In the world of Windows laptops, where everything looks and performs the same, there are the occasional standouts. The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition appears to be one such laptop.
We first noticed it at CES 2025. Now, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition, admittedly a moniker that may be improved, is available in India. It has been launched for Rs 1,37,255 and is unlike any other Windows laptop I’ve seen. The market is swamped with thin and light laptops, yet they all look the same and offer the same generic functionality. This one, however, has promise. It’s more than just another tiny and light Windows laptop; it feels like a machine designed with a purpose.
I had a quick hands-on contact with the ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition at Lenovo’s fourth annual Tech World event in Mumbai, and it impressed me despite the short time.
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition: Initial impressions
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition is remarkably lightweight, weighing only 1.21kg, making it an excellent choice for workers who are often on the go. Trust me, if you’re like me and constantly need a laptop with you, this one will feel like a feather in your backpack.
Despite its lightweight design, the build quality feels expensive. Lenovo has also taken a greener approach, employing 50 percent recycled aluminium in its construction, which is a lovely touch. I instantly noted the weight distribution. You can open the lid with one hand, a minor but telling feature that demonstrates the level of perfection in its design.
The 14-inch OLED display is undoubtedly one of the highlights. With a sharp 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution and deep, brilliant colours, everything from papers to videos will appear crisp and energetic. The demo units at the stand were showing bright HDR footage, and the panel looked really stunning. However, the glossy finish may cause reflections in bright situations, but the OLED’s contrast and colour depth should more than compensate. The refresh rate, however, is limited to 60Hz, which appears to be an odd oversight on Lenovo’s side, given that most Windows laptops in this price bracket now feature displays with greater refresh rates, such as 120Hz.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. While I couldn’t put it through strenuous workloads in a crowded demo room, everything on the system felt smooth: Programs started immediately, animations were elegant, and Windows 11 worked flawlessly. Of course, the actual test will be in everyday use, but based on my initial impressions, it appears to be well-suited for professional activities.
ThinkPads have long been recognised for their keyboards, and this one lives up to that reputation. The keys feature around 1.4mm of travel, providing a comfortable typing experience, however, I personally would have preferred greater space.