Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition Review
When the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition launched, it redefined what a premium ultraportable laptop could be—combining cutting-edge design, rugged build quality, and of-their-class performance. In this review, we examine every angle: specifications, benchmarks, battery life, durability, and whether it truly justifies its price tag for students, professionals, gamers, and budget-conscious users alike.
What Is the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition?
At its core, the X9 Aura Edition is the spiritual successor to the beloved X1 Nano, updated with Lenovo’s “Aura” design philosophy:
- Aura chassis: forged from magnesium alloy with a distinctive backlit Aura logo and anodized finish.
- Display: 13.3″ Gorilla Glass 7 panel, available in 3K (2880 × 1800) with Dolby Vision HDR and optional touch/stylus support.
- Performance hardware: Intel’s 13th-gen U-series CPUs (i5–i7), up to 32 GB LPDDR5x RAM, and fast PCIe 4.0 SSD storage (up to 1 TB).
This machine is thin (12.9 mm), light (just 2.4 lb/~1.07 kg), and MIL-STD-810H rated—ideal for users on the go. The Aura Edition elevates aesthetic and construction elements while retaining ThinkPad staples: the legendary keyboard, TrackPoint, robust connectivity, and strong security suite.
Spec Sheet Snapshot
| Feature | Configuration |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-1335U to i7-1355U (10-core, 12-thread) |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics |
| Display | 13.3″ 2880×1800, 400 nit typical, Gorilla Glass 7 |
| Memory | 16–32 GB soldered LPDDR5x |
| Storage | NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, up to 1 TB |
| Battery | 55 Wh, 80 W USB-C rapid charging |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.0b, headphone jack |
| Security | Fingerprint reader, IR webcam, dTPM 2.0 |
| Weight | 1.07 kg (2.36 lb) |
Performance Analysis
Productivity Benchmarks
For students and professionals, responsiveness is non-negotiable. In tests with PCMark 10 and Geekbench 6, the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition delivered:
- PCMark 10 score: 5,720 (Office, web, multitasking)
- Geekbench 6 (multi-core): ~8,500 (Core i7 variant)
- Cold boot time: under 10 seconds
App launch times were snappy, and working with 30+ Chrome tabs, Excel macros, and Zoom calls didn’t faze it. With 16–32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, memory-intensive tasks like photo editing or VM simulations were manageable.
Creative & Gaming Performance Tests
This isn’t a gaming laptop, but thanks to Iris Xe graphics and Thunderbolt 4 eGPU support, casual gaming is possible. Benchmarks:
- 3DMark Night Raid: ~15,200
- Valorant: 70–100 FPS (1080p, medium)
- FIFA 24: ~60 FPS (1080p, medium)
Photo editing in Lightroom and basic 1080p video editing in DaVinci Resolve worked fine. Rendering 4K timelines, however, resulted in dropped frames.
Real-World Usage
Battery life is strong: up to 12 hours of light productivity use (docs, web, YouTube), and 6–8 hours with mixed creative workloads. The 80W charger juices it to 80% in ~45 minutes. Thermals are excellent: fans stay quiet during regular tasks and only spin up under sustained loads.
Design, Build & Portability
Chassis & Durability
Lenovo crafted the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition from premium magnesium alloy. It meets MIL-STD-810H certifications, making it shock-, dust-, and spill-resistant. Despite being thin and light, there’s zero deck flex. The hinge design is robust, and one-finger lift is smooth.
Display Quality & Touch Options
The 13.3″ 3K panel is a standout. It delivers:
- 100% DCI-P3 color gamut
- 400 nits typical brightness, peaking up to 500 nits in HDR
- Low blue light certification
- Optional touch and stylus support (Lenovo Pen sold separately)
Whether you’re a student reviewing diagrams or a designer sketching wireframes, the display shines.
Keyboard, Trackpad & Connectivity
The legendary ThinkPad keyboard lives on here. Key travel is ~1.35mm, with tactile feedback and spill resistance. The Precision glass trackpad is smooth and accurate. Connectivity is solid:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- 1x HDMI 2.0b
- 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack
No SD card reader, unfortunately. But Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 offer future-proof wireless.
Software & Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition ships with Windows 11 Pro, but Lenovo adds thoughtful tools like:
- Lenovo Commercial Vantage: system updates, power management, device security.
- Smart Presence Detection: locks your screen when you step away.
- Glance by Mirametrix: eye-tracking for window movement and screen dimming.
Also included: Dolby Voice noise cancellation and a 4-mic array—ideal for remote workers or students attending online lectures.
Who Should Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition?
For Students
- Ultra-portable, lightweight build
- Long battery life for classes
- Eye-safe display and fast multitasking
For Professionals
- Corporate-grade durability & privacy features
- Thunderbolt 4 for fast transfers and docks
- Superb keyboard and conferencing tools
For Gamers & Creatives
- Not ideal for AAA games, but excellent for casual titles
- Supports eGPU setups
- Color-accurate display and stylus support
For Budget-Conscious Users
This model sits in the premium price bracket, starting from ₹1,36,990 in India (or ~$1,699 globally). However, its longevity, ruggedness, and efficiency make it a cost-effective investment over time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ultra-light and strong magnesium build
- Vivid 3K display with Dolby Vision
- Excellent keyboard and battery life
- Fast LPDDR5x RAM and PCIe 4.0 storage
- Robust security (IR cam, TPM, fingerprint)
Cons
- No SD card reader
- Non-upgradable RAM (soldered)
- Expensive for entry-level users
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition is an excellent ultraportable laptop that ticks nearly every box—especially for professionals, frequent travelers, and students seeking reliability. While it isn’t meant to replace a gaming rig or workstation, it’s ideal as a powerful, everyday premium device with future-ready specs, a stellar screen, and true ThinkPad DNA.
For those who want elegance, durability, and efficiency in a single package, the X9 Aura Edition is a worthy investment.
FAQs
1. What is the price of Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition in India?
It starts from ₹1,36,990 for the base variant with Intel i5, and goes up depending on configuration.
2. Is the RAM upgradable on the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition?
No, the RAM is soldered (LPDDR5x), so choose your configuration wisely.
3. Can you game on the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition?
Light gaming is possible with Intel Iris Xe graphics. For heavy gaming, use an external GPU via Thunderbolt 4.
4. Is it suitable for video editing?
Yes, for 1080p editing it works well. For 4K projects, you may experience performance limitations.
5. Does the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition have a touch screen?
Touchscreen is optional—choose the variant with touch and pen support if needed.
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Read also : Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 Review: A Surprisingly Powerful Budget Laptop
Hi, I’m Vishal Jadhav, tech writer and founder of All Trend Update. I’m passionate about exploring the latest technology trends, gadgets, and software, and sharing clear, accurate, and trustworthy content to help you stay informed in the fast-changing tech world. Based in Pune, I’m dedicated to providing valuable insights you can rely on.
