Lenovo Unveils Laptop with Swiveling Portrait-Mode Screen
▼ Summary
– Lenovo has introduced the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept laptop at IFA in Berlin, featuring a screen that swivels into portrait mode.
– This prototype is not planned for release, and Lenovo has not disclosed details like its internal components.
– The laptop is 0.7 inches thick, weighs 3.06 pounds, and has a 14-inch display with a central pivot point for rotation.
– It uses hidden hinges: one as a horizontal track for side movement and another to lift the screen upward to avoid contact during rotation.
– Videos show the screen starting as a normal clamshell but rotating counterclockwise smoothly, with the image adjusting to portrait orientation.
Lenovo continues to push the boundaries of laptop design with its latest concept, a machine that reimagines how we interact with our screens. While many manufacturers focus on making devices thinner and lighter, Lenovo explores fresh form factors that enhance usability. The newly unveiled ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept introduces a screen that swivels smoothly from landscape to portrait orientation, offering a versatile viewing experience tailored to different tasks.
This prototype, showcased at the IFA conference in Berlin, remains an experimental design with no current plans for commercial release. Lenovo has not disclosed technical specifications or internal components, keeping details under wraps for now. Still, the company has a track record of transforming innovative concepts into market-ready products, as seen with earlier rollable and dual-screen models.
Measuring just 0.7 inches thick and weighing 3.06 pounds, the VertiFlex features a 14-inch display mounted on a sophisticated hinge mechanism. A central pivot allows the screen to rotate, while a hidden horizontal track built into the hinge assembly enables lateral movement. An additional hinge lifts the display upward during rotation, preventing the lower edge from scraping against the base, a clever touch that ensures smooth operation.
In demonstration videos, the laptop initially resembles a standard clamshell design. With a simple grip and counterclockwise turn, however, the screen pivots effortlessly into a vertical position. The interface adapts instantly, reorienting content to make the most of the new layout. This fluid transition between orientations could prove especially useful for coding, reading, or editing documents, where extra vertical space is often a welcome advantage.
(Source: Ars Technica)
