Lenovo has brought the ThinkBook 14 and 16 Gen 9 IPL laptops to the US market, offering a new budget-friendly entry point for Intel Panther Lake processors. This release matters because it makes the latest Core Ultra architecture accessible to buyers with a starting price of $1,229. These mid-range configurations are now available for evaluation to determine their suitability for everyday office users and students.
Intel Panther Lake processors and up to 32GB RAM start at $1,229
The new lineup features Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processors, with the option to upgrade to the Core Ultra 7 355. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models start with 16GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, though you can pay an extra $195 for 32GB. Storage options begin at 256GB and go up to 1TB using PCIe Gen 4 SSDs.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 325 (up to Core Ultra 7 355)
- RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600 (up to 32GB)
- Storage: 256GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (up to 1TB)
- Display (14-inch): 14-inch 1920 x 1200, 400 nits, 60Hz
- Display (16-inch): 16-inch 1920 x 1200, 400 nits, 60Hz (120Hz with touchscreen)
Display options vary by screen size, but both start with a 1920 x 1200 resolution at 400 nits brightness. The 14-inch model runs at a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The 16-inch version also offers a 120Hz refresh rate if you choose the touchscreen configuration.
Lenovo claims the 14-inch model can last up to 18.97 hours on a single charge, while the 16-inch version lasts up to 18.18 hours. These figures come from Lenovo, but independent reviews have shown shorter battery life in practical testing. The laptops include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 1080P webcam for connectivity and video calls.
US buyers are limited to the 48Wh battery capacity, which differs from the 64Wh options available in other regions. The laptops are now available to order from Lenovo at their starting price. We looked at the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G6 IPL in our earlier coverage to see how this new Gen 9 release compares.
The ThinkBook 14 and 16 Gen 9 IPL laptops are confirmed to ship with Intel Panther Lake silicon and up to 32GB of RAM. Buyers can configure their machines with larger storage and faster displays, but must accept the smaller US battery capacity.
Source: NotebookCheck
