Laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold: A bold attempt

Props to Lenovo for even trying

Published

May 26, 2021

The concept of foldables isn’t new. We’ve seen various iterations in the mobile phone space. However, it hasn’t been attempted like this in the laptop/notebook space. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold re-imagines how a laptop folds and it’s… well, it’s an interesting piece of tech to say the least.

Pretty cool, right? It slams shut the 13.3-inch display as if it was a book. It makes it easier to carry around when you’re out and about. Oh and, we’re not exaggerating the book comparison too.

Here it is side-by-side with a graphic novel.

And here it is on top of TWICE’s Eyes Wide Open album.

It actually looks like a book or notebook with its leather finish.

Here it is on the table, not fully flexed nor folded.

It’s a pretty interesting contraption, but what can it do? That, perhaps, is the truly compelling question.

Performance and overall usage

Here’s a quick glance at the specs:

13.3” 2K OLED Display, 4:3 (2048 x 1536, 300 nits)
Intel Core i5 with Intel Hybrid Technology
11th Gen Intel UHD, integrated Graphics
Up to 1TB PCIe-NVMe M.2 2242 SSD
8GB LPDDR4X 4267MHz
50Wh with Rapid Charge technology
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) (1 can be used as DP)

Oh and it also has a 5MP camera for video calls. A bare minimum, but one that works fine, nevertheless.

Seems decent on paper, yes? That’s true. It also helps that it comes with the Lenovo Fold Mini Keyboard. With it, the ThinkPad X1 Fold transforms into this very Surface Pro-like device.

It’s able to stand on its own thanks to this kick-out stand that has the suede-like material. Definitely upping the “premium” feel of the device.

The keyboard itself isn’t all that great. People with objectively bigger hands might find it perplexing having to type on it. However, it is usable, has an okay travel, and can get you through quick typing sessions.

The trackpad is also fine but you’re probably better off touching the screen for smoother navigation. This isn’t surprising as most bluetooth keyboards tend to not be very good in this department.

It’s certainly better than using the Windows 10 On-Screen keyboard.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold can also be used with the Lenovo Mod Pen. It opens even more possibilities, especially if you’re the type who likes to sketch.

The stylus experience is pretty good. It doesn’t stray too far from the regular stylus to tablet or screen experience from other Lenovo devices, but it also isn’t as good as say the S Pen is to the Note series.

For comparison, I would say it felt close to how the stylus felt while writing and sketching on the Lenovo Thinkbook Plus. It’s another one of Lenovo’s odd-ball notebooks which is kind of becoming a theme for the company.

What’s cool is that both these accessories fit seamlessly with the ThinkPad X1 Fold.

Fold the notebook and you get this easy-to-carry device complete with a keyboard and a stylus.

Having the keyboard inside also leaves no gap when the ThinkPad X1 Fold is folded.

This is smart hardware design and one that Lenovo should be commended for.

Software troubles

However, the overall usage starts to feel clunky when you realize the device’s biggest weakness — it’s running on Windows 10 Pro. That operating system, on its own, is fine, especially for traditional laptops. But foldables are another story.

Transitioning from folded to unfolded and using split screens for “better productivity” just isn’t seamless. That’s because this product was supposed to ship with Windows 10X — the OS specifically designed for foldables.

However, with Microsoft’s own dual screen devices being delayed, the aforementioned OS also didn’t see the light of day. That didn’t stop Lenovo from launching the ThinkPad X1 Fold.

They try to mitigate the software issues by applying their own solution. The notebook comes with this Lenovo Mode Switcher that helps detect if you’re using the device as a single screen or as two separate screens.

It’s fine if you’re just using it for reading or for consuming media. But don’t mistake this for an all-out productivity tool. You’ll only be disappointed.

Media consumption

Speaking of consuming media, the ThinkPad X1 Fold is actually pretty good as a slate where you can watch your favorite things.

I sat through Spider-Man Homecoming for the nth time on this thing.

I also replayed over and over TWICE Momo’s performance project.

And used it to watch for the first time TWICE Jihyo’s performance project.

The way you can easily prop it up or carry it on one hand (that is if your arm can handle 999g/2.2lbs for a few minutes at a time), made for a decent video viewing companion. The speakers aren’t out of this world, but they’re alright.

