Lenovo’s latest concept isn’t foldable, rollable, or dual-screened, but it’s just as bold. The ThinkBook VertiFlex prototype, unveiled at IFA 2025 in Berlin, features a display that swivels from landscape to portrait mode with a simple twist. No bendable OLED panels, no flashy gimmicks, just a clever hinge and a new way to rethink your laptop’s shape.
VertiFlex reimagines the traditional clamshell
The VertiFlex doesn’t hide its ambition. At first glance, it looks like any other 14-inch clamshell laptop, measuring 0.7 inches thick and weighing 3.06 pounds. But its real trick lies in the hinge of the two of them, actually.
The main pivot sits at the center of the screen and enables a smooth counterclockwise rotation. Another hidden hinge lifts the screen slightly during rotation, preventing it from scraping against the chassis. When fully rotated, the screen seamlessly switches to portrait orientation. The result: a laptop that shifts shape without needing exotic display tech.
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Lenovo’s vision: multitasking, coding, and document work
Lenovo isn’t pitching this as a fun party trick. The company sees practical use cases for the rotating display, including:
- Split-screen multitasking
- Easier document review
- Displaying vertical code layouts
- Mirroring a smartphone via Motorola’s Software Connect (a Motorola smartphone required)
There’s also a soft, felt-covered panel beneath the display, an odd design choice that Lenovo suggests could double as a phone rest. Some might find the texture jarring, but it gives the device a tactile edge you don’t usually find on laptops.
This isn’t Lenovo’s first wild idea
The VertiFlex continues a long streak of experimental form factors from Lenovo. In recent years, we’ve seen:
- A laptop with a rollable display
- Dual 14-inch screen setups
- Outward-folding panels
- Bendable OLED designs
Unlike some of those, the VertiFlex skips OLED altogether, opting for durability and simplicity. That also means no creases, no motorized moving parts, and fewer glare issues.
Will VertiFlex become a real product?
Right now, VertiFlex is just a prototype. Lenovo hasn’t confirmed specs or a release timeline. But considering past concepts like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable eventually made it to market, there’s reason to keep an eye on this one.
For now, it’s a reminder that clever engineering can still surprise, no folds required.
