Lenovo is ditching its iconic TrackPoint nub in favor of AI features for new ThinkPad models

Lenovo has unveiled its new ThinkPad Aura Edition laptops at CES 2025, marking a significant shift by removing the iconic red TrackPoint nub that has been a hallmark of ThinkPad design for over 30 years.

Key design change: The removal of the TrackPoint from the new ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition models signals Lenovo’s adaptation to modern user preferences and market trends.

• While the TrackPoint will continue to appear in other ThinkPad models, its absence from the Aura Edition reflects Lenovo’s recognition that touchpads have become the dominant input method
• Lenovo’s spokesman acknowledged that the TrackPoint, while cutting-edge in its time, may not resonate with all demographics in today’s “touchpad world”
• This design decision follows earlier insights from Lenovo’s chief design officer David Hill, who compared the TrackPoint to a manual transmission – appealing to specific users but not essential for everyone

Hardware specifications: The new ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition comes in both 14-inch and 15-inch variants, featuring Intel’s latest Lunar Lake processors and premium display options.

• The 14-inch model starts at $1,399 and offers choice between a 1920×1200 OLED or 2880×1800 OLED display
• The 15-inch version, starting at $1,549, comes with a 2880×1800 OLED display with HDR600 capability
• Both models feature Intel’s Arc Xe integrated GPU, up to 32GB LPDDR5X memory, and 2TB PCIe Gen 4 storage
• The laptops include Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, housed in a MIL-SPEC 810H qualified chassis

AI capabilities: Lenovo has integrated two distinct AI feature sets into the Aura Edition laptops, enhancing user experience and functionality.

• The Aura Edition includes smart modes for optimized device configurations like “Attention,” “Power,” and “Wellness”
• Lenovo AI Now, powered by Meta’s Llama 3.0, offers local processing using the Lunar Lake NPU
• Future updates will bring multilingual support, cross-device searching, and improved data extraction capabilities

Accessories ecosystem: Lenovo is launching a range of complementary peripherals designed specifically for the new ThinkPad line.

• New offerings include $49 TWS Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.3
• A $99 X9 Charging GaN Dock with 4K60 HDMI output and multiple ports
• A $59.99 wireless mouse featuring a dedicated AI Now button

Looking ahead: The removal of the TrackPoint from the Aura Edition represents a calculated risk for Lenovo, testing whether the ThinkPad brand can maintain its professional appeal while evolving beyond its traditional design elements.