Lenovo Wireless Charging Mat for E-Ink Laptop | Tech News

Lenovo continues to present innovative designs within established product types at this year’s CES event. Following last week’s unveiling of a pivoting all-in-one computer and augmented reality eyewear, the company today (the official opening day of the show) reveals an updated version of last year’s dual-screen ThinkBook Plus.

Similar to the initial model, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 2 i features an e-ink display integrated into the laptop’s lid. Lenovo has been exploring the application of this technology across various device designs, and this implementation proves particularly practical – functioning as a convenient hub for quick notifications. It could also serve as a digital reader for those who desire.

As with many Lenovo products, this iteration is arguably more intriguing than fundamentally practical. However, the company deserves recognition for its willingness to explore novel concepts. This latest version boasts a considerably expanded screen size, now comparable to the primary display. It now has a 12-inch dimension and a resolution of 2560 x 1600 (identical to the main screen). The screen’s refresh rate has been improved, enabling the operation of certain applications directly on the lid without needing to open the laptop.

The laptop also includes an integrated stylus designed for use with the touchscreen. Additionally, Lenovo introduces the new ThinkBook Charging Mat, utilizing Energysquare’s Power by Contact technology for wireless power transfer. The battery provides up to 15 hours of operation on a single charge, or 24 hours when exclusively using the e-ink screen. It is likely that recharging the battery solely with the charging pad will be a relatively lengthy process.

Dell previously showcased its own version of this type of device at CES 2017. However, the technology has not achieved widespread adoption in the years since.

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 2 i will be available this quarter, with a starting price of $1,549. Pricing information for the charging mat accessory has not yet been announced.