TL;DR
At CES 2026 Lenovo showed the ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept, a prototype laptop with a flexible OLED that extends from a 13.3-inch panel to a 15.9-inch display and wraps onto the outer lid. The design includes an exterior touchscreen section with a transparent window that reveals the rollable mechanics.
What happened
Lenovo unveiled the ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept at CES 2026, a prototype laptop that uses a flexible OLED panel which extends vertically when the display is rolled from the lid into the main screen area. In its default state the system presents a 13.3-inch display, and sliding a finger along the laptop’s folded spine expands the visible area to a 15.9-inch screen. Unlike some earlier rollable designs that tuck the display into the chassis, the XD locates the rollable screen and its motors in the lid, allowing the display to wrap around the outer surface and provide a usable exterior touchscreen workspace when the lid is closed. The outer glass and curved spine are covered with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a transparent section on the lid exposes the device’s internal pulleys and motors. The unit retains ThinkPad styling elements such as the red TrackPoint nub. Lenovo positions the XD as a concept following its prior market release of a rollable ThinkBook.
Why it matters
- Introduces a different mechanical approach by placing the rollable panel and motors in the lid rather than the chassis.
- Adds a potential exterior touchscreen workspace for quick interactions and touch-friendly widgets without opening the laptop.
- Shows how rollable-screen hardware can be integrated into established laptop lines like ThinkPad, which may influence future product design.
- The transparent lid section gives observers a view of the mechanics, which may affect perceptions of durability and repairability.
Key facts
- Announced at CES 2026 as a concept device.
- ThinkPad Rollable XD expands from a 13.3-inch to a 15.9-inch display.
- Uses a flexible OLED panel that wraps around to the outer part of the lid.
- Rollable screen and motors are housed in the lid rather than tucked into the chassis.
- Features an exterior-facing touchscreen area capable of showing widgets when closed.
- Outer glass and curved spine are made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- A seethrough portion of the lid exposes the rollable screen’s motors and pulleys.
- Maintains ThinkPad design cues, including the red TrackPoint nub.
- Lenovo previously released a rollable ThinkBook and is exploring other shapeshifting-screen concepts.
- The Verge’s reporter saw a brief in-person demo and described expanding/contracting the screen as engaging.
What to watch next
- Commercial availability and pricing: not confirmed in the source
- Durability, long-term reliability, and real-world wear on the rollable mechanism: not confirmed in the source
- Full hardware specifications (CPU, battery life, ports) and software integration: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Rollable display: A screen built on flexible materials that can extend or retract, changing its physical size or shape.
- OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode, a display technology where each pixel emits its own light, allowing for thin, flexible panels and high contrast.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2: A strengthened cover glass formulation used to protect device displays and surfaces from drops and scratches.
- TrackPoint: A small, typically red pointing stick embedded in the keyboard bezel used as an alternative cursor control.
- Concept device: A prototype or design study intended to explore new ideas and technologies, not necessarily a finished commercial product.
Reader FAQ
Is the ThinkPad Rollable XD available to buy?
Not confirmed in the source
How large is the display before and after expansion?
The panel expands from a 13.3-inch mode to a taller 15.9-inch mode.
Does the device include traditional ThinkPad features like the TrackPoint?
Yes, it retains the iconic red TrackPoint nub.
What are the performance specs and battery life?
Not confirmed in the source
NEWS GADGETS TECH This ThinkPad laptop concept has a rollable display that wraps around its lid Lenovo’s ThinkPad Rollable XD concept has an expandable display and is partially seethrough to…
Sources
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