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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Lenovo unveiled a modular proof of idea ThinkBook at Cellular World Congress 2026.
- It contains a removable twin display screen and keyboard, and swappable ports.
- Whereas it is nonetheless in improvement, it appears like Lenovo is near a accomplished product.
Lenovo has been flexing some severe conceptual muscle with its proof of idea PCs. Final yr, I examined the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 rollable and located it is 17-inch rollable display screen surprisingly sensible — if not completely polished.
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Now at Cellular World Congress, Lenovo simply unveiled an idea that is much more bold: the ThinkBook Modular AI PC, a dual-screen laptop computer with a removable show, keyboard, and mix-and-match I/O ports for a completely customizable workstation that shapeshifts into a variety of configurations.
Lenovo has been inching towards a very modular laptop computer over the previous few years, however this mannequin is perhaps essentially the most severe dedication to the thought but with a mainstream 14-inch laptop computer that feels surprisingly shut to a whole product, even when there are nonetheless some kinks to work out.
Detach and swap
By default, the laptop computer’s second show lives on the again of the principle show, however it may be snapped off to both take the place of the keyboard or stand propped up subsequent to the laptop computer like a standalone moveable monitor.
If you wish to use it as a standalone exterior monitor, there is a built-in kickstand on the again that enables for the monitor to be propped up, both in panorama or portrait mode. Simply take into accout, nevertheless, it’s important to preserve it related with a USB-C cable to the laptop computer itself.
Additionally: Lenovo’s new PCs supply a glimpse of the long run – and it is modular
In my hands-on with the kickstand, I discovered it slightly awkward and onerous to maneuver, and is without doubt one of the weaker bodily components of the laptop computer’s design, but in addition doubtless one of many best for engineers to enhance on.
Equally, keyboard/trackpad can also be absolutely removable and will be positioned anyplace, utilizing Bluetooth to remain related. It is much like the design we noticed with on the Zenbook Duo — straightforward to make use of however slightly awkward to freeform the location in your desk. I nonetheless want there was some type of snap-to mechanism that connected it to the underside of the laptop computer.
Modular I/O
Though the swappable shows and keyboard is cool, personally I discovered essentially the most attention-grabbing factor to be the swappable ports, which communicate to a degree of modularity that we have not but seen on Lenovo’s mainstream laptop computer line. Solely the Framework laptops (the 16-inch being certainly one of my favourite laptops of final yr) have this type of swap-and-go I/O, so it is notable in a ThinkBook.
Whereas the Framework’s ports are plastic modular ports that every one join by way of built-in USB-C connections, nevertheless, the ThinkBook’s I/O usually are not. Additionally the kind of port is extra restricted, with USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI solely out there up to now.
Additionally: I attempted Lenovo’s $3,000 rollable ThinkBook and might’t return to regular-sized laptops
Nonetheless, with the ability to come out the port and swap sides in the event you want an HDMI to be on the appropriate or charger on the left, is infinitely handy and speaks to a extra versatile machine idea.
The ThinkBook Modular AI PC is a giant step in an thrilling course, and though it is a conceptual machine with no launch date, it appears like Lenovo is onto one thing right here. In spite of everything, it is only a ThinkBook chassis right here with some specialised changes for the shape issue.
Lenovo made an oblique assertion on its dedication to taking modularity and repairability significantly with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Version from CES. That laptop computer noticed a redesigned, double-sided motherboard to enhance entry and half substitute for the top consumer, and on a flagship laptop computer lineup no much less.
Following up with that, I am hopeful Lenovo will proceed to iterate on these concepts and put them into mainstream laptops like ThinkPads and Yogas. There is definitely client curiosity.
