter, together with the two.2-pound ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 and the two.6-pound HP EliteBook Extremely G1i. And amongst equally sized client fashions, the 13.6-inch MacBook Air weighs 2.7 kilos and the Asus Zenbook A14 weighs simply 2.2 kilos.

The ThinkPad X9 14 achieves its outstanding thinness by placing the cooling followers within the Engine Hub, an oblong bump-out on the underside panel. Between the 2 cooling followers is the Core Extremely 5 226V CPU and its built-in reminiscence module.

The ports are additionally positioned on both finish of this hub: a Thunderbolt 4 port on both aspect, together with an HDMI out on the left and a headphone jack on the suitable. By inserting this stuff on this vented strip, Lenovo says, the cooling and efficiency are optimized. I do not know if it helped the X9’s efficiency any, however the laptop computer did keep cool and quiet throughout my time with it.

The ThinkPad X9 14 lacks lots of the benefits you get with the flagship X1 Carbon, but it surely contains two options I might need in my main work laptop computer: an OLED show and a haptic touchpad. Even the baseline X9 mannequin comes with an OLED, and our unit included the improve choice that delivers the next decision, the next (and variable) refresh charge, elevated brightness and contact help. It is a 2.8K-resolution OLED panel (2,880-by-1,800 pixels) with a variable refresh of as much as 120Hz. Textual content and pictures look extremely crisp with such a excessive decision on a 14-inch show, and also you get the colourful colours and stellar distinction you’d count on from an OLED. It is positively definitely worth the modest $100 up-charge.

The haptic touchpad comes customary, and it is wonderful. It is generously portioned, particularly for a ThinkPad whose touchpad floor is often squeezed by the 2 added mouse buttons wedged between it and the spacebar for the pointing stick. However with no pointing stick, there’s extra space for the touchpad. I cherished having a constant and customizable click on response throughout its total floor as a substitute of simply alongside its backside half, as you’d get with a fundamental mechanical touchpad.

So, what’s with this Aura Version enterprise, you may be questioning. It comes from Lenovo partnering with Intel on a handful of “good” options, akin to good sharing for swapping recordsdata between the laptop computer and your cellphone by way of Intel’s Unison app. There’s an consideration mode the place you’ll be able to set a timer to restrict or disable notifications, and a wellness mode that reminds you to take a break to relaxation your eyes or sit up once you start to slouch. I do not like the thought of the digicam monitoring me as I work, however perhaps you miss having your mother or dad supplying you with correct posture reminders. Maybe essentially the most helpful a part of the Aura Version factor is Sensible Care, which offers specialised help for one 12 months, the place you get entry to devoted digital and stay brokers.

The ThinkPad X9 14 gives each biometric choices — facial recognition by way of the webcam and a fingerprint scanner on the facility button — for safe logins. These are appreciated options on a client laptop computer and must-haves on a enterprise machine. And the webcam itself is nice: an 8-megapixel sensor that captures sharp, well-balanced photographs and video. 

Ought to I purchase the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version?

For those who’re a ThinkPad traditionalist, then it is best to go on this mannequin. However should you’re on the lookout for a enterprise laptop computer for fundamental workplace duties and need an OLED show and roomy haptic touchpad for an incredible worth, then the ThinkPad X9 14 begins to seem like a winner.