In a world of shiny clamshells and gaudy convertibles, laptop releases can feel repetitive. Some of the most successful, well-known designs don’t always undergo massive revisions overnight. Stick to the latest CPUs or GPUs, maybe claim a slightly cooler build and call it a day (or year). After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
The problem with that is, well, it gets boring. And for technology enthusiasts interested in developments that could change the way we work, play, repair and upgrade, it’s imperative that PC manufacturers be prepared to take risks.
The laptops below have all tried something more adventurous than component upgrades in 2022. We’ll break down the groundbreaking designs, ideas and capabilities these systems are trying to offer – and whether or not the risks they took have paid off.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
Buyers of premium laptops are increasingly looking for screens with higher aspect ratios. But Lenovo went the other way with its ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, a clamshell with a 17.3-inch, 21:10 primary display. Lenovo went even further and didn’t waste the extra-long deck that the screen creates – 16.3 inches long. Instead, Lenovo placed a secondary 800 x 1280 LCD screen next to the keyboard to create a laptop it claims is uniquely designed for multitasking.
We haven’t seen an ultra-wide laptop since 2017’s Acer Predator 21 X curved-screen gaming PC. Acer’s laptop aimed at increasing gamers’ immersion by making games seem more all around them than a flat-screen laptop . However, the ThinkBook 2022, with its stretched screen, targets workers obsessed with multitasking.
For example, the smaller screen of the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 allows users to view thumbnails while working in Photoshop, use a calculator, and take notes. It’s reminiscent of the ScreenPads Asus has been using for some time in its touchpads and north of some laptops’ keyboards, but less sophisticated.
Has it paid off?
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a fascinating exploration of the clamshell design that brought variety to laptop choice in 2022. Lenovo didn’t expect everyone to want this laptop or unleash a wave of ultra-wide laptops that would take over 16:9 and 16:10 rivals. Since Gen 1, Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus laptops have been about offering PCs with groundbreaking features and over-the-top features that most could do without.
But for the right user, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 offers a convenient way to work and organize multiple windows. It also challenges other companies to create designs that are not only eye-catching, but focused on distinctive value.
We’d like to see Lenovo play around with the ultrawide PC’s ergonomics. Because it’s so long it can be hard to balance on a round. We haven’t tried the machine, but are concerned about our right hand accidentally brushing against the deck’s screen while typing or using the touchpad. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is also not a left-handed design.
But Lenovo has revived the idea of ultra-wide laptops while also giving users a new multi-screen option, giving more choice when it comes to balancing tasks.
