Lenovo's new laptop screen expands but still shows visible creases

In the technology space, Lenovo has recently introduced a new concept in laptop design, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable. Announced on January 7, 2025, this laptop features a unique rollable screen that expands vertically from 14 inches to 16.7 inches. This innovative design aims to maximize screen real estate without the bulk of traditional dual-screen setups. Notably, the laptop is aimed at professionals seeking enhanced productivity and multitasking capabilities, making it a potential game-changer for business users. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable builds upon earlier prototypes demonstrated by Lenovo in 2023, which showcased a screen that could roll out from a smaller size to provide a larger viewing area. This rollout feature could represent a significant advancement in portable computing, allowing users to receive added screen space without sacrificing the compactness typically associated with ultralight laptops. Despite the exciting advancements, the laptop weighs 3.73 pounds and has a thickness of 0.78 inches, which is slightly more than conventional 14-inch models, suggesting a trade-off between size and function. One of the innovative aspects of this new laptop is the mechanism by which the screen expands and contracts. Users can initiate the screen expansion using either a dedicated keyboard button or a hand gesture detected by the PC's webcam, bringing convenience to the user interface. However, the screen technology employed still exhibits some challenges, including visible creases that appear during screen expansion and motion, potentially limiting the overall user experience. While Lenovo assures users that it is designed for longevity with a rating for at least 20,000 rolls and 30,000 hinge openings and closings, lingering concerns about durability may affect consumer adoption. Marketed towards mobile professionals and business travelers, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is positioned as a solution for those who require dynamic screen options for multitasking. Lenovo emphasizes that this laptop is an alternative to other dual-screen laptops that may present issues with distracting hinges and design weaknesses. The introduction of this innovative laptop design highlights Lenovo's commitment to advancing personal computing technology, although its operational sounds and visible creases could deter some potential users from relying on it as their primary device. Overall, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable showcases a significant leap in innovations aimed at enhancing user productivity while combining the functionality of traditional and modern laptop designs.