Discover Lenovo’s ThinkBook Flip: The Laptop with an Innovative Extra-Tall Folding Display

Lenovo has introduced an interesting concept at Mobile World Congress: the ThinkBook “codename Flip.” This is a versatile business laptop featuring a flexible display. It can be used in different ways: as a standard 13.1-inch clamshell, a compact 12.9-inch tablet, or even a tall 18.1-inch vertical screen.

The Display on the ThinkBook Flip is the same OLED panel found in the pricey ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, which costs around $3,500 and is set to launch in June. However, the Flip’s design allows the screen to fold behind instead of extending out. This means fewer moving parts, potentially lowering costs and maximizing screen usage at just 0.4 inches more than the Gen 6.

When you fold the Flip back, it operates like a traditional 13-inch laptop, although nearly half the screen faces the back. You can use this rear display to show content to others or leave it blank. The real highlight comes when you flip the screen up, showcasing the full 18.1 inches of vibrant OLED display. This setup provides an excellent view for lengthy documents, plus it places the webcam at eye level, making video calls more comfortable.

Another standout feature is the Smart ForcePad trackpad. It has three layers of LED-illuminated shortcuts and controls. You can change the trackpad into a number pad, access tools like the Snipping Tool, or launch apps with just a tap. Lenovo Research’s Samuel Shang mentioned their aspiration to use a smartphone display as a touchpad, but that’s too expensive for now. Instead, the simpler illuminated icons are a good compromise.

Even though the Flip is still just a concept, Lenovo has shared some estimated specs. It’s expected to feature an Intel Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, PCIe SSD storage, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a fingerprint reader.

I got a quick look at the ThinkBook Flip, which was an early prototype. It felt a bit delicate compared to the sturdier ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 I saw at CES. However, my colleague Allison Johnson spotted a more refined version of the Flip at MWC, indicating progress on the design.

There’s a possibility that this concept may not reach the market, but using parts from the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 could increase its chances. If its lack of motors means a lower price, the Flip could be an appealing alternative. Funky laptops like this always catch my interest, and having more options is exciting!