Lenovo is set to release a fully functional, voice-controlled laptop with a twisting screen later this year. First previewed as a concept, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist offers a unique take on the 2-in-1 design, allowing users to reposition the 14-inch touchscreen with voice commands (“Hey Tiko”) or manual adjustments. This is not just a novelty; it’s a step toward more adaptable computing experiences, though early testing reveals some quirks.
Key Features and Functionality
The Auto Twist’s core innovation is its motorized hinge, enabling the screen to rotate 90 degrees right or 180 degrees left. The device adapts to the user; the 10MP webcam tracks faces, automatically adjusting the display to keep you centered in the frame, making it ideal for presentations. Beyond that, the integrated AI can scan surrounding objects, identifying and analyzing items in real-time—a demonstration showed it successfully identified a spec card and even detailed a notebook’s dimensions and price.
The laptop includes a playful “Companion Mode,” featuring animated eye-like graphics on the screen that react to user interaction. While not essential, this adds a touch of personality to the device.
Performance and Specs
The Auto Twist runs on an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. It boasts a 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness. The integrated Dolby Atmos speakers rotate with the screen, ensuring consistent audio quality regardless of orientation. Lenovo claims the 75Wh battery provides “long-lasting productivity,” though official battery life tests are pending.
Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack. The device weighs 3.09 pounds and is available in Luna Gray, launching in June at a starting price of $1,649.
Evolution of a Concept
This is Lenovo’s third attempt at a twisting laptop, following the ThinkPad Twist (2012) and ThinkPad Plus Twist (2023). The Auto Twist stands out with its voice control capabilities, offering an accessibility advantage over its predecessors. Lenovo also showcased a related concept, the ThinkBook VertiFlex, at IFA 2025, which rotates between landscape and portrait mode like a Samsung Sero TV, but it remains a prototype for now.
Early Issues and Improvements
Initial testing revealed one issue: manually rotating the screen from tablet mode sometimes caused the image to flip upside down, requiring a settings adjustment. Lenovo assures this will be fixed before release. The final model features an improved, quieter, and more durable motorized hinge compared to previous prototypes.
The Auto Twist demonstrates Lenovo’s willingness to push boundaries in laptop design. While not every feature may be essential, the device represents a step toward more fluid and adaptable computing.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist is scheduled for release in June 2026, marking a significant step forward in dynamic laptop design.
