They are disassembled down to the ports. And we have tried it

The MWC hasn’t started and I was already able to try one of the most curious devices of the entire event: the Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC. The modular thing It fits perfectly, it perfectly describes his aspiration: disassemble into pieces to be able to update the laptop as needed. And to expand the possibilities, because it is a really striking all-in-one.

Lenovo has brought a good amount of news around laptops and tablets. It has updated its Yoga, ThinkPad, Legion and ThinkBook families. Apart from business models, the company brought several experiments. Having a laptop that expands your workspace by simply separating the parts is the main novelty.

Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC data sheet

A compact laptop that disassembles into modules

Motorola engineers must have asked themselves: “How many modules do we put in the new laptop?” And someone answered: “Yes.” Because it blew me away during the presentation: when I thought it couldn’t be cut any further, there were still pieces left.

The laptop looks like a normal ThinkBook device when folded. But no, because it has a secondary screen that is anchored to the main one, although on the back. The laptop can project content forward and backwardtwo people could play a game of sinking the fleet, for example. Or use that secondary screen to work in parallel: the panel is dismantled.

This is where the soul of transformer begins: Lenovo has created a double workspace. He secondary panel It can stand up thanks to a magnetic leg. And when connected to the computer, it is powered by energy and data. Of course, both screens are touch screens and can be configured to extend the workspace or double the existing one.

The Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC also allows the keyboard to be detached. This makes it easy to type remotely while the screens are projecting a presentation, for example. With another extra ability: the secondary panel can be placed in the physical keyboard recess.

I thought I had had enough of a modular concept, but no: Lenovo reserved some removable ports. Located one at each end, it is possible to remove them to place an extra USB-C port, for example. OR An HDMI, the two connectors that Lenovo currently has as a sample. As it is a concept, the Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC could evolve with more port-like accessories.

Dozens of uses for a single device

It is surprising when dismantling and when all the parts are placed on the table. Also in the number of formats that the laptop assumes just due to its peculiar mechanics:

• Traditional laptop with touch screen.
• Laptop with front and rear touch screen.
• Laptop with secondary screen in parallel.
• Panel included for presentations.
• Laptop with full screen surface and split in two.

For work, for acting, for playing… The parts can be changed and thus improve the computer’s capabilities. It is also more easy to repair and, in principle, to update. As long as the concept ends up being viable for Lenovo.

Magnets are the invisible protagonist of the device: all components are riddled with magnetic elements. The secondary screen is anchored by magnet, the keyboard is the same, the foot to support the panel in parallel is magnetic… And its connector is the same, of course. This makes assembly and disassembly much easier. The parts aren’t always easy to attach, though: I had a hard time keeping the secondary panel upright with the magnetic “kickstand.”

Great as a concept. Something fragile in practice

I took one apart and put it back together several times. First with all the effort dedicated to the task, then trying to record the process with the mobile phone while using the other hand to tame the transformer. The pieces seemed solid enough to me.although it is difficult to know where to go to unpin them.

Although Lenovo assured me that it was a proof of concept, I saw the ThinkBook Modular AI PC as sufficiently fine-tuned. I noticed a certain fragility, such as the unstable support of the secondary panel, that said panel could not be adjusted in brightness (it had not yet been foreseen) or that the lower fan rubbed against the case when gripping the laptop at that point (happened to me a couple of times). Logical drawbacks for a device in development.

That Lenovo innovates in a segment where almost everything has already been invented seems like an excellent idea to me. Especially since dividing the laptop by modules adds expansion, updating and repairability possibilities. Also fragility, of course.

It is not yet known if it will be released on the market, but surely all the accumulated experience ends up in the rest of the family. As a concept, I thought it was outstanding.

Images | Ivan Linares

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