Lenovo’s Wild Ride at Mobile World Congress 2025: Concepts and (Maybe) Reality
The standard laptop design, a screen hinged to a keyboard, has remained remarkably consistent for decades. A few daring experiments aside, the core formula has stubbornly persisted. Lenovo, however, seems determined to shake things up, showcasing a series of unconventional laptop concepts at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona. While many of these designs may never see the light of day on retail shelves, they offer a glimpse into Lenovo’s vision for the future of mobile computing.
Among the most eye-catching concepts was the ThinkBook "Codename Flip." It’s a curious blend of a folding phone and a laptop. The device boasts a super-tall, 18.1-inch OLED touchscreen display. This expansive screen is essentially two screens stacked vertically, joined by a hinge in the middle that allows it to fold backwards. This design allows the top half of the display to function as a "rear" screen, enabling easy content sharing with others without the need for a secondary monitor. The rest of the laptop maintains a fairly conventional layout. However, a closer look reveals a kickstand that deploys on the rear to provide extra stability when the laptop is used in its tall, vertical orientation. Lenovo has also integrated haptic buttons with light-up indicators into the touchpad, a design element previously seen in some Asus and Dell laptops.
Despite the innovative design, there’s no guarantee that Codename Flip will ever be available for purchase. The vulnerable folding screen, exposed when the laptop is closed, presents a significant durability concern.
For those seeking extra screen real estate in a horizontal configuration, Lenovo presented the Magic Bay Dual Display Concept. This add-on for the existing ThinkBook 16P provides two additional 13-inch screens that deploy to the left and right, attached via hinges. The device connects through Lenovo’s proprietary Magic Bay expansion port. While the presentation is slick, the concept itself isn’t entirely novel. Similar designs have been available on platforms like Amazon for quite some time. Again, this remains purely a concept, its future uncertain.
Beyond the folding and expanding screens, Lenovo displayed less outlandish variations on the extra-screen theme. The Tiko and Tiko Pro feature a small, circular screen or a stretched-out horizontal screen, respectively, positioned on the top of the laptop. Lenovo envisions these screens as dedicated spaces for AI-powered features. A promotional image showcasing a live transcription of a meeting hints at the potential utility of these additional displays. However, the capabilities demonstrated in these concepts can already be achieved with regular applications running on the main laptop screen.
Lenovo also showcased a glasses-free 3D laptop display. Disappointingly, this too was presented as a concept, especially given that similar devices already exist, albeit in limited quantities, on the market.
Amidst the sea of concepts, Lenovo did offer a glimpse of real, non-concept designs that consumers might actually be able to buy. The majority of Lenovo’s offerings at MWC 2025 consisted of updated versions of existing ThinkPad and ThinkBook laptops. These refreshed models feature new processors and subtly redesigned chassis, slated for release later in the year.
The standout exception was the ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1. This marks the first time a convertible design has been incorporated into Lenovo’s highly regarded ThinkPad workhorse line. Powered by an Intel Core 200H/U series platform, the 2-in-1 features a 14-inch 1920×1200 LCD screen, up to 64GB of soldered RAM, and up to a terabyte of PCIe Gen5 storage.
The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 boasts a chassis constructed from a combination of magnesium and aluminum parts. In terms of connectivity, it includes two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and an optional SIM card slot for cellular connectivity. Other features include an IR camera, a physical privacy shutter, and a fingerprint reader. This impressive array of connectivity options will be particularly appealing to business travelers. However, they might find the 3.08-pound weight and 19.21mm thickness somewhat less desirable, especially considering the middle-of-the-road 58 watt-hour battery.
The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 is expected to be available starting in June, priced at €1,649 before VAT. This translates to approximately $1,730 USD, though the final US price may vary due to ongoing trade tensions.
MWC 2025 provided a fascinating look into Lenovo’s innovation pipeline. While many of the concepts presented might never materialize into actual products, they demonstrate the company’s willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of laptop design. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1, on the other hand, offers a tangible glimpse of the near future, combining the versatility of a convertible design with the reliability and features expected from the ThinkPad brand. Whether Lenovo’s bold concepts will ultimately shape the future of laptops remains to be seen, but the company’s presence at MWC 2025 certainly sparked a conversation about the possibilities beyond the traditional screen-and-keyboard paradigm.
It is evident that Lenovo is not afraid to take risks and explore unconventional designs. While some of these experiments may prove impractical, they contribute to the ongoing evolution of laptop technology. The willingness to innovate and challenge the status quo is crucial for driving progress and ultimately delivering better products to consumers. Whether it’s folding screens, detachable displays, or AI-powered features, Lenovo’s concepts offer a glimpse into a future where laptops are more versatile, adaptable, and integrated into our lives than ever before. The next few years will be interesting as we watch which of these ideas take hold and transform the laptops we use every day.
