Techaisle Review and Impressions: Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 Aura Edition Begins a New Era

February was a whirlwind of travel, and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 became my indispensable companion. From airplane seats to bustling conference rooms, this laptop proved its worth. Its feather-light design, a mere 2.17 pounds, made it effortlessly portable, slipping into my bag without adding bulk. The robust carbon fiber and magnesium chassis shrugged off the rigors of travel, maintaining its sleek appearance despite constant jostling. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor handled everything I threw at it, from resource-intensive presentations to seamless video conferencing, without a hiccup. The battery life was a revelation, easily lasting through full workdays without needing a recharge, a godsend during layovers. Returning home, I found the ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 waiting for me, and I could not wait to dive in, eager to compare its innovations to the X1 Carbon Gen 13 that had served me so well in the last month.

As I opened the packaging of the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1, I was immediately struck by the aesthetic shift. The new silver aluminum chassis gleamed, a stark contrast to the traditional matte black, and the absence of the iconic red TrackPoint was noticeable, though not entirely unexpected, as I had previewed the design earlier in the year.

For over thirty years, Lenovo's ThinkPad has been the bedrock of enterprise computing, defined by its rugged reliability and iconic design. Now, with the ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 Aura Edition (part of the broader X9 series revealed at CES 2025 and many other insane innovations), Lenovo dares to redefine its legacy for the modern hybrid workforce. My review dives into the implications of this bold departure, dissecting the sleek silver aluminum chassis, the controversial removal of the signature red TrackPoint, and its ambition to challenge the premium notebook market. Having spent considerable time with a review unit, I conclude that the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1's exceptional display, typing ergonomics, and mobile efficiency will reshape the ThinkPad experience in 2025.

Design Evolution: A Shift in Color and Identity

The ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 boldly redefines its aesthetic, a stark departure from the traditional ThinkPad ethos. Gone is the iconic, utilitarian matte black, replaced by a sleek, silver aluminum chassis christened "Thunder Grey." This is not merely a cosmetic change; it's a strategic repositioning aiming to attract a broader audience, including style-conscious creatives and younger professionals. The fingerprint-resistant finish maintains a polished look, which is crucial for mobile professionals.

From a Techaisle perspective, this shift presents both a risk and an opportunity. The over 50% recycled aluminum aligns with growing sustainability demands and offers a premium feel. However, the departure from black may alienate loyalists who associate it with ThinkPad's rugged heritage. Lenovo is betting that modern hybrid workers, flitting between offices, homes, and travel, desire a device that excels in both boardroom and coffee shop settings.

The most polarizing decision, however, is the removal of the red TrackPoint, a hallmark of ThinkPads since 1992. For decades, this precision tool nestled between the G, H, and B keys offered a unique advantage, beloved by users like myself. Its absence in the X9-14 Gen 1, replaced by a large, centered haptic touchpad, signals Lenovo's acknowledgment of the TrackPoint's niche status in a touchpad-dominated world. This trade-off between modernization and legacy support will be a key consideration for businesses with diverse user needs.

The haptic touchpad’s generous size and customizable pressure sensitivity offer smooth, responsive feedback, rivaling implementations from competition. Similarly, while retaining ThinkPad's signature curved keycaps, the keyboard adopts a modernized layout with crisp, satisfying feedback, balancing tradition and contemporary appeal.

Flipping over the laptop, a standout feature is the "engine hub," a rear strip housing full-size ports (Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack) while maintaining a slim profile. This design also enhances serviceability, providing easy access to the SSD and battery. At 2.74 pounds, the X9-14 Gen 1 is remarkably light, yet its sturdy aluminum build ensures durability. The 180-degree lay-flat hinge adds further versatility, making it a compelling option for demanding hybrid work environments. Audio quality is enhanced with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Voice, supporting clear video calls, which is crucial for remote collaboration.

Display: OLED Excellence

Lenovo elevates the ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 with OLED display options. Buyers can choose between a 1920x1200 (WUXGA) non-touch panel at 400 nits and 60Hz or the premium 2880x1800 (2.8K) touchscreen, boasting 500 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate. My experience is based on the latter. The 2.8K OLED panel delivers excellent visuals. Perfect blacks, vibrant 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and razor-sharp detail will make it a dream for content creators, data analysts, and anyone with visual media. While 500 nits is sufficient for outdoor use, some premium competitors reach 600 nits. The 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeable smoothness, enhancing productivity tasks like navigating complex spreadsheets and editing videos.

