• Lenovo's Snapdragon-based IdeaPad Vibe 14Q8X12 is on sale a month before its promised date
• US pricing starts at $799.99 for 8GB and 256GB, $100 above both Lenovo's IFA promise and the base MacBook Neo
• It beats the Neo on ports, keyboard backlighting, colors, and RAM ceiling, but its memory is soldered, and its 400-nit, 45% NTSC screen trails Apple's device

Lenovo's IdeaPad Vibe 14Q8X12, the Snapdragon-powered version of the colorful laptop it pitched at IFA 2026 as an answer to Apple's MacBook Neo, is now on sale through Lenovo's own web stores in the US, UK, Canada, the Eurozone, Malaysia and Singapore.

That puts it just barely a month ahead of the November 2026 window Lenovo gave in Berlin in September, as Notebookcheck reports, with pre-orders due to start shipping on October 28.

The early arrival is the good news, but its price tag is the catch. Lenovo announced the Vibe range at $699.99, matching the MacBook Neo to the dollar. In the US, the Snapdragon model actually starts at $799.99 on Lenovo's product page, with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

A month early, a hundred dollars late?

The timing of Lenovo's original price matters. Apple launched the MacBook Neo at $599 in March, then raised it to $699 on June 25 as the AI-driven memory shortage pushed up component costs. Apple said it had "never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly." Lenovo's $699.99 arrived in September as a deliberate match for the post-hike Neo.

At $799.99, the Vibe now costs about $100 more than the base Neo, and the same as Apple's 512GB model with Touch ID, which doubles the storage Lenovo gives US buyers. Lenovo has not directly addressed the increase. TechRadar saw this coming when the Vibe leaked in August, betting that even after Apple's price rise, "the Lenovo machine's going to be a fair bit more expensive." In the US, at least, our assessment has come full circle.

The math is kinder elsewhere, often helped along by Apple's pricing: Lenovo sells the laptop for £780 in the UK, and outside North America it ships with 512GB of storage by default. That is £81 more than the base Neo's post-hike £699, but with twice the storage. Canadian buyers pay CAD 1,099, Eurozone pricing runs from €849 to €999 depending on the country, and Malaysia and Singapore are priced at MYR 4,939 and SGD 1,379, respectively. Some Eurozone markets are limited to 8GB of RAM, and a few UK configurations currently quote four to five weeks for delivery.

For perspective, the AMD-powered 14-inch Vibe, which arrived on schedule this month, starts at $899 in the US with a Ryzen AI 7 445, the same 8GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. The Snapdragon model is the cheapest route into a 14-inch Vibe in the US; it's just not as cheap as was originally promised.

Upgradeability was a big part of Lenovo's pitch, and the AMD Vibe models deliver it with two SO-DIMM slots, while the Snapdragon model does not. This makes it a no-upgrades-possible offering right now, so the base 8GB is more of a commitment than it looks.

Stacking against the incumbent: Apple's MacBook Neo

The Vibe ekes out some impressive wins; it beats the Neo in connectivity: the Vibe has two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, a microSD reader, and a headphone jack.

The Neo makes do with two USB-C ports, one of them running at USB 2 speeds, plus a headphone jack, an allocation we have previously criticized as the bare minimum. Lenovo also offers an optional backlit keyboard, something the Neo lacks entirely, and a memory ceiling of 24GB against the Neo's fixed 8GB.

The Vibe comes in seven Pantone-developed shades, from Spicy Gold to Zen Green, with color-matched keycap sets sold separately.

"Color is the most personal design decision people make when choosing a device," Lenovo's Brian Leonard said at launch, that "versatility is certainly the big advantage of the IdeaPad Vibe" over Apple's machine.

Build quality is less clear-cut, however: metal configurations use aluminum for the lid and base, but the palm rest, keyboard deck and trackpad are plastic, and cheaper builds swap in a plastic bottom cover. HotHardware, which handled it at IFA, judged that the Vibe out-specs the Neo but added, "I don't think it feels as premium, and that's unfortunate." The Vibe also uses a fan, whereas the Neo is silent, opting for a fanless design.

The Neo set a high bar; we previously called it "the best budget laptop you can buy right now" at launch, though the $100 increase has since made it harder to recommend to everyone, with a potential argument that can be made that multiple budget Windows 11 laptops are now often the better buy.

At $799.99 in the US, it is a tough sell as a MacBook Neo alternative. For the same money, you get a Neo with 512GB of storage and Touch ID, a sharper, brighter screen, and Apple's arguably more mature software running on its own silicon. The Vibe's case rests on ports, a backlit keyboard, a slightly larger screen, and the option of 16GB or 24GB of RAM, which the Neo cannot offer at any price. If those matter to you, it is a reasonable Windows laptop with a lot of personality. It is just not the $699 Neo-matcher Lenovo announced earlier.

This is a laptop that's designed for creators who are on the go. The 15-inch screen is big enough to give you enough workspace to do what you need on the go, without being so cumbersome that it won't fit in a standard laptop backpack. 15 inches is usually the sweet spot that makes or breaks whether it fits in a standard bag.

While this may not have full 4K, it has a crisp, color-accurate display, making it fantastic for those who need absolute perfection in color profiles. It is also powerful enough to handle almost anything you throw at it. While it's not designed for the average business user, those who dabble in creative work but still need to get business done can do so with ease on this laptop.

It has enough dedicated GPU to carve through video, enough RAM to run several lines at once, a beautiful enough screen to edit photos without a problem, and a solid enough machine to handle everything else, all in one device.

In short, if you want to get this kind of work done while still on the go, this is the machine for you. If you plan to park it at a desk or workstation most of the time, the 9i may be a better fit. Either way, this is for the creator.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i: Price and Availability

The Lenovo Pro 7i Gen 11 Aura Edition is available direct from Lenovo in the US, in the UK, and other territories. Prices start at $2,599.99 / £2,430 for the base configuration.

My review unit, however, had a slight upgrade and was sitting around $2,700. The Yoga Pro 7 could be configured up to a Core Ultra 9 with an RTX 570, 64 GB of RAM, and 2 TB of SSD.

Compared to the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition I just reviewed, which sits around $3,000 for the same configuration, the Pro 7i saves about $250 for the same CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD storage.

That means it is up to you whether it's worth saving $250 for giving up an inch of screen, or perhaps gaining an inch of screen for portability, depending on which camp you're in

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i: Unboxing and First Impressions

I'll admit it, life has gotten crazy. I've had this laptop in my queue, sitting on my testing desk or in testing, for 178 days.

I've used it for: numerous meetings, a few days in my life to see how it operates, several articles have been written on it, a lot of testing, some benchmarking, thrown in the backpack a couple of times, used it as my main machine while in my home office for a couple of days

All around, this machine runs fantastic. The Luna Gray color is fantastic. It boots quickly, and it runs fast. The 15-inch OLED touchscreen is spectacular and accurate. The colors are incredible, and the ports are great. Overall, it's a laptop most people would dream of having.

I even prefer the 15-inch over the larger 16-inch 9i I just finished testing, though it is still a tad large for my liking. 14-inch seems to be my sweet spot. The 15-inch is still manageable and fits in most full-size laptop backpacks. For example, it fits well in my Nomatic Navigator and my Nomatic backpack.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i: Design and Build Quality

As expected, the keyboard and trackpad are spectacular. Like the 9i variant, the trackpad also doubles as a drawing surface for the Yoga Pen. Since I adjusted on the 9i, it was much easier for me to get used to it. However, as I said in the 9i review, if this is your first time using a drawing surface like this, it will take a second to get used to. It's not quite as seamless as drawing on the screen, but it becomes fairly intuitive after a little use.

The 15-inch 2.5K display is hard to recognize as only 2.5K. It looks significantly nicer than that. It could be because of the colors and the 165 Hz refresh rate, but this display (HDR True Black 1000, 100% sRGB, P3, Adobe RGB, 1,100 nits peak brightness, and PureSight) makes this OLED panel look absolutely spectacular. Unless you know for a fact you need a 4K display, you can use this for creative content pretty easily.

The last thing I'll mention is that the port layout is also what I would hope for. I've never been a fan of laptops that shove ports on the back and make it seem like they're meant to stay stationary on a desk. Even though I love the thinner laptops, I've never been a fan of the laptops that only have USB-C. I get it, and I get what they're going for, but in the professional space, that's really hard to justify.

For ultrabooks, that makes sense, but for professional business laptops or even creative laptops like this one, having only a USB-C means that you are guaranteed to need a dongle. This laptop, though, has a good range of ports for its intended use, and it's designed for that use case, which is ultimately what a laptop should be tested against anyway.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i: In use

I've been able to do some light photo editing and some video editing, and more, on this machine. While creating, I actually did a lot of content approval on this laptop during my testing. My roles in other companies have shifted. For now, I review content my team makes daily, so I appreciate this screen more and more.

The OLED is absolutely spectacular and has made me want an OLED panel for pretty much everything that I have. 165 Hz is also buttery smooth. The RTX 5060 is absurdly powerful. I tested it by running 22 lines of a security system I was setting up for a client without any issues. It barely taxed the memory, and I ran all 22 lines at full speed without any issues.

Of course, because even creatives still need to write some things out, I tested the keyboard thoroughly as well. It's a comfortable keyboard, just as I expected from Lenovo. It's comfortable to use for days on end, hours each day, and you won't need a different laptop keyboard unless you want one purely for aesthetic or ergonomic purposes.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i: Final verdict

The question that we land on is: should you buy this laptop? If you want a more portable but powerful creator workstation that isn't difficult to carry around in a backpack, then yes, you probably should buy this. It does everything mobile photo and video editors will need it to do.

However, if you need the extra screen space afforded by the 9i, I can see why that'd make sense for many deskbound creatives.

Either way, either laptop is a spectacular buy if you're in the creative space and don't need a true 4K display, because the screen itself, with its color accuracy, visuals, and refresh rate, is absolutely gorgeous. You get the reliability and dependability of the Lenovo family, all in a machine designed for creators to do exactly that: create.

For more creator machines, we've tested the best photo editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing.

Calling all creatives who want a laptop that will not quit. This 16-inch laptop is designed for photo and video editors who don't necessarily need a full 4K display, but still want an RTX 5060 GPU and a touch-based OLED panel.

It has a laptop touchpad with designer pen input and photographic design input, with a level of precision most laptops only dream of. It has spectacular ports, an incredible refresh rate, and jaw-dropping color accuracy.

In my tests, this proved it's not just a laptop. This is a creative graphics studio that fits in your backpack. If that is the world you live in, then this laptop is purpose-built just for you.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition: Price and Availability

The Lenovo Pro 9i AE Gen 11 16-inch OLED Touch comes in several build options, and is available from Lenovo US, Lenovo UK, and other territories. Prices start at $2,499.99 / £2,719.99 at the time of review. My review unit came in at just over $3,000.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition: Unboxing and First Impressions

All right, I'll say it: Lenovo makes some pretty sharp-looking laptops. Even this laptop, as large as it is, still looks sharp and sleek. The box includes the power cable, power adapter, Yoga Pen, and documentation, along with the laptop itself. Everything was fairly well packaged, too. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with Thunder Gray, but I'm actually a big fan of the color.

Even with how hefty this machine is, it still feels manageable with day-to-day use. Yeah, I won’t want to carry this around one-handed while working off it, but bringing it from a coffee shop to a desk to a meeting and back to a desk, or lugging it around in my quality backpack, all seem very reasonable.

I wouldn't want to commute with it all day, every day, but for the power you can get from this machine, it's pretty spectacular. The OLED panel and 120 Hz motion are spectacular and immediately recognizable.

Another thing that I noticed right away is the keyboard and haptic force trackpad. For creatives, having that kind of quality input makes a huge difference. That's why so many creatives love having their customized keyboards and fancy mice. Input tools matter when you are creating.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition: Design and Build Quality

This is all about a pretty sharp-looking laptop. One of its biggest strengths is the impressive OLED panel and Intel Core chips. It also has that crazy-good force pad and Yoga Pen Gen 2, which reminds me a lot of the drawing and design pads that were popular a few years back. People could use a pen on a surface and have it appear on the screen.

It's a little bit interesting in this sense because there is a touchscreen as well. However, after about 2 minutes of learning to match your eyes on the screen to what is in your hand with the pen and drawing on the force pad, it works pretty well. I've seen people who do photo editing or graphic design get used to it pretty quickly, especially those who have used one of those drawing pads before.

As someone who normally draws on my iPad, it's a little odd, but nothing out of the ordinary or too hard to get over. Plus, the precision is pretty good, which might be why Lenovo chose the touchpad over the OLED panel. And probably because they didn't want to risk damaging the OLED panel, if I had to guess.

Thankfully, the trackpad also works as a pretty high-quality trackpad. As someone who uses my laptop's trackpad as much as possible (gestures, multi-finger motions, and more), I always appreciate a quality, enlarged touchpad.

Another thing I really appreciate is the port offering. I'm glad to see that some of these more Pro, power, and tech-savvy laptops are bringing back USB-A and even full-size HDMI.

A lot of what I do in my own space is use USB-C, as any good citizen should. I still go to plenty of places that don't have a USB-C hub or dock, so having that HDMI port is super helpful. Being able to plug into more legacy items with USB-A is also helpful. USB-C has been around for a long time, but I don't know about you; I still run into way too much USB-A day-to-day.

Perhaps it's just my IT and systems background, but I still run into a lot of that day-to-day. As I continue to grow in my creative endeavors, an SD card reader is a benefit I continue to maximize.

One more thing I'll mention is that this machine throttles its heat pretty well. By throttling, I mean it just vents heat, not necessarily throttling speed. I haven't noticed any of that through some of the more intense workloads I put this through, but through benchmarking, video editing, running heavy LLMs, and some pretty intense terminal sessions where I'm utilizing a lot of the internal power to build several agents and workers (along with using Codex, Claude Code, and Notion all at the same time, along with some browser views and computer control), this machine seems to be running just fine. Yes, the fans kick on under heavy loads, but it doesn't give up or slow down.

In my testing, I handled video editing in DaVinci Resolve while running several lines of 4K video. I could jump in and out without excessive loading, processing, or rendering. It feels fast. It feels like something that I would happily give to any video editor.

Yes, it may not be as good as a machine three times the cost, but for the price, portability, and use case, this is a very capable video editing machine. Of course, since it handles video editing, it can also handle some of the larger, several-GB photos I send it.

In my day job, we have several-GB files for giant banners that crash some of our other computers, but this one seems to be operating just fine right now. That's a testament to how powerful that chip is and how efficient this is.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition: In use

As mentioned above, I've thrown just about everything I can at my very broad workday. As the years go on, my days can include: heavy AI use, terminal use, app building, video editing, photo editing, content writing, systems engineering, heavy database builds, and so on

Using this as a mobile workstation gives me a sense of security that I won't need to transfer to another device or hand off heavier workloads elsewhere. Sure, there's still something to say about servers and things like that, but for what I can and should do on the device, this doesn't seem to limit what I do on a normal day.

The OLED panel is also gorgeous. That helps. I've had plenty of computers where the machine is powerful, but the screen is mediocre at best, and it just doesn't feel the same as using a brilliant display like this. To use a machine that a lot of people can compare with, this feels a lot like carrying around a MacBook Pro 16-inch or one of the 16-inch Dell laptops. It's big, but not too cumbersome. If you need that power, it's well worth it, and it's obviously better than carrying a desktop or a remote into a desktop.

If you're the kind of person who needs raw power and values the extra screen real estate, then this is absolutely worth getting. Even as somebody who is very partial to the 14-inch form factor, this 16-inch is nothing insane.

Lastly, on some other important factors, I've enjoyed using the keyboard. It's been comfortable for even long sessions. The touchpad is comfortable, accurate, and easy to use. The camera is good enough for virtual meetings, and the microphone is good enough, though obviously not the best. In a room or home office, it's fine, but if you're in a public space, please, for the love of everybody else on the call, get a pair of headphones or a dedicated mic.

Even if it's just a cheap pair of earbuds, which may be my biggest unlock of the year, it can make a huge difference, especially if you're using tools like Wispr Flow or voice agents. The mic is good enough if you're in a private office or home office, maybe with a little bit of background noise. If you're in a loud space, accurate vocal input is essential.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 11 Aura Edition: Final verdict

This laptop's pretty clearly designed for people in the creative space, or at least for anyone who works with it. Yes, it's wildly powerful, so really anybody who's in the heavy technical space, or if you're in the AI space or vibe coding space, you could utilize something like this as well.

With that beautiful OLED panel and force touchpad with pen input, this is clearly designed for graphic designers, photographers, video editors, and similar work. If you don't do those things, you'll still enjoy using this laptop, but there may be another one, even from Lenovo, that better fits your unique specifications and requirements.

For more creator machines, we've tested the best photo editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing.

I still think the ThinkPad line-up is the top pick for business professionals, with 14-inch laptops being the sweet spot for screen clarity and portability. The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 does nothing to change that.

It’s durably built, smart and stylish, and performance-driven for day-to-day work. And yes, it still has that iconic ThinkPad keyboard and trackpoint for those that write a lot of emails, reports, or the next New York Times bestseller.

The NPU on the AMD model reviewed here hits up to 50 TOPS for AI workloads (the Intel model caps out at up top 48 TOPS), which is plenty of general office AI use, running Copilot+, blurring webcam backgrounds, and using tools in software like the Adobe suite.

As part of the ‘s’ range, the T14s Gen 6 is marginally slimmer than the traditional T14, stripping out certain enterprise features like the Ethernet port and upgradeable RAM. If that's important for you, the T14s is a non-starter out of the box.

I wouldn't consider that a deal-breaker for most workers - particularly if you use a strong wireless connection and future-proof with 32GB of memory (or up to 64GB if you opt for the AMD version). But it's an additional consideration.

For most people, this will easily hit the mark at the best business laptop. It's certainly one of the best I've used, with the AMD version proving reasonably powerful, portable, and sails through productivity workloads without pausing for breath.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Pricing & availability

• How much does it cost? From $1500 / £1500
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from Lenovo and online retailers

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is available from Lenovo and a range of online retailers with prices starting at $1500 / £1500 for the base configuration, up to around $3400 / £3400 once the laptop is fully specced with RAM and storage.

From what I’ve seen, the Intel models tend to retail slightly cheaper than AMD. For standard office work, the Intel is probably the better choice, though not by much. However, the AMD version has a maximum of 64GB RAM, which will be better for multi-tasking and smoother processes during heavier workloads (not to mention future-proofing the machine even more). It also has up to 50 TOPS NPU, versus up to 48 TOPS on the Intel machine.

Ultimately, the price is what I’d expect for a business laptop from a brand like Lenovo, putting it on par with the likes of the Dell Pro 14. Personally, I’d still opt for the ThinkPad over HP and Dell chiefly for its build quality, repairability, and the excellent keyboard. But performance-wise, it’s much of a muchness.

• Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Design & build

• Classic ThinkPad design and durability
• Fair but not glittering port selection

Design-wise, this is every inch a ThinkPad. Sleek, black, sensible, and stylish. Bezels are relatively thin across, and I notice it carries over the webcam notch from the Gen 5 T14s.

Coming from a Gen 4, I wasn’t initially sure how I felt about that notch. It gives the laptop a whole new silhouette, away from the traditional rectangles. A little showy, I thought, for an enterprise-grade laptop.

But it admittedly does keep the bezels slimmer along the top of the screen, and since it hangs a few millimeters over the edge of the base, offers a useful tab for opening the lid. In other words, I’ve grown to like it.

As with previous ThinkPads in this line, the screen also lays flat for collaboration purposes. I always think this is a nice touch, marking out the T14s as a business-first laptop.

Port selection is fair - two USB-C with 65W power delivery, two USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, nano SIM slot, and Kensington security slot. No Ethernet port, unfortunately, but still a decent if not dazzling array at a time when most laptops are stripping out as many ports as possible.

Unlike the Gen 4 model, which placed air vents on the base and along the right-hand side, the Gen 6 puts them all on the base. A win for right-handed mouse users in my book. Another change is speaker placement. They no longer sit atop the keyboard, but flank both sides instead.

