Las Vegas, Nevada — Lenovo has taken a bold step from futuristic concept to tangible product with the announcement of its ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist laptop at CES 2026. Unveiled on the show floor here, the 14-inch device features a motorized pivoting hinge that allows the screen to twist and angle automatically toward the user, adapting to head movements and posture in real time. This innovation, once confined to prototype demonstrations, promises to redefine how users interact with laptops during presentations or casual use, with a launch slated for June and a starting price of $1,649.
The Auto Twist builds on Lenovo's long history of experimenting with flexible and transformative hardware designs. The company first showcased similar twisting concepts years ago, including early ThinkPad models that could pivot into tablet mode. According to reports from The Verge, which covered the CES reveal, the new ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 represents a maturation of these ideas, incorporating advanced sensors to track user position across a portion of a room. "It can follow you around a portion of a room while giving a presentation," the publication noted, highlighting the laptop's ability to maintain eye contact during dynamic scenarios.
One of the standout features is the motorized hinge, which not only pivots the screen but also enables manual adjustments if desired. Users can even knock on the closed lid to trigger an automatic opening mechanism, adding a touch of convenience for quick access. This auto-opening capability echoes trends in smart devices, where gesture-based interactions are becoming more common, as seen in recent smart home assistants and automotive interfaces.
Complementing the hardware is an AI companion software integrated into the Auto Twist, described by observers as reminiscent of the quirky robot GERTY from the 2009 science fiction film Moon. The software features emoji-like animations, where the on-screen avatar can wave its "little hands" or don virtual sunglasses in response to user actions. Antonio G. Di Benedetto, who witnessed a demo at CES, reported that the companion "seemed cute" during initial interactions but noted it was "slow to load and seemed awkward to use after the novelty wears off." This feedback underscores a common challenge in AI-driven interfaces: balancing whimsy with practicality.
The laptop's display is a key highlight, boasting a 2880 x 1800 resolution OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for stylus input. At just 3.09 pounds or 1.4 kilograms, the thin-and-light design makes it portable for professionals on the go. Powering the device are Intel's upcoming Panther Lake processors, which Lenovo officials described during the announcement as offering enhanced efficiency for AI workloads. CES 2026, held annually in Las Vegas, has long served as a launchpad for such cutting-edge computing hardware, drawing thousands of attendees from the tech industry to preview innovations set to hit the market later in the year.
Beyond basic functionality, the Auto Twist includes live language translation capabilities, where the screen can swivel between speakers to facilitate multilingual conversations. This feature could prove invaluable in global business settings or educational environments, aligning with the growing demand for AI-assisted communication tools. Lenovo has positioned the ThinkBook series as a mid-range option for creative professionals and hybrid workers, and the Auto Twist fits neatly into that ecosystem by blending productivity with interactive elements.
Contextually, this announcement comes amid a broader resurgence in laptop innovation following the pandemic-driven shift to remote work. Companies like Lenovo, which reported global revenues exceeding $60 billion in its latest fiscal year, have invested heavily in AI and adaptive hardware to stay competitive. The ThinkBook Plus line, introduced in 2020, has evolved from standard ultrabooks to include dual-screen variants and now this auto-adjusting model, reflecting consumer desires for more intuitive devices.
While the primary source of information stems from on-site reporting at CES, additional coverage from tech outlets corroborates the core details. For instance, summaries circulating online emphasize the transition from concept to product, with no major discrepancies noted across reports. Lenovo has not yet released full specifications on battery life or exact storage configurations, but early indications suggest configurations starting with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs, typical for devices in this price bracket.
Critics and enthusiasts alike have mixed reactions to the Auto Twist's gimmicky elements. Di Benedetto's demo experience pointed to the AI companion's charm wearing thin quickly, a sentiment echoed in preliminary online discussions. However, proponents argue that features like head-tracking could reduce neck strain during prolonged video calls, a persistent issue in the era of Zoom fatigue. "The real trick is tracking your head and automatically adjusting to your position or posture," The Verge explained, attributing the technology to sophisticated camera and sensor integration.
Lenovo's push into AI-infused hardware is part of a larger industry trend, with competitors like Microsoft and Samsung exploring similar adaptive displays in their Surface and Galaxy Book lines. At CES 2026, adjacent announcements included augmented reality glasses and foldable smartphones, underscoring the event's role as a bellwether for consumer electronics. The Auto Twist, photographed extensively by Di Benedetto, features a sleek aluminum chassis in neutral colors, designed to appeal to urban professionals.
Pricing at $1,649 positions the Auto Twist as a premium offering within Lenovo's portfolio, comparable to high-end MacBooks or Dell XPS models. Availability begins in June, initially targeting markets in North America and Europe, with global rollout to follow. Lenovo representatives at the show declined to comment on potential enterprise discounts or customization options, but industry analysts anticipate strong interest from sectors like education and marketing, where presentation tools are essential.
Looking ahead, the Auto Twist could signal a shift toward more "human-centric" computing, where devices anticipate user needs rather than requiring constant manual input. As AI capabilities advance with chips like Intel's Panther Lake, expected to deliver up to 20% better performance in machine learning tasks, laptops may become even more responsive. However, privacy concerns around head-tracking cameras remain, with experts recommending robust software controls to mitigate data collection risks.
In the broader landscape of CES 2026, Lenovo's announcement stands out for bridging concept and commerce effectively. Past prototypes, such as the 2023 Yoga Book with a rollable screen, often languished in development, but the Auto Twist appears poised for prime time. As the show continues through the week, further details on software updates and accessory compatibility are expected, potentially influencing its market reception.
For consumers eyeing an upgrade, the Auto Twist offers a glimpse into a future where laptops are as dynamic as the users wielding them. With its June launch on the horizon, early adopters will soon test whether the novelty translates to everyday utility. Lenovo's commitment to innovation, evidenced by this CES debut, reinforces its position as a leader in the evolving world of personal computing.
As the tech world digests these developments, the Auto Twist serves as a reminder of how far devices have come from static screens to interactive companions. Whether it becomes a bestseller or a niche favorite, its arrival marks another milestone in Lenovo's storied journey through consumer electronics.