Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 14" Gen 9 2025, Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB, 1TB SSD, Black

The X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 scores 75.6 for compact use, landing in the 85th percentile, with a 1TB SSD in the 80th percentile. But the gaming score of 18.6 is one of the worst we've seen, and the CPU is just average at the 51st percentile. At $999 USD it's a solid business convertible, just don't expect it to do anything graphically demanding.

Let's talk about that Core Ultra 7 155U. It's a 12-core part at 1.7GHz, and our data puts it at the 51st percentile for CPUs, which is about average for this class of machine. That's not a knock, it's just reality. This chip is designed for efficiency and everyday productivity, not rendering 4K video or running local AI models. The 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM sits at the 65th percentile, which is solid but not exciting. You'll be fine with dozens of browser tabs, Office apps, and video calls running simultaneously.

The integrated Intel Graphics land at the 55th percentile, which translates to: don't even think about gaming. The 18.6 gaming score is one of the weakest we've seen in this category. But the storage story is much better. That 1TB NVMe SSD is in the 80th percentile, which means fast boot times and plenty of room for files. The 14-inch 1920x1200 IPS panel hits 400 nits and covers 100% sRGB, putting it at the 75th percentile for screens. It's bright enough for most offices and the touch response is snappy, though the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated if you've used anything faster.

Stack this against the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro and it's not even close on raw performance, the M4 Pro will run circles around the Core Ultra 7 155U in both CPU and GPU tasks. But the MacBook costs significantly more and doesn't fold into a tablet. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a more direct competitor, with similar portability goals and a better screen, though you'll typically pay more for comparable storage. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and HP OMEN Transcend 14 are gaming machines first, and they absolutely destroy the X1 in graphics, but they're heavier and less focused on business use. The MSI Prestige is probably the closest match on paper, and it's worth a look if you want similar specs with a different design. For pure business portability with a 360-degree hinge, the X1 holds its own, but the 60Hz screen and weak GPU are real trade-offs.

At $999 USD, this is a genuinely interesting deal for a ThinkPad X1. The 1TB SSD alone would cost you a chunk of change as an upgrade on other machines, and the build quality of the X1 line is legendary for a reason. The CAD listing at $1,415 is a different story, that's a much harder sell when you look at what else is available in that range. But for the US price, you're getting a business-grade convertible with a best-in-class compact score and storage that beats most competitors at this price point. The value equation gets murkier if you need any graphics horsepower, because you'll be paying for a laptop that can't do what you need.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 lands at $999 USD, and for that money you're getting a 1TB NVMe SSD, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 14-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen that folds all the way around. Our database puts the compact score at 75.6 out of 100, which sits in the 85th percentile for this category. That's a strong showing for a business convertible, though the gaming score of 18.6 tells you exactly who this machine is not for.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U is a 12-core chip clocked at 1.7GHz, and while it's not going to set any speed records, it handles the productivity workload this laptop is built for. The 57Wh battery and 1.35kg weight make it genuinely portable, and the port selection is refreshingly practical with Thunderbolt 4, two USB-C, two USB-A, and HDMI 2.1. Just don't expect much from the integrated Intel graphics.

If you need any kind of graphics performance, skip this. The 18.6 gaming score and 55th percentile GPU are dealbreakers for gamers, video editors, or anyone running GPU-accelerated workloads. Creative professionals who need high refresh rates or wider color gamuts should also look elsewhere, the 60Hz panel and 100% sRGB coverage are fine for business but limiting for serious design work. And if you're the type who relies on reviews before buying, the 2nd percentile social proof score means you're essentially flying blind here, there's almost no real-world feedback on this specific configuration yet.

The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 is a solid business convertible that nails the fundamentals: portability, storage, and build quality. The 85th percentile compact score and 80th percentile storage are the headline numbers, and they're backed up by a genuinely useful port selection and a bright, color-accurate touchscreen. But the 18.6 gaming score and 51st percentile CPU mean this is strictly a productivity machine. If you need any graphics capability, look elsewhere. If you want a reliable, lightweight 2-in-1 for work and don't care about gaming, the $999 USD price makes this a compelling option.