The webcam is 1080p, which is strong, although we’re seeing quite a lot of premium laptops transfer to 5-megapixel and even 12-MP sensors like Apple’s new MacBook Air (M4). I did encounter one major problem—flickering throughout video calls. The digicam labored fantastic, however each time I began a video name, it will flicker to black each few seconds. Lenovo appeared satisfied this was a fixable bug, however that’s not what you need to see on an expensive machine.
Quick and Lengthy-Lasting Sufficient?
The ThinkPad X9 14 is accessible in two processor choices, the Intel Core Extremely 5 226V and Core Extremely 7 258V. My unit was the sooner choice, although neither are powerhouses. They’re a part of Intel’s Lunar Lake collection, which tilts the stability towards effectivity and battery life quite than brute power. That’s anticipated on this laptop computer class (although it’s price noting how briskly the M4 MacBook Air is by comparability).
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
I wasn’t all that impressed by the Cinebench and Geekbench scores, however as long as you’re procuring within the applicable class in your wants, you gained’t be disillusioned by the ThinkPad X9 14. For basic work and enterprise circumstances, the ThinkPad X9 14 will go well with you simply fantastic.
Battery life isn’t fairly as sturdy as I’d hoped, lasting solely 12 hours and quarter-hour in my native video playback check, significantly behind a lot of its friends—or not less than laptops with this chip. That is higher than the Home windows laptops in earlier Intel generations, although. Relying in your workload, it might nonetheless get you thru most of a workday away from the wall.
A New Period
The ThinkPad X9 14 looks like a little bit of an experiment. On Lenovo’s official website, it markets the system towards small enterprise house owners, which is sensible in concept, however Lenovo additionally has the ThinkBook line, which is a wholly separate model dedicated to this demographic. These are usually extra inexpensive, whereas the ThinkPad X9 14 carries the premium options and design.
The OLED show, thinner chassis, and haptic suggestions trackpad are the highlights, and the elimination of the TrackPoint helps additional modernize this laptop computer in my e book. Solely ThinkPad diehards nonetheless swear by the distinctive navigation, one thing the executives at Lenovo are properly conscious of. The ThinkPad X9 14 is an effective subsequent step in evolving the model past its roots, however the competitors is stiff, providing higher battery life and efficiency at decrease costs. Laptops just like the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer seventh Version, MacBook Air, or Asus Zenbook 14 OLED all present some or all of those advantages.
If the ThinkPad model nonetheless holds a mark of pedigree for you, although, the ThinkPad X9 14 actually brings it into a brand new period, as long as you’re keen to say goodbye to the beloved TrackPoint.