We ’ve already seen the arrival of flexible phones like theSamsung Galaxy FoldandHuawei Mate X , and while the excitement around these gadgets may have beendulled somewhat by fear about strength , that is n’t stopping Lenovo from taking bendy screen technical school and employ it to something big .
That ’s where this affair comes in , and I say “ thing ” because Lenovo ’s new elastic image is n’t exactly a laptop computer in the traditional sense . In fact , Lenovo does n’t even call its paradigm a laptop , and alternatively uses foldaway as a sort of catch - all designation . On top of that , Lenovo has n’t give its prototype an prescribed name either . As evidence by the ThinkPad logo on its eyelid , it will be part of the ThinkPad X1 kinfolk , but that ’s about as far as Lenovo has gravel when it comes to open it an genuine title .
When it ’s closed , Lenovo ’s paradigm looks a lot like a mix between a traditional clamshell and a detachable 2 - in-1 like aMicrosoft Surface . There ’s a hinge in the middle that holds the two halves together , a kickstand in back , and even a little loop for stashing its Wacom - powered stylus . But then you open it up , and it ’s a whole fresh world .
Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)
Instead of a screen up top and a keyboard down below , the inside of the prototype ThinkPad has 13.3 - inches of filmdom , with a 4:3 2 K answer and vibrant OLED display tech . And unlike the Galaxy Fold , the showing on Lenovo ’s concept is n’t made by Samsung or whatever unidentified provider Huawei uses , but LG , which is making its unveiling in the bendy screenland game on Lenovo ’s prototype .
In normal laptop musical mode , the Lenovo ’s prototype features a 9.6 - in “ half screen ” that permit you use the bottom of the projection screen as a touch - based keyboard , secondary show , or whatever else you require . But if you want to maximize the prototype ’s filmdom real the three estates , you may also pair the machine with its companion Bluetooth keyboard to get a more traditional laptop experience . Lenovo ’s epitome also has a built - in IR television camera for use with thing like Windows Hello facial acknowledgement , along with two USB - coke port for data point and charging , stereo speaker , and what Lenovo promises will be “ all - day ” bombardment aliveness .
And that ’s about it as far as this prototype ’s concrete spec are interest , because while Lenovo is teasing the twist today , it wo n’t start ship until sometime in 2020 . Lenovo wo n’t even say what OS this will pass , other than it will be Windows - based gadget of some form . That said , even in its bare state , Lenovo ’s folding screen ThinkPad image feel passably fantastic .
Gif: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)
Yes , it is a bit thick and heavier than a veritable laptop computer , though part of that is likely due to some of the shrouding used to keep some of its designing and component hide out . However , unlike the Galaxy Fold , there ’s no crease , bumps , or gurgle on Lenovo ’s equipment . It ’s just one smooth tack of bendy show , and with it , the possibilities are endless .
You could use it to watch a video recording or intro while jot down down notes or resume with the stylus on the miserable half of the CRT screen , play a plot while using the rest of the screenland to curb Discord or Slack , or potentially produce a lot of usance virtual bottoms as if the bottom cover was one of Apple ’s TouchBars on steroid . disregarding of what you use it for , the real time value is that half of the laptop computer ’s interior control surface area is no longer dominated by a still , physical keyboard .
Now obviously , Lenovo ’s prototype laptop is n’t going to be a system for everyone . Lenovo imagines the intersection will work on best for super mobile occupation type , route warrior , and most importantly , tech enthusiasts who may be more broad of first - gen awkwardness . And while you may apply the ThinkPad image on your lap in notebook computer mode , 9.6 - inches does n’t on the nose give you a passel of way to work with , though it might actually fit on the ever - shrink tray tables found in today ’s airplanes .
Look ma, no crease.Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)
To help prevent worries about potential frangibleness , Lenovo says that before its paradigm ever pip the marketplace , it will have to pass the same military - grade testing as a standard ThinkPad laptop , while also surviving double the amount of hinge cycle testing .
Lenovo say its bendy - screenland image has already been in evolution for three years , which is a bit less than the eight year Samsung spent working on the Galaxy Fold . But if you look even further back to gadget like theYoga BookandYoga Book C930 , it ’s clear Lenovo has been building up to something like this for quite a while .
And while this prototype remains a long way off from being actual , it ’s still bloody exciting . After foldable devices like Galaxy Fold came to shake up up smartphone design , it seems Lenovo ’s prototype could do the same for the laptop computer space . Almost three class ago , my fellow worker Alex said the original Yoga Book was “ the futurity of laptop computer , ” and with this prototype , it feels like that future just got way more palpable . Now we ’ll have to hold off until 2020 to see how it turn out .
At more extreme angles, you will see some color distortion on the bendy screen, but from head-on, it’s much less noticeable.Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)
Consumer TechFirst Lookflexible displayshands - onLaptopsLenovoThinkPad
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