How do computer equipment manufacturers compete in ideas to produce a laptop that attracts attention and surprises with its solutions? Here is a review of the most intriguing devices that have hit the market.
In the rapidly developing world of technology, laptop manufacturers are constantly trying to attract the attention of consumers by introducing innovative and unique solutions. As the market becomes more and more competitive, companies reach for unconventional methods to make their products stand out in the market. A laptop that turns into a tablet no longer surprises anyone, but a dual screen or a built-in printer can make us stop for a moment and get interested in the offer. Below are a few laptop models that surprise with their unusual solutions.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist is one of the most interesting computer models in recent years to hit the market. This laptop has two screens: the main 13.3-inch OLED and an additional E Ink display on the back of the cover. The E Ink screen (also called electronic paper) will work perfectly as an e-book reader or for displaying notifications even when the laptop is closed. What’s more, the centrally mounted hinge allows you to rotate the screen 180 degrees, allowing you to use the laptop in various modes and configurations, including as a tablet, laptop or “typewriter” where the colorful E Ink is used for writing. Thanks to the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM, the ThinkBook Plus Twist is not only an innovative gadget, but also a solid work tool.
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a laptop that literally doubles your workspace with two screens. The main 4K OLED display is supported by a second one – ScreenPad Plus – placed above the keyboard. This additional touchpad can be used to launch apps, notes or creative tools, significantly increasing productivity. This solution is especially useful for graphic designers, video editors and programmers, who can work on two screens simultaneously without having to connect an external monitor.
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Acer Aspire Iconia 6120
The Acer Aspire Iconia 6120 is a surprisingly designed laptop, in which the manufacturer has completely abandoned the traditional keyboard in favor of two touchscreens. Each of the displays is 14 inches and can be used for different tasks – the lower screen serves as a virtual keyboard and touchpad, and the upper one as a standard laptop screen. Although this model was criticized for its weight and short battery life, it showed that abandoning physical keys may be the future of laptops. On the other hand, it is clear that the abandonment of some physical keys, which Apple decided to do in the case of MacBook computers with the Touch Bar, did not appeal to more advanced users. After a few years, the company abandoned the bar in favor of restoring real function keys.
Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds
The Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds is a laptop that introduced the dual-screen concept back in 2008. This model had an additional, retractable 10.6-inch screen that accompanied the main 17-inch display. It was aimed at professionals involved in graphics and design. Interestingly, the computer also had a built-in Wacom tablet and a Pantone calibrator for precise color reproduction. Although the idea of an additional screen was revolutionary for its time, the laptop did not gain much popularity due to its high price and the specific market segment it was aimed at.
Asus Tai Chi
The Asus Taichi is a laptop with two screens mounted on both sides of the top cover, which allows it to be transformed into a tablet when the computer is closed. This model debuted in 2012 and offered a unique functionality of switching between laptop and tablet mode. Although the Asus Taichi did not gain much popularity, it was an interesting experiment, showing the possibilities of integrating different work modes in one device. And it is clear that it was an inspiration for subsequent Asus projects, which resulted in the creation of the aforementioned Asus ZenBook Pro Duo.
Canon NoteJet
Canon NoteJet is one of the oldest, but also most unusual laptop models. It was introduced to the market over 30 years ago – in 1993 and had… a built-in inkjet printer. This unusual laptop, although it did not gain wide popularity, showed that the integration of many functions in one device could be the future of computer equipment. NoteJet also offered a fax function, which made it an exceptional tool for businessmen of those years.
Toshiba AC100
Although this model doesn’t stand out much in terms of appearance, it looks much more interesting from the inside. The Toshiba AC100 with a 10.1-inch screen is the first laptop running on Android, introduced to the market in 2010. Although it was an innovative idea, Android 2.1 was not properly adapted to support computers at the time, which meant that the AC100 did not gain much popularity. However, there is no denying that this device was ahead of its time, offering a lightweight design, long battery life and built-in 3G connectivity.
These are just a few models that have appeared on the market over the last dozen or so (or even dozens) years. Many manufacturers are currently reaching for unusual solutions that are not really of interest to the mass market. However, there is no denying that some of the unconventional laptop models appeal to a narrow group of customers. They expect manufacturers to take an innovative approach to design and introduce interesting features that may eventually appeal to the mass market.
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