As with every ThinkPad I’ve used, build quality here is excellent. I’d expect nothing less from Lenovo in this department. Like most of the line-up, it has a toughened MIL-STD-810H rating that will survive the most violent of commutes.

The outer shell is built from recycled aluminum for the base, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic on the lid, with recycled magnesium used for the keyboard frame. That keeps it feeling durable but relatively lightweight and backpack-friendly for travel.

The base weighs in at 2.87lb / 1.30kg for the AMD model, and 2.82lb / 1.28kg for the Intel one, but that can vary depending how you spec the display. Specced with Full HD touchscreen, AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 with Radeon 880M graphics, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, my review unit tipped the scales at 3lb / 1.36kg.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Performance

• Sails through daily office tasks
• Can't handle graphics-intensive workloads

I’m always excited to try out new ThinkPads. I’ve been using the line since I got my first T431s many years ago. It was love at first sight use. I find them fast, reliable, and well-equipped to tackle most general work tasks.

And I’m pleased to report the T14s Gen 6 is no different. So long as you accept its business-centric limitations - no 3D rendering and 8K video editing here. Although the AMD chip does facilitate some gaming, this is no 120FPS beast, this is an office workhorse first and foremost.

That’s exactly how I used it for most of my time during testing. Running Google Docs, the Adobe creative apps suite, alongside emails, streaming, and browsing proved no issue for the T14s. It’s what it was designed to do, and in that role it performs brilliantly.

14-inch is the sweet for modern business laptops in my experience, and here, the matte-finish IPS panel looks surprisingly vibrant. Yes, there's still that softness you get from a 1920x1080p screen, but it didn't impact the work I performed. With a 16:10 ratio, it offers more than enough screen real-estate to handle multiple apps and browsing.

Color gamut is 100% sRGB, but that's more than enough for light photo editing for social media graphics. While some might be disappointed with that, most aren't buying a T14s as a full content creation rig. Like the rest of the laptop, the display is well-suited to using Excel and Word and the like.

In online meetings, I found video quality is...fine. Just fine. I ran Google Meet calls using fiber internet and the built-in 5MP camera was serviceable, though looked a mite pixelated. The mic is ok, although the speakers were somewhat tinny. Not the worst I've used by any means, but the usual complaint that afflicts most laptops. Survivable for general calls, but I'd always recommend an external webcam and headset for anyone who's jumping on a lot of calls where picture and audio is critical.

And, of course, there’s that keyboard. If you do a lot of typing on the job (and don’t want to hook up an external keyboard), I strongly recommend a ThinkPad. It's not even close.

With a 1.5mm key depth travel, it’s very comfortable to type on for longer sessions. There’s none of that low-profile squishiness you find on a lot of business laptops and MacBooks, which have a stubby 1mm or 1.3mm travel.

However, as a 14-inch machine, there’s no room for a num-pad (opt for the ThinkPad T16 or similar if you need one). But for everyday emails, report writing, instant messaging, even schoolwork and fiction-writing, it’s easily the best of the bunch.

Now, with those air vents all sitting on the base, the unit can get warm - warmer, I think, than the Gen 4 model, although I didn’t jab a thermometer up there. That’s par for the course for a laptop, but it’s worth noting, and if you have the option of positioning it on a vented laptop stand at a desk, I’d recommend it over purely lap-based work.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Battery life

The ThinkPad T14s I have here has a 58 Wh battery. From what I can tell, that's standard across all configurations of the Gen 6. And it is replaceable, which makes it ideal for IT teams bulk-buying for the office where repairability matters.

Lenovo rates that battery for around 12 hours. But, as ever, that's not a true picture out in the real-world, managing multiple tabs, taking video calls, and streaming. In my own 'everyday' use, I got around 8 to 9 hours on it, depending the tasks.

• Battery: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6?

✅ Buy it if...

You’re a remote or hybrid worker, or you travel and need a solidly built and reliable business laptop for day-to-day office work. It excels at office tasks across the board, and looks as professional and work-ready as a administrative workhorse can.

❌ Don't buy it if...

You perform graphics-intensive tasks in your job, where you’ll need a discrete GPU to handle those workloads - the integrated graphics here won’t cut it. Choose the T14 or T16 if you want upgradeable RAM or an Ethernet connection.

How I tested the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6

I used the ThinkPad T14s as my day-to-day laptop for two months, running the usual suite of office software, Adobe’s creative apps, and conducting video calls. After using it for day-to-day workloads in that time, I ran performance benchmarks using Geekbench 7, 3DMark, and CrystalDiskMark.

Argos has launched its Big Red Sale. Now, I've seen loads of 8GB laptop deals there, but as always, I'm begging you to avoid them. The low cost isn't worth the frustratingly sluggish performance. 16GB memory is plenty for day-to-day office multi-tasking without breaking the bank. And of all the ones in the Argos sale, I've 100% choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.

• Best for: Remote workers and students who want good general performance for productivity tasks like running office software, browsing, and streaming.

• The deal: The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is now £664 (was £829) at Argos with code RED20, so 20% off or just shy of £166.

• Why we like it: This laptop comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. When we tested this machine, we found it "fairly portable for its size, is attractive enough, and has enough performance for most people’s day-to-day needs. With its low price, it’s a great value for those that just need a Windows computer."

Why we recommend it

We scored the attractively designed IdeaPad Slim 3 4 stars in our review.

This isn't a juggernaut workstation for 3D rendering, gaming, video editing and running a zillion LLMs all at once. And it's not meant to be.

As we found during our tests: "What it needs to do and does well enough is handle day-to-day tasks such as browsing, streaming, emails, word processing, and the like.

It's a reliable 16-inch laptop that in our tests delivered good overall performance for those who just need a decent Windows laptop for work. "good performance for day-to-day use."

Price context & historical value

There are plenty of 16GB laptop deals at Argos (you can check them out here), but this IdeaPad Slim 3 is the pick of the bunch thanks to the decent specs and real-world performance tests we've put it through. For comparison, it's just £24 more than the same model with 256GB SSD storage. That's half what you're paying for here.

The closest cheaper alternative in the sale is this Ryzen 5-powered 15.6-inch HP laptop, priced at £569 (was £579). But having owned several HP and Lenovo laptops over the years, I prefer Lenovo's overall build quality and performance. Personally, I'd choose the IdeaPad over it every time, but the specs are good enough too.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if...

You work from home and need a laptop that's well-specced for general daily business tasks.

❌ Skip the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if...

You want a powerhouse machine for demanding workloads. It's not built for it.

• See all deals in the Argos Big Red Sale

• AMD's Athlon Silver 10 is a quietly renamed 2022 Athlon Silver 7120U with two Zen 2 cores and no SMT
• Asus, HP, and Lenovo are selling it in laptops now, some with 4 GB of soldered memory to barely meet Windows 11's minimum RAM requirement
• Both the Core 3 100U and Core i5-1334U score over four times the Silver's 95-sample multi-threaded average, making laptops powered by them a no-brainer alternative

AMD's Athlon Silver 10 seems to be a new-generation CPU targeting budget-conscious consumers who want a modern, entry-level laptop with enough processing power for basic tasks.

Nothing could, however, be further from the truth here; Its own specifications page lists what is a very basic mobile chip, offering two Zen 2 cores, skipping simultaneous multithreading (SMT) and a 15W TDP to go with its 3.5 GHz boost clock, essentially establishing itself as a rebadged Athlon Silver 7120U from 2022.

While the current AI-induced memory, storage, and compute shortage continues unabated, buying an entry-level laptop with only 4GB of soldered RAM in 2026, even if it is presented as a 'new' choice by laptop manufacturers, is disingenuous when better Intel-based options exist in the same price range that offer up to four times the multi-threaded performance and twice the RAM as a de facto configuration.

Skipping a rebadged chip from 2022?

AMD's spec page lists the Athlon Silver 10 with a launch date of October 1, 2025, but no launch event accompanied it. The underlying Zen 2 cores are even older than the Athlon Silver 7120U's launch date, with the company first unveiling the architecture in 2019, and the performance numbers show it.

Its PassMark score is a low 3,543 on multithreaded workloads, at a time when Intel's competition in the same price bracket, a Core 3 100U CPU configured with 2 performance and 4 efficient cores, clocks in at nearly four times the speed, with a score of 12,308.

This isn't a new phenomenon either; the similarly positioned Intel Core i5-1334U, a 2023 chip, offers a similar 12,991 score across its 2 performance and 8 efficient-core configuration.

The performance gap hasn't stopped manufacturers such as ASUS, Lenovo, and HP from selling Athlon Silver 10 or 7120U laptops, often with as little as 4GB of soldered memory, which allows for no upgrades whatsoever.

While Windows 11 can technically work on the 4GB it prescribes as its absolute minimum, it idles at anywhere between 2.5 and 3GB of memory, leaving very little headroom for applications even as lightweight as a word processor or a browser.

Better alternatives exist in the same price range

The irony is that better alternatives exist and are being sold in the same $350-500 price range as Athlon Silver 10-based laptops currently. Dell offers at least two alternatives, including a 6-core Core 3 100U option under $500 and another just $100 above that, with 4 more cores under the hood. ASUS also offers a similarly configured and priced option in the same range, though with a smaller SSD than either Dell option.

All of these would be significantly faster than their Athlon Silver 10 alternatives and, perhaps more importantly, offer 8GB of RAM, which should be the absolute minimum, in my opinion, for a laptop, but we do have an in-depth analysis of that question here.

One could argue that calling AMD Athlon Silver 10 laptops e-waste might be a bit too extreme here, but given that more powerful and well-configured alternatives exist that do not slap on CPU cores from 2019 into a rebadged CPU from 2022 that might not even keep up with modern smartphones, it is an easily justifiable position.

These laptops would be short-lived at best and have limited utility at a time when e-waste continues to be an increasingly bigger issue for society: the UN's Global E-waste Monitor 2024 counted 62 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, with only 22.3% documented as properly collected and recycled, and found the world's e-waste "rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling."

Buying a laptop that is slower than a modern smartphone when better alternatives exist, despite an AI-led price gouge, and can not be upgraded is simply not only a waste of money but one that is harmful to the environment, even if you can handle the pace of a laptop that offers performance that desktops from over a decade ago would embarrass.

With the introduction of the iPhone Duo, U.S. smartphone customers can now choose from seven contemporary folding smartphones, including one from Google, two from Motorola, and three from Samsung.

The number of laptops with foldable screens ever produced is far fewer: one each from Asus, Huawei, HP and two from Lenovo.

While the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip have entered an annual upgrade cycle for Samsung, the foldable-screen laptop pipeline has been quiet. The most recent - Lenovo’s ThinkPad Fold 16 Gen 2 - hit the market in November 2023, more than a year after its unveiling.

Surely, we haven’t seen the last of laptops with foldable screens, but a range of structural, technological, and economic issues have conspired to keep folding laptops from becoming more mainstream

A RAMpocalypse victim

At their launches, foldable-screen laptops were among the most expensive in their line-ups. The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED launched at $3,500 in 2022. A year later, the HP Spectre Foldable PC launched at $5,000, about 2.5x the price of a Galaxy Z Fold Ultra.

Obviously, anyone spending this much is going to demand performance, including substantial RAM and flash storage, the two components that have seen their prices skyrocket during the AI data center-fueled 'RAMpocalypse'. While PC vendors can eat a bit of margin on such high-end products, it’s reasonable to assume that successors launched today would require untenable prices.

On the other hand, it’s been more difficult for vendors to justify the premium because of the lack of a “device-class” jump. In other words, one of the great promises of foldable-screen phones is that you can have the functionality of a tablet in a form factor that stores in your pocket.

This isn’t just about more screen real estate. Full participants in Apple’s ecosystem understand the differences in experience between the largest iPhones and the iPad mini, which were magnified when Apple finally went full desktop GUI on the iPad in iPadOS 26.

In contrast, when it comes to foldable-screen laptops, the jump from an approximately 13” Windows experience in clamshell mode to a 16” or 17” Windows experience in unfolded mode is less dramatic. (That said, there are some niceties such as the taller aspect ratio compared to most 16” laptops and the option of a portrait mode.)

This also helps to explain why we haven’t seen any foldable tablets from Samsung or Lenovo. Curiously, most of the work around extending Windows on a folding display has been around the scenario of adapting Peek preview to make more efficient use of virtual dual screens, UI improvements that of course also apply to laptops with actual dual screens such as the Asus Zenbook Duo, which received an update this year.

Some assembly required

Furthermore, while foldable-screen phones require the extra step of unfolding to take full advantage of their screen real estate, their front displays enable everyday usage even when folded; even flip models like the latest from Samsung are improving their folded utility, In contrast, foldable-screen laptops include more significant prep trade-offs.

For example, while Lenovo’s first ThinkPad X1 Fold was able to store the Bluetooth keyboard between the halves of the folded display, the Gen 2 kept it separate, protected for travel by a case that doubles as a stand for the screen. When it’s time to move on, you have to reassemble the bundle, that is, after making sure to remove the keyboard lest you risk damaging the device.

In contrast, the few early glimpses of laptops with rollable screens that we’ve seen from Lenovo can make their full screen area available without any keyboard shuffling. Even though these motorized designs make you wait until the screen retracts before closing the lid, most users will likely find the trade-off worth it.

When comparing foldable-screen phones to foldable-screen laptops, it makes sense that — other things being equal — the smaller device will reap the greater relative value from extra screen real estate on demand.

But these dynamics have meant that there’s been far more working in favor of smartphones; the next generation of laptops with bending displays will require some rethinking

• Lenovo offers up Eva Longoria to help solve your SMB woes
• Desperate Housewives star is an entrepreneur and serial investor herself
• Users can submit questions now, with Longoria answering on her Instagram page

If you're looking for that extra bit of business support and advice, you might seek out a mentor, someone who's been there and done it all - but how about a well-known TV and film icon?

Lenovo has teamed up with Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, who both owns her own business, and has invested in companies involved in everything from food and beverages to media, to offer her unique advice on the issues affecting fellow entrepreneurs.

Entrants will be able to submit their burning questions to the star via a special phone number or through CallEvaNow.com, with Longoria providing assistance at a later date.

Call Eva

The "Call Eva" idea is part of Lenovo’s global Backing Every Business program, which looks to "connect entrepreneurs across the world who are facing similar business challenges, creating peer-to-peer relationships where they can exchange experiences, perspectives and practical advice".

Entrepreneurs in Brazil, France, India, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States will be able to take part, with Longoria selecting the most pressing to answer on her personal Instagram feed on September 16, 2026.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that you don’t have to have all the answers yourself. Some of the best decisions start with asking someone you trust for insights, a fresh perspective or even just reassurance that you’re heading in the right direction,” Longoria said

“That’s what I love about Lenovo’s Backing Every Business initiative and now Call Eva. We’re giving entrepreneurs a place to bring the questions they’re really wrestling with, because chances are, another business owner has faced similar dilemmas. If something I’ve learned along the way can help someone better navigate a challenge, make a tough decision or take their next step with more confidence, that’s incredibly meaningful to me.”

“Technology can unlock enormous opportunities for small businesses, but technology alone doesn’t build a business. Entrepreneurs also need access to trusted advice, shared experiences and a community that understands the realities of building and growing a business,” said Emily Ketchen, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, Lenovo.

“Backing Every Business brings those pieces together and Call Eva gives us a new avenue to extend that support while listening directly to entrepreneurs about the challenges they’re navigating. By understanding their questions, we can continue to find meaningful ways to help small businesses move forward and grow with confidence.”

• Lenovo showed Project Swan at IFA 2026, a concept notebook whose 14-inch display rolls out horizontally to a 17-inch 16:9 panel, at 17.9mm and 1.6kg
• It is 90g lighter and 2mm thinner than the vertical ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable that Lenovo already sells, pointing to a maturing lineup from the computer giant
• It has a compelling business case for people who currently carry a portable monitor for work, but given the current model's pricing, it may come at a significant premium versus the solution it competes with

Lenovo showcased Project Swan at Innovation World during IFA 2026, a proof-of-concept notebook that functions as a 14-inch machine in its compact form and expands into a larger 17-inch 16:9 display when more space is needed.

The laptop measures 17.9mm thick and weighs 1.6kg, and targets customers who do a lot of multitasking, side-by-side document review, presentations, dashboards, and creative workflows.

The model currently has no price tag, no ship date, and no named processor, beyond the company's statement that both concepts, including the fanless AeroBlade, will be powered by Intel at launch this year.

Pitched at users leveraging a portable monitor with a large budget in tow?

Lenovo's Project Swan isn't exactly a new product offering, but an improvement on something the same company already offers. Lenovo already sells its sibling, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, which went on sale in June 2025 and does the same trick vertically by expanding a 14-inch panel to 16.7 inches, costing at least $3,300 at launch.

Comparing that relatively astronomical price tag to a traditional 14-inch laptop that could cost as little as $1000 from the same company and a portable monitor starting at $200 makes for a very daunting comparison, especially for business buyers, where it could make the difference between a fleet purchase and a niche buy for executives.

It does have some upgrades in thickness and weight over the Gen 6, however: the Gen 6 Rollable is 1.69kg in a chassis 19.9mm thick, while Project Swan is 1.6kg at 17.9mm, shaving off both 90 grams of weight and 2mm of thickness, signaling a maturing technology versus an actual ground-breaking product.

The larger screen and the mechanism to roll it does come with a penalty, however; the ThinkBook 14 Gen 9 announced in parallel with it is 1.3kg at 17.7mm of thickness, beating it soundly in the former and slightly in the latter metric. Against Project Aeroblade, which clocks in at 830g, the weight difference is nearly twice that of the fanless design that Lenovo can currently produce.

The people who benefit are those who need two documents open simultaneously and cannot rely on a second screen being where they are going: contract reviewers, auditors on client sites, translators, analysts comparing a model against its source, consultants presenting across a table without a projector.

For that target audience, the alternative today is carrying a portable USB-C monitor, and the weight calculus favors Project Swan tremendously: A 15-inch portable monitor typically runs 700 to 900 grams, and a comparable 1.3kg ThinkBook plus a screen is around 2.1kg in the bag against the Swan's 1.6kg, with no secondary cable to manage.

Whether Project Swan arrives at an acceptable price point determines whether the rollable laptop becomes more than a pricey proof of concept or a viable solution for many users who need a large screen with portability and weight constraints in tow. For now, Lenovo's impressive offering points to an evolution, not a revolution, in a segment that has drawn a lot of interest but little corporate purchase intent because of concerns about price, durability, and repairability, making it a fringe purchase at best for most.

• Lenovo showed Project AeroBlade at IFA 2026, a fanless 14-inch concept under 10mm thick and under 830g, cooled by a solid-state Active Flow system built with Frore Systems
• Lenovo dubs this a 'quieter, cleaner computing experience' sans the performance tradeoffs that many similar designs have to make
• Published AirJet specifications and Intel's own 11.3mm reference design put sustained cooling near 15 watts, so "full-performance computing" from Lenovo might be a reach at best currently unless its purported breakthrough offers considerably more cooling than the former's already established tech

Among the shipping products at Lenovo Innovation World during IFA 2026 are two proof-of-concept machines, and the more consequential of the two, somewhat ironically, is not the one with the moving screen.

Project AeroBlade is a 14-inch notebook measuring under 10mm thick and weighing under 830g, built from magnesium-aluminum with a high screen-to-body OLED display, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7 that eliminates fans in the process.

Lenovo cools it with what it calls Active Flow, a solid-state thermal architecture developed with Frore Systems and built on top of the latter's AirJet technology.

Big promises, but relatively scant details

Lenovo claims the resulting product delivers full-performance computing and sustained AI performance without the compromises normally associated with fanless designs.

This could depend on what one considers 'full-performance' computing and AI use, as well as the underlying CPU and GPU configuration. Frore Systems' AirJet is not vaporware; it is proven technology that uses a piezoelectric cooling chip to move air with membranes vibrating above the range of human hearing, and the solution has shipped in mini PCs and SSD enclosures for two years.

