MWC: Lenovo Shows Transparent Concept Laptop, New Repairable ThinkPads

Lenovo has exhibited the world’s first laptop with a transparent screen at the ongoing MWC 2024 trade show in Barcelona; the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept. Much like the transparent TV panels that Samsung and LG have shown off at CES for the past two years, LG’s implementation is only a prototype, and the company has no plans at this time to commercialise it. The device has a 17.3-inch micro-LED panel that is entirely see-through and has extremely narrow borders. The display is meant to look like it is floating, and as the company says, in the future, content on screen can potentially be made to blend in with your surroundings.

Combined with AI-generated content, Lenovo imagines future devices that can overlay information over objects that are seen through the transparent display glass. This will allow users to interact with physical objects and spaces in new ways. An outward-facing camera on the rear could allow for even greater possibilities such as object recognition. 

The micro-LED display is said to be capable of up to 1000 nits brightness and should be legible even outdoors under sunlight. The resolution is currently full-HD. The concept on display at MWC is completely transparent and content can be seen through the rear of the panel, though the company says it is working on privacy features such as adjustable transmittance. 

Content on screen can be seen through the rear of the concept laptop's lid

The lower half of the concept laptop has a LCD panel instead of a physical keyboard and trackpad. Users can tap on a virtual keyboard or switch to pen input. There’s no word yet on whether or how Lenovo plans to commercialise any part of this concept, but the company says it intends to explore how physical and digital environments can be blended, and how AI can be applied to transform user experiences.

As for real-world products Lenovo also unveiled a slate of new business laptop models, of course with AI features thanks to Intel’s new Core Ultra and AMD’s Ryzen 8040 series processors. A new Lenovo View app leverages the CPU’s onboard AI capabilities to enhance webcam quality, including low-light video. 

Lenovo ThinkPad T14i Gen 5 (left); ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2 (right)

The ThinkPad T14i Gen 5, ThinkPad T14s Gen 5, and ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 feature a new lip at the top of the lid which houses a 5-megapixel webcam and noise-cancelling microphone array, plus tactile markings for vision-impaired users. Improved repairability means that customers can now replace their own batteries and Wi-Fi modules, and the RAM and SSD are easily replaceable. Visual indicators have been incorporated in the laptops’ bodies, and Lenovo will publish text and video repair guides. The company says this will improve longevity and reduce e-waste.

Another noteworthy change is the addition of a Copilot keyboard key that will trigger the Windows 11 AI assistant. Lenovo has also finally put the left Ctrl key in the corner, swapping it with the Fn key, which has been a longstanding ThinkPad design feature. 

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2 has a 3:2 screen with Corning Gorilla Glass, an Intel Core Ultra U-series processor, and up to 32GB of (non-upgradeable) RAM. The detachable keyboard is backlit and has a three-button trackpad as well as TrackPoint. A slim magnetic stylus allows for flexible input. AI is leveraged to improve audio and video calls.  

Lenovo has also announced a new mainstream ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4, with a 14-inch 16:10 display, Intel Core Ultra CPU, up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of PCIe storage, and plenty of ports. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 Mobile Monitor has a 14-inch 2240x1400-pixel touchscreen and weighs just 700g for easy portability. Finally, the Lenovo USB-C Slim Travel Dock has eight ports letting users drive a 4K display, charge a connected laptop at up to 65W, and connect multiple USB peripherals.