Introduction to the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6
When Lenovo unveiled the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable Laptop at CES 2025, I’ll admit—I raised an eyebrow. Sure, the idea of a vertically expanding screen sounds futuristic, but does anyone genuinely need more vertical space on a laptop?
Lenovo clearly aimed to impress, and the specs are indeed impressive: an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor, Intel Arc Xe2 graphics, up to 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The rollable OLED screen is undoubtedly eye-catching, expanding vertically from 14 inches to 16.7 inches with ease.
The Good: Innovation and High-End Specs
There’s no denying Lenovo pushed boundaries here. The rollable OLED screen itself is vibrant and beautiful, capable of delivering crisp visuals at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, performance won’t be an issue—the hardware specs are powerful enough for heavy multitasking, professional creative work, and even gaming.
The flexibility to expand the display vertically could potentially benefit specific tasks like coding, writing lengthy documents, or browsing long web pages.
The Bad: Impracticality and Potential Issues
Despite these positives, from my personal experience, productivity thrives when screens expand horizontally, not vertically. If you’re anything like me, you juggle multiple windows simultaneously—emails, browsers, documents, and video calls. Horizontal space is critical. Realistically, most professionals enhance their efficiency with side-by-side monitors, not vertical ones.
Another genuine concern is durability. Lenovo claims the rollable mechanism withstands tens of thousands of extensions, but any moving part in technology risks eventual failure, leading to potential repair headaches and costs. Additionally, the laptop is somewhat bulky and heavy (nearly four pounds), making portability a concern.
Software compatibility also raises red flags. Windows 11 isn’t optimized for rollable displays, forcing Lenovo to create custom solutions that could introduce unwanted bugs and a less-than-ideal user experience.
Price-wise, at approximately $3,499, the value proposition is questionable. At this cost, users could invest in a powerful traditional laptop alongside multiple external monitors, significantly enhancing productivity in ways the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 might struggle to match.
What This Means for Future Laptops
Lenovo’s bold approach could influence future laptop designs, encouraging other manufacturers to experiment. While the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 itself might not capture the mass market, its innovation challenges competitors to rethink laptop form factors. Perhaps we’ll see future hybrid designs that blend horizontal expansion and portability, genuinely enhancing productivity without sacrificing practicality.
Final Thoughts
I appreciate Lenovo’s ambition, but innovation must align with genuine user needs. For now, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 feels more like an impressive novelty rather than a practical leap forward. Until manufacturers align innovation with real-world productivity demands, I’ll stick with my trusted multi-monitor setup.
However, if you’re someone who loves having the latest technology and you’re still intrigued by this innovative laptop, keep an eye on Lenovo’s official website for its upcoming release in June. Always make sure to purchase from reputable sources to guarantee authenticity and proper warranty coverage.