An AirJet Mini removes 5.25 watts of heat at 21 dBA while drawing up to one watt, in a package 2.8mm thick and weighing nine grams, generating 1,750 pascals of back pressure. A Mini Slim variant trims that to 2.5mm at the same capacity. The higher-capacity AirJet Pro, rated at 10.5 watts, has since been discontinued, so scaling now happens by adding 5.25-watt modules rather than upgrading to a larger unit.

The tech, however, has not been abandoned or ignored, with Intel building a Wildcat Lake laptop reference design around an AirJet Mini wrapped in a vapor chamber, and Tom's Hardware reporting 15 watts of sustained cooling in a chassis 11.3mm thick.

Lenovo's AeroBlade, however, is thinner at just under 10 mm, which would make it a small achievement if it still sustains 15 W of cooling, but it also means Lenovo is being pickier than most when it comes to choosing facts here: it may just be running a low-powered chip at "full-performance".

For context, the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 Lenovo is shipping from Q1 2027 carries a 25W TDP CPU under the hood, and running that at maximum design power would require a significantly larger cooling mechanism: the equivalent of five AirJet Minis and a vapor chamber to match.

Lenovo's concept does have advantages, however: it will be much quieter than any design that uses fans, while also removing a key component that can cause hardware failures or RMAs, making longevity a key gain for future designs based on the same approach.

For now, however, Lenovo has not attached a price, a date, a processor, or a single executive quote to the proof-of-concept laptop, which effectively means that it is years from becoming a viable mainstream option. It has, however, demonstrated that a 14-inch business laptop under 830 grams with Thunderbolt and no moving parts can be built with components that exist today, and that alone is arguably a sizeable victory for enthusiasts wanting a quiet but powerful x86-based alternative to the passively cooled MacBook Air.

• Lenovo announced the 11th-generation 15" Yoga Pro 9n and 16" Yoga 9n 2-in-1 at IFA 2026, both running NVIDIA's RTX Spark with a 20-core Grace Arm CPU and a 6,144-core Blackwell GPU
• The understated highlight for business users and professionals is the 128GB of unified memory that the Pro 9n offers, essentially allowing for large LLMs to be run on-device
• This is essential for companies that are required not to transmit sensitive data or use cloud APIs for their AI requirements

Lenovo announced two Yoga laptops running NVIDIA RTX Spark at its Innovation World event during IFA 2026, and the spec that may matter most to professional buyers isn't the GPU but the massive maximum memory both offer.

While the Lenovo Yoga 9n is limited to a 16-channel 256-bit 64GB LPDDR5X configuration, the Pro SKU doubles this to 128 GB.

The change allows the Yoga Pro 9n to run large models on-device, an impressive feat for a device that weighs only 1.65kg but houses a capable Blackwell RTX GPU that can muster as many as 6144 cores for local AI needs.

Peaking under the hood of the RTX Spark-powered Yoga laptops

The underlying silicon is NVIDIA's RTX Spark, unveiled on May 31 ahead of GTC Taipei and long rumored under the codename N1X. Both laptops pair a 20-core Grace-class Arm CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores, roughly comparable to a laptop with a GeForce RTX 5070, co-developed with MediaTek and joined by Nvidia's proprietary coherent chip-to-chip interconnect (NVLink-C2C).

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9n is the performance-centric model, offering 2 NVMe SSD slots and a total advertised storage capacity of 4 TB, while the non-Pro model caps at 2 TB. It also offers an extremely color-accurate 15.3-inch 2.5K PureSight Pro OLED that runs from 48 to 165Hz at 1100 nits peak brightness, plus a large 92.5 Whr battery with rapid charging that lets it eke out an advertised 3 hours of battery life after 15 minutes of charging. It also offers 2 USB-A and 2 USB-C (USB4) ports; the latter support DisplayPort 2.1 and USB PD 3.0 for power users, and it also includes an HDMI 2.1 connection and an SD port.

With WiFi 7 and BT 5.4 under the hood, plus a 9.2MP IR camera and a quad-speaker setup, the Pro 9n is built for creators who need plenty of connectivity in a slim, portable chassis.

For those who need a slightly larger screen and potentially a 2-in-device, the Yoga 9n skips the 'Pro' moniker but offers a 2.8K OLED display with a slightly lower capped refresh rate (30 to 120Hz), half the maximum memory configuration, and a slightly larger battery (99.9 WHr), even as it sees its weight increase to 1.94KG as a result.

A portable for-local AI offering that holds its own

For business buyers looking to localize their AI needs, run large proprietary AI models, or keep data on-device, the unified memory pool both Lenovo offerings bring to the table is essentially their biggest selling point.

This is in sharp relief from how the first wave of Copilot+ PCs stressed AI performance as a unit of NPU TOPS, even as the emergent bottleneck was that of memory capacity and bandwidth, where both laptops excel.

A machine that holds a large model in memory can essentially run inference on material that never leaves the device, even as both laptops offer a decent mid-range GPU that can generate more tokens than most comparable laptops for similar models.

This is crucial for firms that cannot send client documents, patient records, case files, source code, or export-controlled technical data to a third-party cloud API; this is not just a performance feature but a compliance one, and it marks the difference between using a model on real work with information that is often sensitive versus on test data.

The laptops also bring relief for developers who spent the last few years trying to use unified memory-based Apple laptops to work with Nvidia's CUDA stack with varying amounts of success, to build locally on a computer that essentially eliminates that compatibility and testing gap by allowing it to run the CUDA stack natively on the RTX Spark-based machines.

One could argue that many applications still have compatibility issues on ARM-based CPUs, but that gap is narrowing as Microsoft continues to publish updates and emulation improves, and as more developers publish ARM-centric compilations of their software.

Despite their AI-centric focus and catering to high-end professional users, Yoga generally isn't where Lenovo's business customers are found; its business fleets run on ThinkPad, with ThinkShield security tooling, business-grade manageability, extended parts availability, and the lifecycle commitments that enable predictable refresh cycles.

Lenovo has not announced pricing for the Yoga Pro 9n or the Yoga 9n currently, stating that it will do so at launch, even as the accompanying Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus Gen 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500s-powered Lenovo Yoga Tab Gen 2 both reach shelves this September with price tags of $999.99 and $729.99, respectively.

• Lenovo announced the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 at IFA 2026: a 990g notebook with up to a 14-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED option, Intel Core 7 Series 3 silicon, and a starting price of $999.99 in Q1 2027
• It is the only computing product in an AI-branded launch with no TOPS figure and no Copilot+ claims as part of its published spec sheet
• The laptop does make compromises, skipping Thunderbolt and USB4 connectivity, WiFi 7 at half the channel width of the Arm-based ThinkBook 14 Gen 9 it launches alongside, and an HDMI 2.1 port that caps out at a 4K 60Hz output

Lenovo announced the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 at Innovation World during IFA 2026: a 990g notebook running Intel Core 7 processors from the Series 3 generation, starting at $999.99 and available for purchase in Q1 2027.

It arrives as part of a series of launches focused on what Lenovo calls "Hybrid AI for Business," but it's the only computing product in the press release that makes no AI claims out of the box.

It offers excellent general-purpose compute capabilities but cuts back in some key connectivity areas that might deter power users.

A performant, lightweight option that cuts back on some key features

The higher-end version of the Lenovo ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 offers a 14-inch 16:10 2.8K OLED running at 120Hz with 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage, 500 nits, and a bent anti-glare finish, which is an excellent offering in a market teeming with cheaper options. For those unwilling to pay the premium it will inevitably command, the ThinkBook 14x also offers a WUXGA LCD alternative with the same 120Hz refresh rate, 100 percent sRGB, 400 nits, and optional touch.

Lenovo's press release says the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 "delivers premium mobility in an ultra-thin, lightweight design built for everyday productivity," and it is hard to argue otherwise for a laptop that holds its own in a market that is getting pricier thanks to soaring component costs.

It does, however, make significant cuts to get there; the most prominent is the lack of Thunderbolt or USB4 ports, despite sporting a CPU (Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3) that supports them. It also cuts Wi-Fi support to 160MHz versus 320MHz on the accompanying ThinkBook 14 Gen 9, effectively halving its maximum data throughput.

Despite this drawback, it has two USB-C ports that currently offer USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity at 10Gbps, which should suffice for most mainstream users even if the four-Thunderbolt-lane standard of Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 platform controller remains unused.

It also comes with an 18Gbps HDMI 2.1 port (TMDS) that caps maximum output at 4K 60Hz, which is arguably a lesser concern for a laptop that lacks Thunderbolt support, which already limits its potential to be paired with an eGPU and is unlikely to offer much to gamers, who would otherwise be the primary audience for a high refresh rate at a 4K resolution.

Lenovo has not published the AI TOPS capabilities of the as-yet-unnamed Core Ultra 7 Series 3 CPU it is pairing with the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2, even as the ThinkBook 14 Gen 9, announced alongside it features a Snapdragon X2 Plus with an explicitly stated 80 TOPS AI performance by Qualcomm and Copilot+ support out of the box.

One could argue that the AI aspect being skipped is intentional, and the ThinkBook 14x Gen 2 caters to a vastly different crowd, something that is easy to reconcile with, but the compromises in connectivity hit hard for any power user looking for a capable but feature-packed 14-inch laptop in the segment even if Lenovo has indirectly made it abundantly clear about what its target audience is: casual users that need a thin, but performant 14-inch laptop.

• Lenovo announced the ThinkCentre X Ultra at IFA 2026, a 1.6-liter desktop with its max configuration offering up to AMD's top-of-the-line Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 APUs
• It launches in November 2026, starts at $3,699, and comes with up to 128GB of unified memory under the hood
• Users can configure four of these together to leverage as much as 512GB of unified memory for local needs

Lenovo announced the ThinkCentre X Ultra at its Innovation World event during IFA 2026: a 1.6-liter desktop built around AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 with up to 128GB of unified memory, starting at $3,699, shipping in November 2026.

The company calls this offering a new class of desktop for agentic AI, and it can be configured to cluster up to four systems, effectively pooling processing power and memory to run large AI models locally.

The added compute and memory capacity lets users run longer context windows and multi-agent workflows without turning to cloud-hosted alternatives, while keeping data localized.

Plenty of scalable power under the hood

The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 is the flagship of AMD's Gorgon Halo refresh, pairing 16 Zen 5 cores with a 40-compute-unit Radeon 8065S integrated GPU and an NPU rated at roughly 55 TOPS. Its defining trait is the shared memory pool: the CPU and GPU address the same LPDDR5X memory under the hood, so it can effectively hold and run models that a discrete, consumer-grade GPU with 24GB or 32GB of VRAM cannot.

Lenovo pairs it with its enterprise-class ThinkShield security, AMD's PRO technologies, and DASH out-of-band manageability, plus the self-healing BIOS that runs across the ThinkCentre line, and integrates the AMD Ryzen AI Developer Center for preconfigured tools, models, and workflows across both Windows and Linux.

The Yoga laptops unveiled alongside it also reach 128GB of unified memory, but they don't offer the ability to cluster together for more memory or the additional hardware you may not need for a localized AI server. The price might be an issue for many looking to hook up four of these devices together; however, assuming a device cost of $3700 for a 128GB model, one would need nearly $15,000 before factoring in connectivity costs to build a 512GB memory cluster based on the ThinkCentre X Ultra.

Lenovo has not, however, said how connectivity will work, what bandwidth units will have when running four in tandem, or what the performance implications will be for such a configuration, even as its listed specs include dual Thunderbolt 4 ports rated at 40Gb/s each. The larger memory pool also might not translate to performance; while AMD's 16-core Zen 5-based configuration is fast as processors go, the integrated GPU is considerably slower, even when running together, versus something like an Nvidia H100 that can be rented for a few dollars an hour online.

For those looking for something visually attractive that doubles as a monitor for what the system is up to, the ThinkCentre X Ultra also has adaptive lighting under the hood that provides real-time visual feedback. However, whether it stacks up two months later, as an increasing number of Ryzen AI PRO 400 APUs make it to developers and AI users across the world, joining an ever-increasingly competitive fray, remains to be seen, even if you can rig four of them together, in addition to Lenovo's enterprise offerings being integrated in tow.

• Hackers exploited Lenovo’s flawed email verification to hijack ~5,000 Dropbox accounts
• Attackers created Lenovo IDs with victims’ emails, bypassing login; 2FA absence worsened impact
• Dropbox ended Lenovo ID logins, expired sessions, and urged password changes plus 2FA setup

Around 5,000 Dropbox user accounts were compromised when hackers found a vulnerability in the Lenovo ID verification process. What does a Lenovo flaw have to do with people’s Dropbox accounts, you might ask? Here is what happened:

Earlier this week, Dropbox started notifying affected individuals about the incident. In the data breach notification email, the company explains:

“Dropbox partners with Lenovo as an identity provider so that users can log in to their Dropbox accounts using verified Lenovo IDs. While you may not have an existing Lenovo ID, our investigation determined that an issue with Lenovo’s email verification process allowed an unauthorized party to register a Lenovo ID using your email address and then use that Lenovo ID to log into the Dropbox account associated with that email address.”

Fixing the flaw

In other words, all criminals needed to have to pull this off was people’s email addresses. Using that information, they created Lenovo IDs and simply waltzed right into Dropbox accounts.

The attack took place between August 4 and 21, the company further said, adding that most of the accounts that were accessed did not have 2FA enabled. In around a third of them, there is evidence stored documents were either viewed or downloaded.

The vulnerability has since been addressed, and further steps taken to protect Dropbox users’ privacy. The company said it “promptly expired all sessions logged in through Lenovo IDs,” and terminated all links between Lenovo and Dropbox accounts. Now, it made it mandatory to submit a password when logging in through a Lenovo ID.

“No one can access your Dropbox account via a Lenovo ID without first entering your Dropbox password,” it said. Still, it urged users to change their passwords, enable two-step verification, and change the password for their email accounts.

“Every single one of the compromised accounts lacked multi-factor authentication. In 2026, for cloud storage accounts holding data, that’s an indefensible gap and it’s one that users could have closed themselves regardless of what Lenovo or Dropbox did or didn’t do with their legacy integration," said Muhammad Yahya Patel, vCISO and cybersecurity advisor for EMEA at Huntress.

"The combination of an unreviewed third-party authentication pathway and accounts without MFA is essentially an open invitation. The practical lesson is straightforward and applies well beyond this specific incident. Every organisation and every individual should periodically audit what third-party services have authentication access to their accounts. OAuth grants, SSO connections, and third-party login integrations accumulate silently and rarely get removed when the relationship that created them ends.”

Via Cybernews

I've always been a big fan of the ThinkPad lineup. Although that's a very clear lineup, split across the S series, the E series, and beyond.

The S series is the slimline series, and even with a 16-inch laptop, the fact that they can keep it this lightweight is pretty impressive. It begs the biggest challenge: what backpack are you going to put it in? Not necessarily if you want to carry it with you or not.

This is the kind of laptop that you want to bring with you if you need some serious power and some screen real estate, but not necessarily a high-power CPU. I wouldn't bring this with me if I'm trying to edit video or push some 3D renderings or anything like that. If I'm doing coding work, need some serious CPU on the go, and want that bigger screen without breaking my back carrying it around, then this is one I would strongly consider.

It is supposed to be a desktop replacement, after all. One thing that Lenovo loves to talk about with this laptop is its ability to run CAD at a desktop performance level, even without the BVR GPU. The RTX Pro 500 Blackwell GPU is plenty good enough for most 3D renderings and mobile work.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: Price and availability

The ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 is widely available from both Lenovo and online retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo. You can pick up the Ultra 7 with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for around $3,000, but it comes in a range of configurations.

That's about what we'd expect for a workstation packing this sort of power, and puts it around $2000 cheaper than the behemoth ThinkPad P16 Gen 3.

It's available with an Intel chip in the US here and UK here via Lenovo. For the AMD version, Lenovo has it in the US here and the UK here.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: Unboxing and First Impressions

I'm fairly certain that unboxing every single Lenovo laptop that I've ever opened has been nearly the same exact experience. So much so that I frequently have to properly label the boxes so that I don't get them mixed up when I'm reviewing several ThinkPads at one time.

With all that being said, there's nothing fancy or outrageous about the ThinkPad unboxing, and that's honestly one of the things I love about them (and one reason, beyond hardware, that I suspect they're a business favorite). The unboxing experience very matter-of-fact.

Taking it out of the box, I was impressed that the laptop is just as slim as Lenovo claims. While it's not the thinnest of my laptops, it's not even the thinnest of all the ThinkPads I have right now, it's startling how well-designed it is considering how powerful this machine is.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: Design & Build Quality

It's almost boring to talk about Lenovo laptops when it comes to reviews and design and build quality, because they all look almost identical: just slightly different thicknesses and minor changes, but nothing major.

In a sense, that's one of the major strengths, though. They all have phenomenal build quality. It's one of the reasons so many businesses rely on them: they are built to last and to be used and abused, not just looked at as a pretty showcase device.

As all good performance business devices should, the ThinkPad P16S Gen 4 has a MIL-STD-810H-tested build and a spill-resistant backlit keyboard.

It still feels snappy and comfortable to type on all day long. It has a large trackpad, great ports, the track point that people either love or hate, and even core features such as a privacy shutter and human presence detection.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: In use

I've been jumping in and out of this laptop, along with several others, for the last 100 days or more. So far, it's been able to handle even my most demanding AI business workflows. Yes, while I do write all these reviews by myself without any help from AI, there are several other clients that I have in my day-to-day jobs that I do utilize AI heavily for.

In those times, I'm running several chats at one time across ChatGPT, Claude, Notion, and even Gemini. Sometimes my computer can definitely get slowed down on some of my testing machines.

This one, however, seemed to hold up pretty well, even with multiple AI workflows at the same time, which is pretty impressive. It could be because of its RAM or just the powerful CPU, but either way, this machine gets the work done.

Of course, we are using this for day-to-day office work as well. For basic admin, this machine is overkill and will do it without any problem. The 16-inch screen is great for spreadsheets, research, email, really anything that you need to get done in a business context. But where it really shines is heavy CPU Tasks on the go.

I carry a MacBook Pro 14-inch every day, and that seems just about the largest I normally want to carry. Most 16-inch laptops that I try to carry in my normal backpack are a little bit too big, but the ThinkPad P16S Gen 4 does fit in my normal backpack size. If you are looking to get one and you're curious, that's good news for you.

Further, if you are one of the people who are lucky enough to be in a constant work-from-anywhere or remote work environment or job, and you need something that can handle every workload, this one is a phenomenal option.

Purely for research purposes only, I spent an afternoon at a coffee shop working away at this laptop, and it was very comfortable. It wasn't too big for the awkwardly small café tables and some coffee shops, nor was it awkward to pull out. I was able to get my work done.

The keyboard is comfortable enough to type on all day long. The mics are strong enough for dictation in virtual meetings, and it actually didn't even sound too bad using the built-in mics for virtual meetings in a moderately background-noise-filled coffee shop

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: Final verdict

If you're a developer on the go, if you work on GPU-light but CPU-heavy work, or if you just need a machine that won't slow down with your heavy workloads, then the ThinkPad P16S Gen4 may be something worth considering for you.

This slim moniker really does showcase itself here, all while keeping the same trusted and reliable ThinkPad build. This is definitely designed for mobile pros but could be utilized by just about anybody if the build and specs are right for you.

For more powerhouse performers, we've tested the best business laptops, the best mobile workstations, and the best laptops for engineering students, which is one area I'd definitely recommend the ThinkPad P16s Gen 4.

• Photos of a Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe laptop have been leaked
• It's clearly similar to Apple's MacBook Neo in terms of its overall appearance and striking colors
• That said, the Lenovo device offers a better port selection and hints suggest it'll be more powerful, so likely pricier – but all of this is just theorizing

Lenovo appears to be readying a rival to the MacBook Neo, based on leaked photos of the laptop that have just surfaced.

Windows Latest got hold of the promo images of Lenovo's IdeaPad Vibe, publishing a bunch of them to give us a good look at the notebook (add your own seasoning around any such leak, but the material looks authentic enough).

