Lenovo’s been utilizing its ThinkBook line of business laptops as a form of playground for a few of its wilder concepts for years. Last CES, for instance, it confirmed off an ultrawide 17-inch ThinkBook Plus that had an 8-inch LCD display on its keyboard deck along with the principle 3K show. At CES 2023, Lenovo shouldn’t be solely persevering with to attempt new multi-screen concepts with its newest ThinkBook Plus, nevertheless it’s additionally showcasing a form of modular idea for equipment with the ThinkBook 16P.
The new ThinkBook Plus iterates on the model Lenovo confirmed us in 2020, which was merely a laptop computer with an e-ink display embedded in its lid. This yr’s mannequin takes the traditional clamshell hinge and turns it right into a swivel that’s mounted in the midst of the hinge. This permits you to flip the display with one hand and flip between the 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED and the front-lit 12-inch e-ink panel on the highest cowl. Lenovo up to date the colour e-ink display this yr too, to hit a 12Hz refresh charge. With this, the ThinkBook Plus Twist can present the Windows interface on both facet, and the system will change screens everytime you twist it. Both panels assist pen enter, too, so you may take notes with ease.
A twisting format isn’t new for Lenovo, because it’s already tried out comparable kinds with the ThinkPad X41 pill in 2005, and the ThinkPad Twist in 2012. A dual-screen twisting laptop computer lid although? Shocking. I’m mildly involved in regards to the potential for breakage with this format, because you’ll be gripping fairly firmly on the digicam module whereas making use of a not-minimal quantity of power to show the show round. While I didn’t really feel any harm throughout my time with the demo models, I don’t understand how effectively it will maintain up with repeated use over time.
Though it’s barely much less eye-catching, I’m really extra intrigued by the ThinkBook 16P. This is the fourth era of Lenovo’s bigger high-end machine and correspondingly comes with some premium specs. It’ll be powered by as much as Intel’s Thirteenth-generation Core i9 processor, NVIDIA’s newest RTX 40 sequence GPUs. While it solely has a single show, the ThinkBook 16P may be configured with an as much as 3.2K IPS show that runs at 120Hz. There’s additionally an up to date keyboard right here providing journey of 1.5mm, making it one of many deepest in Lenovo’s lineup.
What’s most intriguing in regards to the 16P, although, is the brand new magnetic pogo pin connector on the high of the connector (behind the webcam). With this, you may snap one of many new attachments Lenovo has created for this system and add further capabilities to the machine. The firm is looking this technique Magic Bay, and has made three preliminary Magic Bay equipment: a 4K webcam, an LTE pack and a selfie mild. That final one is my favourite, not solely as a result of I’m a shameless narcissist, but in addition as a result of it has a capacitive contact sensor on the correct facet that allows you to toggle brightness ranges. Plus, Lenovo is planning on promoting this attachment for simply $20.
Meanwhile, the 4K webcam module sits on a rotating hinge, so you may concurrently seize each you and the individuals going through you on the identical name. Lenovo additionally crafted software program that may mix the feeds from the hooked up and onboard webcams and supposedly optimize the best way you look on calls through Zoom (and different apps). Finally, the LTE growth brings — you guessed it — mobile connectivity to your laptop computer. There’s a USB-C connector on the backside that allows you to use it as a wired hotspot for one more system on the identical time if you want.
The ThinkBook Plus Twist will probably be accessible for $1,650 in June, whereas the 16P begins at $1,350 and can arrive in May. Watch our video above for a greater have a look at the brand new machines and ensure to remain tuned for all of the information out of CES 2023.
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