Exclusive Unveiling: The Weirdest, Most Anticipated Laptop of CES 2023
Weird and Wonderful Laptops: The Lenovo ThinkBook Twist’s Futuristic Twist
As I’m filling out my CES 2025 prediction bingo cards at TechRadar, I’m stuck with the same thought – "new Lenovo ThinkBook Twist" – repeated 25 times. It’s clear that my holiday wish list won’t come true this year. I’m not asking for just any Lenovo ThinkBook Twist, though; I want a new and improved version of the award-winning ThinkBook Plus Twist, which stole the show at MWC 2023 with its dual-sided display.
A Laptop That’s a Tablet
The original ThinkBook Twist, reviewed way back in 2013, was a decent device, despite being made somewhat redundant by the widespread adoption of 360-degree hinges. However, the new ThinkBook Plus Twist is where the magic happens. This futuristic laptop features an OLED touchscreen and a full-color E-Ink panel on the reverse side of the lid.
E-Ink: The Unsung Hero
At first glance, an E-Ink display on a laptop might seem weird, but hear me out. E-Ink has tremendous potential as an environmentally friendly alternative to power-hungry displays. It’s also gentler on the eyes and works great for activities that don’t require a high refresh rate. Lenovo’s "typewriter mode" allows you to flip the display around and use the E-Ink panel as the primary screen – a feature I find strangely endearing as a writer.
A Sustainable Future
A more practical use for the E-Ink display is to show information while the laptop is in sleep mode with the lid down. This way, you can display essential information like time, battery life, weather, and notifications without using much power. The E-Paper panel only requires electricity when it’s changing what appears on the screen, making it an energy-efficient option.
The Future of E-Ink
In "standard mode" with the lid open, the ThinkBook Plus Twist feels like an ordinary (though premium) Lenovo laptop, capable of doing everything you’d expect. But when flipped into typewriter mode, the power-guzzling OLED panel shuts off, significantly boosting your battery life for extended writing sessions.
The Potential of E-Ink
I believe the tech industry should invest more in E-Ink technology. E-Ink was revolutionary, but it has stagnated since its debut. I envision many use cases beyond simple handheld devices. Imagine large billboards, like the ones that plague my daily commute, made using E-Paper – they would be less blinding, reduce light pollution, and use less electricity.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkBook Twist is a bold, innovative design that showcases the potential of E-Ink technology. I hope to see more laptop manufacturers and tech companies take the leap and commit to the development of E-Paper displays. The future of E-Ink is bright, and it’s up to us to shape it.
