Thinkbook Plus is an e-reader stuck to a laptop
January 7, 2020
Lenovo may have just invented a new laptop segment. It’s called the ThinkBook Plus, and though it may look like a generic Lenovo laptop, it’s actually far from it. It’s a matte black clamshell machine that features an e-ink display on its front lid.
The 10.8-inch display that can be used to take notes, sketch, access calendar appointments, messages and emails with or without the use of the included Precision Pen. The idea here is to allow users to access certain functions without having to physically open the lid and login.
Users will continue to receive notifications and other important information when using the e-ink display. The laptop will still be fully operational when using the e-ink display, but it will be in power sipping state. This e-ink display works independently from the main 13.3-inch FHD display.
Besides this, the e-ink display can also be used as a live laptop cover, displaying images or graphics while in operation. As gimmicky as this might sound to some consumers, Lenovo is hoping to entice Gen Z and millennials – and this feature might just win them over.
And despite what you might think, the ThinkBook Plus is a full-fledged laptop powered by Intel 10th Gen Core processors and running on Windows 10, standard SSDs and the option of having Intel Optane Memory. It’s got Harman speakers and a camera shutter button too.
The power button doubles as a fingerprint reader, which simplifies Windows Hello authentication when using it in tablet or laptop mode. lenovo is also offering accessories for the laptop – a silent mouse and a laptop sleeve.
Lenovo says that the ThinkBook Plus should be available from March 2020 with a starting price of $1,199. This isn’t a cheap chromebook and neither is it a conventional laptop. But for the segment of the market that value its features, the ThinkBook Plus could be good for productivity.
