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Like smartphones, folding PCs are struggling to find their audience. Four years after its first folding ThinkPad, Lenovo is trying its luck again with a new larger model, equipped with a 16'' panel (compared to 13'' for the 2020 model).
If we are to believe Lenovo's presentation, this format allows you to take advantage of a giant panel while retaining, once folded, the compactness of a tablet. A promise that we find on the folding smartphone market but which struggles to convince.
Is this very particular format adapted to a laptop PC more convincing ? To find out, we used Lenovo's latest ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 for almost a month.
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The ThinkPadIt comes with its 65 W charger, a Lenovo Precision Pen stylus as well as the keyboard case with trackpad.
More good news, Lenovo does not charge an arm and a leg for options (after spending a kidney, there wouldn't be much left). So additional storage costs only 10 euros (512 GB) or 40 euros (1 TB). Switching to an i7 processor costs 260 euros for the 1250U and 400 euros for the 1260U vPro.
The most muscular configuration is therefore offered at 5 689 euros.
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In its standard version, the ThinkPad -core)/3.30GHz (E-core) max. It comes with a 10th generation Iris graphics chip, 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB of PCIe 4.0 storage memory (512 GB on our test version).
For connectivity, we can count on WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. The connectivity is quite limited: two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C up to 40 Gb/s) and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gb/s ).
The main attraction of this model is obviously its screen. Lenovo opts for a 16.3” 60 Hz OLED panel covering 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The brightness is close to 500 nits. Folded, the X1 Fold 16 becomes a 12’’ portable PC.
This format also forces Lenovo to opt for two 64 Whr batteries placed under each part of the chassis. This provision allows the manufacturer to double the autonomy of its machine compared to the first generation. On several occasions, we were able to take the ThinkPad >
Lenovo provides a 65W charger in the box. Allow approximately 2 hours for a full charge.
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The whole point of the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16'' obviously lies in its folding format. With a simple gesture, you go from a 12'' ultraportable, practical for mobility, to a giant 16'' screen, perfect for creatives, watching videos or gaming.
If the panel of the first versions suffered from some crippling defects (fold too visible, display quality to be reviewed, screen folded too small), this new generation turns out to be very successful .
Thanks to a revised and corrected hinge, the fold becomes almost invisible. Like the latest generation smartphones, you have to look hard to find it (in direct sunlight with great contortion efforts).
Lenovo has also opted for a much more convincing panel than on its first generation model. Thanks to the use of OLED technology, its blacks are infinite and its colors more vibrant. The icing on the pixel is that the screen is also much brighter.
The only notable disappointment: despite good image definition (2560 x 2024 pixels), the refresh rate limited to 60 Hz does not meet the needs of gamers or certain creatives. An unacceptable defect for a machine sold at this price.
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This is the question we had to answer most frequently during our few weeks of testing. Although at first glance the folding screen on a PC may seem like a gadget, it actually turns out to be much more useful than on a smartphone.
This format does three things: improve productivity, facilitate content creation, provide a comfortable entertainment and gaming experience in a compact machine.
Productivity and creation
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As the ThinkPad range is primarily aimed at professionals, Lenovo has focused the design of the X1 Fold on productivity needs. By enlarging the slab, the manufacturer provides greater comfort in all scenarios. Unfolded, the X1 Fold 16 displays a beautiful diagonal of 16.3” which can be oriented in landscape or portrait format.
The first layout doesn't change much if you're used to large laptops. With one exception: the machine can be folded up to store it in its bag. If the weight remains substantial (2 kg with the keyboard and the support), the reduced size proves more practical in mobility.
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In portrait mode, the experience is much more surprising.Reading articles, consulting social networks or even using messaging services take on a whole new dimension. As a bonus, you can connect the X1 Fold to an external monitor: the laptop PC then takes the form of a vertically oriented monitor, ideal for example for following chat messages when broadcasting a stream.
The touchscreen combined with the included stylus opens up the ThinkPad to creatives. Drawing, taking notes, editing or retouching photos then become much more intuitive. Confusing at first, using a 16” touchscreen tablet quickly provides unrivaled comfort. For example, we felt an undisguised pleasure during our photo editing sessions.
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Folded, simply place the keyboard case on the lower part of the ThinkPad X1 Fold screen for it to transform into a “classic” laptop PC. The diagonal of the screen then increases to 12'' which is quite sufficient when traveling (on the train for example) for office work. For comparison, the first X1 Fold launched in 2020 had a diagonal of 13”… unfolded.
This versatility makes the possibilities of use unlimited. The ThinkPad X1 Fold can go from ultracompact laptop to vertical monitor to giant tablet. This versatility is made possible by folding screen technology. A rather attractive vision of the future.
Entertainment and gaming
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If the ThinkPad range is primarily aimed at users looking for productivity, the X1 Fold, due to its format, also offers a great entertainment experience.< /strong>
The 16” OLED panel allows you to watch films and series with remarkable image quality. However, we regret that Lenovo is ignoring premium display and sound standards like Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos. Combined with the excellent audio quality of the machine, these optimizations would have provided a welcome little extra. Especially on a PC sold, we remind you, for more than 5,000 euros.
Another frustration: the gaming experience turns out to be very limited, due to the refresh rate of only 60 Hz. The basic configuration is also a bit tight for running the latest AAA games with graphics settings pushed to the maximum. We understand the professional positioning of the ThinkPad range, but we would have liked additional effort given the price of the beast.
Finally, let us point out that the 4:3 ratio is not suitable for multimedia uses. In video or in game, two large black bands frame the image. Nothing prohibitive but not optimal either.
By enlarging the screen of its X1 Fold, Lenovo finally manages to give interest to the folding laptop PC. If the design of the machine does not change much (still matte black with the logo and the red ThinkPad wheel), the revised and corrected technical sheet (notably the 16.3'' OLED screen and the two batteries) raise the profile. X1 Fold among the most interesting laptops to use on a daily basis.
However, diving into the future of computing comes at a price. 5,000 euros in its basic version is the exorbitant price of the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16. We could have accepted such a positioning (whatever), if Lenovo marketed an impeccable machine. This is unfortunately not the case: the limited performance and refresh rate of the screen dampen our enthusiasm.
Yes, the X1 Fold 16 is a magnificent work and entertainment machine. Yes, it’s getting a little closer to the laptop of the future. But it still suffers from too many small flaws to agree to pay a stratospheric sum.
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