Going by the trendy name, the 'Vibe' and the range of punchy colors (including a striking yellow, green and pink), it seems clear enough that this is aimed squarely at the Neo's territory – not to mention that it looks more than a little similar to Apple's laptop.

There are differences, of course: you won't find a Copilot key on a MacBook (mind you, a good many people don't want to find it on their Windows laptop, either).

Lenovo has also pushed for more connectivity than the MacBook Neo, and that's the biggest difference we can see just looking at the photos.

There's a pair of USB-A ports on one side, and two USB-C connectors on the other, along with an HDMI port, headphone jack and a microSD slot. As a reminder, you only get two USB-C ports with the Neo, plus a headphone jack, a barebones allocation for connectivity (and that's before we even mention the older USB speeds the MacBook Neo uses).

The photos also show cooling vents on the underside of the IdeaPad Vibe, so there'll be a fan for cooling (the Neo is passively cooled, meaning there's no fan).

There are thin bezels around the screen, and a tiny panel on top to house the webcam which also has a privacy shutter.

While the leak doesn't provide any specs, we do learn that based on the image file names, there will be one model with an AMD CPU, and one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip – although they both look identical.

Analysis: competitive vibes

The MacBook Neo has certainly stirred things up in the world of Windows laptops. It did this by coming in at a price point that surprised many (myself included), with Apple offering a lot of value with its new lowest-tier MacBook, which was very much recognized by buyers – it started flying off the shelves. Part of the cost-cutting effort here was dropping the RAM to 8GB, as you may recall, but despite this the Neo still manages to provide enough pep to cover everyday computing duties.

Since then, we've seen a host of planned 8GB laptops that run Windows 11, which was inevitable really, given the RAM crisis pushing up the price of memory (and storage, as well as other components) so much. The Neo also gave these machines a mainstream lead to follow, as it were.

An obvious sticking point, however, is Windows 11's performance running on 8GB compared to macOS. Now, Microsoft is working on fixing Windows 11 so it's speedier with just 8GB, and I'd argue that the Neo is a big reason for this happening. Well, that and the RAM crisis, of course.

In short, the MacBook Neo has forced Windows laptop makers (and Microsoft) to up their game, and Lenovo's effort here couldn't be a much clearer statement of echoing Apple's tactics with its budget laptop.

That said, the IdeaPad Vibe looks to be a more premium device than the Neo, with clues to that such as the privacy shutter, the much beefier port selection, as well as the overall sleek lines, and the active cooling. The latter means the Vibe will likely offer a good deal more performance grunt than the Neo, and it's surely going to be pricier as a result.

We don't get a hint of the price tag, but I'm betting that even after Apple's MacBook Neo price hike – it's no longer quite as affordable as it was at launch – the Lenovo machine's going to be a fair bit more expensive. We shall see, but the price is the main concern here, along with the people on Reddit who have reservations about Lenovo's build quality compared to Apple's (which really nailed quality in a lower-priced laptop).

One Redditor is skeptical and observes: "Pretty sure it won't share the same build quality [as Apple]."

Another adds: "IdeaPad 3 I had, had pretty bad hinges, lasts 1-2 year only."

The IdeaPad Vibe will obviously have to perform well enough on the build quality front if it does want to get in on the action and capitalize on the Neo's current popularity.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 is exactly what you expect to see if a ThinkPad got Botox. This computer is a professional workstation with the familiar soul of a ThinkPad business laptop, just in a sleek, facelifted chassis.

Everything about the P14s is geared toward getting work done without compromising looks or quality-of-life features that have been overlooked in the past when other workhorse laptops hit the market.

It combines serious hardware with a compact design without sacrificing the physical qualities that make a work laptop enjoyable to use. Given the size, In my experience it's one of the best laptops for engineering students looking for a more portable powerhouse, or professionals working across multiple locations.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6: Price and availability

The P16s Gen 3 is available in a range of configurations, with both AMD and Intel chips. You can grab the AMD version and the Intel version from Lenovo US. That's the same for Lenovo UK with AMD models and Intel models.

I'm testing the Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6, Model 21QT0029US to be exact. It has an Intel Core Ultra 7 265H processor, an Nvidia RTX Pro 500 Blackwell GPU with 6 GB of GDDR7 memory, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. It also includes Windows 11 Pro and Intel vPro support, which fits Lenovo’s stellar reputation for business security and management.

This ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 has 32 GB RAM, while leaving the second slot unused. For this laptop, Lenovo supports up to 96 GB, giving the device room to grow for larger projects. There is also only one internal M.2 storage slot, though, so if you increase storage, you must replace the existing drive.

Our exact testing model and configuration can be found for about $2,700, but with Lenovo’s frequent promotions you can also find a similar P14s configuration closer to the mid-$2,000 range. That number makes more sense when the laptop is compared with other professional mobile workstations.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6: Unboxing and First Impressions

Physically, the ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 is fantastic. Its aluminum top and bottom give the chassis a sturdy feel with very little flex or anything else that makes it seem fragile.

Lenovo also puts the system through MIL-STD-810H testing, which is a standard used by the DOD for drops/shocks, extreme temperatures/humidity, dust, and high altitude. So, TL;DR—this thing is solid.

Its construction feels quite fitting for a computer you’d expect to travel with, to and from work every day. The design itself is unmistakably ThinkPad as well. Which is a pro and a con depending on how unique you want to be in your laptop.

It features an all-black, professional-looking frame with subtle Lenovo branding and the familiar red TrackPoint on the keyboard. If you want to stand out and make it your own, slap a sticker on there, but if you want to look professional and crisp, then you'll fit right in with yet another ThinkPad that looks exactly like the rest.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6: Design & Build Quality

The keyboard is the undisputed favorite part of the laptop across our entire team. The shape and texture of the keys feel excellent, and each press is incredibly responsive, tactile, and honestly satisfying. Typing for long periods never makes my hand feel tired or makes me want to switch to a different keyboard for a break.

In fact, this whole article is typed on the P14s, that’s how much I enjoy its keyboard. I have several people who help me test laptops to ensure I am not just using my own personal bias in my reviews, and we all unanimously agree that the ThinkPad keyboards are spectacular, and the P14s Gen 6 is no exception.

The backlighting of the keyboard is also convenient, with brightness control using the Fn key and spacebar that offers a few different lighting/brightness options. The TrackPoint, along with its corresponding buttons, works as you’d expect too. With so many laptops moving to have this be software-driven, it is nice to see some business devices still have these elements built into key commands that have been around for quite some time.

The fingerprint reader is built into the power button, works quickly, and was much more dependable for us than facial recognition. The 5 MP infrared camera is acceptable for video calls, but we ran into issues when strong backlighting was present, mainly with facial recognition when trying to unlock the device.

The 14.5-inch display on this configuration has a 2560 × 1600 resolution at a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and a rated brightness of 400 nits. It covers 100% of the sRGB color space and is X-Rite factory-calibrated. In person, the screen is beautiful: the text looks sharp, colors have plenty of vibrance, and the taller 16:10 aspect ratio gives you extra vertical space for any project, document, or webpage.

The 90 Hz refresh does a good enough job to keep up with pretty much all on-screen movement and keep it looking smooth. Of course, we wouldn't suggest video editing or photo editing even on this at a professional level, but that's not what this is designed for now, is it? I'm still shocked at how many people in the classic professional white-collar jobs are happy with standard HD screens.

Movies, TV, and other media look great, but its more important job is providing a clear, color-accurate workspace for professional applications, and it does that quite well, too. The screen itself has that silky, smooth feel that many modern displays have.

There are also two 2-watt speakers, which are surprisingly good for laptop speakers. Dolby Audio helps voices and other sounds come out clearly and gives music and video a fuller sound than I would have expected from a laptop.

Of course, they will not replace quality headphones or external desktop speakers, but they work well for calls, presentations, and, as I mentioned before, your movies and TV if you plan on using this laptop for fun things too.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6: In use

During normal use, the P14S feels extremely fast. I was able to move between multiple programs, browser windows, and background tasks without experiencing any noticeable lag. It responds like a computer ready for real work rather than one suited for online shopping and the occasional email.

The RTX Pro 500 is a workstation-class GPU, and the P14s carries independent software vendor certifications for its intended professional applications. That matters when stability is more valuable than chasing gaming-level frame rates. It also shows that Lenovo knows its lane with this laptop.

They aren't making this for the gamers, generalists, or the budget-seekers. This has its niche in the professional category of needing to be able to handle demanding programs with speed but needing to break records in any way either. The reliability and stability are the game here, and Lenovo has it in spades.

There are reasonable limits. The GPU’s 6GB of memory may restrict extremely complicated renders, massive simulations, or demanding local AI projects - set expectations, though, and you'll get by.

The included 32GB may also become a ceiling for unusually large workloads, although the 96 GB upgrade limit provides potential to grow. For seriously demanding workloads, the ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 is still the king.

The laptop “can” run games, but gaming is simply not its purpose. Performance is good rather than great, maybe even just okay, and the RTX Pro hardware is better suited to professional engineering applications than maximizing frame rate for games. This kind of testing is helpful too, as it gives a glimpse into how this may perform for CAD renderings and other graphically-intensive scenarios.

While this could pull up some models, the more complex ones may take longer than desired, and this isn't the machine you'd want long-term if you live in that space -- or at least not as your only machine.

The cooling system for the P14s becomes noticeable during heavy work. Under sustained loads, the fan is medium-loud, with a somewhat turbine-like sound. Imagine a Dyson bladeless fan. It’s not crazy loud, but there is no mistaking when the laptop is working hard.

Our review unit has the larger 75Wh battery and a 100-watt USB-C charger. Under normal or light use, it lasted pretty much the entire day even at maximum brightness. This was a real-world observation rather than a controlled rundown, but it showed that the device can work away from an outlet without constant anxiety over battery life.

Heavy CAD rendering or other sustained CPU and GPU work will indeed drain the battery much faster, especially with higher screen brightness. That is to be expected from mobile workstation hardware. Lenovo rates Rapid Charge to restore up to 80% in about an hour, which makes it easier to recover a useful amount of battery life during a short break.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6: Final verdict

The ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 feels like another professional tool to choose from if you are in that arena of the professional workforce. Its solid construction, fantastic keyboard, sharp display, quality ports, upgradable memory, and consistent performance support the work it was designed to do.

When you consider the professional hardware, ISV certifications, display quality, and upgradable options, the price of this laptop honestly shifts from a negative to one of its strongest positives.

For professionals and students seeking serious power without moving to a larger or significantly more expensive workstation, this computer is a solid all-around option. They don't necessarily want the newest or the fanciest in the category, they want something they know they can rely on, because downtime isn't worth the cost of a fun feature they occasionally use.

For more powerhouse performers, we've tested the best business laptops and the best mobile workstations.

“It’s not red,” IBM’s design center manager patiently explained. “It’s magenta.”

The safety function officer wasn’t buying it. Between his fingers, he held up a small, rubbery disc that looked like a pencil eraser. “You know it’s red and I know it’s red,” he said.

The design manager didn’t back down. He insisted that what the man held was indeed magenta. The safety officer called his boss. The boss called Tom Hardy, Design Program Director at IBM. Hardy didn't flinch.

“It’s not red. It’s magenta.”

It was one of the boldest lies ever told in tech. And it made the ThinkPad iconic.

Years later, Hardy relayed the incident in an interview with Laptop Retrospective, detailing the design origins of the TrackPoint, the input stick resting in a central position of the ThinkPad keyboard since 1992.

Instantly recognizable today, the little red nub remains core to the ThinkPad’s identity. For anyone working in design, its history serves as a lesson on creative control and innovation.

Every designer knows red on black is a classic combination. So, for Hardy’s team, it was a no-brainer choice when first tasked with adding the TrackPoint to the system.

However, at the time, IBM instituted a strict color-code. For control systems like the TrackPoint, the standard was blue. Playing by the rules, the team toyed with that. According to Hardy, “it just didn’t sing like red did.”

They switched back to red. But there was a major problem with that.

Red was reserved for emergency power shutdowns. It’s the kill-switch color. Hardy knew, even then, the safety team had to approve the color scheme. There was no way they’d let it ship with a red cursor control. That simply wasn’t the way it was done.

Rather than fight and inevitably lose that battle, the designers got creative.

They scrapped every trace of ‘red’ in the documentation. They replaced it with ‘magenta’.

“The safety guys,” Hardy explained, “They may not know what magenta is, but they’ll know it’s not red.”

Soon, the parts came in, labeled as magenta. No-one looked twice at them until the safety official snooped on a box of TrackPoints and demanded to know who approved the color for non-power related functions. He didn’t get an answer he liked. He threatened to shut down the whole production line.

Hardy got involved shortly after. Corporate on corporate combat ensued, arguing over the subjective difference between magenta and red. “The next stop in the line,” Hardy reminded them, “It goes to the CEO.”

Fighting his corner, he tells them, will be famed industrial designer Richard Sapper who created the classic ThinkPad design, as well as corporate graphic design consultant Paul Rand, the man behind the IBM logo. Both are color experts.

Even as the back and forth continued, Hardy’s team had linked up with the advertising team. The ad agency had poured millions of dollars into a campaign that was ready to launch. “So hot,” the adverts said with a close-up on the new TrackPoint, “We had to make it red.”

It was enough to make the safety team think twice. Later that day, an email was sent. It said: ‘Make them red.’

They’ve been the same iconic color ever since.

It's no secret I'm a massive ThinkPad fan ever since I got my paws on a T431s, but check out the best business laptops my team and I have tested.

• Samsung announces new OLED panels for laptops, capable of '1,600 nits' in peak brightness
• The new tandem OLED panels have a 40% higher brightness requirement than older single-layer OLED panels
• The new panels will be used in MSI, Lenovo, Asus, and Dell laptops that have the latest DisplayHDR True Black 1400 certification

OLED panels are continuously improving year after year, as seen in recent tandem OLED displays from Samsung – and fortunately, the tech giant isn't resting on its laurels.

As reported by TweakTown, Samsung has introduced new tandem OLED panels for Lenovo, Asus, MSI, and Dell laptops, with claims of up to 1,600-nit peak brightness in small windows. This will apply to laptops that have the latest DisplayHDR True Black 1400 certification.

Notably, the push up to 1,400 nits certification is a '40% higher' brightness requirement compared to older single-layer OLED panels, which is ideal for bright rooms and environments.

This is thanks to the presence of tandem OLED panels, which work by stacking at least one or more OLED layers together, providing significantly increased brightness levels and efficiency.

Samsung notes it has started a 'full-scale' supply of the new tandem OLED panels for laptops, starting with the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition, and later for laptops from Asus, MSI, and Dell.

The boost to 1,600 nits is a significant enhancement for gaming and movie-watching experiences on these laptops. While the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Aura is certainly more of a premium laptop for creators, it's also capable of gaming using Nvidia's RTX 5000 series laptop GPUs.

With that in mind, issues with auto brightness limitations (ABL) that would often spoil bright gaming or movie scenarios should now be further diminished, as tandem OLED helps tackle those drawbacks.

Samsung hasn't mentioned any plans for its new panels being used for standalone OLED monitors just yet, but naturally, this should be the next step once these new laptops launch. For now, there are plenty of OLED gaming monitors (i.e., LG UltraGear OLED 27GX700A) capable of higher nits available on the market.

Getting set up for school or college can be an expensive endeavour. That's why we're always on the lookout for solid laptops that have been reduced in price, and that's exactly the case with this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 at Amazon for £499.99 (was £699.99).

This Windows 11 laptop features a bright 16-inch display, an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. That's enough power and storage to keep all your schoolwork moving along smoothly. Lenovo is a trusted brand, too, which is why it gets a special mention in our best laptops guide.

So, whether you're a student looking to get ready for the new academic year or a general user wanting a reliable laptop for everyday use, this £200 saving on an impressive overall laptop is well worth a look.

Today's best back-to-school laptop deal

Full disclosure: we've not reviewed the IdeaPad Slim 5, but our time with the similar Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 gives us confidence to make this recommendation. The Slim 5 promises seamless multitasking and performance with 13th Gen Intel Core processors.

From first impressions, the 16-inch display is a generous size, and the overall form factor is compact enough to make it portable. There's also a flexible selection of ports to expand connectivity and facilitate speedy data transfers.

One of the highlights of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 is its 60WHr battery, which delivers all-day battery life, even when you're pushing it to the limits. And even when you run out of juice, Lenovo's Rapid Charge Boost technology will get you up and running again. In fact, just 15 minutes of fast charging gives you three hours of video playback.

Despite being on the other side of Prime Day, there are still some fantastic laptop deals around. We've put together our favourites, with top picks from the highest-rated brands as well as models featured in our best laptops guide.

• Lenovo introduces the first laptop using TCL CSOT’s inkjet OLED panel
• Inkjet printing could reduce OLED production costs for future consumer devices
• The Legion R9000P combines gaming performance with a sharper OLED display experience

Lenovo has launched the Legion R9000P as the world's first laptop featuring TCL CSOT's inkjet-printed OLED display technology.

The gaming laptop introduces a 16-inch IJP OLED panel designed to combine OLED image quality with a newer manufacturing process.

The launch marks the first commercial laptop use of TCL CSOT's display technology, which has been developed for more than a decade.

Legion R9000P brings a new OLED experience to laptops

The Legion R9000P uses a 240 Hz OLED display aimed at users who need smoother visuals during fast-moving gaming and entertainment content.

The panel covers more than 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, providing broad color reproduction for gaming, creative work, and multimedia consumption.

Lenovo says the display maintains consistent color performance across brightness levels, helping it serve different usage scenarios beyond gaming.

The screen also uses a Real RGB Stripe side-by-side subpixel arrangement, which addresses text clarity issues found on some traditional OLED layouts.

This design improves image sharpness by reducing color fringing and blurry text that can affect productivity tasks on OLED panels.

The display technology could make the Legion R9000P appealing beyond gaming users, including professionals seeking strong visual quality from portable computers.

This is a budget device that could pass for a business laptop with premium display features or even a student laptop with better visuals for demanding software.

Inkjet OLED could change future laptop displays

TCL CSOT's inkjet-printed OLED process differs from traditional vacuum thermal evaporation methods commonly used for OLED manufacturing.

The company uses inkjet printing to create organic light-emitting material layers, reducing reliance on expensive equipment and fine metal masks.

This simpler production approach could improve manufacturing efficiency and increase yields, potentially lowering costs as the technology matures.

TCL CSOT has worked on IJP OLED development for over 10 years, gradually expanding the technology toward commercial applications.

In November 2024, the company's 5.5-generation IJP OLED production line in Wuhan entered mass production and delivered its first product.

The company later announced construction of an 8.6-generation IJP OLED production line, marking another step toward larger-scale manufacturing.

TCL CSOT says the technology maintains OLED advantages such as high contrast and strong color performance while supporting broader applications.

Beyond laptops, the company expects inkjet-printed OLED panels could eventually reach monitors, televisions, and smartphones.

If production costs decrease, the technology could help bring higher-quality OLED displays to more affordable devices, including future budget laptop models.

If you just need a reliable Windows laptop for everyday use, this Lenovo deal is a genuinely good price - it's an easy recommendation for remote and hybrid workers, and for my money, it ticks all the boxes for general business work.

So, right now, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i has dropped to £499 (was £599) at Argos. For an all-rounder business laptop, this one of the best budget picks around for under £500.

Inside, the machine is equipped with an efficient Intel Core i5 13420H processor and 16GB RAM, so essential office tasks, photo editing, browsing, and streaming won't be a problem - no slowdowns or sluggishness here.

Today's top Lenovo laptop deal

This is a budget-friendly configuration built around Intel's Core i5-13420H, an 8-core, 12-thread chip from the 13th-gen Raptor Lake-H family, with four performance cores boosting up to 4.6GHz and four efficiency cores.

The 15.3in WUXGA (1920x1200) IPS panel uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives you a bit more vertical space for documents and browsing than the more common 16:9 laptops in this price range. It's rated at 300 nits with an anti-glare coating, with decent contrast and color accuracy (provided you calibrate it). That makes it ideal for creating images for, say, your work's social media pages, though I wouldn't recommend it for colour-critical tasks required by creative professionals.

