At CES 2026, Lenovo is pushing the boundaries of laptop form factors beyond the traditional clamshell. Following last year's commercial release of the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the company is now showcasing two new, more advanced prototype devices that explore the potential of rollable displays for distinct user bases. These concepts, while not yet slated for commercial release, signal Lenovo's serious commitment to reimagining the portable computing experience through flexible screen technology.
The ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept: A Dual-Screen Productivity Machine
Designed with the business professional in mind, the ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept introduces a novel dual-display approach. The primary user-facing screen is a rollable OLED panel that can expand from a compact 13.3-inch size to a more spacious 15.9-inch workspace, ideal for multitasking on the go. The unique twist is a secondary, world-facing display on the laptop's lid, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. This smaller screen is designed for glanceable information and widgets, even when the laptop is closed, and facilitates new forms of collaboration. Lenovo has integrated several AI-powered features to enhance productivity, including live translation, voice assistance, and intuitive interactions like knocking on the closed lid to slightly extend the display for easier opening.
Concept Device Comparison
| Feature | ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept | Legion Pro Rollable Concept |
|---|---|---|
| Target User | Business / Productivity | Esports / High-End Gaming |
| Display Expansion | Vertical (13.3" to 15.9") | Horizontal (16" to 24") |
| Key Feature | Secondary world-facing lid display | Multiple screen modes (Focus, Tactical, Arena) |
| AI Features | Live translation, voice assistant, lid-closed interactions | Scene detection, cursor tracking, adaptive lighting |
| Base Hardware | Not specified (concept) | Based on Legion Pro 7i (Intel Core Ultra, NVIDIA RTX 5090) |
| Status | Prototype | Prototype |
The Legion Pro Rollable Concept: An Expansive Arena for Gamers
Catering to the high-performance demands of esports athletes and serious gamers, the Legion Pro Rollable Concept takes a different approach. This prototype is based on the powerful Legion Pro 7i chassis and features a horizontally expanding PureSight OLED gaming display. It offers three distinct modes: a 16-inch Focus Mode for portability, a 21.5-inch Tactical Mode for a balanced view, and a massive 24-inch Arena Mode that transforms the device into a desktop-like immersive experience. Under the hood, it is expected to be equipped with top-tier Intel Core Ultra processors and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Lenovo also highlights AI-driven gaming tools for this concept, such as scene detection and adaptive lighting, aimed at providing a competitive edge.
Engineering the Roll: The Dual-Motor Mechanism
A critical aspect of both concepts is the reliable and smooth operation of the rollable display. Lenovo employs a dual-motor system specifically engineered to minimize vibration and noise during the extension and retraction process. This focus on mechanical refinement is crucial for user experience, though long-term durability for such innovative mechanisms remains a question that only real-world use can answer. The transparent section on the ThinkPad concept's lid offers a fascinating glimpse into this intricate engineering at work.
The Road from Concept to Commercial Reality
It is important to note that both devices showcased at CES 2026 are strictly prototypes. Lenovo has not announced pricing, availability, or final specifications for a consumer release. However, the company has a track record of developing its concepts into commercial products, as seen with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6. These new rollable concepts demonstrate a clear vision for the future of laptops, where screen size is no longer a fixed constraint but a flexible feature that adapts to the task at hand, whether it's drafting a report or commanding a virtual battlefield.