At the Mobile World Congress 2023, Lenovo unveiled a ThinkBook prototype with a floating, extendable screen. The demonstration drew attention from Portal, highlighting a bold step in portable computing.
The display moves on tiny motors and completes its transition in roughly ten seconds. When folded, the screen measures 12.7 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio, but it expands to 15.3 inches unfoldable, adopting an 8:9 shape. Lenovo states the hinge mechanism is built to endure between 20,000 and 30,000 folds, signaling a push toward practical longevity in a concept device.
The company argues that the floating panel could replace a separate monitor for many tasks, letting users view more information within a single chassis. A Verge correspondent visiting the Lenovo booth at MWC noted that a representative declined to disclose the laptop’s weight and did not allow the device to be removed for closer inspection. Battery life for the experimental unit also remained unspecified, leaving durability questions open for now.
There have been prior discussions about retractable screens in mobile devices. For instance, Motorola showcased the Rizr concept phone featuring a retractable display, a concept that echoed the same curiosity about flexible form factors and on-device productivity.