Not just smartphones: The Chinese manufacturer has launched the first folding laptop in the world in Israel • It is light, looks like a notebook and has an external keyboard • The price?
Starting at NIS 13,000 • Review
Photo: Yinon Ben-Shoshan
The trend of the smartphone world in the past year has also reached laptops: Yesterday (Wednesday) Lenovo launched in Israel the ThinkPad X1 Fold - the first laptop with a folding screen that looks like a notebook that is very easy to put in your pocket.
The company first unveiled the computer at the CES 2020 show in Las Vegas, when the folding smartphones made their first steps in the cellular market.
Is this a passing gimmick, and who even needs a laptop with a flexible screen?
That's what we thought of him.
Hybridization - between a computer and a tablet
If the reason for folding smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip is so that we can put them in the pocket without taking up too much space - and also to enjoy a larger screen, in ThinkPad X1 Fold the main reason, at least so it feels, is that you can move around with the device Like a notebook or a diary.
It is a bit thick, but lighter than a standard laptop of the same size, and with its dimensions it can easily fit in small bags as well.
The folding structure of the computer can be partially closed, and in order to place it on a surface, it is easy to use the integrated stand in the back skin casing.
Folding the screen to a completely flat position turns the device into a huge tablet and its easy bending will allow easy reading in it as in a digital book.
Alongside this, the company also incorporated a physical keyboard that is charged via a Micro USB connection and can be used to use the ThinkPad X1 Fold as a standard laptop spring.
When the computer is folded, the dedicated keyboard can be stored between the sides of the screen (without fear of scratches).
Typing, in case you were wondering, is very convenient and adds to the overall experience when you need to type long texts, or just correspond with friends on social networks.
However, unlike other folding screens that require tiny and delicate use - with a list of restrictions that include a ban on touching the screen with nails, it is clear that the material from which the X1 Fold screen is made is much more durable and high quality.
Two agree
The device's main screen is 13.3 inches, with an OLED panel, when in the folded position it can be used as a pair of different 9-inch screens, and open applications side by side, thus significantly improving the multiplicity of tasks you do in parallel.
For example, you can open a virtual keyboard at the bottom, and at the top (main) screen continue to work as usual.
However, the operating system installed on the device, Windows 10, does not support folding screens and the division of the windows is done with the help of Lenovo's own software, Lenovo Mode Switcher, which you can access in the applications menu next to the clock and choose your preferred configuration.
Bottom line
There is no doubt that this is (also) the next step in the evolution of laptops, like smartphones.
Can it replace a computer?
Not sure.
But it can be said that Lenovo invested a lot of thought before launching the product - and in the smallest details.
The niche of the ThinkPad X1 Fold is mainly aimed at travelers or people who like to consume media on a big screen - whether it is Netflix, or social networks, and want to integrate in this all the experience of a notebook-shaped computer.
Of course, you will pay for all this with durability, relative weight and thickness, and of course at a very expensive price - NIS 13,800.