Lenovo has introduced a new version of its flagship ThinkPad line—the ThinkPad X9 Aura “White Moonlight” Edition. This model breaks away from the traditional black, boxy design that has defined ThinkPads for over 30 years.
A Radical Redesign
The most noticeable change is the removal of the iconic red TrackPoint and physical touchpad buttons. In their place is a sleek, minimalist white chassis. The laptop includes only four ports, which may feel limiting for power users:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
This design choice prioritizes aesthetics and portability over legacy features and connectivity.
Performance and Hardware
Despite its minimalist exterior, the X9 Aura packs serious performance:
- Powered by Intel’s new Lunar Lake chips (Core Ultra 7258V and Core Ultra 9 288V)
- Integrated Arc Xe2 graphics
- Up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM
- Up to 2TB PCIe-NVMe SSD
It also features a 2.8K OLED display with HDR, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time—ideal for professionals who need sharp visuals and smooth performance.
AI and Connectivity
The laptop includes on-device AI acceleration with up to 48 TOPS, making it suitable for engineering and creative workloads. It also supports the latest wireless standards: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Portability vs. Practicality
Weighing just 1.4 kg and measuring only 6.8mm thick, the 14-inch X9 Aura is one of Lenovo’s lightest laptops ever. However, the slim profile comes at a cost. The limited port selection may frustrate users who rely on USB-A devices, SD cards, or Ethernet connections.
A Departure from ThinkPad Tradition
The biggest controversy is the shift in design philosophy. Long-time ThinkPad fans may feel alienated by the removal of signature features, such as the red TrackPoint. While the white finish and modern look may attract new users, it raises questions about whether Lenovo is moving away from what made ThinkPads iconic.
Final Thoughts
With a starting price around $1,810, the ThinkPad X9 Aura “White Moonlight” Edition is a premium, niche offering. It delivers strong performance and portability but sacrifices some of the practical features and identity that long defined the ThinkPad brand.
