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2026 has been a strong year for content-creation laptops running Windows. We’ve seen machine after machine packing powerful hardware, solid audio systems, and vibrant displays. Two standout examples that exemplify this trend are the Galaxy Book6 Ultra and the Dell XPS 16. I thought these two would define the category as the best, but here comes a new challenger: Lenovo Pro 9i Aura Edition.
Also: Best Lenovo Laptops of 2026: Expert Tests and Reviews
Lenovo’s model enters the conversation as a compelling third option, in what feels like a two-horse race. It strikes an interesting balance with the others, while also having sporty features that make the Pro 9i feel distinctive and independent, thus creating a neat three-way rivalry between these top-tier manufacturer laptops.
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intelligently designed
As the name suggests, this laptop is built for professionals – creative professionals to be precise. This focus is visible in various features, from the internal hardware to its overall design. I couldn’t help but notice a striking visual similarity between the Pro 9i and the Galaxy Book6 Ultra. The dimensions of both are almost the same.
Lenovo’s model measures 0.68 x 14.20 x 9.76 inches and weighs 4.2 pounds, while the Samsung machine measures 14.05 x 9.76 x 0.6 inches and weighs a little less than four pounds. The Pro 9i’s keyboard looks a lot like the Galaxy Book’s, with low-profile keys covered with rubber caps, though Lenovo’s approach feels better. Its typing experience is not that meaty.
Part of that improved experience may come from the smaller trackpad. It doesn’t overpower the wrist rest, while still being highly responsive to touch and easy to use. The Trackpad also supports the Yoga Pen Gen 2 stylus, allowing users to draw directly on it as a mini drawing tablet. Note that the stylus is not included automatically. This is a separate purchase you’ll have to make on top of an already expensive PC.
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One key area where the Pro 9i really sets itself apart is thermals. One of the main problems I had with the Galaxy Book6 Ultra was its tendency to overheat under sustained workload. The Lenovo Pro 9i solves this problem.
Large vents hidden behind the sturdy hinge push hot air out. The laptop sits on a “thermal bump”, which is essentially a large rubber foot. This raises the Pro 9i slightly, allowing cool air to flow from below. As for performance, the laptop remained absolutely cool throughout most of the tests I conducted. There was one instance where it got hot; I’ll get into those details a little later.
For a content creation laptop, you’d expect a high-quality display, and that’s exactly what you get. Lenovo has equipped Pro 9i Aura Edition with a great screen.
The 3.2K PureSight Pro Tandem OLED panel is packed with visual enhancements: X-Rite Pantone certification for high color accuracy, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 for high contrast, and support for multiple color gamuts, to name a few features. All this to say that the display is top notch.
high performance
My review unit of the Lenovo Pro 9i Aura Edition came equipped with serious hardware: an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card. This is the type of configuration you typically see in a workstation-class PC, and it shows.
Also: I used an M.2 PCIe enclosure for data storage, and it made file transfers much faster
For this review, I ran a series of benchmarks and real-world tests to evaluate performance in various workflows. The results were excellent. Not surprisingly, this system delivers top-tier performance in demanding creative workloads. Editing in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom felt smooth and fast.
The same level of responsiveness was also brought to video editing programs, where scrubbing through timelines felt easier. Its strong CPU performance translates to faster rendering and export times for high-resolution images and videos. The Pro 9i handles heavy multitasking with ease. Even when I push the hardware, it never wobbles.
The cooling system generally does a good job of keeping temperatures under control, although there are instances when the Pro 9i will get quite warm. In the 3D rendering stress test I conducted, the system got noticeably louder, and the fans came on at full blast. Granted, this is a typical scenario. The 3D render test I used lasted for several minutes at high resolution before the laptop became too hot to touch. I don’t think this is something that people will get into. Still, I wanted to caution.
Below is a table comparing the benchmark results of the Lenovo Pro 9i Aura Edition with the Dell XPS 16 and Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra.
Interestingly, the performance of all three is almost at the same level. While the Pro 9i lags a little behind the others, the difference is small enough that it’s not very meaningful for real-world use. You will hardly notice any difference. What sets Lenovo’s machine apart are its special features, like the stylus-supporting trackpad and cooling system.
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Before closing, I want to mention the battery life. This is not good. The Lenovo Pro 9i lasted about 10.5 hours on a single charge (with battery saver disabled, mind you). While it is not bad by any means, it is still inferior to its competitor. For example, the Galaxy Book6 Ultra lasted 20 hours. Luckily, this is compensated for by great recharge speeds. It can charge a drained battery to 70% in about 30 minutes.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
Lenovo Pro 9i Aura Edition Now available through the company’s website. Prices start at $2,660. Customization options are somewhat limited, but you can upgrade to a 3.2K display if you want and opt for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU. At the time of writing, Lenovo is automatically applying a $140 coupon, bringing the effective starting price to approximately $2,560.
Overall, the Pro 9i Aura Edition is a solid content creation laptop that I easily recommend. For me, it sits comfortably between the Galaxy Book6 Ultra and the Dell XPS 16 in terms of price. Samsung’s model has much better battery life, while Lenovo’s model is more affordable. The Dell XPS 16 is cheaper, but has fewer features.
Ultimately, choosing between these laptops depends on preferences. Each has its own strengths and advantages, so the best choice depends on what matters most to you.