16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is a sensible balance for this price point — enough headroom for normal multitasking across browser tabs, office apps, and streaming without feeling cramped. The laptop weighs 1.59kg and measures 17.9mm thick, with Lenovo quoting up to 14.5 hours of battery life, though real-world use — especially on the Intel variant — will likely fall short of that figure.

Connectivity is fairly standard for the budget class: two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, all capped at 5Gbps, plus HDMI 1.4 (so no native 4K60 output — you'll need the USB-C port's DisplayPort Alt Mode for that), a full-size SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth round out the wireless side.

Also consider

• See all laptop deals at Argos.

With a price hike and frequent stock issues, it's been harder to justify picking up the Steam Deck in recent months. But if you're still on the hunt for a handheld gaming PC, then there are some solid alternatives more readily available — and at much lower prices. That includes this Lenovo Legion Go S at Amazon for a record-low price of £404.10 (was £549.99).

• See more of today's best deals at Amazon

This exact same offer was available just a few months ago and it proved popular. With prices for PC components increasing and stock problems still lingering, I only expect that demand has increased since then.

That's why I think the Lenovo Legion Go S is a strong option right now. With an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it's capable of running less demanding games, indies, and lots of modern favourites with ease. It also runs on SteamOS, which is designed specifically for the handheld form factor, making it easier and smoother to browse your library and play games compared to Windows 11 devices.

Today's best handheld gaming PC deal

I guess one of the only drawbacks to going for the Lenovo Legion Go S is the lack of an OLED display. Its eight-inch WUXGA display with a 120Hz refresh rate still offers smooth and vibrant visuals, though, all for around £250 less than the Steam Deck. I don't think it's worth paying that much more just for an OLED screen.

Yes, you may also have to make some compromises when playing the latest and most demanding games to get good performance, and battery life can be underwhelming, as with most handheld gaming PCs, but the Lenovo Legion Go S is a strong option right now as there are so few alternatives available at this price point.

We also rated it well in our Lenovo Legion Go S review, saying that it is "a compact beauty" and "a good choice for SteamOS diehards." Anyone with a large library of Steam games will find it a great device to play your favourite titles while on the sofa or on the go.

At this point in my professional career, I've tested many laptops and computers, and every single one tries to promote what makes it special. It's always the best at something, the lightest at something, the longest something, the brightest something, the most ports, or something like that. Whatever it is, there's always something that is trying to promote the best of the best at it.

The ThinkPad P16V Gen 3 is one of the unique ones that actually tries not to be the best of the best at anything, but to be a really good middle ground and an all-arounder, creating a Goldilocks-like scenario where it is not the best at anything. However, it's probably a really good option for most who want a portable workstation.

Lenovo has a pretty clear and sleek way of doing this. The ThinkPad P16S is a lightweight variant of this workstation. The P16 is a flagship, and the P16V is the value, or, as I'm referring to it, the Goldilocks version.

Yes, if you have the money, you should do the more expensive one - it remains one of the best laptops for engineering students I've ever tested. Yes, if you want the lightweight version, you should do the S version, but if you want the middle ground and you want to have your cake and eat it too, check out the V variant.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16V Gen 3: Price and availability

The ThinkPad P16V Gen 3 is widely available direct from Lenovo US, Lenovo UK, and other regional sites. You'll also find it from selected retailers.

The base configurations for this laptop start around $2,300, with an Intel Core i7 RTX Pro 5000, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, all on Windows 11. The version I have is nearing $4,000 and has a Core i7 RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell with 32 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and a WUXGA IPS screen, running Windows 11.

If you're looking for an OLED touch panel, that adds to the price, and you can get up to 96GB of RAM, plus larger storage if you're looking for that as well. The higher you go, eventually it gets to the point where it may be worth just getting the more flagship model rather than the more value-oriented variant.

Depending on what is important to you, you'll want to spec these out on Lenovo's website.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16V Gen 3: Unboxing and First Impressions

This laptop has the classic, simple, identifiable ThinkPad black finish, a decent enough webcam with nothing crazy, a privacy switch, and a co-pilot key, which I'm seeing on pretty much every Windows PC these days.

Right away, boot-up was pretty straightforward. There are great ports, and this seems like just another one of those old reliable laptops that you would get as a business computer in the best way possible. It's nothing shiny; it's not gonna win any beauty awards, but by golly, will it get work done.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16V Gen 3: Design & Build Quality

Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 3 is only just over an inch thick and starts around 4.5 lb. It has thinner bezels and adds a USB-A port, which is funny compared to the Gen 2, showing that even in a world where we are pushing towards USB-C, people still really do need that USB-A port for quite a few legacy devices.

The ThinkPad P16v Gen 3 also has a MIL-STD 810H rating, a spill-resistant keyboard, a fingerprint reader that matches on-device (not on the server), a ThinkShutter, a Self-healing BIOS, and more.

On paper, these all look great, but in reality, what you need to know is that it is a spec bump plus the addition of a USB-A from the prior gen, which also rated quite well. Through every section that I keep writing about this review, I keep realizing more and more that this truly is just designed to be the Goldilocks computer for people in this kind of line of work

Lenovo ThinkPad P16V Gen 3: In use

I think this computer has been great today. Over the years, I've gotten used to using the TrackPoint and trackpad on Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, even during extended working and writing sessions. The Dolby Voice 5 field mic is strong enough for virtual meetings or, more relevant to some, works great with Wispr Flow and other dictation tools if that's your kind of jam.

It's great to know that this computer is strong enough to handle CAD files and other 3D project files, video editing if I wanted to, photo editing, and some engineering work. I used this to help build up some workflows in Notion, which took quite a bit of computing power running an expensive terminal — several windows in Notion, VS Code, Chrome, and ChatGPT open at once — and it handled the load like an absolute champ.

But as the continued threat of the jack-of-all-trades master-of-none kind of logic continues, the battery isn't the best on this. It's good. I would even say it's pretty good. It's not spectacular. It's heavy to carry around and can be awkward to fit in some backpacks unless they're larger. It's by no means the kind of laptop that you want to carry around if you're traveling a ton.

If you are in a technical, engineering, coding, tech support, or other similar kind of role and you need a mobile workstation but you don't need the flagship, and you're okay with having a little bit more heft to save some dollars, this laptop gets the job done in most scenarios.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16V Gen 3: Final verdict

As I mentioned slightly above, if you're a mobile technical specialist in some way, shape, or form (and trust me, if you are in this field, you know it), and if you want a workstation on the go, or if you had the Gen 2 and you really were missing that USB-A port and don't want to carry around a dongle, you should check this guy out.

If you really need that high-end GPU MPP, you should go with the flagship model. If you're looking for a lighter model, go down to the P16S Gen 4. The P16v Gen 3 is for those who want it all: a decently priced laptop with decent ports, a decent weight, a decent battery, and decent power.

For more powerhouse performers, we've tested the best business laptops and the best mobile workstations.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is well underway, with the group stages already generating huge amounts of action for fans across the world.

It’s been widely highlighted how this is the biggest edition of the tournament so far, with an expanded roster of 48 teams doing battle in 16 venues across three countries. But with such a sprawling reach, the technology needed to power such a crucial tournament has never been more important - and that’s where Lenovo comes in.

As FIFA’s official technology partner, Lenovo has provided the technical expertise to keep the tournament running, and power some of the most exciting new innovations such as AI Refcam - I went to find out more.

An unprecedented challenge

“We were given a challenge which is unprecedented for the game,” Ken Wong - EVP and President, SSG, Lenovo, tells me in Miami.

“For anyone that is going to be a single point of contact for such a complex project, there will be a lot of questions…but after two weeks of operations, I think we have delivered what we promised.”

Wong highlights how the technology being built and delivered to FIFA is actually Lenovo’s own in-house hybrid platform and delivery platforms, so the company was confident about the capabilities it could provide - and then, Wong says, hand it over to FIFA, “to make magic happen.”

As Wong notes, “keeping the lights on is a given”, and Lenovo has deployed more than 350 engineers to World Cup sites, including the stadiums and its Technology Command Center in Miami, with the company providing around 17,000 devices to ensure a resolute and powerful backbone for all the tournament’s operations.

The technology has (at least at the time of writing) been one of the biggest success stories of the World Cup 2026, with fans around the world praising the immersiveness of the Refcam and realistic VAR avatars.

“It's not only about technology - without outcome it is meaningless,” Wong notes, with the company looking to provide a fan experience “like never before”.

“Our role is to make sure based on our understanding of the technology in the platform - how we can maximize the flexibility and outcome for our customer? Now it's up to FIFA to use it.”

The "power of AI"

I ask Wong if the World Cup 2026 can be a good use case for responsible AI deployment, boosting everything from the fan experience to broadcast quality to more effective ground logistics and operations.

“Customers are often so focused on, do I have the most powerful model - but more and more, when AI is moving from POC to production and scale, the more people understand the importance of data,” he says.

Any complex operation that involves a massive amount of data can be a vital learning experience, Wong says - naming building or facilities operations all the way up to smart city oversight as possible use cases which can be extrapolated from the World Cup use case.

Lenovo has even established sports as one of its focus verticals, with the company also partnering with the likes of Formula 1, the Olympics, NHL, Serie A and more.

“We have confidence that we can provide a great outcome, for other organizations within the sports industry, be it a stadium or fans experience, or a whole federation,” he adds.

So with the tournament still underway at the time of writing, Lenovo might be hoping, paradoxically, that its technology stays out of the headlines for the time being - as that will mean everything is working smoothly, with no errors or controversies.

“We are the technology backbone of FIFA,” Wong notes, “our AI is powering the World Cup! To me, the real meaning is that we're part of the great game, but also it is proven now that Lenovo technology can be applied to the most complex operation in the world.”

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 now well underway, the excitement is building as the tournament reaches its most crucial stages.

But this edition of the world's biggest sporting event is also notable for being the most technologically-friendly so far, with a raft of new AI-powered tools, services and broadcast innovations.

As the official technology partner of the World Cup and FIFA itself, Lenovo has been at the heart of much of this innovation, and the company invited me to Miami to see it all in action.

Behind the curtain

Now - a word of caution - sadly this article isn't going to delve too much into specifics, or include photos of all the amazing work the FIFA team is doing to keep this World Cup safe and running smoothly.

That's because the organization is understandably pretty focused on making sure the tournament (the biggest and most spread-out yet, with 48 teams competing at 16 stadiums across 3 countries) continues to do so, and for that reason we weren't allowed to take any video or photos during our visit - for obvious reasons.

However the Technology Command Center (TCC), situated in the sleepy Miami suburb of Coral Gables, is a dream come true for tech nerds like me - banks of screens showing detail on everything from network infrastructure strength to any possible cyberattacks to the live match feeds themselves.

We're visiting on a day when six matches are scheduled to take place - a huge strain on the FIFA networks, Nacho Fresco, Director of Technology at FIFA explains.

The TCC is able to monitor in real-time across the entire tournament's tech stack, which includes 30 proprietary apps, spotting any issues before they happen, and ensuring fans around the world continue to get access to the action.

Inside the TCC is a huge team of analysts, managers and other tech experts making sure all the services are functioning properly, with direct links to the wider FIFA organization along with remote teams at all 16 stadiums.

This includes Lenovo engineers, who are present at stadiums but also the central International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Dallas overseeing the global distribution of the action to the estimated six billion people watching across the globe.

We saw a screen showing the various connections between the 16 venues and the IBC, all including fallback options in case any issues should occur, making sure the broadcast continues.

In order to help boost this, Lenovo has deployed servers at the IBC to provide the power needed for the most expansive broadcast operation in FIFA World Cup history, with a total of over 17,000 Lenovo and Motorola devices  also deployed across venues and Team Base Camp training sites.

Under threat

Probably the most intriguing screen was the one showing cybersecurity threats targeting FIFA's systems and services at the World Cup.

In real-time, the team can see exactly how many attempts are being made to hack or disrupt the platforms, including the location of the criminals, and even what kind of bots are being used.

It's fascinating to see the sheer scale of attacks - Fresco says they currently face around a staggering 300-500 million cyberattacks a day, a number that seems crazy, but shows just how attractive a target FIFA is.

Fresco notes that attacks have been slowly ramping up over the last few months, and expects the total number to top that seen in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which saw around 11 billion attempted attacks.

I ask Fresco what would constitute success for FIFA when it comes to the technology stack at the tournament - is it making sure everything runs smoothly, or just keeping the lights on?

Unsurprisingly, he replies that delivering a great viewing experience for the fans is the priority, as the organization looks to continue with its Lenovo partnership and take it further in the future.

"It's a game changer," he says, "it's what we need for this tournament."

So - no pressure then. But as Fresco pointed out, the mere fact that all the talk around the tournament has been about the football itself, not any issues with the technology, is the best outcome FIFA and Lenovo can hope for.

• Lenovo has said that RAM prices will likely "never" fall back to pre-crisis levels
• The company also predicted a "new normal" for memory pricing from 2030 onwards
• Microsoft expects the cost of memory to double in just over a year

If you were hoping we might get to the weekend without any more bad news on the RAM front, that hope is about to be crushed courtesy of Lenovo and Microsoft — and there's a side serving of blame for Apple, too.

First off, as German tech site ComputerBase reports (via Wccftech), over at ISC 2026 — the high-performance computing, AI, and quantum conference in Germany — Lenovo said that RAM prices will likely "never" fall back to the pre-crisis levels of a year ago, even after the bolstering of chip production output that's coming (from 2028 onwards).

Lenovo seemingly said "never," accompanied by some on-stage laughter, according to ComputerBase, and the tech site (bearing in mind translation nuances) clarifies that this is really referring to the next five years (or maybe a bit more) for the RAM industry, and not an 'absolute' future.

However, the report then goes on to mention that Lenovo sees a "new normal" from 2030 onwards with significantly higher prices than pre-crisis levels — even given increased production.

On top of that, Microsoft just announced hefty price increases for Xbox consoles driven by the RAM crisis. The firm stated, "Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027."

Ouch. Microsoft underlined that the memory price hikes are especially painful for console makers, as these devices are typically sold at a (slight) loss, as the revenue is made up in game sales (and subscriptions).

Lastly, Wccftech also spotted that Micron has fired some flak at Apple, although the memory chip maker didn't name Tim Cook's firm specifically, but it's clear enough where the shot was aimed. As Rolfe Winkler, who reports for the Wall Street Journal, explains in a post on X: "Tim Cook says the memory guys are at fault for Apple raising prices. A Micron executive I interviewed last night pointed the finger right back."

Sumit Sadana, who is Chief Business Officer at Micron, informed Winkler, "We told a couple of the customers who were being very aggressive with pricing at that time that this is not constructive." The argument here might be that partners (presumably Apple) pressing Micron on the price of their RAM hurt Micron's bottom line and ability to invest in more production capacity.

Analysis: double, double toil and trouble

Although it's difficult to weigh up the exact meaning of Lenovo's comments on the RAM crisis at ISC, it's clear enough that the PC giant believes the future looks very rocky. At best, pricing looks like it's in trouble until the early 2030s, and there's likely to be a 'new normal' coming into play here for that next decade.

While there appears to be some joking around prices "never" coming back down to the levels they were before the crisis, I think there's a fair chance that they actually won't. When the cost of a product goes up to such an extent as we've seen with RAM (and storage), it's feasible that it won't ever quite normalize. Okay, so maybe we'll see some curveballs that throw things out of whack — like the AI bubble bursting, or at least deflating a good deal — but I'm increasingly doubtful about the prospect of any relief.

Microsoft predicting a further doubling of memory pricing in not much more than a year is a painful prediction to hear, too.

I'm not going to dive full-tilt into the gloom here, though, because as I've said before, at least in the consumer space, RAM prices can only go so high before a ceiling is hit, which means most people will simply refuse to pay the asking prices. And thankfully, there have also been a couple of glimmers of hope this week: Asus predicted that its products won't be hiked by as much in the second half of 2026 (but they'll still go up), and there was a rumor aired that memory chip giant SK Hynix may switch production away from AI-targeted RAM (HBM) to conventional RAM sticks, at least to an extent.

I wouldn't get swept away with any optimism just yet, though, because for now, as these latest developments in the memory crisis underline, the pervading sentiment around the future remains largely negative.

• Lenovo replaces traditional applications with thousands of downloadable AI functions
• Lenovo AI Host Mini ships with access to over 8000 skills
• Lenovo's proprietary marketplace sits at the centre of the experience

Lenovo has launched a mini PC which replaces much of the traditional software model with downloadable artificial intelligence functions from its own marketplace.

The company says users can access more than 8000 AI Skills instead of relying exclusively on conventional desktop applications and services.

Unlike conventional software stores operated by third parties, those AI functions are distributed through Lenovo's own proprietary marketplace integrated into the Tianxi Claw platform.

A computer built around downloadable AI functions

The AI Host mini can be configured by scanning a QR code with a smartphone before enabling additional functions through the Skills marketplace.

After completing the configuration process, users can deploy AI tools through the Skills system.

Lenovo says the platform arrives with more than 20 preinstalled Skills while allowing access to thousands of additional capabilities afterwards.

Those functions can connect with QQ, WeChat, and Feishu, allowing the system to interact with existing communication platforms and workflows.

This system feels more like an app store for AI services, although whether users prefer buying AI skills over traditional software remains uncertain.

Also, multiple Claw instances can operate simultaneously while supporting access from several users sharing one device.

Compact hardware powers Lenovo's experiment

The Lenovo AI Host Mini supports developer mode and ships with Ubuntu, although support for Windows appears uncertain at this stage.

Under the hood, the device uses the Cixin P1 CD8180, a 6nm Arm processor featuring a 12-core CPU designed for computing tasks.

Developed by China's Cixin Technology, the processor reportedly delivers performance comparable to several older high-end Intel mobile chips.

The chip also incorporates a 10-core GPU based on Arm's Immortalis G720 architecture for handling graphics and visual workloads.

Alongside the graphics hardware sits a dedicated NPU rated at 30 TOPS, contributing to Lenovo's claimed total of 45 TOPS.

Supporting those components are 8GB of LPDDR5 memory operating at 6000MT/s, together with a 256GB SSD for local storage.

Despite carrying dedicated artificial intelligence hardware, the system occupies just 0.48L of space within its compact enclosure.

The chassis measures 100 x 100 x 48.65 mm, weighs approximately 0.373 kg, and can fit easily onto crowded desks.

For connectivity, it includes two USB 3.2 ports, two USB-C ports, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.4, and integrated 2.5GbE networking.

Lenovo has opened pre-orders in China at 2,999 RMB (about $444), but this device will remain limited to the Chinese market for now.

That said, whether users eventually prefer buying AI capabilities from proprietary marketplaces instead of installing conventional software remains to be seen.

Via Videocardz

No kidding, Currys is turning out to be a bit of a goldmine for cheap laptops for business and the back to school season. I went through all the deals to find 4 laptops that boast snappy processors and 16GB DDR5 RAM for smoothly tackling work in the office and at school.

My top all-rounder is the Asus Vivobook S16 for £599 (was £999). This lightweight OLED laptop with a 16-inch screen will effortlessly handle day-to-day tasks most professionals and students need. And it won't break the bank doing any of it.

I've been tracking all the best Prime Day home office deals this year. And while there are plenty of discount laptops on Amazon that absolutely aren't worth your time or money, I was pleasantly surprised to see some genuinely good price drops in the Currys summer sale.

One to avoid

Don't buy this Asus Zenbook A14 from Currys. Right now, the exact same model with double the storage is on sale at Amazon for £500 for Prime Day.

• Shop all computing deals at Currys

Lenovo continues to dominate the professional desktop marketplace. I see Lenovo everywhere in my day to day professional careers. They have a firm grasp on the market and a good reason for that is that they seem to keep putting out reliable heavy hitters release after release.

Sure there are others that are also killing it, but when it comes to the trust that those who have the power to purchase business bulk, Lenovo is pretty high up on that list for many.

