Tik Tech: We tested the world's first foldable computer -

20 Minutes

  • Lenovo takes the fold.

    After folding smartphones from Samsung, Huawei or Motorola, the manufacturer is launching the world's first foldable computer.

  • The ThinkPad X1 Fold amazes with its flexible OLED screen that folds and unfolds at will and shakes up our practices in productivity and entertainment.

  • Behind this technological showcase, the PC unfortunately remains of average quality and suffers from a price, starting at 2809 euros, which remains prohibitive for the moment.

It has not been a fold: after foldable smartphones, such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2, or Huawei's Mate Xs, it's IT's turn to venture into the field of flexible screens.

With its ThinkPad X1 Fold, Lenovo thus unveils the very first foldable computer in the world.

Impressive with its 13.3 '' / 34cm OLED display, the device is said to be full of promise.

A screen that causes the “wow!

"

It is first and foremost a PC.

But alas, an ordinary PC.

Running on Windows 10, the ThinkPad X1 Fold offers a configuration based on the new generation Core i5 processor, the i5-L16G7 which integrates its own RAM.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold and its 13.3-inch foldable OLED display.

- LENOVO

It has a memory of 256 or 512 GB SSD with 8 GB of Ram memory.

Its connection remains limited (2 USB-C sockets) and its battery is not very efficient.

Its autonomy announced at 8.5 hours did not keep its promises during our tests.

After 6 hours of heavy use, the computer needed recharging.

The machine's QXGA OLED touchscreen (2048 x 1536 pixels) is probably the cause.

Energy-hungry, it undoubtedly weighs down the autonomy of the X1.

But that doesn't call into question the very interesting concept of the product.

Under its black leather cover, it opens like a book.

“Wow!

»Instant when the screen turns on and reveals its entire surface.

The same image can completely cover it, but it is also possible to separate the screen into two parts that can be displayed, one on the lower part, the other on the upper part.

Vertically, as well as horizontally.

For example, it is possible to display your Facebook account and your mailbox;

a Zoom meeting and a document we're working on, etc.

An optional stylus can be paired with the ThinkPad X1 Fold.

- LENOVO

A virtual keyboard can be called up at any time and occupy a good half of the lower part of the screen.

Lenovo offers an optional physical Bluetooth keyboard (and stylus) that is much more practical.

You just have to put it at the bottom of the screen on which it becomes magnetized for it to be detected and incidentally recharged.

From then on, the computer regains a more conventional appearance and more classic uses.

Bluffing when unfolded

But it is obviously completely unfolded that the ThinkPad X1 Fold is the most impressive.

Transforming into a giant tablet in a flash, you can hardly distinguish the small central fold when fully open.

Cleverly, Lenovo even planned that part of the leather cover turns into a kickstand to keep the machine vertically in front of us, horizontally.

Suddenly, you can enjoy the services of a real small OLED screen TV at home or on the go.

Too bad the speakers are so badly placed for this purpose: they end up above and… below the screen.

Sound is also one of the X1 Fold's shortcomings: some smartphones do better than it in this area!

No mini-jack, a Bluetooth headset is necessary so as not to inconvenience those around you when you are in the

middle

of

binge watching

.

As an option, a physical keyboard to be magnetized on the lower part of the screen offers a more traditional configuration.

- LENOVO

The most impressive is to scroll web pages from bottom to top, the X1 Fold is thus very practical for reading, even if it is a little heavy at arm's length: 1 kilo.

Note here that a software function allows, thanks to the on-board camera, to automatically blur the computer screen as soon as its owner looks away or leaves.

Purpose: to prevent anyone from looking at open files on the screen.

Still thanks to the camera, Lenovo even provided an alert system in case someone read over the user's shoulder ...

The field of possibilities

Surprising in more than one way, this PC has many finery to transform our uses and open the field of possibilities.

In productivity with its various possibilities in multitasking, on the one hand.

In pure entertainment, on the other hand.

This is a universe where the X1 Fold seems to want to inaugurate a new type of product, between smartphone, tablet and computer.

But this PC which wants to innovate also has the defects of its qualities.

The entire screen area of ​​the ThinkPad X1 Fold can be used.

- LENOVO

Undoubtedly too young, not powerful enough or enduring enough, with ergonomics that can sometimes seem to be reviewed, the device remains for the moment a magnificent technical tour de force, but also a showcase for Lenovo which allows its name to be associated with the word. "Innovation".

For the consumer, the expensive price of the X1 Fold (from 2,809 euros, plus 200 euros for the physical keyboard) will obviously remain prohibitive.

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  • Windows 10

  • 20 minutes video

  • Lenovo

  • Tik Tech

  • High Tech

  • Foldable smartphone

  • Laptop

  • Computer