From a Techaisle perspective, including OLED signifies a clear trend: enterprise laptops are evolving into versatile tools, catering to creative demands alongside traditional business needs. However, the inherent power consumption of OLED technology must be considered in terms of battery life compared to IPS panels. The 16:10 aspect ratio and slim bezels maximize screen real estate, a crucial feature for multitasking in today's hybrid work environments.

Performance: Lunar Lake and AI Readiness

My review unit of the ThinkPad X9-14 was powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, complemented by Intel Arc Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of soldered LPDDR5x RAM, and a 500GB M.2 2242 SSD. While 16GB RAM seems sufficient for basic tasks, I highly recommend going with 32GB to future-proof your system and ensure smoother performance with demanding applications and AI workloads. Notably, it boasts 48 TOPS of AI acceleration, positioning it as a frontrunner for on-device AI tasks and qualifying it as a Copilot+ PC, unlocking Microsoft’s AI-driven features like live translations and image generation.

Designed for minimal power consumption, Intel Lunar Lake promises a significant leap in battery life, aiming for beyond the 12-15 hours typically seen in ThinkPads. In my initial testing—web browsing, document editing, and light multitasking—the X9-14 remained remarkably cool and quiet, with fans rarely kicking in. While the Arc Xe2 GPU is not a dedicated graphics powerhouse, it handled casual creative tasks, such as video editing, with surprising competency, reflecting the evolving demands of hybrid work environments.

Aura Edition

This is my second Lenovo Aura Edition laptop, following the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13. The Lenovo ThinkPad Aura Edition is a premium business laptop integrating AI-driven performance optimization, Intel Unison-powered Smart Share for cross-device workflows, enterprise-grade security protocols like Shield Mode, and sustainable design elements. It represents a strategic leap in enterprise-grade AI integration, combining hardware innovation with software intelligence to address evolving productivity and security demands. The architecture enables real-time AI-driven optimizations, such as Smart Modes, which dynamically adjust performance based on usage patterns - shifting power allocation between CPU, GPU, and NPU to prioritize tasks like video conferencing or data analysis without manual intervention. For SMBs and enterprises, this translates to multitasking efficiency while maintaining energy efficiency, which is critical for mobile professionals. Intel Unison-powered Smart Share further enhances cross-device workflows, allowing frictionless photo transfers between Android/iOS devices and the laptop via Bluetooth. However, Aura Edition’s dependency on Intel’s soon-to-be-discontinued Unison framework raises questions about long-term viability.

The Aura Edition stands out for its business-focused security and sustainability features. Shield Mode, which auto-activates VPNs on untrusted networks and deploys privacy guards, addresses data breach concerns. However, users must already have a VPN service and credentials for it to work. Shield Mode enhances security by prompting users to use their VPN but cannot establish a connection without an existing VPN service.

At the same time, the Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor ensures robust presence detection, automatically locking the device when the user steps away. I would have preferred to customize the presence detection based on my location, for example, disabling it at home or the office and enabling it in plane or airport lounges, alongside the existing robust Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, Windows Hello facial recognition, and IR camera security features that align with Zero Trust frameworks. Regardless, coupled with Windows Hello facial recognition, these layers of protection align with the Zero Trust framework, which businesses are increasingly considering. From a sustainability angle, the chassis’ 50% recycled aluminum and modular components for more straightforward repairs reflect corporate ESG priorities without compromising military-grade durability. For me, these elements collectively position the Aura Edition as a benchmark for AI-first, security-hardened portability.

Final Techaisle Take

The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 boldly reimagines a storied brand. Its silver chassis and TrackPoint-less design mark a significant departure aimed at attracting a new audience while preserving ThinkPad's core strengths: durability, performance, and repairability. It presents a compelling alternative to consumer notebooks for hybrid professionals, seamlessly blending style, sustainability, and enterprise-grade features.

However, removing the TrackPoint and the iconic black color may alienate purists, and the absence of cellular connectivity limits its appeal for highly mobile workers. At Techaisle, we view the X9-14 as a forward-thinking pivot—imperfect for some, but a clear signal that Lenovo is adapting to evolving demands.

This 14-inch light notebook, equipped with Intel's Lunar Lake architecture and a stunning OLED display, challenges conventions while retaining core enterprise functionality. Our analysis reveals a device that excels in display quality, typing ergonomics, and mobile efficiency. While its departure from traditional ThinkPad elements may polarize long-time users, the X9-14 is undeniably a standout contender in the 2025 premium business laptop segment, offering a modern and versatile solution for businesses ready to embrace the future.