Lenovo ThinkPad X9: the end of the red TrackPoint era
Why it matters
Lenovo has introduced the new ThinkPad X9 14 and X9 15 Aura Edition models, which for the first time lack the legendary red TrackPoint. Instead, the laptops are equipped with a tactile trackpad without separate buttons, which makes them look like MacBooks.
Design and features
Both models have a slim body, OLED displays with touch and non-touch options, and Intel Core Ultra processors. They are elegant business solutions with Copilot+ support. The laptops comply with MIL-SPEC 810H ruggedness standards, ensuring reliability in everyday use. They are equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports on both sides for easy connection of peripherals, as well as HDMI 2.1 and a 3.5mm audio jack. Configurations include up to 32GB of DDR5x RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
Aura Edition features
ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition laptops support artificial intelligence and feature Smart Modes to help you focus by filtering out distractions or increase your privacy while working.
Price and availability
The ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition will go on sale in February for a starting price of $1,399, and the 15-inch version will start at $1,549.
For the most curious
TrackPoint is a unique input method developed back in the 1980s when researchers estimated that it takes an average of 0.75 seconds for a person to move their hand from the keyboard to the mouse. In 1996, TrackPoint was patented by IBM. Despite the fact that the world has long been dominated by the touchpad design, the striking TrackPoint has been a unique hallmark of ThinkPad laptops for decades, even after Lenovo acquired the production. Over the decades, the TrackPoint has developed a strong fan base. It is not yet known whether Lenovo is going to retire this authentic technology entirely, or whether this is just an experiment for design's sake.
Source: TheVerge
