Back in May, Lenovo revealed what could be the future of laptops in the form of the foldable Thinkpad X1. The prototype device consisted of one large display that bends in the middle just like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, only it's the size of a laptop and uses a 13.3-inch 2K OLED screen. Lenovo has now confirmed you'll be able to buy one next year.
As AnandTech reports, Lenovo used the Canalys Channels Forum to explain that the foldable Thinkpad X1 is actually ready to ship from a hardware point of view. The hold-up is software, because app makers require more time to tweak their software to work well with a folding display and the different configurations it allows for.
As to when we can expect to purchase this unusual new X1, Gianfrano Lanci, COO of Lenovo, said, "It will start shipping probably Q2 next year ... Hardware is ready, but we need to still fix certain things from a software point of view and that does not depend 100% on us."
While you may expect the foldable laptop to compete with other high-end laptops, Lenovo doesn't agree and views the iPad Pro ($986.47 at Amazon) as its main competition. That makes sense when you consider both are all-screen devices, it's just that this X1 has the added ability to bend and become a laptop in form and function.
When PCMag got some hands-on time with the prototype back in May, it was clear Lenovo wants the device to replace or substitute your laptop, tablet, and possibly even your phone. Corporate road warriors look to be the main audience being targeted, and I suspect the price will reflect that. However, the biggest hurdle Lenovo will likely come up against is convincing people this isn't just a giant Galaxy Fold, which even after months of rework remains an alarmingly fragile device. Lenovo will also be keen to get this X1 on the market a few months ahead of Microsoft's Surface Neo, which is sure to have a big impact late next year.
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Foldable PC Prototype First Look
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