The Subsequent Era of Modular, Repairable Laptops Could Have Extra Than One Display screen

The most recent ThinkBook X1 Carbon, which Lenovo debuted with further fanfare again at CES 2026, boasts further repairability past every other laptop computer within the firm’s ultraportable repertoire. Nevertheless, that simply detachable keyboard and chassis had been constructed extra for the sake of educated technicians quite than the lowly laptop computer consumer who simply needs to swap out their USB-C port for HDMI. Lenovo’s newest ThinkPad idea goes a step additional. It guarantees an entire new degree of modularity that’s much more formidable than Framework’s current design. It’s solely held again by Lenovo’s want to hold on to too many proprietary elements.

This Modular AI Idea appears like an adaptation of so many rivals, equivalent to Framework and Asus. With the keyboard on, it resembles an everyday 14-inch ThinkBook laptop computer. The keyboard then comes off, revealing a platform the place you’ll be able to stick in a secondary display screen. It ought to remind you of the Asus Zenbook Duo with comparable dual-screen performance. The modularity doesn’t cease there. That display screen also can connect to the rear of the laptop computer lid. On this mode, customers can mirror their display screen to indicate any person on the surface what they’re engaged on.

That secondary display screen also can hang around as an exterior show due to an built-in kickstand. It’s not Bluetooth enabled, that means you’ll must plug it into one of many ThinkBook’s accessible USB-C ports. Taking a web page from Framework, two of the laptop computer’s 4 ports are detachable and swappable with—ostensibly—another number of port. If you already know you’ll be working with photographs, you can change it for an SD card slot.

It simply wants an additional contact of Framework

I used to be beginning to really feel the thrill constructing. Lastly, Lenovo was going full Framework and promising its business-class laptops may have the customizability we’ve longed for for thus lengthy. Then actuality set in. In contrast to the Framework 13, the ThinkBook idea makes use of a pin connection for its detachable ports. Framework, alternatively, depends on a USB-C system that permits extra customers to put in any variety of port connections. Which means the ThinkBook is much much less customizable for the DIYers who get pleasure from creating their very own modules for his or her laptops.

There’s loads to love in regards to the ThinkPad idea, besides maybe for the sturdiness. The pin part behind the monitor turned unglued as I eliminated it from the laptop computer. Lenovo fished me out a substitute so I may end testing it. Nonetheless, I’ll admit the thought behind this laptop computer is very attractive. The Zenbook Duo proved we are able to have a high-powered dual-screen laptop computer with sturdy battery life. Having one with much more modularity may make the ThinkPad design extra worthwhile past the usual enterprise laptop computer consumer. Lenovo simply must eschew the module’s pin connection and stick a giant purple TrackPoint “nipple” within the middle of the keyboard, and the ThinkPad Modular might be the one ultraportable laptop computer to rule all of them.

As with every proof of idea, you shouldn’t count on a finalized product. It’s Lenovo’s give attention to proprietary ports that dampens my enthusiasm. We must always all get pleasure from a extra modular, repairable design. We’d be higher off if Lenovo may belief its customers to do it themselves.

For those who don’t care about modularity, how a couple of 3D display screen?

As if Lenovo didn’t have already got sufficient idea gadgets in tow, it was additionally adamant I try its Yoga E-book Professional 3D idea. This machine is strictly what it appears like: an enormous, dual-screen laptop computer, with one display screen constructed for glasses-less 3D. Certain, it’s working on an Intel Core Extremely 7 processor (Lunar Lake, not Panther Lake, sadly) and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 cellular GPU, however what you actually care about are these twin screens.

Lenovo has proven me earlier monitor ideas and prototypes, like its ThinkVision 2D/3D monitor and an identical laptop computer with a 3D display screen. These gadgets make use of an connected webcam to trace customers’ eyes. Then, the display screen reveals a distinct picture to every eye, making a stereoscopic impact that leads to customers perceiving a 3D picture. Samsung has this know-how in its Odyssey 3D gaming monitor and upcoming 6K-resolution 3D redux. The Yoga E-book Professional 3D Idea is constructed extra for creators than avid gamers. It features a touchscreen on the underside that works with a stylus. Customers can manipulate a 3D mannequin in a graphics app, then see the way it seems in 3D on the highest display screen.

If 3D screens take off—regardless of my enthusiasm for them, that’s a giant ‘if’—then a lot of these gadgets might change into obligatory for creators and 3D modelers. The underside display screen additionally makes use of “pads” that react to the show, enabling a shade picker or a lighting adjuster. Imagine it or not, it’s that small function that’s the least helpful of this extremely odd laptop computer.