Lenovo unveiled a foldable PC at this year's CES 2020 - but it is not a conventional laptop.
The new product is called the ThinkPad X1 Fold and is set to revolutionize the mobile world. The device has a 13.3-inch folding display in 4:3 format. According to the manufacturer, the ThinkPad X1 Fold is made from a combination of lightweight alloys and carbon fiber and is protected by a leather film cover. The press release states:
The ThinkPad X1 Fold is the first fully functional PC with a foldable OLED display. Designed for unprecedented productivity, it offers a groundbreaking new form factor that will redefine mobile computing. Transitioning through multiple modes, from a small footprint device to a completely flat 13.3-inch display, the X1 Fold will combine the efficiency of a laptop with the portability of a smartphone. Constructed from a combination of lightweight alloys and carbon fiber, and finished with a luxurious leather foil finish, the X1 Fold offers the durability and reliability users expect from every ThinkPad.
Lenovo
ThinkPad X1 Fold will close the gap between smartphone, tablet and laptop
According to Lenovo, the device weighs less than two pounds and can be operated in a variety of orientations. Users can choose to work on a small or large display. The ThinkPad X1 Fold features Intel Core processors with Intel Hybrid Technology and will run Windows 10 at launch - support for Windows 10X is also planned, according to Lenovo. Lenovo believes that the ThinkPad X1 Fold will bridge the gap between smartphone, tablet and laptop and offer advantages for users who often switch between devices with multiple form factors. It also says:
In the usual laptop orientation, users can take advantage of two independent displays to optimize efficiency in certain multitasking activities. Join a video call on the top screen while watching and editing a presentation on the bottom screen. Compare documents on top of each other or take notes on one screen while watching a lecture on the other. These use cases can of course be performed in portrait or landscape mode, whichever works best for the user.
Lenovo
When developing the ThinkPad X1 Fold, the team went through six different hinge designs and over 20 variations, relying on a multi-link torque hinge that handles the stresses of folding - Lenovo explains further. The new ThinkPad X1 Fold is scheduled to launch in mid-2020. The starting price is expected to be around $2,499. (Image: Lenovo)