The P3 Tiny Gen 2 is just another example of a fantastic offering for those who need just a basic PC for workstations, server access, front desks, and TVs. If you need a professional computer to run something, but nothing too big, then check out the P3 Tiny Gen 2. On paper, in no way is it the best mini PC we've tested on paper. But this workstation depends on a very clear set of business use-cases, so it may be the best for your scenario.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Price and availability

The Lenovo P3 Tiny Gen 2 is available direct from Lenovo's regional sites, including Lenovo US and Lenovo UK. The base price starts at $999 (and £2385 in the UK), with the highest end crossing $4000.

You can also buy it through third-party vendors like Amazon, Best Buy, and other reputable local retailers.

In true Lenovo fashion, you can choose your adventure here, opting for a more baseline model that's cheaper and easier for entry and easier for mass purchases. Or you can spec it out and get a more prominent and more powerful build-out. The choice is yours.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Unboxing and First Impressions

I've unboxed so many Lenovo desktops at this point that they all are blending together. However, this one is pretty straightforward and fairly consistent with all the others. Inside of the unassuming brown box is the computer itself, some brackets, a small power brick, and all the documentation that you need.

Right off the bat, this immediately looks like a pretty business professional desktop that could fit in pretty much any workspace. It could be on the desk of an executive. It can be on the desk of a front desk receptionist or it could be in a server rack, tucked away and never to be seen again. Lenovo has made this computer so versatile that it could even be mounted behind a TV, and you wouldn't feel like you're wasting any power since you can choose the internal components so easily.

It is worth noting that there is an inline power brick to the power cable, meaning that it's not just your outlet to IEC, like some monitors and desktops use these days, but there is a brick in line that converts the IEC jack to a smaller power plug. If you're planning on tucking this on a desk or underneath a monitor shelf, or tucking it away in a server rack, this may not be a big deal if there are easy spots to be able to tuck cables.

If you were mounting this or putting this behind a TV, or having this out in the open, it's worth noting that you're going to have to find a spot to be able to place that power brick, or mount it if you are mounting as well. Again, it's not the end of the world, but it is worth noting because power bricks can be frustrating at times to mount due to their heat generation, size, and weight.

The last thing I'll mention in this section is the ports. In true Lenovo fashion, these ports are exactly what business users need in their workspace today. There's a good span of USB, USB-A, DisplayPort, and network jacks. They are all in good positions to be able to be utilized as needed in an actual workday, not just in a pretty photo shoot or in a nice spec sheet. Some manufacturers care more about looks, but Lenovo very clearly cares more about usability and creating helpful experiences for their users.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Design & Build Quality

As briefly mentioned above, this desktop could easily stand upright on your desk, or it could become something that mounts underneath your desk, hiding away completely and staying completely out of the way. If you do choose to mount it, there are mounting options directly from Lenovo or an absurd number of third-party options as well.

It will allow you to mount this behind a monitor, under a desk, in a rack, or in other locations as well. If you do choose to have this on your desktop, Lenovo makes a nice little stand to help make sure that it stands upright, taking up even less footprint than before.

Throughout my testing in daily use, there were some moments when the fan kicked up louder than I expected. I really only noticed it when my office was otherwise silent. The fan isn't obnoxious by any means, but you do hear it if the environment is quiet enough.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: In use

In day-to-day use, it's pretty clear that the P3 Tiny, in name and in stature, is designed to be hidden away and take up as little space as possible. There was a season when you wanted a setup like this, you would use an all-in-one.

However, I believe Lenovo has understood that allowing business users specifically to be able to utilize whatever display they want with a smaller PC that can be hidden away is a better move long term, especially because if you needed to, you could run multi-monitor on a machine like this. By multi-monitor, of course I don't mean running two 55-inch 5K monitors, but more like two business displays utilizing the DisplayPort and the HDMI out.

I was able to run this on my 52-inch 6K monitor at high resolution without any issue, no lag, but I did hear the fan kick on when running on a smaller monitor at 4K or even 5K. I didn't hear the fan as much, and it still ran just as smoothly.

I will note that the proprietary power table is a tad annoying, but only really in the moment if you need to replace it, or if you are replacing a different computer with this computer, you'll need to run this proprietary cable instead of just an IEC cable. Further, the separation of the DisplayPort and HDMI, I thought, was worth noting. There's a USB-A in between those two ports, which is something I don't usually see. Usually, the DisplayPort and HDMI ports are right next to each other.

In base units, there are a bunch of punch-out ports available on the back of the machine. In the more build-out units, those punch-out ports, of course, become actual ports, which could vary between other VGA, DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB-C ports, more gigabit Ethernet ports, or even more USB-A ports if desired.

All around, this is a phenomenal device to be able to tuck away and hide or have out on your desk, taking up minimal space, especially in a simplistic business use case. Of course, I wouldn't use this probably for anything creative or on the go, but if you need a plug-it-in-and-let-it-work productivity machine, this could be it.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Final verdict

Lenovo continues the impressive nature of the P3 Tiny that we saw about a year ago. While I still wish that in 2026 there are a few more Thunderbolt ports, I do think for most business use cases this is a really good option, as there are still a lot of devices that use the now more legacy style USB-A port.

If you're looking for a small set-it-and-forget-it desktop machine for your employees or for your own office, this is definitely one worth considering.

For more productivity machines, we've tested the best business computers.

It’s not often two genuinely excellent OLED laptops land at the same price at the same time — but right now, Currys has exactly that. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition is £599 (was £899), and the Asus Vivobook S16 OLED is also £599 (was £999).

Both are Copilot+ PCs, both have Intel Core Ultra 5 processors and OLED displays, and both are solid everyday laptops. The question is which one suits you.

The short answer: if you want something slim, ultraportable, and built like a premium product — go Lenovo. If you want more screen, more storage, and better battery claims for the same money, go ASUS. Here’s the fuller picture.

Today's top laptop deals

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition

The Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition is Lenovo’s Copilot+ flagship in this price range, and at £300 off it’s a significant deal. The ‘Aura Edition’ designation matters here — it refers to Intel’s Aura certification, which guarantees the laptop meets specific standards for display quality, battery life, and AI performance beyond the basic Copilot+ bar. In practice, what that means is a machine that’s been tuned for the whole experience rather than just hitting a spec sheet target.

The 14-inch OLED panel covers 100% DCI-P3 — one of the most comprehensive colour gamut coverages you’ll find at this price — with DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification and Eyesafe low blue light certification. For creative professionals who need colour accuracy, photographers editing on the go, or anyone who watches a lot of video, the difference between this display and a standard IPS panel is immediately visible.

The Core Ultra 5 226V is the efficiency-first chip in Intel’s Arrow Lake line — it’s not the raw performance leader, but it’s genuinely well-suited to the kind of sustained, all-day use this laptop is designed for. The result is up to 17.5 hours of rated battery life, and in real-world mixed use that should translate comfortably to a full working day. The quad-speaker setup with Smart Amplifier and Dolby Atmos is noticeably better than most laptops at this price too — actually pleasant to listen to without headphones.

The main trade-off is storage: 512GB SSD is adequate for most users but tighter than the Asus laptop's 1TB. If you store large video projects, photo libraries, or a lot of installed software locally, you may find yourself managing space more actively. External storage is the easy workaround, but it’s worth knowing going in.

Asus Vivobook S16

The Asus Vivobook S16 OLED makes a slightly different set of compromises. Where the Lenovo prioritises refinement and portability, the ASUS goes for space and performance. The 16-inch screen is genuinely more comfortable for extended work sessions, multitasking with multiple windows, or watching content — it’s the kind of size difference you actually feel every day.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is a higher-performance H-series chip (versus the V-series in the Lenovo) — it has more cores and runs faster under sustained workloads, which shows up in video editing, compiling, and anything CPU-intensive. If your work pushes the processor hard, the ASUS has the edge here. The 1TB SSD at £599 is also notably generous — you’re getting twice the storage of the Lenovo at the same price.

The build quality and premium feel of the ASUS doesn’t quite match the Lenovo’s — at this price point, you can feel that the Yoga Slim 7 is a more carefully crafted machine. But if you’re buying for productivity and screen real estate rather than the feel of the product itself, the ASUS makes a compelling case.

Which laptop deal should you choose?

Go for the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition if: you carry your laptop everywhere, you want the most premium feel for the money, colour accuracy matters for creative work, or you prioritise all-day battery life. The £300 discount is also a more dramatic deal — this is a laptop that genuinely feels like it should cost more than £599.

Go for the ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED if: you spend most of your time at a desk, you want a bigger screen, you need more storage without buying an external drive, or your work is processor-intensive. The 1TB SSD and larger display are real everyday advantages at this price.

Either way, you’re getting an OLED screen and a Copilot+ PC for £599 — which would have been a very different conversation just a couple of years ago. Check out more options in our guide to the best business laptops.

• See all laptops at Currys

• AMD's David McAfee expects DDR5 RAM prices to 'recover slowly in the future'
• However, the exec added that DDR5 won't return to 'normal' pricing levels for some two years
• Meanwhile chatter from the rumor mill claims Lenovo is going to implement another sizeable round of price hikes with its PCs

An AMD exec has told us that DDR5 RAM pricing isn't likely to normalize until 2028, and in other news, fresh from the memory and wider component crisis, Lenovo seemingly has more price hikes in the works for its PCs.

Let's start with the AMD story. VideoCardz flagged up the interview that 4Gamers conducted at Computex 2026, in which the Taiwanese site spoke with David McAfee, who is VP and general manager of Ryzen CPU and Radeon Graphics.

When questioned on the memory shortage (bearing in mind translation issues with the article), McAfee said he expects prices to 'recover slowly in the future' but that DDR5 RAM won't return to normal pricing levels for about another two years.

VideoCardz also highlighted a post on X from leaker Harukaze5719, which in turn points to a report from Sina Finance in China that tells a separate tale of the Lenovo price hikes.

Obviously, this is just whispers from the rumor mill, but the theory is that Lenovo plans to jack up prices in China by the equivalent of $150 in July. This applies to its PCs and laptops, and, in fact, to every product line Lenovo sells, we're told (though common sense would indicate that cheap peripherals, like a basic Lenovo mouse, won't get a $150 price hike).

While this is a (rumored) move over in Asia, it would clearly make sense that mirroring cost increases in the same order (perhaps even a bit more) would be implemented in other regions.

Analysis: more urgency for laptop buyers?

The AMD exec has essentially thrown his lot in with the forecasters who see the RAM crisis ebbing away during 2028. While that still means it has a fair way to go, this is actually a relatively optimistic prediction compared to some more recent thoughts – notably from Nvidia's CEO. Jensen Huang said the memory crisis will last "quite a few years", suggesting that we may have to be patient until 2029 or 2030 to see the worst of this over. Others have guessed that we'll be sailing rough waters with RAM pricing until 2030, too.

The sad truth is that at this point, if I could have a guaranteed end-in-2028 outcome for these RAM woes (somehow), I'd take that prospect – and run. Of course, there's the question of what McAfee means exactly by returning to 'normal levels', complicated by the fact that this is a translated interview. Broadly speaking, I assume this means that prices will drop back down to more palatable levels relative to now – though I don't see them ever returning to pre-crisis levels, frankly.

It's a bleak old outlook, for sure, although there is some hope in Chinese memory chip makers tackling the RAM shortfall to some extent with increased production from these Asian giants. McAfee alludes to this when mentioning Changxin Memory in China increasing its DDR5 production capacity, but others – notably Huang – seem distinctly unswayed by such arguments.

A lot, of course, could rest on what happens with AI going forward. However, with predictions of increased memory demands one way or another in that sphere – and no remote indication of the AI 'bubble' bursting, or clever tech innovations helping out as much as some folks think they might – I'm not optimistic on the whole.

On top of this, the news from Lenovo is a further blow. If you recall, the computer giant already hiked PC prices earlier this year, and so this is another helping of RAM crisis-related cost rises for laptops and desktops (and other hardware besides, apparently).

As I've been discussing recently, after the Nvidia CEO's recent end-of-decade prediction for the extent of the memory crisis, now really does seem to be the right time to buy a laptop. The news that Lenovo may be about to pull the trigger on yet more substantial PC price rises only puts more urgency into that theory, because this surely won't happen in isolation among PC vendors.

• European/UK students use AI for organization, productivity rather than for cheating
• Lenovo reports students are using tablets more as they seek cheaper, portable options
• Universities might gradually be accepting AI more as students report more encouragement

Nearly all (98%) European students aged 18-25 now say that artificial intelligence helps them in some way, and new data from Lenovo reveals that despite the prejudices of other age groups, the youngsters might actually be using it for support, rather than to cheat.

Notetaking (73%), summarization (73%) and brainstorming (72%) offer near-identical use cases, with the tech largely seen as a support layer to help students stay organized, manage workloads and maintain focus.

Ultimately, the research concludes AI is becoming embedded into learning as a means of helping students process information more efficiently, rather than to bypass learning altogether, and it marks a major change in perception that could influence how universities and other institutions regulate the tech.

How are European and UK students using AI?

Among UK students specifically, 79% use AI note-taking tools, 79% use handwriting-to-text tools, 78% use AI summarization tools and 78% use idea generation tools, and all of them at least weekly.

In fact, British students are generally more positive than their European counterparts when it comes to AI’s role in generating ideas, helping them feel prepared, working more efficiently, feeling more in control and staying focused, Lenovo found.

Separately, the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) found that 95% of UK students now use AI in some way, marking a major jump compared with 2024 (66%). Again, use cases span explaining difficult concepts (61%), summarizing academic sources (49%) and searching for information online (36%) – all administrative productivity aids and not education replacers.

With students capturing lecture notes, converting handwritten notes into documents and organizing information, Lenovo claims that AI’s biggest impact is actually on reducing administrative and organizational burdens.

These discoveries come at an important time in the evolution of education, with many universities, colleges and schools deeply considering how AI should be used and regulated. But Lenovo argues that creativity remains human-led and that fewer administrative tasks could actually be freeing up more student time to produce higher-quality work.

And HEPI found that universities are starting to adapt – or at least, in the UK. Now, around 36% of students feel their university encourages AI use, compared with 28% last year.

Students might be driving a surge in tablet sales – at least, for Lenovo

As for their preferred devices, Lenovo also asserts that tablets are becoming more mainstream. According to the data, 94% of students say a tablet is or would be useful across all aspects of student life. Beyond education, the report shows how students would consider a tablet over a TV if display and audio quality were comparable.

“For Gen Z, creativity can strike at any point in the day, so they need tablets that are intuitive and supportive, helping them stay in that creative flow for as long as possible,” Europe and META Chief Marketing Officer Alberto Spinelli added.

This trend could be influenced by ongoing supply chain strains and the recent introduction of more powerful AI PCs, pushing prices up across the board.

Lenovo accounted for around 8.2% of the tablet market during the first three months of 2026 (per Omdia) and saw a 20% increase in shipments year-over-year, but the firm’s analysts warn that the tablet market isn’t growing much at all. The market grew just 0.1% in Q1, compared with a 3.2% growth within the global PC market.

“With supply-chain pressures still building, Q1’s modest growth is likely to mark the high point for the year,” Principal Analyst Ben Yeh warned, implying that consumers could be targeting cheaper devices (including potentially tablets) or delaying upgrades altogether.

I don't know about you, but any time I spend on LinkedIn, I am then immediately drowned by AI talk by those who are replacing entire companies with AI and how quickly people can build AI. All of that building requires a device that has insane power, or, to quote Aladdin, "ultimate cosmic power." That is what it seems like we are reaching for these days with the amount of computing power we are demanding from our devices.

Depending on what you are doing, having a dedicated LLM device could be the thing that makes or breaks your profit margins or also helps you actually get work done without burning through all of your tokens in one week. The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is designed to run an LLM locally on a machine so that you can test anything that you need to test in an AI workspace without having to run it through the cloud. This will allow for things like script testing, feature testing, model testing, etc.

Further, this is also the kind of machine that you could use as an always-on device that would be fantastic for OpenClaw or Claudbot. As I mentioned briefly above, many people rely on the Mac mini for this.

However, if you're already in the professional work space or if you prefer Windows or if you trust Lenovo already, or alternatively maybe you don't need a full desktop as well, this is a phenomenal option for those workloads, and it likely destined for inclusion in our best mini PC guide for those that need a dedicated compact AI-ready workstation.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Price and availability

The ThinkStation PGX is available across Lenovo's regional websites, including in the US where prices start at $5,079 and in the UK, priced from £5,200.

The base model comes with 1 TB storage. However, if you want to upgrade to other storage components or buy through other retailers, the price may vary. My quick research has shown that the price of this unit can easily vary between $4,800 and $5,400 depending on your configuration.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Unboxing and First Impressions

The PGX makes a strong case for those who want an mini AI Workstation. There are so many people in that realm of work these days that having dedicated devices that specialize in extracting every ounce of power from components to support power-hungry software is a good thing. However, it’s not for everyone. While there is a basic desktop, it feels more like a NAS rendering than that of a true computer.

The ThinkStation PGX appears to be similar in size to a standard mini PC; for continued comparison and reference, it’s about the size of a Mac mini. All the ports are on the back; since this isn’t meant to be a desktop replacement in any way, there is no need for any ports for the user to interact with after setup.

If you are the type of person who has to ensure the reliability and dependability of AI-powered machines, such as ensuring drivers are up to date, then having a dedicated machine may be just what you need to stay sane.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Design & Build Quality

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is fairly compact, and it’s short enough to fit under desk shelves if you want it to stay on your desk, or tuck it away in a media closet or office space. Good flexibility here for that.

No matter where you choose to put it, the result is pretty much the same. It’s not meant to be looked at, bothered with, flash with colors and lights, nor really even be bothered with once it is set up.

Design-wise, as I say, this feels minimalist and styled to look sleek and professional wherever it is used. There are no forward-facing ports, but that is of course due to the intended use case. On the back there are USB-C ports, no USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a network port, and then two expansion ports that will allow for two of these units to link together to distribute the workload you’ve created across multiple PGX’s.

Beyond the ability to link multiple together, the expandability and customization kind of stops there, so if you are the type of person who is currently using a custom tower setup for their LLMs, then this is going to feel a bit too controlled. If you are okay with the change-up from the Wild West of computer parts to something that is a bit more controlled, you will swap customization for reliability.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: In use

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is best when used as a dedicated device for running tasks against your local LLM. The 128GB memory and the Grace Blackwell GB10 help make even complex scenarios feel snappy, much more than most people’s laptops can; that’s for sure. For those in this space, the struggle of maxing out your available GPU is a known constraint. But now with your own personal device, you won’t have to wait on anyone else or book time, or anything else of the sort.

In my experience with AI tooling, speed is a major factor. Trying to ship features with AI usually comes with the expectation of speed. Now, with your own tooling and hardware, you can get prototypes, demos, and research done without waiting.

Off the top of my head, the tools that would benefit from this the most would be things such as: running local inference on larger models, prototyping across several different models, perhaps different versions of an app, a tool, or a workflow, even other ways of teaching or tooling that require quick turnaround time to try things out and you don't want to waste time or credits.

One thing worth noting is that while this does have a ton of operational memory, storing this kind of information to run these large models will take up a lot of space. If you need more than the allotted storage, or if you don't want to pay for internal storage, you can add external storage options to host the datasets you will be using for this.

In short, utilizing something like this as a service-kind-of-model, where you tunnel in and do what you need to do and keep your day-to-day machine light, means that you could run around with a more lightweight laptop or a more practical day-to-day laptop and then utilize this machine when you need it instead of carrying this beefy machine all day long every day. That may not be the best for everything else that you do in your day-to-day work.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is an incredibly powerful machine; however, it is probably not the machine for you unless you are in a very niche workspace. For those that this applies to, this is a fantastic tool to add to your arsenal, with more specialized capabilities and easier setup than a Mac mini. It is also more limiting than a Mac mini in some other ways.

You shouldn't buy this if you want a small desktop that can do some powerful things. If you do need a machine dedicated to running LLMs or open claw, then absolutely you should consider the Lenovo ThinkStation PGX, because in that world, this thing is a king.

