Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist takes convertible laptops to another level

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)

published 5 January 2023

No, you're not looking at two laptops in the picture above. Instead what you see is the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist, a whole new take on the idea of a convertible laptop – and one of the most interesting things I've played with at CES 2023, the largest technology show in the world.

The ThinkBook Plus Twist is a different take for a number of reasons: one, it's the first laptop to ever feature a colour E-Ink screen on one side of its lid; second, it's a dual-screen device, with an OLED panel living on the opposite side; third, and most apparent thanks to its name, is the twist-control hinge mechanism that can flip between those two panels with a quick horizontal twist.

I wouldn't typically write about business-focused laptops, as the majority of consumers out there simply aren't going to be able to get ahold of the ThinkBook Plus Twist – unless your company issues one to a whole bunch of employees. Even so, what's interesting about the Twist is how the idea of this technology could trickle down to other products, as it's such a different take compared to the usual 360-degree convertible laptop.

How does the ThinkBook Plus Twist work?

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Lenovo ThinkBook Twist at CES 2023 — (Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)

As you can see from my gallery of pictures above, in its typical form the ThinkBook Plus Twist looks like most other 13-inch laptops. At least it will if you're staring at the screen in laptop mode – as from the other side is that colour E-Ink display to be seen by anyone looking onward to your laptop.

The idea is the two different screen types offer a whole different way of working: E-Ink for low power consumption and a battery life that can last an age, versus twisting back around to the more traditional 2.8K-resolution OLED panel and continuing at a higher refresh rate.

Add the stylus pen and fold the Twist flat and that E-Ink panel can be a long-lasting tablet replacement to scrawl down notes. Ideal alternative if you're been thinking of using a Remarkable 2 or Onyx Book Note Air 2 Plus for your note-taking.

Mike is T3's Tech Editor. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and his beat covers phones – of which he's seen hundreds of handsets over the years – laptops, gaming, TV & audio, and more. There's little consumer tech he's not had a hand at trying, and with extensive commissioning and editing experience, he knows the industry inside out. As the former Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years where he furthered his knowledge and expertise, whilst writing about literally thousands of products, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more.