Windows PCs are about to get a whole lot more exciting thanks to foldable screens.
Lenovo, the legendary computer hardware experimenter (remember its dual-screen, half e-ink Yoga Book?), announced today what it’s calling the world’s first foldable Windows PC.
The device unfolded is a full-fledged 13.3-inch tablet running Windows. But bend it in half, and the device (branded as part of Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 family) transforms into a mini laptop about the size of a paperback.
As with foldable phones, I’m still incredibly skeptical of devices with bendable screens. Don’t get me wrong: foldable devices look super cool. But whether they’re practical and durable enough to withstand the rigors of day-to-day use is something we just don’t know yet. Samsung’s Galaxy Fold isn’t off to a great start, for example. Can you really trust Lenovo to build a foldable PC?
Though Lenovo’s device won’t come out until next year, the company did show us a working prototype to play with for a few minutes.
But first, let’s talk about the hardware. Lenovo was reluctant to share too many details — it’s understandable since the device launch is still a year away and many features could change — but we have some specs:
Intel processor (unspecified)
13.3-inch OLED display (2K resolution) made by LG Display when open
Dual 9.6-inch screens when folded up
“All day battery” (unspecified hours)
2x USB C ports
IR camera
Stereo speakers
Supports Bluetooth keyboard and Wacom stylus
As a device that’ll sport the ThinkPad X1 branding, Lenovo envisions the foldable device being used mostly by working professionals. Lenovo says it thinks the foldable device will be a good fit for road warriors and business executives who want the versatility of a device that’s capable of handling “real work” normally accomplished on a laptop, but also demand portability.