Lenovo’s Rotating Screen Laptop: The Ultimate Doomscrolling Machine
▼ Summary
– The Lenovo ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept is a 14-inch laptop with a screen that rotates 90 degrees into portrait mode for better document viewing or coding.
– This concept uses a simple pivoting track system without motors or flexible OLEDs, making it more practical and likely to become a real product.
– The screen rotates easily with one hand and is sturdy, though the laptop is not especially thin or light at 17.9mm thick and 1.39kg.
– It includes ports like Thunderbolt, USB-A, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack, and has space beside the screen to rest a phone for integration with Lenovo’s Smart Connect app.
– The VertiFlex is simpler and potentially cheaper than previous Lenovo concepts, and the design could be scaled to different laptop sizes.
Lenovo has introduced a concept laptop with a screen that rotates into portrait mode, offering a fresh take on multitasking and vertical content viewing. The ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept looks like a typical 14-inch productivity machine at first glance, but a simple nudge at the top-right corner of the display makes the entire screen pivot 90 degrees within its frame. This clever design makes it ideal for reading documents, writing code, or scrolling through social feeds without needing to tilt your head.
What makes this concept stand out is its simplicity. Unlike some of Lenovo’s more experimental designs featuring rollable or transparent displays, the VertiFlex relies on a straightforward pivoting track mechanism hidden behind the screen. There are no complex motors or flexible OLED panels involved, just a smooth, intuitive rotation that feels both practical and satisfying to use. Because it’s so uncomplicated, this concept has a real shot at eventually becoming a consumer product.
During a hands-on preview, the rotating action proved smooth and stable. With just one hand, the screen glided easily into vertical orientation. While it felt natural to brace the base with the other hand, the mechanism was sturdy enough that it wasn’t strictly necessary. Once rotated, the lid offers just enough space on either side to rest a smartphone, a thoughtful touch for users who want to use Lenovo’s Smart Connect app for file transfers or phone control, though the feature wasn’t fully operational during the demo.
In terms of connectivity, the prototype included two Thunderbolt ports (likely Thunderbolt 4), one USB-A, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack. At 17.9mm thick and weighing 1.39kg, it’s not the slimmest or lightest laptop around, but it’s still more portable than Lenovo’s rollable ThinkBook Plus. Compared to a standard clamshell like the ThinkPad X9, it’s a bit thicker and heavier, but the unique functionality may justify the trade-off for some users.
This concept follows last year’s ThinkBook Flip, which used a flexible OLED in a folding design. The VertiFlex feels even more grounded by comparison, using a conventional screen and fewer moving parts. While a rotating display may not be as flashy as a foldable one, it’s still a fun and potentially very useful innovation, especially if it comes at a more accessible price than the $3,300 rollable model. Lenovo has suggested the design could be adapted to different screen sizes, raising the question: will users embrace portrait-mode laptops? For now, it’s a intriguing idea, one that could easily find its audience among those who appreciate clever, functional design.
(Source: The Verge)