The OLED display is doing the bulk of the heavy lifting in the video viewing experience. And the fact that it’s a foldable OLED display is just simply astonishing.

But for the price it commands, it just doesn’t seem like a device for the common folk.

Is the ThinkPad X1 Fold your GadgetMatch?

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold is both magnificent and frustrating at the same time. This hardware is nothing to scoff at. The fact that Lenovo even had the audacity to try something like this is the reason why we like tech. We love it when brands push the boundaries and think outside the box.

However, this beautifully designed hardware is held back by the usable but clunky software. By no fault of its own, Lenovo was forced to release a product that doesn’t deliver a polished experience because of operating system limitations. That just isn’t what you expect from something priced at PhP 208,499 or US$ 2,499.

More than anything, the ThinkPad X1 Fold feels like a showcase device. Something a top executive who doesn’t have to do too much typing or doing the grunt work on spreadsheets and deck presentations would have use for.

It’s not completely broken by any means. You can do actual work with it. But the whole experience just feels too clunky. Microsoft owes Lenovo for leaving them hanging on the software side of things. But this shouldn’t dissuade the company from continuing to experiment and pushing what’s possible with hardware.

Personally, I’d like to give this another go once the appropriate software is ready. I imagine that would make a world of a difference.

Editors' Choice

GadgetMatch Awards: Best of IFA 2026

Xiaomi 18 Fold, Govee, XGIMI, ARZOPA, Cuktech and more!

Published

September 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

We’re back at IFA 2026 in Berlin, checking out some of the coolest and most interesting tech on the show floor.

From smart home lighting and portable displays to projectors, power solutions, foldables, and more, these are some of the products and brands that caught our attention this year.

In this video, we take a look at: ‪

GOVEE‬

AI Lighting https://bit.ly/4xmY342

ARZOPA

Z3FC Portable Monitor https://bit.ly/4gRk7wD
D14 Digital Photo Frame https://bit.ly/4qYlRJ6 ‪

CUKTECH‬

30 Ultra Desktop Charging Station https://s.whaee.com/tXBornw
10 Ultra Charger https://s.whaee.com/UsWT4U2

** Use code CUKTECH09, valid until September 30

XGIMI

Xiaomi

Human x Car x Home Ecosystem

ASUS‬ x NVIDIA RTX SPARK

Watch until the end for our favorite finds from IFA 2026!

Laptops

ASUS laptops now come with three months of Google AI

5TB of cloud storage included

Published

September 7, 2026

GadgetMatch

Select ASUS and ROG laptops now come with three months of Google AI Pro or Google AI Plus at no extra cost. The offer starts September 7 and covers eligible models from the 2025, 2026, and upcoming 2027 lineups.

Google AI Pro includes 5TB of cloud storage, while Google AI Plus comes with 400GB. Both plans also provide access to a range of Google’s AI-powered tools and features.

More Google AI on ASUS laptops

Eligible customers can use the Google Gemini app, Deep Research, Google Flow, Gemini in Google apps, and Gemini Notebook, among other features. Availability varies depending on the Google AI plan and supported features.

Google AI Pro offers higher usage limits and expanded access to Google’s more capable Gemini models. It also includes additional developer and agentic tools such as Google Antigravity, Jules, and AI Studio, subject to availability and plan terms.

Google AI Plus provides elevated access to Google’s AI tools alongside features for creative generation and productivity.

The offer covers more than just AI features. Google AI Pro’s 5TB of cloud storage and Google AI Plus’ 400GB give users additional space for documents, photos, videos, research, and other projects.

Available across select ASUS models

The one-year program starts September 7 and applies to selected ASUS and ROG laptops in supported markets. Eligible models span the ROG, TUF Gaming, ProArt, Zenbook, and Vivobook families, including select 2025 and 2026 models and upcoming 2027 devices.

Customers can redeem the offer exclusively through the MyASUS app. ASUS has published the full list of eligible models and the offer’s terms and conditions on its website.

Check the full list of eligible ASUS laptops

ASUS is also running its No. 1 Quality, School-Ready Deals promotion until September 15, 2026. The promo offers additional deals for students, gamers, and professionals buying select ASUS and ROG devices.

