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| The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15p Gen 1 Aura Edition. |
When a PC manufacturer releases a new version of an existing product, it is usually pretty clear which one is superior. The new iteration typically comes with faster CPUs, better GPUs, and upgraded displays, making the choice obvious. However, Lenovo has thrown a curveball with the ThinkPad X9 series.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1, a 15.3-inch premium business laptop released in 2025, was a standout device. Featuring the Intel Lunar Lake platform, it earned high marks in our testing for its balance of performance and efficiency. But if you are looking for a direct successor, you won’t find a "Gen 2" model on the shelves. Instead, Lenovo has introduced a new sibling: the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15p Gen 1, which we recently put through its paces. For a deeper dive into the original model’s display and battery life, check out our detailed review of the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Aura Edition OLED.
At first glance, the two laptops look almost identical. The keyboard and screen remain unchanged, and they share the same premium build quality. However, the "p" in the X9-15p stands for "performance," and Lenovo has made significant internal adjustments to justify that label. The newer 2026 model boasts a third Thunderbolt 4 port, a full-size SD card slot (a welcome return for photographers), and user-facing speakers that offer better audio clarity.
The Real Upgrade: Performance and Cooling
While the surface-level features are nice, the real story lies under the hood. The ThinkPad X9-15p features a substantially larger cooling system that occupies a significant portion of the chassis. This allows Lenovo to unleash the powerful H-class Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra X7 CPUs, sustaining a robust 50 watts of performance. In comparison, the previous X9-15 could only maintain 25 watts.
The result is a massive leap in productivity: we recorded a 44 percent improvement in CPU performance and a staggering 76 percent boost in GPU performance compared to the 2025 model. Despite this raw power, the X9-15p manages to keep fan noise, temperatures, and battery life in check, making it a true desktop replacement for power users. If you are wondering whether this performance leap justifies the upgrade, our full breakdown in the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15p Gen 1 Review explores how it stacks up against the competition, including Apple’s MacBook lineup.
Should You Buy the X9-15 Instead?
If the X9-15p is objectively better in almost every metric, why would anyone choose the older X9-15? The answer comes down to one word: Price.
Here in Germany, the X9-15 starts at approximately €1,500, while the newer X9-15p will set you back at least €2,500. That is a significant price gap. Not everyone needs 50 watts of sustained performance or a 76% GPU uplift. For business users who primarily need a great everyday PC for office tasks, web browsing, and media consumption, the X9-15 remains an excellent machine that offers incredible value.
The Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15p Gen 1 is a clear engineering triumph. It takes the excellent foundation of the X9-15 and supercharges it without sacrificing the portability or comfort that business users expect. However, that upgrade comes at a premium.
- Buy the X9-15 if: You are a business user on a budget who needs a reliable, high-quality laptop for daily tasks.
- Buy the X9-15p if: You are a creative professional, data scientist, or engineer who needs maximum processing power and is willing to pay for the best.
Regardless of your choice, both laptops represent the best of Lenovo’s engineering, and you can find further comparisons and benchmarks on our homepage.
| Feature | ThinkPad X9-15 (2025) | ThinkPad X9-15p (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Lunar Lake | Intel Panther Lake (H-Class) |
| Sustained Power | 25W | 50W |
| Performance Gain | Baseline | +44% CPU / +76% GPU |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 | 3x Thunderbolt 4, SD Card |
| Price (Germany) | ~€1,500 | ~€2,500 |
