Lenovo introduces the latest generation of its ThinkPad X series, but doesn’t forget ThinkBook and ThinkCentre. The Intel Core Ultra Series 3 plays a major role in the updates.
At CES, Lenovo is showing what its latest premium ThinkPad laptops will look like. The manufacturer is launching new editions of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Aura Edition. Furthermore, a ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition will be released, which is less slim but more powerful.
There is no major portfolio renewal for ThinkBook, but with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7, Lenovo is showing an interesting design with a rotating screen. Finally, the ThinkCentre X Tower gets an update, and Lenovo shows its more creative side with the ThinkCentre X AiO Aura Edition.
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Before we go into detail, let’s refresh what ‘Aura Edition’ exactly means. In short: nothing, except that Lenovo developed the devices in close friendship with Intel. And not with AMD. There are also some light AI-related functions to be found in Aura Edition computers, but such functionality is almost unavoidable today.
ThinkPad X1
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition and the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition are at the top of Lenovo’s business laptop spectrum. The devices have a new design with what Lenovo describes as the Space Frame. This refers to an internal redesign that optimizes cooling and makes repairs easier.
The laptops are configurable with up to an Intel Core Ultra X7 Series 3. The ‘X’ processors in this brand new CPU series from Intel have a relatively powerful GPU chiplet on board and should therefore deliver decent graphics performance without a discrete GPU.
The 14-inch devices are both configurable with up to 64 GB of memory and 2 GB of SSD storage. Three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports are present, as are USB Type-A and HDMI 2.1. Both laptops are configurable with different panels with resolutions from 1,920 x 1,200 to 2.8K. IPS LCD and OLED are both on the menu.
The basic configuration of the ThinkPad X1 weighs just under 1 kg. The 2-in-1 variant with a foldable touchscreen weighs slightly more (1’18 kg). The light weight has a downside: at 58 Wh, the battery is not huge.
ThinkPad X9
Lenovo is also launching a slightly larger business laptop at CES that offers space for heavier hardware. The 15-inch ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition can handle an Intel Core Ultra X9 Series 3 and also offers space for 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD. The port selection is similar to that of the ThinkPad X1 laptops.
The device is only available with a 2.8K 1,000 nits OLED panel. It weighs slightly more at 1.5 kg, but is therefore equipped with a spacious 88 Wh battery. The autonomy of this laptop promises to be good.
Both this ThinkPad X9 and the ThinkPad X1 laptops are equipped with a new IR camera with a resolution of up to 10 MP. That is a lot for a laptop.
ThinkBook Plus
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist should mainly steal the show at CES. The laptop has a motorized rotating hinge that allows the device to serve as a regular laptop, presentation device or (bulky) tablet. The whole thing looks a lot like a gimmick, but Lenovo believes in it and positions the laptop within the ThinkBook family tailored to SMEs.
Here too, Intel Core Ultra Series 3 is present. RAM is configurable up to 32 GB and the SSD again up to 2 TB. The battery has a capacity of 75 Wh and the same 10 MP webcam as for the ThinkPad family is present.
ThinkCentre X
Next, the ThinkCentre X AiO stands out. That is an All-in-One computer with the format of two classic screens, stacked on top of each other. The computer has a screen diagonal of 27.6 inches with a 16:18 aspect ratio. Lenovo suspects that creative professionals worldwide can benefit from that portrait orientation.
The screen has a resolution of 2,560 x 2,880 pixels with a maximum brightness of 300 cd/m². That is not much for an all-in-one PC. A Core Ultra X7 Series 3 from Intel drives the original device. You can put up to 64 GB of RAM in it. Those who have computers to spare can also use the PC as a screen and connect a laptop.
Finally, in the ThinkCentre X range, Lenovo is launching a classic tower desktop. You can equip it with a Core Ultra 9 CPU from Intel and up to 256 GB of RAM. Intel has not yet introduced desktop processors with the Panther Lake architecture, so it is probably a chip from the previous generation. Inside there is room for an Nvidia GeForce RTX5090 or two RTX 5060 Ti’s.
FIFA and availability
Lenovo thinks it is wise to position itself at CES as the official technology partner of Gianni Infantino’s FIFA. World Cup 26 editions of various devices will be released. We read nothing about an edition around the ‘World Peace Prize’ that FIFA and Infantino gave to President Trump just before he kidnapped a foreign head of state.
Lenovo shares both the planned availability and the expected prices in dollars. We do not yet know the exact prices and dates for the EU.
- The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition will be available from Q1 2026 with an expected suggested retail price of 1,999 dollars.
- The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition will be available from Q1 2026, with an expected suggested retail price of 1,999 dollars
- The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition will be available from Q1 2026 with an expected suggested retail price of 2,149 dollars.
- The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist will be available from June 2026 with an expected suggested retail price of 1,649 dollars.
- Lenovo has not yet shared any prices or availability for the Lenovo ThinkCentre X AIO Aura Edition.
- Estimated suggested retail prices and a launch date are also missing for the Lenovo ThinkCentre X Tower.
It is striking with this line-up that Lenovo is focusing very strongly on Intel during CES. The ‘Aura Edition’ laptops are de facto exclusive Intel devices. The approach contrasts with the strategy of competitor HP. It also renewed its premium business laptop series at CES, but offers complete freedom of choice between Intel, AMD and Qualcomm.