Mobile World Congress may be considered a mobile show , but each twelvemonth , Lenovo fetch a series of computing conception to the show . In the past , we ’ve seen devices like the ThinkPad X1 Fold , a rollable PC , and even a rolling phone , but this year ’s construct is one of my favored fold laptop construct yet .
The ThinkBook Flip AI PC Concept does n’t have the most friendly name , but it takes a unequalled approach to solve a cardinal trouble for all PC user : how to extend your screen real estate when you ’re on the go . Lenovo ’s answer is an 18 - in display that fold up outwards and has other benefits bet on your needs .
I spent some sentence with it this morning , and my brief deal - on experience leave me surprised at how user - well-disposed it is . In particular , Lenovo has a few nifty software tricks that make it more than just a folding laptop computer . This is why it ’s my new favourite folding laptop computer concept .
Meet the ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept
We ’ve yet to see folding laptops become a truly mainstream product , but we ’ve already seen one relinquish , thanks to Lenovo . The ThinkPad X1 Fold broke barriers by bring the traditional book - trend fold form factor to a PC , replete with enough world power to ensure it delivers on most task .
Unfortunately , the ThinkPad X1 Fold also showed that that form factor was n’t appealing to most client . rather , the ThinkPad Flip AI personal computer introduces a new flesh factor that will almost certainly be far more useful .
The Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC has an 18 - in show , but it folds outwards to make two 13 - column inch display stacked on top of each other . When fold , the display works as an external showing , which intend it ’s dandy for intimate presentations , salespeople , or more .
Software tricks make it more than just a folding screen
The biggest hurting tip with the Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC is potential the way that the Windows OS handles the multiple screens . Rather than two displays . It show as a unmarried video display , which progress to it more thought-provoking to maximise the usefulness of the filmdom . That said , Lenovo demonstrated some swell software system trick that minimize the issues with the Windows OS approaching .
The first of these makes it easy to invalid the out display with a virtual clitoris that ’s conveniently locate on the part of the display that bends . This makes it prosperous to deactivate the out display when needed , whether to economize on barrage fire life or to prevent someone from seeing what you ’re doing .
The second is far more useful : with a simple swipe across the hinge , you may speedily display an app or demonstration that ’s on your primary display . It fundamentally treat the outwards folding video display as a secondary monitor and improve the mode that Windows itself treats the secondary exhibit .
More than just a folding display
The Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is also interesting for one other key reason : count down at the trackpad , and you ’ll see a truly unequalled take on this laptop computer staple , except not where you expect it .
The trackpad is designed to coat dissimilar quick setting and features three mode that you could easily shift between . Switching is as easy as tip one of the style button on the right of the trackpad .
The three modal value show up a number pad quick options for your PC and media controls . There ’s also a backlight that you may control , and everything works as you ’d await . I enjoy thetrackpad shortcut gestures on Asus laptops , but this is a more impressive and hardheaded execution of extending the utility of the trackpad .
The ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept also replicate as a tablet . Rather than carrying a freestanding tablet , twitch over the filmdom lets you use the outer display in pad of paper manner . You ca n’t get at the keyboard or mouse , but it is a touchscreen , and you may easily use it as a Windows - powered tablet if you just want a pocket-sized filmdom for see something .
Why the ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is exciting
You may be wonder whether you ’d need these feature , and there are a few dissimilar use cases where this laptop would be good .
The first is for tech journalists like myself . I ’ve used the three-fold - screen Yoga laptop computer before , and the secondary display is fantastic for covering major product launches while on the go . Similarly , it ’s also incredibly useful for day - to - day work when traveling , and this concept will improve my work flow in both cases .
There are also other professionals who could do good from this . host presentations in a coffee store ? Simply flip over the screen . adjudicate to deal someone financial , automotive , or other products that require reexamine numbers and documents ? flick the screen over . As you’re able to say , there ’s a radical to the role case , and it ’s at last designed for anyone who wants a secondary screen , or a bigger screen , on the go .
Will this ever become a commercial product?
As the name suggests , the ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is firm a concept product . As such , it ’s unclear whether it ’ll become a commercial mathematical product , and if it does , whether only some of the characteristic will make it to a commercial product .
Yet , Lenovo has an extensive pedigree at turning conceptual production into commercial ones . The original ThinkPad X1 Fold was a concept but became a viable product . The rollable microcomputer was a conception that became an actual product at CES originally this class . I would n’t bet against Lenovo making this a commercially available product , but I would bet that it wo n’t be low-cost .
If I had to estimate ? Based on the cost of other close down products and the previous folding laptop computer , this will be an ultra insurance premium merchandise . Based on what I saw , it will likely be deserving it .
