The Lenovo ThinkBook Twist is a convertible laptop that can also be used as a tablet. But what sets it apart from most convertibles is that this model has two displays.
One is a 13.3 inch, 2.8K OLED full-color display with a 60 Hz refresh rate, while the other is a 12 inch E Ink color display with a 12 Hz refresh rate. And thanks to a swivel-style hinge, you can use either display in laptop or tablet mode. Lenovo says the ThinkBook Plus Twist will be available in June for $1649 and up.
While that’s not an insignificant amount of money, the ThinkBook Plus Twist has the guts of a decent laptop and a design that’s unlike anything else on the market.
It supports up to an Intel Core i7 Raptor Lake-U processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of PCie Gen 4 solid state storage. The notebook measures 297 x 219 x 17.7mm (11.7″ x 8.6″ x 0.7″). It has a unibody metal chassis and weighs 1.35kg (2.97 pounds).
The notebook has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, a 56 Wh battery, an FHD camera, dual microphones, a backlit keyboard, and support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
But it’s the dual displays that really make this laptop unusual. The OLED display supports up to 400 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The E Ink display is described as a “colorful E Ink” screen “with 100% touch,” a front-light, and 12Hz refresh rate.
While it’s not clear which color E ink technology Lenovo is using, the point is that the notebook offers users the opportunity to switch between a full-color OLED display with a refresh rate appropriate for full-motion video and graphics and a low-power, high-contrast display paper-like display that’s easily visible in direct sunlight and could be a better fit for extended reading and writing sessions.
Both screens support capacitive touch input and both work with a Lenovo active pen for pressure-sensitive input. Lenovo says that while the pen is battery powered, it offers up to 18 months of battery life.
The ThinkBook Twist is the latest in a line of unusual dual-screen laptops Lenovo has sold under the ThinkBook Plus line:
- The 2020 ThinkBook Plus is a 13.3 inch laptop with a 10.8 inch E Ink display on the lid.
- In 2021 Lenovo launched a new model with with a bigger cover screen.
- Lenovo’s 2022 model adopted a new approach, with a second screen in the input area.
This year’s model is the first with a swivel-style hinge that lets you use either display in laptop or tablet mode, potentially making this a 2-in-1 device that could actually replace two devices that are usually in completely separate categories: a notebook computer and an E Ink tablet for reading and writing.
I know there’s also been a small but vocal group of folks who have been asking for E Ink laptops for years. Now they may finally be able to buy one… assuming they’re willing to foot the bill for a premium dual-screen notebook.
I really like the dual screens on my TicWatch Pro 3 – it has a basic low-power LCD that updates once a second (like you’d get in a $5 digital watch), and a nice high-resolution, 60 FPS, full color OLED. The LCD is essentially always on, except when I’m interacting with the watch – then it automatically switches over to the OLED.
My first Android Wear watch only had an OLED screen, and it started showing signs of burn-in after a year or so. With this setup I don’t think burn-in will ever be an issue.
Admittedly a laptop/tablet is a bit different, but I could see this combination working really well if the software is smart about it, and even manual switching might be acceptable. In fact, this might be the only way I’d ever consider an OLED laptop.
Interesting idea, but I just can’t get behind a dual screen device where you can only use one screen at a time…
I’d prefer to have a separate screen than two back to back.
I’ve literally been citing the thinkpad twist hinge (or alternatively the same era dell xps 12 ferris wheel hinge) as the basis for a good dual screen eink laptop for years. The starting pricetag is devastating, I’d have to scrimp for a very long time to afford half that, but this is my new target. Maybe someday I can get something used or clearance. Or maybe lenovo eventually offers an lcd downgrade?
C’mon lenovo, give us a Thinkbook Minus Twist!
As someone who carries a laptop and a ReMarkable tablet this is one of those devices I didn’t know I wanted until I saw it and would happily play with in store or buy when it went on sale. But I probably wouldn’t fall in love with it until the design has been iterated on a few times as I’m just not generally a big fan of flip laptops as they can be cumbersome and unwieldy. Now were this closer to the Surface Book, where the screen was detachable, I’d be beating down the door for Lenovo to take my money. Still very excited to see “different” designs like these finally come to fruition.
Wow – I have been waiting for something like this to use for software development for years. Can’t believe it’s coming soon.