Don't Call It a Refresh: The 6 Most Adventurous Laptop Models of 2022
Don't Call It a Refresh: The 6 Most Adventurous Laptop Models of 2022
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In a world of shiny shells and flashy convertibles, laptop builds can feel repetitive. Some of the most successful and well-known designs don't always get massive revisions from year to year. Stick to the latest CPUs or GPUs, maybe claim a slightly cooler version and call it a day (or a year). After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
The problem with that is that it gets boring. And for tech enthusiasts interested in developments that could change the way we work, play, repair and upgrade, it's imperative that PC makers are willing to take risks.
The laptops below have all tried something more adventurous than a component upgrade in 2022. We'll outline the game-changing designs, ideas, and capabilities these systems seek to offer, and whether the risks that they took bore fruit or not.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus 3rd Generation
Enlarge / Who says we don't need ultrawide laptops?
Lenovo
High-end laptop buyers are increasingly looking for screens with higher aspect ratios. But Lenovo took things in the opposite direction with its ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, a clamshell with a 17.3-inch, 21:10 primary screen. To go even further, Lenovo hasn't let the extra-long bridge created by the screen (16.3 inches long) go to waste. Instead, Lenovo has placed a secondary 800×1280 LCD display next to the keyboard to create a laptop that it says is purpose-built for multitasking.
We haven't seen an ultrawide laptop since 2017's Acer Predator 21 X curved-screen gaming PC. Acer's laptop focused on improving immersion gamers by making games seem to wrap around them more than a flat-screen laptop. The 2022 ThinkBook, however, targets its stretched screen at workers obsessed with multitasking.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's smaller display allows users to view thumbnails while working in Photoshop, use a calculator, and take notes. It's reminiscent of the ScreenPads that Asus has been using for a while in its touchpads and north of some laptop keyboards but less advanced.
Did it pay off?
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a fascinating exploration of clamshell design that brought variety to the laptop selection in 2022. Lenovo didn't expect everyone to want this laptop or to unleash a wave of ultrawide laptops spoofing 16:9 and 16:10 rivals. Since Generation 1, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus laptops have offered PCs with features that push the boundaries and offer over-the-top features that most could do without.
But for the right user, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 presents an advantageous way to work and organize multiple windows. It also challenges other companies to create designs that are not only striking, but aim for distinct value.
In a world of shiny shells and flashy convertibles, laptop builds can feel repetitive. Some of the most successful and well-known designs don't always get massive revisions from year to year. Stick to the latest CPUs or GPUs, maybe claim a slightly cooler version and call it a day (or a year). After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
The problem with that is that it gets boring. And for tech enthusiasts interested in developments that could change the way we work, play, repair and upgrade, it's imperative that PC makers are willing to take risks.
The laptops below have all tried something more adventurous than a component upgrade in 2022. We'll outline the game-changing designs, ideas, and capabilities these systems seek to offer, and whether the risks that they took bore fruit or not.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus 3rd Generation
Enlarge / Who says we don't need ultrawide laptops?
Lenovo
High-end laptop buyers are increasingly looking for screens with higher aspect ratios. But Lenovo took things in the opposite direction with its ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, a clamshell with a 17.3-inch, 21:10 primary screen. To go even further, Lenovo hasn't let the extra-long bridge created by the screen (16.3 inches long) go to waste. Instead, Lenovo has placed a secondary 800×1280 LCD display next to the keyboard to create a laptop that it says is purpose-built for multitasking.
We haven't seen an ultrawide laptop since 2017's Acer Predator 21 X curved-screen gaming PC. Acer's laptop focused on improving immersion gamers by making games seem to wrap around them more than a flat-screen laptop. The 2022 ThinkBook, however, targets its stretched screen at workers obsessed with multitasking.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's smaller display allows users to view thumbnails while working in Photoshop, use a calculator, and take notes. It's reminiscent of the ScreenPads that Asus has been using for a while in its touchpads and north of some laptop keyboards but less advanced.
Did it pay off?
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a fascinating exploration of clamshell design that brought variety to the laptop selection in 2022. Lenovo didn't expect everyone to want this laptop or to unleash a wave of ultrawide laptops spoofing 16:9 and 16:10 rivals. Since Generation 1, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus laptops have offered PCs with features that push the boundaries and offer over-the-top features that most could do without.
But for the right user, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 presents an advantageous way to work and organize multiple windows. It also challenges other companies to create designs that are not only striking, but aim for distinct value.
Expand
Getty Images
Enlarge / Who says we don't need ultrawide laptops?
Lenovo
