I tried Lenovo’s new rollable ThinkBook and can’t go back to regular-sized screens

Lenovo unveiled its “rollable” laptop computer at CES two years in the past as a wild proof of idea that turned heads, however left customers skeptical. Effectively, the corporate has since proved its level: the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is now obtainable to customers for an eye-watering $3,300, however full of premium design parts, strong {hardware}, and a 120Hz OLED show that extends to nearly 17 inches on the press of a button. 

I have been utilizing the ThinkBook Plus for over every week as my important laptop computer, and I’ve to confess, I am enamored by the extendable display, significantly as a productiveness machine for work. 

However as the primary of its type, it’s miles from good. There are a handful of trade-offs as a result of laptop computer’s kind, and the sky-high worth invitations a essential eye to each factor of its design. That being mentioned, it’s finally a well-engineered laptop computer. Let’s take a more in-depth look. 

Like all ThinkBooks, the laptop computer exudes enterprise, that includes a metallic, two-tone design. It is not my favourite aesthetic, however it’s actually sturdy and resists fingerprints means higher than all of the matte black designs on the market. 

Upon first look, the laptop computer seems like some other. One of many first issues to face out is the thick bezels framing the show, however as your eye attracts to the underside, you discover one thing unusual: there is not any backside bezel — the display simply continues under the keyboard. 

The remainder of the rollable display is parked beneath, ready to be unfurled. With the push of a button, the standard-sized show extends upwards, rising the display measurement to 16.7 inches.

The result’s a big, portrait-style show that goes far past some other commonplace laptop computer display measurement available on the market. The shiny, OLED display delivers a incredible image, with no flickering or dimming across the edges, though there’s some seen creasing that appears like what you’d see on a foldable cellphone’s show. 

That is very true if you happen to rotate the shiny show to mirror the sunshine. It is a bit of extra seen than I anticipated and definitely one thing of be aware (given the value), however finally, it would not actually overshadow the good thing about the massive display. 

For instance, you cease noticing the creasing when your consideration is concentrated on what you are really doing. It is a type of issues that is an inevitable a part of its mechanics — it took foldable telephones a number of years to scale back the creasing on their shows — and though it would not precisely scream “premium”, it would not cancel out the advantages the display gives. 

So what are the mentioned advantages? First off, the additional room is a breath of contemporary air. It permits for a spacious workspace that I’ve to confess, makes for a really good person expertise. Personally, I like working one massive, full-screen desktop, however it’s also possible to put two home windows, one on high of the opposite, for 2 16:9 desktops. 

To maximise actual property, I set the size in Home windows to 125%, bringing the UI all the way down to a extra manageable measurement that leads to a crisp and environment friendly interface. Nevertheless, in order for you a bigger UI, it nonetheless feels extra roomy than a daily laptop computer show. 

In case you’re a programmer, you will respect the prolonged portrait orientation, however anybody who works with paperwork will love having the ability to see a 3rd extra content material on the display at a look. 

As an editor, it drastically improves working in Google Docs and my browser-based CMS, each of which profit from extra visibility with out having to squint at a UI that is been scaled all the way down to the atomic degree. 

Even primary net looking is improved, with extra of the web page on the display without delay, and extra content material seen with much less scrolling. In that sense, the show mirrors the cell structure, which is finally extra scrollable. 

Rolling the display up will be executed by urgent the related key or with a hand gesture in entrance of the webcam. Whereas it is extending, the display defaults to taking part in an animation (completely different ones are selectable in settings) with some thematic music, then reloading your desktop as soon as it reaches the specified measurement. The music is usually a little a lot in a quiet workplace, so fortunately, all of those options will be turned off. 

When absolutely prolonged, the underside third of the display is occupied by the Lenovo widget panel, which exhibits reminders, your to-do checklist, and a calendar at a look. You may pin this to remain completely on or have it cover behind your different apps. 

There’s really lots of content material right here, together with quick movies that present the way to use gesture controls to boost and decrease the show and a few ideas on the way to manage the display extra successfully. 

Past the show, the remainder of the laptop computer’s core elements are fairly good. The keyboard is a bit of shallow, however the keys really feel nice, with a satisfying click on that is crisp and responsive. 