For more pro-grade desktops and workstations, we've tested the best business computers.

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen2 is an incredible touch-capable portable display for business travel or as a second screen on your desk. So, when I saw it on sale, I knew our readers would want to take a look at this one.

This sleek, premium, all-black display is discounted in both the US and UK, with ThinkVision M14t Gen2 dropping to $269 (was $459) at Lenovo. And in Britain, the 14-inch ThinkVision is down to £240 (was £400).

If you're a creative or business professional, there's a lot to like about this portable monitor. For one thing, it features touchscreen capabilities, making it ideal for creatives. On top of that, it boasts a very high 2.2K resolution But what I really like is the built-in stand with two USB ports - when we tested it out, we found it offered excellent stability. Perfect when working on the go.

Today's best portable monitor deal

When we tested the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen2 (see our review), we were big fans of the enhanced image quality over its frankly disappointing Gen 1 predecessor, calling it "a significant upgrade."

I'm especially a fan of the 16:10 screen ratio, which offers more space to view your apps, and text looked crisp and clean on-screen across all the programs we used, such as Chrome and Slack.

We performed a series of productivity and day-to-day tasks, like signing documents with the bundled stylus - which feels smooth responsive.

Beyond that, where it stands out is as a second monitor for creative professionals running the Adobe suite, where the ThinkVision's 100% sRGB color accuracy made it ideal. That color coverage means it won't replace your main monitor, but we had no trouble editing photos and videos and getting the results we wanted.

One last feature that left us impressed: automatic orientation. Operating like a tablet or smartphone, this works flawlessly for quickly switching between portrait and landscape models.

All in all, it's an excellent business display that goes well beyond the usual cheap portable monitors out there.

For more top picks, my team and I tested the best business monitors and the best portable monitors (and yes, I've featured the ThinkVision M14t Gen2 in both guides).

Also consider

• In the UK? The Dell Pro 14 Plus is £229.20 at Dell

• US: Save on monitors, laptops, desktops in Lenovo's Doorbuster deals
• UK: Save on hardware in the Lenovo sale

• Discord has released a major update for Linux users
• Game and screen sharing has been improved with hardware-accelerated video encoding now supported via Nvidia, AMD, and Intel GPUs
• It comes as users remain frustrated about global age verification plans

Discord on Linux, particularly on the Steam Deck or SteamOS handhelds, has been plagued by functionality issues, and a new update has finally addressed them — but users aren't buying it.

As reported by TweakTown, Discord announced a new major update for Linux in a video titled the 'year of the Linux desktop', providing significant improvements to game (or screen) capturing capabilities, including smaller updates to notifications and game detection.

Notably, hardware-accelerated video encoding is now supported on Nvidia, AMD, and Intel GPUs for Discord, for better video quality without a drawback on game performance.

Discord will also capture games using Vulkan or Valve's Gamescope, and that's great news for devices like the Steam Deck or the Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS, as more system resources can be used on games, ultimately improving performance and battery life while streaming to friends.

That's all good and well in the eyes of Discord users on Linux, and it has even joined in on the year of the Linux desktop meme (essentially the hope that Linux will surpass Windows) — and sure, this update has definitely taken it a step closer to that, but it's not enough to win fans over.

Instead, the comments on the video are consistent with users stating it's the 'year of age verification', criticizing Discord for its global age verification plans, which are still slated for late 2026.

This major Linux update comes around the same time as the Discord and Xbox collaboration, which gives Nitro users access to a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass. It seems as though Discord is trying its best to soften the blow from its controversial move, but it's quite clear that users aren't willing to let the age verification issues go.

• Lenovo launches 100W compact power bank with 10000mAh capacity
• Lenovo Legion P5 10000 supports phones, laptops, and tablets through multiple charging ports simultaneously
• Low current mode supports earbuds and wearables for safe charging

Lenovo has announced a new Legion-branded power bank with a 10,000 mAh capacity - however many fans might be disappointed they won't get their hands on one.

The company says the P5 10000 can provide long-lasting battery life for smartphones, computers, tablets, and other gadgets that people use every day.

The power bank supports up to 100W high power output with smart dynamic power distribution for flexible charging and discharging.

Built for high and low current devices

The power bank includes a built-in Type-C cable alongside one USB-C port and one USB-A connection for external accessories.

A small circular display appears on the front panel, though Lenovo has not explained every function supported by the screen.

The device features a cool mech-style exterior with compact and lightweight construction for easy carrying during travel or commuting.

The device can charge PCs and handheld gaming consoles as a one-device solution for worry-free battery life, but we will not recommend it.

Considering the battery capacity, the device is more suited for low-power devices such as smartwatches and earbuds with its low-current charging support feature.

Users only have to press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to activate the low current mode.

In addition to Lenovo’s fast charging protocol, this device also supports fast charging protocols from Huawei and Apple.

The Legion P5 10000 holds a 3C certification, which means it is supposedly safe to take on airplanes and trains.

But there is no product page available to confirm any of these technical details for public review.

Availability, pricing, and alternatives

The Lenovo P5 10000 portable power station will officially hit the shelves on May 19, and it will retail for CNY 169, which is approximately $25 or €21.

At the time of writing, this device has been listed on JD.com, a Chinese online retail platform.

Unfortunately, there is no information on the global release of this device, so you probably cannot buy it unless you have links to China.

If you live in the Western world and need a Lenovo power bank, you can get the Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank, but this device costs $140.

It is a 20,000 mAh power bank that supports up to 65W fast charging, making it more suitable for big battery devices like laptops and handheld gaming consoles.

This device can also power up to three devices simultaneously while staying cool under load.

While it is pricier than the P5 10000, it gives more capacity and thus more options.

Via Notebookcheck

I wrote about a deal on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally a few weeks ago and suggested it as a solid alternative to the Steam Deck while it was suffering with stock issues. Almost a month later, and the situation hasn't improved for Valve's popular handheld — but now there's another deal on a handheld gaming PC worth considering if you don't want to wait any longer for a restock at Valve. It's the Lenovo Legion Go S at Amazon for £404.10 (was £549.99).

What makes the Lenovo Legion Go S such a compelling alternative to the Steam Deck is the fact that it runs on the same SteamOS as Valve's handheld. Having used it on my own Deck, it's just better designed for that form factor compared to Windows 11 machines, making it smoother and easier to browse and play your library of games.

The specs on the Legion Go S are solid, too. With an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, you can comfortably run less demanding titles, indie games, and many modern classics. Sadly, it doesn't feature an OLED screen, but you do get an eight-inch WUXGA display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth, vibrant visuals.

Today's best handheld gaming PC deal

I said last time that, when it comes to a Steam Deck alternative, there are very few options with similar capabilities in its price range. I called out the Lenovo Legion Go S as a potential, but only when it's on sale. Well, if you are tired of waiting for a Steam Deck restock, here's your other option.

We thought it was an excellent option for anyone with a large Steam library in our Lenovo Legion Go S review. "A compact beauty that can play most of the games in your Steam library," is how we summarised it. Of course, some compromises have to be made for the latest and most demanding games, and battery life isn't the best, but this is still a great handheld for the price.

I've found a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini i5 desktop, which is now £449 at Argos. Argos says it has never sold the machine for less than £599 before, making this its lowest ever price — a claim I confirmed via the Wayback Machine.

Mini PCs are brilliant for saving desk space while still giving you the speed and flexibility of a proper desktop. And this petite powerhouse runs on an Intel Core 5 210H processor with eight cores and speeds reaching up to 4.8GHz, giving it the performance needed for office work, streaming, multitasking, and everyday computing.

Integrated Intel graphics handle everyday visuals, streaming video, and productivity software.

Today's top mini PC deal

You get 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which is exactly what most people would expected to see in a compact desktop at this price point.

It's enough to help keep things running smoothly when juggling multiple programs at once or switching between browser tabs, documents, and media.

You get a 512GB SSD, giving you room for Windows 11 Home, installed software, and personal files without running out of space too quickly. SSD storage also keeps boot times short and helps programs open faster during daily use.

Networking includes Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5G LAN support, giving you fast wireless and wired connections for downloads, streaming, and video calls across busy home networks.

It comes with one USB 2.0 port, three USB 3.2 ports, four USB Type-A ports, and two USB Type-C ports for connecting accessories and external drives.

You also get HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack.

The compact 1L case measures 4.27cm tall, 19.1cm wide, and 19.5cm deep, while weighing 1.8kg, making it easy to fit into tight workspaces.

Quiet, cool operation keeps noise low even under heavier workloads, making it suitable for long work sessions or evening streaming.

For more choices, look at our round-up of the best mini PCs you can buy now.

• Shop all desktop PCs at Argos

If you're looking for a laptop that's good for creative work, studying, and heavy multitasking, the IdeaPad Slim 3 will suit your needs perfectly. I've found a great deal on it at Argos, where it is at its lowest price ever.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is currently £569 at Argos. And while it doesn't say how much you're saving, a quick trip into the Wayback Machine shows it was selling for £799 in November 2025 before being discounted to £679 in January this year.

The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor with eight cores and boost speeds reaching up to 4.75GHz, promising plenty of speed for demanding software, large documents, and multitasking across several programs. Integrated Radeon 680M graphics handle streaming, editing tasks, and everyday visuals.

Today's top Lenovo laptop deal

Laptops around this price usually come with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, or — horror! — just 8GB, but this model gives you 24GB of DDR5, which you'll really notice when multitasking or working on meatier projects.

For storage, you get a sizeable 1TB SSD, which means loads of room for files, creative projects, and everyday storage.

The 15.3-inch WUXGA display offers a 1920 x 1200 resolution with a taller 16:10 layout, giving you extra space for documents and creative work. IPS panel technology keeps colours consistent from different angles, while TÜV certification helps reduce eye strain during longer sessions.

Battery life is rated for up to 15 hours, making this laptop practical for long days away from a charger at work, school, or while travelling.

Rapid Charge support provides about two hours of use from just 15 minutes plugged in, while USB-C PD fast charging supports up to 65W using compatible adapters.

Connectivity includes USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an SD card slot for transferring files from cameras and other devices.

Carrying it around won't feel like a chore thanks to a light weight of just 1.59kg. A 180-degree hinge also makes it easier to adjust viewing angles or share content across a desk or table.

Built-in Dolby audio and an integrated microphone also make it well suited for video calls, streaming, and everyday entertainment.

At £569, this is one of the best deals I’ve found on a Ryzen 7 laptop with 24GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, especially when you consider it cost £799 just a few months ago.

If you've been waiting to upgrade to a capable laptop without paying high-end prices, you won't want to miss this.

For more choices, look at our round-up of the best business laptops you can buy, and also the best laptops for photo editing and video work.

• Shop all laptops at Argos

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 is a spectacular compact powerhouse of a PC.

Specs-wise, it packs in an Intel Core Ultra 9, an Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF ADA Generation GPU with 20GB, 64GB RAM, up to 4TB SSD, a wide range of ports, and a massive 330W power supply.

For my testing model, I have an Intel Core 9 285, the Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF ADA Generation GPU with 20GB, 2x 32GB of DDR5, and a 1TB SSD. It’s definitely not the most built-out, but it absolutely gets the job done.

The one key thing that is hard about all this power crammed into a small space, though, is that the fans to keep everything cool are insanely loud under load.

When it comes to complex professional workloads, it's one of the best mini PCs around - although it's incredibly expensive and the fan noise under load are loud.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Price and availability

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 is available direct from Lenovo US, Lenovo UK, and a broad range of online retailers.

It comes in a range of configurations, with the base model costing $1,399, but once you upgrade it, you can easily exceed $4,000.

Keep in mind, you could get similar hardware in a standard desktop tower, but you’re paying more for the compact space-saving footprint of this chassis.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 includes everything you’ll need to get up and running, except the display. Lenovo even sends a basic keyboard and mouse in the box, if you’re in desperate need — though I’d strongly suggest picking up a better one.

I chose not to hook up the antennae as I was going with a wired connection, and I didn’t need the keyboard and mouse that came with the computer since I have plenty lying around.

During boot-up, while benchmarking, and while running heavy programs, the fans on this computer whirred to an impressive decibel level, though it still handled quite a bit of power.

Setup was fairly easy outside of that, just plug in, get your mouse and keyboard set up, and then log in. As an IT Pro, you could get this done in minutes, prepping it to help your team.

Lenovo has done a phenomenal job of incorporating spectacular ports on the front and back of this machine, designed for real power and real use.

Yes, there isn’t Thunderbolt, but there are two 20Gbps USB-C ports that can still be great for transferring files, just maybe not consistent 6k footage (though this machine isn’t really meant to be a primary heavy video workflow machine)

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Design & Build Quality

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra feels like Lenovo’s answer to the (in)famous Mac Studio. It’s compact, but not the most compact, a slightly thicker version of the also well-known Mac mini, or in the Lenovo world, the P3 Tiny.

The P3 Ultra has a 3.9L footprint and can be propped upright or vertically, or set horizontally and fit under a monitor, mount, or similar. Either way, make sure that the fans you see have plenty of clearance and room to breathe.

The team at Lenovo did a great job with the port layout on the P3 Ultra, placing the plug-and-forget ports on the back for easy cable management and a clean desktop. The front of the machine has quick ports for file transfer, a well-spaced split of ports for different needs, and all are compatible with thicker USB-A plugs.

Outside of design, the build quality is good and up to what I expect from Lenovo these days. Sharp corners, well-laid out, quality materials that should last for a long time, even with heavy, everyday, high-power use. Some machines are built to handle “perfect conditions,” and others are meant to withstand “real conditions” that everyday machines withstand.

Lenovo definitely favors the real-world conditions side, building machines designed to withstand the everyday grind and strain that always-on or relied-upon machines endure.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: In use

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra has been an impressive machine through and through. It’s been able to handle even intense workloads thrown at it, it’s benchmarked well, and in the most important sense, it hasn’t had any issues day to day.

I’ve run my full workload on this machine, pushing a 52-inch 6K display at full resolution, and it hasn’t even stuttered. While not everyone will be running that massive of a monitor, it’s great to know the P3 Ultra can deliver impressive graphics performance, especially for a business machine, not a graphics or media machine.

This desktop is a phenomenal option for CAD users, 3D rendering machines, and those handling large LLMs or large coding projects. It’s great for data admins who need to have a thousand tabs open at once, and it can handle those with 40GB of Chrome eating up their memory because they never close tabs.

Continuing the real-world usability, the ports are great. So far, I haven’t had to reach around or hope for another set of ports. Everything I’ve needed at setup was on the back, and everything I’ve needed since then have been on the front of the unit.

For more options, we've tested the best business computers.

There are a lot of business professional computers out there right now. I’ve got several that I’m actively testing right now on my desk, even. But most of those are designed for power, for maximum output, or for computational prowess.

For some, a several-thousand-dollar powerhouse is not what they need. For admins, front desk workers, data entry, or those who simply help manage calendars and email via a web browser, they don’t need a big machine, they just need something that can boot up quickly, operate reliably, and get the job done.

That’s where the land of mini or compact PCs comes in. Smaller units that can plug into any monitor size, hide away, and work as needed. That’s exactly what a good chunk of the professional workforce needs.

These machines need ports and basic functionality more than they need enough power to break records. Further, the front ports make plugging in drives, adapters, or other devices super easy, while the back ports are fantastic for plug-and-play peripherals.

For me, the price is slightly too high for what you get. Compare what's on offer here to a mini PC like the Geekom A8 Max (review here) and you see a wide gulf.

For that reason, it's never going to top our list of the best mini PCs we've tested. But if you’re a classic business professional who doesn’t need to max out their machine, this may be a great option to consider for office and home office use.

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right off the bat, this is a spectacular representation of a compact machine. It’s great, not sacrificing too much for its compact size, balancing portability and real-world usability with the right workplace demand.

The fact that within the box, Lenovo have sent a mounting bracket as one of the only accessories in the box shows the focus on having this machine tucked away in a convenient or more aesthetic position, depending on the user.

The bracket makes it very easy to VESA mount, mount under a desk, behind a monitor on a wall, or something similar. That right there shows quite a bit of what you’d need to know about this unit before deciding whether to purchase.

We’ll go further into it later on in the review, but TLDR: it’s a solid machine that can fit just about anywhere, as long as your computing needs won’t outpace what it has onboard.

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Design & Build Quality

I’ve mentioned the smaller size, but perhaps this is the right time to go into the port offering. It has most of the ports on the back, with only a headphone, USB-C, and a USB-A on the front.

On the back, with all the ports, there are two DisplayPorts (on this model), an HDMI, a power port (sadly not USB-C), four USB-A ports, Ethernet, and an antenna port for adding a Wi-Fi antenna if desired. For most scenarios that this is designed to run in, I’d suggest hard-lining the internet, but that’s just one man’s opinion.

One thing to note is that there are not a lot of USB-C ports on this machine, even though it’s 2026 and USB-C is pretty common. I genuinely believe it’s because Lenovo knows its target. They aren’t trying to market to those who are brimming with the newest technology with this device; they care more about reaching the people and companies

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: In use

The Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC is a spectacular “behind-the-scenes admin machine” providing usability, ports you actually want, and easy setup. One of the great things about a monitor like this is the ability to connect any monitor you so choose.

For me, right now, I have rotated this machine around a few monitors during my testing.

The current monitor I have it on is the Dell 52-inch monster that was just released (review coming soon), but I have also used this mini PC on some BenQ monitors, some portable monitors, and others. It’s worked well on all of them, though pushing the 52-inch 6K beast at 100% scaling (small and sharp) was a bit much for this guy, so I had to scale it a little bit. But that’s understandable and was not a shock.

Using this machine as a kiosk, a front desk, or a basic always-on machine is exactly what it’s meant for. It works quickly and reliably, and it’s got enough ports not to need adapters. What else could you want for your basic office uses?

Because I wanted to simulate an office setup I have seen, I hooked this PC up to dual 1080p Dell monitors, and it worked great. Even going up to dual 4K still ran fine.

Another great option for this kind of setup is hot desking. Some companies need to have machines that can be used by multiple people via a network login or a guest login. This machine is great for that due to the abundance of ports, smaller profile requiring less desk space (or none if mounted), and good balance of power and price.

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Final verdict

In a world where everyone is boasting about the most advanced "this-or-that" machines, the ThinkCentre Neo 50qc QC is quietly puttering along as the machine most businesses would actually be interested in, not just flabbergasted by in a demo.

It’s got a great balance of power, price, and ports, making it a serious contender for a basic business machine.

To be frank, on paper, the specs won’t impress. This desktop PC isn't some advanced supercomputer that will power through every task. Despite that, the price is relatively high when compared to other Windows 11 mini PCs we've reviewed, and I wouldn't blame some for looking elsewhere to get a little more power for the same (or slightly less) cost.

Beyond that, though, this is a solidly built mini PC from a well-known brand that's well-specced for day-to-day business use, and it's difficult to find many faults if you know what you're getting into.

For more options, we've tested the best business computers.

• Xiaomi and Lenovo have both teased upcoming gaming phones
• In Lenovo's case, this will be its first gaming phone in years
• However, there's a high chance they'll only be sold in China

Gaming phones have always been slightly niche, but there used to be a decent number of them being made each year. Now, many brands have either stopped making them entirely or pulled out of certain markets. Lenovo was one such case, having officially stopped making gaming phones back in 2023, but now it has reversed course.

Over on Chinese site Weibo (via Android Authority), the company has announced that it will be launching a Lenovo Legion Y70 New Generation.

This will be Lenovo's first Legion gaming phone since 2022, and the post suggests it will be out as soon as May, though no concrete details have been shared just yet. That said, a leaked photo shared by Innogyan shows what appears to be a Legion phone with three cameras on the back, so it’s likely this is the upcoming handset.

It's not alone

And this isn’t the only upcoming gaming phone, as Xiaomi (via NotebookCheck) has also shared details of its upcoming Redmi K90 Max — a phone that you can see at the top of this article, and that’s set to launch on April 21.

