Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Review: AI Meets Mobility

Lenovo is setting a new standard in the world of business laptops with the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition—an ultraportable powerhouse built for modern professionals. Blending cutting-edge AI features, a stunning OLED display, and a sleek aluminum design, this model stands as a serious alternative to the MacBook Air 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 15.

ThinkPad X9 Aura

Sleek and Light: A Modern Redesign

Breaking from traditional ThinkPad aesthetics, the X9 15 Aura Edition showcases a premium all-metal chassis weighing just 1.4 kg and measuring 17.7 mm thin. Its minimalist silver design targets mobile professionals and executives looking for style without sacrificing performance.

Immersive OLED Display

The 15.3-inch 2.8K OLED screen delivers vivid visuals with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and HDR brightness peaking at 1100 nits. Certified by Eyesage, it reduces eye strain while enhancing content clarity. Though OLED comes with typical concerns like PWM flicker and potential burn-in, the visual payoff is exceptional.

Performance Driven by AI and Intel Lunar Lake

Powered by Intel’s latest Lunar Lake Core Ultra chips, up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 2TB SSD storage, the X9 15 is built for multitasking, video conferencing, and productivity-heavy workflows. Onboard AI accelerators (48 TOPS) complement Microsoft’s Copilot+ ecosystem, while Lenovo’s proprietary Aura Suite adjusts power, privacy, and collaboration modes automatically.

Business-Class Portability Meets Productivity

Despite its slim profile, the X9 15 Aura Edition includes:

  • 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C
  • 1x USB-A
  • HDMI 2.0
  • Headphone/mic combo

With Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, the device offers cutting-edge wireless capabilities, outclassing many competitors on connectivity.

Keyboard and Haptics: Familiar Meets Forward

The legendary ThinkPad typing experience remains largely intact—responsive and ideal for long sessions. However, the removal of the iconic TrackPoint and new function key layout may disappoint brand loyalists. The haptic touchpad is smooth and intuitive, rivaling Apple’s Force Touch experience.

Battery Life That Outperforms the MacBook Air

Equipped with an 80 Wh battery, the X9 15 delivers up to 18 hours of usage. Lenovo has optimized power management to support fast charging and efficient standby, outperforming competitors like the Surface Laptop and MacBook Air in real-world battery tests.

Enterprise-Grade Security and Features

Built with professionals in mind, the laptop features:

  • Shield Mode for VPN and screen privacy
  • vPro support
  • Windows Autopilot
  • Hardware-based isolation

The SSD is user-upgradable, though the soldered RAM limits expandability to the chosen configuration.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

Starting at $1,359, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition is tailored for business users seeking a forward-thinking, AI-enhanced experience. Its combination of premium build, next-gen features, and long battery life positions it as a leader in the Windows ultraportable space—though legacy ThinkPad purists and creative professionals may find some limitations.

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