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| The Legion 9 18IAX10 leverages a 240 Hz display and a 99 Wh battery supported by a 400 W power brick |
The 18-inch gaming behemoth receives a mid-cycle refresh with Intel's latest Arrow Lake HX silicon
It's been just over a year since Lenovo first unleashed the Legion 9 18IAX10 upon the gaming world, and while the 18-inch powerhouse has remained a top contender in the ultra-premium laptop segment, the company has quietly delivered a significant performance upgrade that might have flown under your radar.
The Legion 9 series first made waves back in May 2025, when Lenovo introduced this formidable gaming machine. Our initial review came a few months later, putting the Core Ultra 9 275HX and GeForce RTX 5080 configuration through its paces. By mid-October of that year, we had our hands on the even more potent RTX 5090 variant, which currently commands approximately $4,995 on Amazon.
But now, Lenovo has chosen the path of refinement over revolution, updating the Legion 9 with more powerful processors while maintaining the chassis and feature set that made the original so compelling. The result is a laptop that delivers roughly 7% higher CPU performance—a meaningful bump for gamers and content creators who demand every ounce of processing power.
Intel's Arrow Lake HX Arrives in Style
The headline addition is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, a newer Arrow Lake HX processor that Intel unveiled earlier in March. Based on our benchmark analysis, this chip represents a meaningful step forward from the previous Core Ultra 9 275HX, offering users a tangible performance advantage without requiring a complete platform overhaul.
The 290HX Plus joins the Arrow Lake HX family, Intel's high-performance mobile processor lineup designed for the most demanding gaming and professional workloads. With increased clock speeds and improved architecture, the new processor helps the Legion 9 maintain its competitive edge against newer gaming laptops hitting the market.
Pricing and Availability Across Global Markets
Lenovo has taken a regional approach to the rollout, with pricing and configuration options varying significantly across different territories:
United States: The upgraded 18-inch laptop starts at $4,999 with 64 GB of RAM and a GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. Those seeking the ultimate gaming experience can opt for the GeForce RTX 5090 configuration at $6,699.
Hong Kong: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has already landed with 32 GB of RAM and an RTX 5080 for HKD 36,752 (approximately $4,687 USD), offering a more accessible entry point for Asian markets.
Eurozone: European gamers can expect to pay between €5,698 and €5,954 for the RTX 5080 configuration with 64 GB of RAM.
United Kingdom: UK pricing starts at £4,781 with 64 GB of RAM and the same GPU configuration.
Same Legendary Design, Now with More Power
While the processor has received a welcome upgrade, the rest of the Legion 9 18IAX10 remains unchanged—and that's hardly a complaint. Lenovo's flagship gaming laptop continues to offer:
- Massive memory options: Configurable with up to 192 GB of DDR5-4000 RAM, making it one of the most memory-capable gaming laptops on the market
- Dual GPU options: Choice between the GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 laptop GPUs
- The signature 18-inch form factor that provides ample screen real estate for immersive gaming
- Lenovo's renowned cooling system designed to keep these powerful components running at peak performance
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
For prospective buyers, the decision largely comes down to timing and budget. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers approximately 7% higher CPU performance compared to the 275HX, which translates to smoother gameplay in CPU-bound titles, faster rendering times for content creators, and improved multitasking capabilities.
If you're currently in the market for a premium 18-inch gaming laptop, the updated Legion 9 represents one of the most powerful options available. For existing owners of the 275HX model, however, the upgrade may not be substantial enough to justify replacing your current machine—unless you absolutely require that extra performance headroom.
Check the latest pricing and availability for the Lenovo Legion 9 18IAX10 on Amazon here
The 18-Inch Gaming Landscape
The 18-inch gaming laptop segment has become increasingly competitive, with manufacturers vying for the attention of gamers who prioritize screen size and performance over portability. Lenovo's decision to refresh the Legion 9 with new processors rather than waiting for a full generational update demonstrates the company's commitment to keeping its flagship model current.
With the ability to configure up to 192 GB of RAM, the Legion 9 18IAX10 sits in a unique position—it's not just a gaming laptop but a legitimate desktop replacement for professionals who need serious computing power on the go. The addition of the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus only strengthens this positioning.
What the Future Holds
While this mid-cycle refresh is welcome news, it does raise questions about Lenovo's long-term plans for the Legion 9 series. The company has refrained from unveiling a new generation, suggesting that we might see a more significant update in the coming year. For now, though, the Legion 9 18IAX10 with the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus represents the pinnacle of Lenovo's gaming laptop engineering.
For those interested in learning more about Lenovo's ultra-powerful gaming laptop, you can check out our video overview below for additional details about the Legion 9 18IAX10's features, performance, and overall value proposition.
Source : B&H Photo Video, eBay, Lenovo Germany, Lenovo Hong Kong, Lenovo Ireland & Lenovo UK