This is already confirmed to have a high-end Dimensity 9500 chipset, and a 6.83-inch 165Hz screen, which can apparently maintain a 144Hz refresh rate and ‘ultra HD’ resolution for four hours when playing Honor of Kings.

So, this is very much a gaming-focused phone too, but there’s a catch with both of these devices, as so far they’ve only been confirmed for China, so they may well not get a global launch.

Still, the fact that they’re arriving at all suggests that there’s a renewed appetite for gaming phones, so hopefully it will only be a matter of time before new models do start launching globally.

• Lenovo has increased the price of its 2TB Legion Go 2 to $2,850
• The handheld now costs more than two Nvidia RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPUs
• Lenovo hasn't stated why there's been a price increase, but recent trends suggest the memory crisis is related

There's been a gradual calm to the currently raging storm that is the memory crisis and its impact on PC hardware, specifically with RAM kits slowly falling in price, but the chaos is far from over, and Lenovo just proved it.

As reported by Notebookcheck, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 Ryzen Z2 Extreme 2TB model now costs $2,850, listed on Lenovo's online store, a significant price hike from the original $1,480 retail price. This comes shortly after the cost of the 1TB model was increased by up to $2,000, which is $650 more than the original $1,350 price.

Notably, the 2TB model's $2,850 price makes the Windows-based handheld more expensive than two Nvidia RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPUs, which would cost $1,998, and more costly than a single RTX 5090, the most powerful desktop GPU currently available.

To say that the pricing here for handheld gaming devices is absurd would be an understatement. While the RAM crisis and unstable PC hardware market are likely to blame in this case, it's hard for any consumer to justify paying rent money for a device that isn't even the best in its own league.

There are handhelds such as the GPD Win 5 that cost less than the Legion Go 2 2TB, and offer gaming laptop-tier performance, using the AMD Ryzen Al Max+ 395. It's hard to see any world where gamers will choose the Lenovo Legion Go 2, frankly, over any product that's in the same price region of $2,000 or more.

Lenovo has yet to give any explanation on why the price increase has occurred, but if the recent trend of price hikes is anything to go by, it's due to the memory crisis. However, that's not an out for Lenovo, as a $2,000 for its 1TB model alone is unfeasible, and $2,850 feels like a late April Fools prank.

Unfortunately, price jumps such as these have been coming, and at this rate, it feels as though proceedings are only going to get worse as the crisis continues.

Handheld gaming has been in a great place for a few years, ever since Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, kicking off a raft of portable gaming PCs appearing in all manner of incarnations.

Since the Steam Deck muscled onto the scene, Lenovo, Asus, and Ayaneo have all been busy launching new handhelds, offering a wide variety of options from lower to higher-end devices. Some have struck a nicely affordable chord, although many have been criticized for being overpriced.

Valve's Steam Deck was (and arguably still is) the most popular among all the handheld gaming PCs on the market, giving gamers an easy way to dive into portable gaming for a reasonable price.

However, the situation with handhelds is swiftly changing, and not for the better. The AI boom has meant that prices for RAM and storage have skyrocketed, and the crisis is seemingly getting worse on a daily basis.

Notably, Ayaneo had its Next 2 handheld gaming PC poised to go sale, with pre-orders open and shipments scheduled for June 2026. Unfortunately, those pre-orders are no longer available, as the company has been forced to suspend sales for the new device due to rapidly rising component costs.

While Ayaneo is arguably a niche brand, one that pushes for higher specifications in a handheld that can provide gaming laptop-level performance, it's not the only company that has seen its line-up of handheld devices impacted by the ongoing memory chip crisis. And it doesn't look like it'll be the last, either.

The AI boom might destroy handheld gaming PCs

At this rate, handheld gaming PCs are in grave danger of gradually being phased out, at least as a mainstream force. We've reached a point where device manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the cost and lack of availability of RAM and storage, and consumers simply can't afford to pay entry-level desktop gaming PC prices for portable devices. All this is a direct result of the AI boom.

Ayaneo's case is a telling example here, with the company admitting that hardly any profit has been made from the Next 2 handheld pre-orders taken thus far, as the overall cost of production has risen so much.

Another prime example of the chaos being sown with handhelds is Valve's recent announcement that the Steam Deck OLED will be out of stock intermittently, and unsurprisingly, this is due to memory and storage supply issues.

The RAM crisis represents an increasingly difficult situation for Valve in particular, with the Steam Machine still in the pipeline for a launch in 2026 — and that has already faced a delay, once again, due to said crisis.

The affordability problems caused for both manufacturers and consumers are a recipe for disaster when it comes to handheld gaming PCs. The longer the AI boom continues, with data centers grabbing huge slabs of memory for AI tasks, the worse things will get for handheld production costs.

Ultimately, it all comes down to a nasty price to pay for consumers, who will be faced with ever more expensive price tags for handhelds that were already creeping into unaffordable territory even before the AI boom struck.

All this threatens to stall the progress that handheld gaming PCs have made since they grabbed their share of the limelight following the success of the Steam Deck. Previously this market was mostly dominated by niche brands like Ayaneo or Ayn, and those days could return — if the RAM crisis continues to make life miserable for handheld manufacturers, and consumer interest declines.

There are some tentative signs that the AI bubble could burst, notably with OpenAI putting the sword to Sora, and you never know what's around the next corner — it's not all doom and gloom.

However, I worry that even after the bubble eventually bursts — however long that may take — it could be some time before the supply of components normalizes. Predictions from analyst firms make that clear enough.

Hopefully, though, this component storm won't be raging for too long, and handheld gaming PCs will manage to weather it. That does, of course, remain to be seen, and unfortunately matters are looking pretty rocky right now.

Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition is a lightweight 14-inch laptop that blends OLED visuals, AI-powered performance, and long battery life into a sleek, travel-friendly design. And I found a huge saving on on the Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition, now £599 (was £899) at Currys.

An Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor keeps everything running smoothly, backed by integrated Intel Arc graphics for creative apps and everyday workloads. It handles multitasking, editing, and day-to-day use without feeling slow or strained.

With 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, it will move through heavier tasks with ease. The 512GB SSD keeps load times quick and gives you enough space for projects, files, and apps.

Today's top Lenovo laptop deal

A 14-inch Full HD+ OLED display delivers sharp detail with rich contrast and vibrant colours. With 100% DCI-P3, DisplayHDR True Black 500, and Dolby Vision, it looks excellent for creative work and streaming alike.

Weighing just 1.19kg, it’s easy to carry around, whether you’re commuting or working remotely. Despite the slim build, it still packs in a solid set of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 connections and HDMI 2.1.

Battery life stretches up to 17.5 hours, so it can comfortably get through a full day without needing a charge. That kind of endurance will come in very handy if you’re often away from a desk.

A 5MP webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition keeps logins quick and secure, while the privacy shutter adds peace of mind when the camera isn’t in use.

Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos give it a boost for films, music, and calls, creating a fuller, more immersive sound than most laptops in this size.

At £599, this is one of the best deals I’ve seen for a slim, high-quality laptop with OLED and modern Intel hardware inside.

For more choices, look at our round up of the best business laptops you can buy.

• Shop all laptops at Currys

It's the last day of Amazon's Spring Sale, and it's your last chance to save on some great business laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and MSI.

I review business laptops for a living, so I've searched through everything in the Amazon Spring Deal Days Sale to find the laptop deals you won't want to miss if you're a professional who needs reliable machine.

For smooth performance in day-to-day business tasks, I've ensured each laptop here is equipped with a minimum Intel Core 5 / AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB SSD.

All of the options below are suitable for productivity tasks, running Office software, browsing the web, and holding video calls. And at under £500 for known-brand machines, they're the business laptop deals you won't want to miss.

For more savings, I've also found 50home office upgrades under £50.

The top business laptops under £500 in Amazon's Spring Sale

More of today's Amazon Spring Sale highlights

• Amazon Devices: Fire TV & Blink from £13.99
• Apple: AirPods & Apple Watch from £139
• Appliances: up to 30% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Clothing: up to 50% off Sketchers & Crocs
• Essentials: from £5
• Gaming: up to 50% off PS5 & Switch games
• Headphones: Sony & Shokz from £59
• Health & Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Smart home: up to 50% off cameras & doorbells
• Smartwatches: Apple & Huawei from £99
• Tablets: Fire & Galaxy Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego
• TVs: from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 30% off Shark & Vax

• Lenovo reframes modular computing through enterprise durability requirements
• The ThinkBook concept is more for fleets than consumers
• System-level AI integration anchors the broader hardware strategy

At MWC 2026, Lenovo showed off a move toward modular hardware and system-level artificial intelligence, combining adaptive concepts with a broad commercial refresh.

The most conspicuous example of this is the ThinkBook Modular AI PC concept, which borrows a Lego-like philosophy of interchangeable parts and configurable layouts.

The approach revives long-running industry ambitions around modular computing, inviting comparisons with Project Ara, the abandoned modular smartphone initiative developed under Motorola ownership before Google discontinued it.

Modular ambition meets enterprise pragmatism

At the center of this showcase is a 14-inch ultra-thin base system built to accept detachable displays, input modules, and modular I/O elements.

A secondary screen can attach in different orientations or replace the keyboard entirely, expanding the workspace to roughly 19 inches while retaining portability.

“The AI era will not be defined by a single device or application, but by intelligent systems that work seamlessly across everything we use,” said Luca Rossi, President, Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo.

“We are demonstrating how Lenovo and Motorola are bringing that vision to life, combining adaptive hardware innovation with a single, unified system-level AI integration that works naturally across PCs, smartphones, tablets, wearables, and beyond.”

That ecosystem relies heavily on Lenovo Qira, which it describes as Personal Ambient Intelligence embedded at the system level rather than layered on top as an app.

Although the modular ThinkBook may draw attention for its flexibility, the surrounding portfolio signals a clear commercial emphasis, as the updated ThinkPad T Series focuses on serviceability and lifecycle value, with select models earning high iFixit repairability scores.

Lenovo connects those improvements to reduced downtime and sustainable fleet management, a message that resonates more with procurement teams than casual buyers.

The ThinkPad X13 Detachable extends this approach with field-replaceable components in a lightweight format suited to frontline professionals.

The ThinkTab X11, a rugged Android tablet built for industrial settings, further reinforces that direction.

These devices prioritize durability, manageability, and integration with corporate security frameworks such as firewall controls and endpoint security policies.

Lenovo's approach’s does not follow the same trajectory as Motorola Ara, given its clearer business-to-business strategy where versatility sits at the center.

It embeds the system within a broader commercial ecosystem that includes lifecycle services and AI deployment tools.

Even so, the viability of detachable displays and modular I/O components will depend on durability, pricing, and real-world adoption across enterprise fleets.

The failure of Project Ara stemmed from both the appeal and the practical constraints of modular hardware at scale, and increased complexity, cost pressures, and limited developer support at the time also contributed to its demise.

At present, modular systems appear to face stronger enterprise demand and fewer structural barriers, which explains why brands such as Getac and HP continue to develop devices like the Getac S510AD and HP EliteBook 8 G1 for organizations that require configurable, durable hardware environments.

Lenovo’s modular ThinkBook concept appears to sit closer to that tradition than to consumer experimentation.

MWC 2026 is in full swing here in Barcelona, Spain, and while my usual beat for TechRadar is all things computing, I’ve been walking around the show floor of this huge tech event on the lookout for a new smartphone to get excited about.

I’ve felt for a while that smartphone designs and technology have hit a plateau. The hardware and form factor are now pretty much perfect for what we currently use our phones for (doom scrolling, taking photos, and making the rare phone call, essentially, in my case), which has left phone makers scrambling to find a reason to convince us to upgrade from our perfectly fine handsets.

I’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and two years on, it remains an excellent phone, which has meant that no amount of foldable screens or AI features (two things phone makers have been trying to get people excited about) has made me want to switch to a new device.

However, I’m pleased to say that at this year’s MWC I have finally found a smartphone I’m seriously considering ditching my trusty S24 Ultra for – and it comes from a rather surprising place: TCL.

I say ‘surprising’ because I’ve always associated TCL with TVs, so when I was invited to check out its smartphones and tablets, I was intrigued – and that quickly turned to excitement.

TCL’s display expertise has produced a series of smartphones with the company’s NXTPAPER screen tech, which are essentially color e-paper displays similar to what you’d fine on a high-end ebook reader, and its latest flagship phones, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro (which features the latest generation of this tech) caught my eye straight away.

The NXTPAPER 4.0 behind the screen looks fantastic, with a matte-like finish that’s completely free from reflections and glare. Unlike my experience with (admittedly older) color e-paper displays, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro’s screen was bright and vibrant. It also felt fast and responsive when opening apps (the phone runs on Android) – without the screen needing to refresh with every change, something that frustrates me when I use my Kindle.

The phone also features an additional key, though unlike my S4 Ultra’s Bixby button that I immediately changed from calling up Samsung’s unlovable virtual assistant to something actually worth using, the 70 Pro’s NXTPAPER Key could see a lot more action. It switches the display between several modes: Colour Paper Mode, Ink Paper Mode and Max Ink Mode, and it does so with a rather cool-looking ripple transition animation. The Max Ink Mode is the most ebook-like screen setting, with a simple black and white display that should be ideal for reading on – and prolongs the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro’s battery life on standby to a huge 26 days.

You can also use a stylus for doodling and writing notes, with the T-Pen stylus offering a pleasantly responsive experience, especially with the NXTPAPER’s paper-like surface. Elsewhere, the specs seems decent for a smartphone, with a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide, and 32MP front camera. The chip is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300, and comes with 8GB RAM that can be expanded to 24GB, with 512GB storage.

So, this would likely be a downgrade in performance from my S24 Ultra (especially its photo-taking abilities), but gosh, that screen is gorgeous. And, with a starting price of €299 (around $350 / £260 / AU$500), it’s a very compelling price, and much cheaper than the $1,299.99 ( £1,279 / AU$2,199) Samsung would demand of me if I were to upgrade to the S26 Ultra.

However, just as I was seriously weighing up getting the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, TCL went and showed me something that immediately made me put those plans on hold.

NXTPAPER + AMOLED = take my money!

TCL’s major announcement at MWC is the next generation of NXTPAPER, which combines the e-paper display of NXTPAPER with AMOLED screen technology.

This results in an absolutely stunning and vibrant display, and TCL had handsets on show with the screen. Everything that impressed me with NXTPAPER was present, including the flicker-free, anti-glare experience, but with a level of color vibrancy and detail that really impressed me. Thanks to the AMOLED tech, the handsets on show were also noticeably lighter than the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro.

I mentioned how I’d love to read comics on this screen, and there must be a fellow comic book fan at TCL, as they had plenty of examples of what comics would look like using this tech – and I was blown away. Images popped and text was clear, and the paper-like display made for a much more comfortable reading experience, whilst also giving you a similar experience to reading a physical comic.

I immediately started planning to buy whatever device comes with this screen, but at the moment the handsets are all pre-production, and there’s no solid release date, though I was told it would be ‘soon’.

It definitely meant I’m going to put my search for a new phone on hold until I see handsets with the NXTPAPER and AMOLED screens in the wild, and while Samsung’s innovative Privacy Display is a cool feature with some admirable goals behind it, I’m far less interested in protecting my privacy, and more enthusiastic about firing up my Marvel Unlimited subscription to catch up on my beloved X-Men instead. Stupid? Yes. Nerdy? Of course! Inevitable? Absolutely.

TechRadar is on the show floor for this year’s MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain, and we’ll be covering the latest news from some of the biggest names in mobile, computing, fitness and more.

Lenovo is developing quite the reputation for showing off innovative (and sometimes strange) product concepts at big tech events, and at MWC 2026 it's continuing that tradition.

I've just been shown its latest concepts at the huge tech event currently taking place in Barcelona, Spain, and was left impressed by not just what was on show, but also what wasn't even mentioned.

Product concepts are essentially prototypes that show off cool new ideas to give us an idea of what future gadgets could look and perform like, so while you can't go out and buy the things Lenovo showed me right now, it's likely that a lot of the tech will some day make its way into real products — and I just hope we don't have to wait too long.

ThinkBook Modular AI PC Concept

Last time I was at MWC was around a decade ago (oh, goodness), and I remember modular phones, including Google's Project Ara, were the buzz of Barcelona, and here I am being shown a modular laptop... and I'm impressed.

At first glance, the ThinkBook Modular AI PC Concept looks like a fairly standard laptop, except it has two screens — one on the front, and one on the back. The rear screen can be easily removed (it's held there via a magnetic connector) and can be used as a portable second screen (attached via cable).

The keyboard can also be removed, and you can swap it with the second screen for a more 'traditional' dual-screen laptop — and the keyboard can be used while detached thanks to its Bluetooth connection.

Beneath, where the keyboard usually sits, are two modular I/O ports (one on each side of the laptop). These can be swapped out, allowing the user to switch between USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI ports. It's a nice little touch that makes this concept feel far more flexible and convenient.

While what Lenovo showed me was just a prototype, it was impressively slick, with all the pieces slotting into place securely, which makes me hopeful that we could see modular laptops soon.

Yoga Book Pro 3D Concept

Here's another blast from the past: 3D. Remember when tech companies decided that 3D was the next big thing and crammed it into all kinds of devices, including TVs and laptops?

I certainly do. And, while I was pleased to see the back of that tech trend several years ago, Lenovo could bring it back with the Yoga Book Pro 3D Concept.

Now, before you begin rolling your eyes, Lenovo is at least not pitching the return of 3D to casual users — instead, it's targetting makers, 3D artists and creators.

The Yoga Book Pro 3D Concept is a dual-screen laptop, with the main screen capable of glasses-free 3D. Using eye-tracking tech in the webcam, the Yoga Book Pro 3D Concept adjusts the image so you get a clear 3D experience from where you're sat. Meanwhile, the bottom screen is a bright and vibrant touchscreen that you can use like a graphics tablet to edit art, then view your creations on the 3D screen.

Using the webcam, you can also manipulate objects on the 3D screen by making gestures in the air. By pinching my fingers on both hands and slowly moving them apart, I was able to zoom in on a 3D object, and by slightly rotating my hands while I was doing that, I could rotate the object on screen.

It felt responsive and natural (even in the less-than-perfect environment of a busy show floor), and I can definitely see the appeal for product designers who want to see what their designs could end up looking like. It's not for me, but at least Lenovo isn't trying to tell me that it is.

Legion Go Fold Concept

I love my various PC gaming handhelds, especially the Asus ROG Ally X, so it was great to see Lenovo experiment with the handheld form factor in a similar way it's been pushing boundries with laptop designs.

The Legion Go Fold Concept is a large 7.7-inch gaming tablet that you can attach two halves of a controller to either side of the screen (like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Lenovo Legion Go).

The screen can be unfolded to a bigger 11.6-inch display, and you can continue to use it as a gaming handheld, now with a much bigger screen in horizontal 'Horizon' mode. Or, if you prefer, you can rotate the screen vertically, reconnect the controllers and use the screen in split-screen mode, where your game is on one half, leaving the other half to display apps or websites (such as game guides).

While this is the concept that feels the furthest away from being released (Lenovo still needs to work out how to turn off half the screen when it's folded backwards, and I'm concerned about how scratched the rear screen could become), I love the fact that Lenovo is already experimenting with this relatively new device category.

AI MIA

One thing that struck me whilst Lenovo was talking me through the concepts was the absence of AI.

While AI was included in some of the product names, Lenovo didn't bother to mention artificial intelligence, which came as a pleasant surprise as MWC 2026 (like most recent tech events) is absolutely chock full of companies pushing AI in the products — a lot like how they tried to make 3D a thing years ago.

Many companies at this year's event are touting AI as the future of mobiles and computing, but are failing to really show us why they think AI is the future (outside of using it as a glorified search engine or virtual assistant).

In contrast, Lenovo's vision of the future seemed far more interested in the physical hardware itself, and that's a far more interesting idea. It certainly made me more excited for the future of laptops than any amount of generative AI slop would.

TechRadar is on the show floor for this year’s MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain, and we’ll be covering the latest news from some of the biggest names in mobile, computing, fitness and more.