Chinese manufacturer Lenovo has officially entered the folding device market. The company’s endeavor in the industry is with the ThinkPad X1 Fold, a tablet-notebook hybrid introduced during CES 2020. The model is the commercial version of a concept that it itself had presented at last year’s fair.
The idea of the ThinkPad X1 Fold is to be the perfect device for those who need something between a smartphone, a tablet and a notebook. After all, when opened, it is a Windows-based mobile device with touchscreen, stylus-compatible pen, weighing less than 1 kg and ideal for carrying around.
If folded 90°, the bottom half of the display can be used as a keyboard, with you even controlling the tilt angle with a base on the back of the device. From the promotional images, the brand will focus marketing on use for productivity and the job market. The model even has a Bluetooth keyboard for those who prefer a more traditional experience
The LG OLED display is 13.3″ and 4: 3 aspect ratio with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels – the same as the current 9.7″ iPad model but with thicker edges. The other technical specifications have not yet been detailed by the company, which secured a “hybrid technology” from a platform provided by Intel.
Lenovo warrants that the project has been under development for over four years, with several hinge ideas and system operation under study. The solution found is a multi-bond carbon fiber-coated configuration that prevents wear by continuous use.
Availability
The ThinkPad X1 Fold will ship in mid-2020, and the Windows 10 Pro version will cost $2,500. Other configurations are expected to be released in the coming months at different price ranges, and for now, one version with Windows 10X and one with 5G has been confirmed.