Lenovo’s new ThinkBook has modular equipment that add LTE, a webcam gentle, and extra

The fourth technology of Lenovo’s ThinkBook 16p laptop computer comes with a singular characteristic: the power so as to add modular equipment. Using the magnetic pin connector on the high of the show, you’ll be able to connect the units from Lenovo’s lineup of modular Magic Bay equipment, together with the 4K wi-fi webcam, webcam gentle, and even an adjunct that allows LTE connectivity.

The system, which begins at $1,349 with out the equipment, comes with a 16-inch IPS show working at both 120Hz or 60Hz. It additionally options as much as a thirteenth Gen Intel Core H-series processor and provides an non-obligatory discrete graphics chip from Nvidia’s most up-to-date GeForce RTX lineup. There are loads of storage choices, too, with Lenovo offering as much as 32GB of DDR5 RAM, together with as much as 2TB of house cut up throughout two PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

The Magic Bay modules are made particularly for the ThinkBook 16p and seem to be helpful little equipment if you happen to’re trying to liberate some USB ports or are simply uninterested in coping with cables. The 4K webcam attachment, for one, provides auto-framing to maintain the digicam on you throughout video calls (identical to Center Stage), auto ambient gentle adjustment, and a 270-degree hinge that permits you to rotate the webcam.

Meanwhile, the Magic Bay Light provides as much as 200-lux of adjustable brightness and mechanically switches on when the webcam’s energetic. There’s additionally the Magic Bay LTE attachment for cellular connectivity on the go, which comes with a USB-C cable in case you wish to apply it to one other laptop computer. It doesn’t seem like you should use two modules without delay, although, which is a little bit of a bummer if you happen to had been trying to mix the Magic Bay Light with the 4K webcam module.

According to Lenovo, the Magic Bay equipment can solely be bought with the ThinkBook 16p. While the 4K webcam provides $149.99 to the laptop computer’s value, the Magic Bay Light provides $19.99, and the Magic Bay LTE attachment provides $99.99.

While modular programs could seem to be a good suggestion, they don’t at all times work out — particularly after they’re not executed correctly. Motorola, which is owned by Lenovo, notably tried to upend the cellular market by launching Moto Mods, equipment that you might add to Moto Z units.

The system by no means actually took off, as customers needed to pay for the worth of the add-ons along with an already-expensive telephone. It additionally restricted Motorola’s capacity to replace the design of the Moto Z sooner or later because the modules are purported to work throughout all generations. The Magic Bay system faces the identical challenges, as paying for a $149.99 webcam that’s appropriate solely with one (already dear) system doesn’t appear all that logical. The Framework laptop computer, however, is an instance of a modular system finished proper, as you’ll be able to swap out and improve nearly all the pieces on the system — not simply add equipment that might finally develop into out of date.

Even if you happen to don’t find yourself buying Lenovo’s webcam module, the ThinkBook 16p nonetheless comes with a built-in full HD webcam with a privateness shutter. The laptop computer has a helpful fingerprint reader on the facility button as effectively, together with loads of ports: two for USB-A, two for USB-C, one for HDMI, one SD card reader, and one headphone jack. The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p will develop into out there for buy beginning in May 2023.