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2026 has been a robust 12 months for content-creation laptops working Home windows. We have seen machine after machine packing highly effective {hardware}, strong audio programs, and vibrant shows. Two standout examples that exemplify this development are the Galaxy Book6 Extremely and the Dell XPS 16. I believed these two would outline the class as one of the best, however right here comes a brand new challenger: the Lenovo Professional 9i Aura Version.
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Lenovo’s mannequin enters the dialog as a compelling third possibility, shaking up what felt like a two-horse race. It strikes an attention-grabbing steadiness with the others, whereas additionally sporting options that make the Professional 9i really feel distinct and impartial, thus making a neat three-way rivalry amongst these top-tier creator laptops.
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Neatly designed
Because the identify suggests, this laptop computer is constructed for professionals — inventive professionals to be actual. That focus reveals up throughout varied options, from the interior {hardware} to its general design. I could not assist however discover a hanging visible resemblance between the Professional 9i and the Galaxy Book6 Extremely. Each have near-identical dimensions.
Lenovo’s mannequin measures 0.68 x 14.20 x 9.76 inches and weighs 4.2 kilos, whereas the Samsung machine measures 14.05 x 9.76 x 0.6 inches and weighs just below 4 kilos. The keyboard on the Professional 9i mirrors the Galaxy E book’s, with low-profile keys coated in rubber caps, although Lenovo’s strategy feels higher. Its typing really feel is not as mushy.
A part of that improved really feel could come from the smaller trackpad. It would not dominate the wrist relaxation, whereas being extremely responsive to the touch and straightforward to make use of. The trackpad additionally helps the Yoga Pen Gen 2 stylus, permitting customers to attract straight on it as a mini drawing pill. Do word that the stylus will not be routinely included. It is a separate buy you may should make on prime of an already costly PC.
Replace: Lenovo has confirmed that each mannequin of the Professional 9i Aura Version does, in truth, include a Yoga Pen Gen 2. It’s not a separate buy.
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A key space the place the Professional 9i actually differentiates itself is within the thermals. One in every of my essential points with Galaxy Book6 Extremely was its tendency to run sizzling beneath maintain workloads. The Lenovo Professional 9i addresses this problem.
Giant vents hidden behind the sturdy hinge push heat air out. The laptop computer sits on a “thermal bump”, which is basically a giant rubber foot. It raises the Professional 9i a bit, permitting cool air to move in from the underside. Throughout efficiency, the laptop computer stayed completely cool throughout many of the exams I ran. There was one occasion the place it obtained sizzling; I am going to get into these particulars just a little later.
For a content material creation laptop computer, you’d count on a high-quality show, and that is precisely what you get. Lenovo has geared up the Professional 9i Aura Version with a shocking display screen.
The three.2K PureSight Professional Tandem OLED panel is loaded with visible enhancements: X-Ceremony Pantone certification for top shade accuracy, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 for top distinction, and help for a number of shade gamuts, to call just a few options. All this to say that the show is top-notch.
Excessive efficiency
My overview unit of the Lenovo Professional 9i Aura Version got here geared up with severe {hardware}: an Intel Core Extremely 9 386H processor, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card. That is the form of configuration you usually see in a workstation-class PC, and it reveals.
Additionally: I used an M.2 PCIe enclosure for knowledge storage, and it made file transfers a lot quicker
For this overview, I ran a sequence of benchmark and real-world exams to guage efficiency throughout totally different workflows. The outcomes have been wonderful. Unsurprisingly, this technique delivers top-tier efficiency in demanding inventive workloads. Modifying in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom felt fluid and quick.
That very same stage of responsiveness carried over to video enhancing packages, the place scrubbing by timelines felt easy. Its sturdy CPU efficiency interprets to quick rendering and export instances for high-resolution photos and movies. The Professional 9i handles heavy multitasking with ease. Even after I push the {hardware}, it by no means faltered.
The cooling system typically does a very good job of maintaining temperatures in verify, although there are situations when the Professional 9i will heat up significantly. Within the 3D rendering stress take a look at I carried out, the system grew to become fairly toasty, and the followers kicked into excessive gear. Granted, this can be a area of interest situation. The 3D render take a look at I used ran for a number of minutes at a excessive decision earlier than the laptop computer grew to become too heat to the touch. I do not suppose that is one thing individuals will run into. Nonetheless, I needed to offer a heads-up.
Beneath is a desk evaluating the benchmark outcomes of the Lenovo Professional 9i Aura Version with these of the Dell XPS 16 and Samsung Galaxy Book6 Extremely.
What’s attention-grabbing is that every one three ship roughly the identical stage of efficiency. Whereas the Professional 9i trails the others barely, the hole is sufficiently small that it is not tremendous significant in real-world use. You may hardly discover a distinction. What units Lenovo’s machine aside is its unique options, just like the stylus-supporting trackpad and cooling system.
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Earlier than wrapping up, I need to point out the battery life. It isn’t nice. The Lenovo Professional 9i lasted round 10.5 hours on a single cost (with battery saver disabled, thoughts you). Whereas not unhealthy by any means, it falls wanting its rival. The Galaxy Book6 Extremely lasted 20 hours, for instance. Fortunately, that is offset by the implausible recharge speeds. It may well go from a lifeless battery to a 70% cost in roughly half-hour.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i Aura Version is obtainable now by the corporate’s web site. Costs beginning at $2,660. Customization choices are considerably restricted, however you possibly can improve to a 3.2K show and go for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU if you would like. On the time of writing, Lenovo is routinely making use of a $140 coupon, bringing the efficient beginning value right down to round $2,560.
General, the Professional 9i Aura Version is a robust content material creation laptop computer that I simply suggest. To me, it sits comfortably between the Galaxy Book6 Extremely and Dell XPS 16 when it comes to worth. Samsung’s mannequin has a considerably higher battery life, whereas Lenovo’s is extra reasonably priced. The Dell XPS 16 is cheaper, but it surely has fewer options.
In the end, selecting between these laptops comes right down to priorities. Every has its strengths and trade-offs, so the best choice is determined by what issues most to you.