I used to be additionally thrilled to search out the haptic trackpad to be simply as well-engineered, with a uniform click on regardless of the place you press down on the pad, and a delicate enter for swipe gestures. One factor to notice, nevertheless, is that in cooler temperatures, you might need some bother with the pad recognizing your fingers, particularly in the event that they’re chilly.

Additionally be aware that the laptop computer’s kind issue limits its I/O entry, with simply two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack. All three ports are positioned on the left aspect of the machine, which is perhaps problematic for some customers, however is an anticipated trade-off for the options. 

All in all, the laptop computer’s core bodily construct feels premium (if a bit of chunky), and even with out the rollable show, it will be a strong workplace laptop computer. The fingerprint reader on the facility key, together with help for Wi-Fi 7 seal the deal as a contemporary enterprise machine. 

Below the hood, the Intel Core Extremely 7 “Lunar Lake” processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage make for the standard {hardware} loadout corresponding to any variety of mid-to-upper vary enterprise laptops. The massive show is powered by an built-in Intel Arc 140V GPU with 16GB of inside reminiscence, supplying greater than sufficient energy for each day use. 

In case you’re seeking to sport on this laptop computer, it might deal with some mainstream titles, however it’s not precisely constructed for working top-tier gaming content material. In “regular” laptop computer mode, you have received a 2000 x 1600 decision, commonplace fare for a 14-inch. But when your sport helps a 2000 x 2350 decision, you may play with the display absolutely prolonged, which undoubtedly looks like a singular expertise, however due to all of the display house, it is not precisely optimized for high-APM gaming. 

In case you’re taking part in an older sport that does not help that decision, nicely, the sport will merely revert to the standard decision, leading to empty house under the window and negating the entire level of the prolonged show. The underside line right here: gaming is usually a bonus for this laptop computer, however not what it is made for. 

Concerning battery life, the show expectedly cuts into the 66Whr battery’s longevity, though not as a lot as you may anticipate. Throughout regular use, you will get a full work day of use out of it with the display prolonged, however it’s chopping it shut. In case you add in videoconferencing and extra demanding workloads, you won’t make it by way of the day with no energy top-up. 

That being mentioned, the Lunar Lake chip does permit for the battery loss to scale back to a trickle when not in use, and it prices quick: about 80% in an hour. In our video playback take a look at, we received a bit of over 11 hours at half brightness in balanced mode over Wi-Fi. 

So let’s tackle the elephant within the room: the value. Lenovo is nicely conscious that this laptop computer will not be for everybody. Actually, it is most likely probably the most area of interest product I’ve reviewed all 12 months. As a substitute, it is extra about proving a degree. 

Lenovo desires to venture a fame of innovation, however extra importantly, it desires to show it might ship mentioned merchandise to market. This machine displays that mission, incomes it an essential place in Lenovo’s portfolio, even when it isn’t the 12 months’s high vendor. 

It is also the primary iteration of this rollable idea, and as such, the bodily design will not be fairly as polished as you’d discover in Lenovo’s different high-end laptops, just like the ThinkPad X9 Aura Version or the X1 Carbon. These laptops come from a product line backed up by a long time of design and engineering, with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 having room to enhance in subsequent mannequin variations. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 is a formidable product, even contemplating its trade-offs. The show has seen creases and thick bezels, however when it is absolutely prolonged, you overlook about them. The battery is not one of the best, however it’s removed from the worst. It is not a stellar gaming rig, however that is not why you purchase a ThinkBook, anyway. 

It is area of interest, and it is costly, however it does what it is alleged to: ship a incredible person expertise within the workplace, with an expansive, versatile show that appears nice, pairs properly with a premium haptic touchpad, and simply the correct amount of energy below the hood. 

At $3,200, this is not a mainstream laptop computer, and I would not suggest it until you are completely bought on the extendable show and are dedicated to the shape consider the long run. 

The fact is you can get nearly something for much less: a MacBook Professional M4 with 24GB of RAM, or the brand new brand-new Dell 14 Premium with the identical processor and an upgraded Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU for $1,000 much less. However if you happen to’re in love with the massive display, I can say that it is a productiveness game-changer within the workplace.