The Lenovo ThinkPad streak is over - this model breaks a decade-long trend in the best way yet

• Lenovo's first-edition ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition 14-inch is available now, starting at $1,239 for the lowest-tier configuration.
• It's an experimental evolution of the ThinkPad line, exchanging some of the most defining features for a new sleek form factor and bold design.
• The entry configuration only comes with 256GB of storage, which is not sufficient for a laptop in this price range.

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When I first saw Lenovo's ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition at CES in January of 2025, I praised its bold design elements -- a striking departure from the norms of the ThinkPad line. There's no TrackPoint, a noticeable lack of I/O, and a minimalist trackpad that looks nothing like the X1 Carbon -- its (significantly more expensive) older sibling.  

Now that I've been using it for months now, it has ...