The company’s No. 1 Quality and Service package also includes up to three years of international and local warranty, service access across more than 90 countries, and over 100 ASUS Service Centers and Drop-Off Points in the Philippines. Eligible laptops also come with one year of Local Accidental Damage Protection and up to six free device cleaning claims.

IFA 2026

TECNO MEGABOOK T15 360 unveiled at IFA 2026

Four laptops, three phones, one event

Published

September 4, 2026

Vincenz

TECNO is making its MEGABOOK lineup a little more flexible.

At IFA ShowStoppers 2026, the uprising tech brand unveils the MEGABOOK T15 360 with two more laptops and three phones tagging along.

One laptop, four modes

The MEGABOOK T15 360 series is the brand’s first laptop lineup with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen display.

By that, it’s more than just a conventional laptop. It can also be a tablet or a portable display via Tent mode or Stand mode. This added feat makes everything more versatile as TECNO’s existing laptops are only limited to the clamshell form factor.

Both models feature a 15.6-inch screen with the standard 16:9 aspect ratio. As alluded earlier, it’s a touchscreen laptop consisting of 10-point multitouch points. There’s also optional MPP 2.0 active pen support if you want to write or draw directly on the display.

So what’s the difference?

Well, the regular T15 360 gets a Full HD 60Hz panel with 320 nits brightness.

Meanwhile, the Pro version takes it up a notch with a faster 120Hz refresh rate, sharper 2.5K display resolution, full 100% sRGB coverage, and higher 350 nits brightness.

Both laptops come in an all-metal chassis made using CNC machining. The convertible design doesn’t come at the expense of a more conventional laptop build.

Performance uncompromised

TECNO isn’t treating the T15 360 as a lightweight convertible that has to compromise on performance.

You can get up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, paired with an LPDDR5X RAM. The storage is based from PCIe M.2 2280 SSD — with select models having a secondary M.2 slot for utmost expansion.

There’s also a 70Wh battery plus support for a speedy 65W PD GaN charger. Connectivity includes up to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, alongside seven built-in ports.

Practical stuff were neither forgotten. There’s a backlit keyboard with a dedicated number pad, a fingerprint reader underneath its power button, dual speakers with DTS Ultra, a webcam, and dual digital microphones.

TECNO’s OneLeap feature also rounds things out by letting the MEGABOOK work with other TECNO’s smartphones, tablets, and other PCs for cross-device collaboration.

Two more MEGABOOKs

TECNO also brought two other MEGABOOKs to IFA.

The MEGABOOK K15S WCL is the more straightforward option. It uses Intel’s newer Wildcat Lake platform with a 16:10 display, a 70Wh battery, and 65W GaN charging — all in a premium, all-metal body.

Then there’s the MEGABOOK T17 Ultra. Ultra by its name, it goes big with a massive 17.3-inch 16:9 display. It can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and LPDDR5X memory. It also features a massive 99.99Wh battery and speedy 100W GaN PD fast charging.

Wait! There’s even more…

Beyond laptops, TECNO reveals the true form of its Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone at IFA 2026.

As announced more than a month ago, this concept uses a redesigned display architecture, internal stacking, structural engineering, and screen packaging to eliminate the physical black border around the display, resulting in what TECNO calls a true 0mm display border.

Beside a phone prototype, there are two consumer-ready products as well.

The POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition combines the POVA series’ performance-focused approach with Tonino Lamborghini’s design language.

It uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate 5G chipset alongside TECNO’s custom-made P1 Graphic Chip and a 5K IceShield vapor chamber cooling system. Specific details will be announced on September 4, 2026.

Meanwhile, the CAMON Slim 5G focuses on a thinner form factor, measuring just 6.39mm thick.

TECNO says it combines the CAMON line’s imaging features with AI capabilities and artistic colorways. More specifications will be revealed on September 7.

Pricing and Availability

The MEGABOOK T15 360 Series is expected to arrive in Europe by Q4 2026.

Depending on the configuration choice, the MEGABOOK T15 360 will start between EUR 899 ~ EUR 999. The MEGABOOK T15 360 Pro will cost as much as EUR 1099.

No pricing info were announced for the other MEGABOOKs and two phones as of writing.