The price is worth a couple inches - Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is introduced in unboxing form, highlighting its unique selling point: a rollable display that adds an extra 2.7 inches of screen real estate. The host notes the box contents briefly, mentions the 65 W charger and a short USB-C cable, and then moves to the external IO on the left side including a headphone jack and two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. Initial impressions focus on the build, weight, and the unusual hinge mechanism that allows the display to extend, accompanied by audible cues from the flexible OLED panel and thoughts about potential wear and creases in the rolling display. The device ships with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, with the RAM soldered and upgradeability limited, setting expectations for upgradability. The review then turns to the display, noting a 120 Hz refresh rate, brightness around 400 nits, and a 2000x1600 resolution in the closed state, expanding to 2000x2350 when extended, which is framed as a potential game changer for on-the-go productivity. The host boot tests the machine, comments on the display quality and crease visibility, and compares the extended mode to having two stacked monitors, teasing the potential for multitasking and improved video calls by placing an active window on the top portion and calls on the bottom. A practical evaluation covers keyboard feel, trackpad quality, and speaker performance, with speakers earning a positive note while the trackpad receives a reservation. The narrative then shifts to software and usability, including an extended discussion about ThinkBook Workplace gestures, miscommunications in the setup process, and the device’s portrait vs landscape orientation behavior during usage. The review moves into real-world testing: gaming at 1080p averages around 120 FPS, which is framed as acceptable for lighter games but not a strong gaming machine, and HDR performance is acknowledged as needing tweaks for optimal results. Battery life testing with 1080p video shows surprisingly minimal difference between extended and non-extended modes for typical office tasks, reinforcing the device’s appeal for productivity, though gaming remains strenuous on power and thermals. A teardown reveals the internal architecture, including a history-making ribbon cable that snakes under the mainboard to drive the rollable display, with the host marveling at the engineering and its implications for the device’s durability and future maintenance. In closing, the presenter weighs the 3300 USD price against the novelty and productivity promise, arguing that a small tranche of users will pay for the extra real estate, while acknowledging that the market for such a gimmick exists but is niche, and suggesting alternative options like the Framework 16 for upgradeability. The video ends with a call to share opinions on whether the 2.7 inch extension justifies the cost and a nod to other tech alternatives for form factor innovation.

Topics · technology · hardware · laptops · product_review