For decades, the ThinkPad brand has carried a certain weight in the business world. It’s the kind of laptop you’d see in a consultant’s briefcase, a CEO’s desk, or a graduate student’s backpack. Known for durability, keyboard comfort, and that unmistakable red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard, ThinkPads have been more than just tools they’ve been companions for serious work. Now, with the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition, Lenovo is rewriting parts of that legacy.
This isn’t just a minor refresh. The Aura Edition marks a bold shift toward modernity, AI integration, and a reimagined design that, frankly, might divide the loyal ThinkPad crowd. Over the course of this long form review, we’ll explore whether the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition lives up to its promise of being a “premium, AI driven business laptop for a new era of mobility” and if it’s the right machine for you.
A First Look: Familiar Yet Different
For some, this feels like losing a piece of ThinkPad’s soul. The TrackPoint wasn’t just a pointing stick, it was a badge of honor for power users who preferred to navigate without lifting their hands from the keyboard. Lenovo has chosen to move on, replacing it with a large haptic touchpad that dominates the palm rest. It’s smoother, more modern, and arguably more in line with competitors like Apple’s MacBook Pro or Dell’s XPS series.
Holding the laptop, you’re struck by its weight or rather, the lack of it. At around 1.4 kilograms (just over 3 pounds), it’s impressively light for a 15 inch device. Slide it into a backpack and you’ll barely feel the difference compared to a 13 inch ultrabook. This portability signals Lenovo’s intent: this is a workhorse you can carry everywhere.
Display: OLED Brilliance That Pops
Open the lid, and the star of the show immediately reveals itself, the 15.3 inch 2.8K OLED display. It’s gorgeous, plain and simple. Colors leap off the screen, blacks are inky deep, and the 120Hz refresh rate gives everything a buttery smoothness whether you’re scrolling through documents, editing photos, or watching a movie on a red eye flight.The screen supports HDR and full DCI-P3 color gamut, making it a reliable choice for creative professionals who demand accuracy. If you’re a designer tweaking color palettes or a videographer checking footage, this panel won’t disappoint. Even under bright office lights or near a window on a sunny day, the screen remains readable thanks to peak brightness levels that push past 1,000 nits in HDR scenarios.
Of course, OLED comes with its baggage. Long time users worry about burn in, especially if they work with static content like spreadsheets or coding environments. Lenovo has implemented software tricks to reduce risk pixel shifting, dark mode optimizations, and screen savers but the concern lingers. For most users, though, the advantages outweigh the risks. It’s like owning a sports car, you don’t buy it to worry about tire wear, you buy it for the performance thrill.
Keyboard and Touchpad: A Shift in Identity
One of the most iconic aspects of ThinkPads has always been the keyboard. The tactile feedback, the slightly curved keys, the travel distance it was the gold standard for laptop typing. Thankfully, the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition retains much of that heritage. Typing feels satisfying, with just enough resistance to avoid the “mushy” sensation of cheaper laptops. Long writing sessions, whether reports or essays, feel almost enjoyable.But the absence of the TrackPoint remains polarizing. For ThinkPad purists, it’s like removing the steering wheel from a Porsche and giving you a joystick instead. The large haptic touchpad is smooth and responsive, offering customizable feedback. You can set how firm or light the clicks feel, which is a neat trick. Still, early user feedback suggests it’s not as refined as Apple’s Force Touch trackpads. It sometimes feels “rustly” or uneven in feedback, particularly when dragging and dropping.
If you’re new to ThinkPads, you’ll likely appreciate the modern touchpad and never look back. If you’re a long time loyalist, it might take time and maybe some grumbling to adjust.
Performance: Powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake
Under the hood, the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition runs on Intel’s latest Lunar Lake processors specifically the Core Ultra 7 or Ultra 5 depending on configuration. These chips represent Intel’s new architecture, built with efficiency and AI in mind.In day to day use, the laptop breezes through office productivity tasks, spreadsheets, dozens of Chrome tabs, Zoom meetings, and even light photo editing. The integrated Intel Arc GPU is a step above older integrated graphics, capable of handling light creative workloads and casual gaming. Don’t expect workstation level rendering power, but for tasks like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or even some video editing, it performs admirably.
One standout is the inclusion of AI acceleration cores. These specialized processors handle tasks like video call enhancements (background blur, noise suppression), local AI tools, and other emerging applications. While this might feel futuristic today, it’s likely to become increasingly valuable as software adopts AI driven workflows. Think of it like owning a hybrid car before gas prices spike you’re a step ahead of the curve.
