The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition is making waves as a contender for the best business laptop, challenging even the long-reigning ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Lenovo seems to be experimenting within the premium category with the X9 series. It aims to deliver a blend of portability, performance, and aesthetics, targeting small to mid-sized businesses and individuals.

Strengths:

• Design and Build Quality: The X9-14 boasts a slim and lightweight design, crafted from partly recycled aluminum, offering a modern look. It's also MIL-STD 810H certified, ensuring durability against shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures. The "engine hub" design houses ports and cooling.
• Display: The laptop features a stunning 14-inch OLED display with options for both 1920x1200 and 2880x1800 resolutions. The higher-resolution screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, touch functionality, and excellent color accuracy with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. An anti-glare coating minimizes reflections.
• Performance: Powered by Intel Core Ultra series processors (Ultra 5 or Ultra 7) with integrated Intel Arc graphics and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks, the X9-14 delivers smooth performance for everyday business tasks, multitasking, and even light creative work.
• Keyboard and Touchpad: The X9-14 features a new keyboard design with comfortable, quiet keys and a haptic touchpad.
• Webcam: Select models come with an excellent 8MP webcam that records up to 1440p and takes still images at 4K. The webcam also supports Windows Studio Effects and features like auto-framing, background blur, and উপস্থিতি detection.
• Features: The X9-14 is a Copilot+ PC, embracing Microsoft's AI features. It also includes a fingerprint reader and IR camera for secure Windows Hello logins.
• Audio: The laptop features Dolby Atmos speakers.

Weaknesses:

• Keyboard: Some reviewers find the keyboard less than ideal.
• Port Selection: A significant drawback is the limited port selection, lacking a USB-A port. It includes Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and an HDMI port. Users needing USB-A connectivity may require a docking station.
• Performance on Battery: The Intel Core Ultra 5 processor may exhibit average performance and battery life, particularly when running on battery power.
• Not for Enterprise: The X9-14 lacks Intel vPro and advanced authentication features like SmartCard, making it less suitable for large enterprise environments.
• Price-to-Performance: Some feel the price doesn't match the performance, especially considering the mid-range CPU.
• Battery Life: While offering enough running time for most business users, the battery life doesn't match some competitors with larger batteries.

Notable Quirks:

• Target Audience: It blurs the lines between ThinkPad and ThinkBook, traditionally aimed at enterprise and small businesses respectively.
• "Engine Hub" Design: The unique "engine hub" design houses the ports and cooling system, contributing to its thin profile.
• Weight: While ultraportable, it's slightly heavier than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
• AI Focus: Lenovo Smart Modes optimize system performance in real-time.
• No TrackPoint: The X9-14 lacks the traditional ThinkPad TrackPoint.

Pricing and Configurations:

The ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition starts at around $1,239. Base models include an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Higher-end configurations can reach over $2,000 with features like a Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 2.8K OLED touch display.

Overall:

The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition is a stylish and well-built ultraportable laptop suitable for business professionals and individuals who prioritize design, display quality, and portability. While it has some drawbacks, such as limited port selection and middling battery life, its strengths make it a compelling alternative to other premium business laptops like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, especially for those seeking a more affordable entry point into the world of OLED displays and haptic touchpads.