Key takeaways

• Lenovo's first-edition ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition 14-inch is available now, starting at$1,239 for the lowest-tier configuration.
• It's an experimental evolution of the ThinkPad line, exchanging some of the most defining features for a new sleek form factor and bold design.
• The entry configuration only comes with 256GB of storage, which is not sufficient for a laptop in this price range.

View now at Lenovo

When I first sawLenovo's ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition at CES in January of 2025, I praised its bold design elements -- a striking departure from the norms of the ThinkPad line. There's no TrackPoint, a noticeable lack of I/O, and a minimalist trackpad that looks nothing like the X1 Carbon -- its (significantly more expensive) older sibling.  

Now that I've been using it for a few weeks, it's become one of my favorite laptops of the year for its versatility, brilliant display, and fantastic battery. In a sense, the X9 Aura Edition is a ThinkPad that has evolved to a new form, keeping some of what we love about the iconic lineup but elaborating on a new vision, as well. 

Also: After years with Windows, I used the MacBook Air M4 for one week. Here's how it went

But I should also mention that there is some friction here. First, if you're a ThinkPad enjoyer, it's easy to feel like Lenovo is abandoning the line's core features, but the X9 Aura Edition seems to be more of an experiment than a sweeping redefinition of the flagship family.

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There's an obvious resemblance to the MacBook, and the Aura Edition features are definitely engineered to speak to the Apple user (or refugee). I've covered them extensively since the tap-to-share functionality spurred hordes of participants to slam their smartphones against the first Aura Edition laptops last year, and they're all still here, but more like bonus features rather than flagship headliners. 

Besides photo and file sharing capabilities designed to mirror Apple's AirDrop experience, Aura Edition laptops come with additional security features and 24/7 live chat support that allows Lenovo reps to see your device's exact specs, focus modes, battery usage profiles, and health alerts in the Intel Unison app.

Ultimately, though, the X9 is a ThinkPad, even though it doesn't look the part. Its price point positions it as a mid-tier+ device with a sleek, forward-thinking design and notably more affordable than the X1 Carbon, the ThinkPad reigning supreme at the top in both hardware and performance. 

The X9 Aura Edition's physical frame is sleek and thin, but it feels solid and well-made, with a cool slate gray colorway and ribbed bottom half of the clamshell. One of the first things you'll notice is the big bar running alongside the bottom of the device.

Lenovo calls this the "engine hub," and it's where the two USB-C ports (one on each side), the HDMI port, and the headphone jack reside