Battery Life: All Day Stamina
Battery life is a major concern for professionals on the go, and here the X9 15 Aura Edition delivers. With its 80Wh battery, you can expect a solid 8 to 12 hours depending on workload. In practical terms, this means you can start your day at a coffee shop, attend meetings, draft documents, stream some music, and still have juice left when you head home.The OLED panel does consume more power at higher brightness, so heavy HDR use will shorten runtime. But thanks to the efficiency of Lunar Lake chips, most users will comfortably get through a workday without scrambling for a charger. And when you do need to recharge, fast charging support gets you from 0 to 80% in about an hour a lifesaver for those rushed airport layovers.
Connectivity: Modern and Ready for the Future
Lenovo has equipped the X9 15 with a robust set of ports, which is refreshing in a world where laptops keep trimming I/O. You get two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a USB-A port for legacy devices, HDMI 2.1, and a headphone/mic jack. For wireless, it supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring you’re future proofed for the next wave of routers and peripherals.This blend of old and new is smart. You won’t need dongles for presentations, but you also get the speed and flexibility of modern USB-C/Thunderbolt connections.
Security and Business Features
Being a ThinkPad, the X9 15 doesn’t forget its enterprise roots. It comes with Windows Hello facial recognition, an IR camera with privacy shutter, and optional fingerprint login. Lenovo also includes enterprise grade encryption and management tools, making it IT department friendly.One of the most intriguing additions is the Aura features a set of modes designed to optimize the laptop depending on your situation. For example, privacy mode dims the screen to reduce shoulder surfing, while collaboration mode enhances microphones and speakers for conference calls. These aren’t gimmicks, they’re small quality of life improvements that reflect how modern professionals actually use their machines.
Strengths That Shine
Let’s pause and highlight where the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition really excels:- Stunning OLED display with color accuracy and HDR support.
- Lightweight and portable despite being a 15 inch device.
- Strong battery life that genuinely lasts through a workday.
- Modern connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, and Thunderbolt 4.
- Business security features and thoughtful Aura modes.
Weaknesses Worth Noting
No laptop is perfect, and the X9 15 Aura Edition has its share of drawbacks:- No TrackPoint a controversial removal that alienates some loyalists.
- Haptic touchpad isn’t as refined as Apple’s MacBook Pro.
- RAM is soldered (up to 32GB max), limiting upgrade potential.
- OLED risks like burn in and PWM flicker at lower brightness.
- Premium pricing puts it in the same bracket as powerful MacBooks or Dell XPS machines.
How It Compares to Competitors
a. MacBook Pro 14/16 (M3 chips)
Apple’s machines still lead in raw performance, battery optimization, and touchpad quality. But the ThinkPad wins on port selection and Windows native compatibility.b. Dell XPS 15
Sleeker in design and often better for creatives who demand discrete GPU options. The ThinkPad X9, however, is lighter and more business focused.c. HP EliteBook / Surface Laptop Studio 2
Both are strong premium alternatives. The EliteBook competes in business security features, while the Surface wins in versatility (detachable or convertible designs).In short, the ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition is best for those who want a premium Windows laptop with business chops, rather than a creative workstation or gaming powerhouse.
Real World Use Cases
Imagine this, you’re a consultant hopping between client offices. You need a laptop that looks professional, lasts through back to back meetings, and doesn’t weigh you down. The X9 15 Aura Edition is perfect.Or maybe you’re a startup founder working in co-working spaces. You appreciate the privacy mode when working on sensitive pitch decks and the lightweight design for late night brainstorming sessions over coffee.
Even as a student in a demanding MBA program, this laptop fits the bill light enough to carry around campus, powerful enough for research and presentations, and stylish enough that you don’t feel out of place in professional settings.
Final Verdict: The Future of ThinkPad?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition is a bold reimagining of what a ThinkPad can be. It ditches some traditions, like the TrackPoint, while embracing modern trends like OLED displays, AI integration, and ultra light portability. It’s not for everyone purists may feel betrayed, and power users needing more upgradability might look elsewhere.But for professionals seeking a premium, future ready business laptop that balances portability, display quality, and smart features, the X9 15 Aura Edition is an excellent choice. It’s not just a tool, it’s a glimpse into where business laptops are headed.
Would I recommend it? Yes with the caveat that you know what you’re getting. If you’re ready to embrace change and value the strengths it offers, this laptop could be your perfect daily driver for years to come.